Hatherleigh versus Nangwarry
Having turned on a dynamic first-up performance, Nangwarry forward Andrew Hyland has breathed fresh life into his new team as they head to Hatherleigh on Saturday for the second round of the Mid South Eastern Football League.
Hyland’s eight goals at Tigerland in round one came from a mixture of set shots and clever groundwork snaps and were achieved despite a “tricky” breeze.
There was much to like in his MSEFL debut led by his ability to take contested pack marks has probably not been seen by a Saints forward since the ‘90s when the likes of Michael Timms, Lee Capewell and Peter and John Neshoda headed the MSEFL goal kicking.
Recruited from Edwardstown in metropolitan Adelaide, the vast Hatherleigh oval is similar to that of the “Townies” home ground.
In recent years, Nangwarry has repeatedly had around 45% of the play but lacked the firepower in attack.
The Saints have not been able to convert those scoring opportunities into goals and some large hidings have resulted.
I have little doubt that if Hyland was playing for a powerhouse club like Hatherleigh or Robe, he would be booting 80-100 goals each season.
With the 2022 Saints out-gunned by most clubs in most areas, a realistic season haul of around 60 goals can be expected from Hyland.
He will not play in a winning team against the Eagles but he and 20 other Saints will certainly deny the home team a percentage booster.
Hatherleigh already looks to have the side to go deep into September.
Glencoe versus Mount Burr
Neither the Murphies nor the Mozzies want to head into the Easter break with a scorecard reading 0-2.
Glencoe in particular want to get a win under their belts as they prepare to head to Nangwarry for the round three clash on April 24.
Not only will the Murphies be fielding a depleted 21 owing to a wedding, they will also face the Saints on the very day they officially open their new social clubrooms and mark 25 years since the 1997 premiership.
The fear of being the first club to lose to Nangwarry since mid-2014 will be a powerful motivating factor to succeed.
Lowering the Mount Burr colours on Saturday would assist Glencoe greatly.
Both of these teams began the 2022 season with heavy losses and seldom matched their opponents.
They have the talent to reach the major round but wins will only come with consistent play.
Tantanoola versus Robe
The Robe Roosters begin their 2022 campaign by heading to Tigerland and starting as warm favourites against round one winners Tantanoola.
The seasiders have looked to ruckman Tom Wachtel to mentor the team with his predecessor Jack Kelly accepting the vice-captaincy.
After missing 15 games in 2021 due to injury, Penola recruit Tom Williams is the new on-field skipper.
He shares his name with the Kalangadoo wingman.
The Robe forward line will take on a new look without 2021 skipper Zac Deane who has transferred to Penola while star SANFL recruit Billy Laurie is back at his home club of Kybybolite.
The seasiders are confident they have the personnel to cover these losses.
On the other hand, Tantanoola will exploit their home ground advantage and put up stout resistance.
The young Tigers have plenty of pace and have a 195cm target in attack in the guise of reappointed coach Jak Ryan.
His team showed great resilience in overcoming an 18-point deficit against the Saints in round one and securing the premiership points.
This should be the closest contest of Round 2.
Kongorong versus Kalangadoo
Kongorong forward Cam Sandercock has experienced the highs and lows in his 12 months and one week of involvement in the MSEFL.
The agony and the ecstasy were there for all to see a year ago as Sandercock’s 10-goal haul in the spirited Anzac Day clash against Nangwarry earned him the coveted Private John Rogers Memorial Medal as best afield.
Within a few weeks, injury forced the recruit to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
2022 has also been a roller-coaster ride for Sandercock and the season is not even a fortnight old.
He was elevated to the coaching role after Will Whitty stepped down last month citing increased business and farming commitments
His Hawks did not exactly cover themselves with glory in the opening round as they down at home to arch rivals Port MacDonnell.
Honours were shared in three of the four terms with the Demons winning the third term: 8.4 to only 2.1.
Such a lapse would be fatal against 2021 grand finalists Kalangadoo who began the season in good style.
The Magpies relish any win over the Murphies and especially when the margin was 113 points and the victors had 12 individual goal kickers.
