Mount Burr def. Nangwarry
A record minor round crowd was at Nangwarry on Saturday to see former Collingwood champion Dane Swan make a guest appearance for the home team against powerhouse club Mount Burr.
The hype around Swan was an ideal marketing opportunity for the Mid South Eastern Football League as it began its home-and-away season.
The forecast showers and grey skies may have kept some fans away but they missed a masterclass from the Brownlow Medallist and five-time All Australian.
Despite being 39 years of age, Swan showed he had lost little of the class, skill and fervour which had served him so well at the elite level.
Alternating between half-back and on-the-ball and forward line, Swan brought his new teammates into the play and created opportunities.
He may not have suffered from the fabled “leather poisoning” but he made every possession count.
As well as a full 120 minutes “on the paddock”, Swan gave a pre-match address in the licensed clubrooms and was happy to chat with fans and pose for selfies.
His presence was a valuable tonic for the Saints but the overall depth of the Mozzies prevailed in the end.
After an even first term, the visitors led at each change and were still well ahead by 89 points at the final siren.
The Mozzies missed an opportunity to bank even more percentage in the one-sided final term as they piled on 4.11 to just one behind.
Swan was placed in attack in this period and was not able to marshal the Nangwarry defence.
There were plenty of positives for the visitors whereas the home team still needs to work on its skill and fitness levels.
Looking to round two, Nangwarry has the bye while Mount Burr hosts Tantanoola in a night game under the new $200,000 lights at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.
Kalangadoo def. Kongorong
Reigning premiers Kalangadoo commenced their premiership defence in the best possible fashion with a narrow 19- point win at home over Kongorong.
It was the closest contest of the opening round.
The hard-earned result delighted new Magpie playing coach Al Lyon but showed that reappointed Hawk mentor Cam Sandercock and his team can match it with the likely pacesetters of the competition.
To lead at every change and boot 30 scoring shots against the reigning premiers must give the Hawks great heart.
Among the noteworthy performances for the visitors was new skipper Jett Attard with three goals.
The home team needed to rearrange the forward line as ace goalkicker Michael Krieger has transferred to Casterton over summer.
The most successful Kalangadoo forward was returning player Dylan Bromley with a bag of five goals.
The 2022 champions next play at Robe and the rivalry between the two teams has intensified markedly over the past five years due to many factors.
Kongorong has its annual Anzac tribute match against Port MacDonnell on Saturday when the victor receives the Bruce Lightbody Memorial Shield and the best-on-ground the Private John Rogers Memorial Medal.
Private Rogers was a local National Serviceman who died whilst on active duty in Vietnam in 1968.
Port MacDonnell def. Glencoe
Anew-look Port MacDonnell has signalled it will again be a force in the competition in 2023 with an impressive 93-point win at home over Glencoe.
After the scores were locked away at 2.3 apiece at quarter time, the Murphies managed a solitary major thereafter.
Having finished top and third in the past two seasons, the Demons are in good shape for newcomer Josh Woodall to begin his coaching career.
The other fresh faces at the seaside are the likes of Colby Munro and Adam Kuhl and they showed they will be valuable additions for the blue-and-reds.
Glencoe was missing some key forwards but the modest score was a great disappointment.
Port MacDonnell ventures to nearby Kongorong on Saturday while Glencoe hosts Hatherleigh.
The Eagles are set to be without half of their 2022 grand final team owing to injury, off-season departures and a player’s wedding at a winery in the Southern Vales.
Robe def. Tantanoola
New Robe coach Nathan Brown had an impressive start to his MSEFL career with a 90-point win over Tantanoola at Tigerland.
Brown received the best-on-ground accolade as well.
Although the seasiders have had several players come to the club over summer, the scheduling of three pre-season games allowed them to get accustomed to the tempo of footy in the MSEFL.
Former Rooster colt Hamish Smith continued his good form from 2022 as he finished the match with a game-high tally of five goals.
The result was not to the liking of new Tantanoola coach Jack Dawe but his young team fought hard until the final bell.
Among the other positives he could take from the match were a fine first quarter which gave them the lead.
The Tigers meet the Mozzies under lights at Mount Burr on Saturday while the Roosters host the Kalangadoo Magpies.
