MOUNT BURR V KALANGADOO
Ladder leader Kalangadoo travels to Mount Burr where the home team is desperate to keep its flickering hopes alive of playing in a major round for the first time since 2018.
The Mozzies will be looking to players like the Wallis brothers to defeat the Magpies who have not lost a game in the MSEFL for almost two calendar years.
Mozzie pair Josh and Sam Wallis are worthy inclusions in the Murray South East training squad which is preparing for the SA Country Championships on July 10.
Another bonus for the tenants of Mick and Jean Walker Oval is the recovery from injury of former Hatherleigh and Millicent ruckman/forward Hamish Smith.
He booted three goals in Mount Burr’s big win at Glencoe on Saturday and is a valuable addition in attack and on-the-ball.
Kalangadoo is currently well-placed to go through a season undefeated as it has just disposed of second-placed Port MacDonnell without players of the calibre of Ben and Chris Mules and Tye McManus.
The quick and precise movement of the ball by the Magpies leaves their opponents flat-footed and is finished off by spearhead Michael Krieger.
He has led the goalkickers table for much of 2021 and his current leading tally of 39 is five more than new Port MacDonnell assistant coach Kevin Thomson and Robe utility Zack Deane.
When the teams last met at Mick and Jean Walker Oval in April, they competed for premiership points and for the Harry Bott Memorial Shield.
It honours the memory of the one-time Mout Burr storekeeper and Kalangadoo Football Club president.
TANTANOOLA VS GLENCOE
The annual visit down the Mile Hill Road to Tantanoola has special significance for Glencoe players and the home team and a prominent local sporting family.
Although neither team can make the finals, at stake is the Neil Von Duve memorial trophy.
He played with the Murphies and the Tigers and was afterwards a capable and popular member of the MSEFL umpiring panel.
It is always a poignant moment after the match when the trophies including the Neil Von Duve Memorial Medal for best-on-ground are presented by a family member.
The pre-match favorited for the individual honour is Tantanoola’s Jack Dawe as his form has been outstanding in his return to Tigerland after an absence of a few seasons.
The winner of the other trophy is harder to pick as Glencoe has the stronger list while Tantanoola is in better form including two recent narrow defeats.
NANGWARRY VS KONGORONG
Will this be the match when Nangwarry ends six years of defeats and accounts for Kongorong at home? It would be quite a fairy tale outcome but it is unlikely as it requires the Saints to be at their very best and the Hawks to be at their very worst.
However, stranger things have happened in football.
There is more system in Nangwarry’s forward line of late with better scoreboard impact but the defence concedes too many goals.
HATHERLEIGH VS ROBE
This is the blockbuster match of round 12 as fourth- placed Hatherleigh hosts second-placed Robe.
Both teams are looking to sideline Port MacDonnell and each other and gain the double chance.
The Eagles and the Roosters have achieved comfortable wins over the Nangwarry Saints in recent weeks.
The jungle drums have been beating for several weeks that this will be the game when star Hatherleigh pair Gerard McGrath and Darcy Bateman make their long-awaited return from injury.
The seasiders can go full bore in this contest as they have the benefit of a three-week break on account of the SA Country Championships and scheduled bye in round 13.
