Nangwarry 15.4 def. Port MacDonnell
Nangwarry’s first victory over Port MacDonnell in around 20 years was the highlight of the opening round of the Mid South Eastern Football League on Saturday.
Rookie playing coach George McWaters told players and supporters in the change-rooms after the game that he was close to tears because his Saints had held off a strong challenge from the Demons at home and won by 28 points.
Another proud man was Mansell family patriarch Ken Mansell as he watched his son and new Nangwarry assistant coach Darren Mansell and grandson and Adelaide recruit Jake Mansell play key roles in the downfall of one of the powerhouse clubs in the MSEFL.
Nangwarry president Shane Ploenges also had a beaming smile noting the youth of the side and strong performances from Jake Mansell and fellow Adelaide travellers Tyler Wood Waddell and Jacob Murchison (four goals).
Played before a large crowd and in perfect conditions, the victors certainly did not have matters go all their own way.
At the midway point of the first term, Nangwarry led by 19 points while Port MacDonnell were two goals clear at the same time in the third.
The home team then booted four unanswered goals to take an 11-point buffer into the last change.
The Saints finished full of run while a lapse in discipline by a Demon resulted in a yellow card awarded, 50m penalty and a Saints goal which sealed the game.
McWaters, Mansell and teen Elwood Geary (six goals) stood out for the victors while I rated Port MacDonnell’s co-captain Ned Wilke and vice-captain Jake Turner (six goals) as their best.
Veteran Port MacDonnell ruckman Will Macdonald was listed on the digital team sheet but did not play.
Nangwarry plays Tantanoola at Tigerland this Saturday while Port MacDonnell welcomes archrivals Kongorong to the Bay for the Ian Smith Trophy game.
Hatherleigh 15.18 def.
Kongorong 2.3
New Kongorong coach Matt Roscow would have been pleased with the success of his cousin Darren Mansell but otherwise had a tough start to his senior mentor role.
The MSEFL programmers did his Kongorong Hawks no favours as the reigning wooden spooners were slotted to play reigning premiers Hatherleigh at home.
By quarter time, the visitors had restricted the home team to just one goal while adding 6.5 themselves.
Kongorong was also out-pointed in the third term but the honours were shared in the other two with the margin being 93 points at the final siren.
The return of the Frazer Bradley certainly delivered extra forward firepower for the Eagles.
He booted an equal game-high tally of four goals along with clubmate Bradley Mitchell.
Hatherleigh is home to fellow round one victor Mount Burr for round two while Kongorong heads south to Port MacDonnell.
Robe 10.7 def.
Glencoe 6.4
Given the controversial outcome of the 2024 seaside encounter, Robe was determined to put Glencoe to the sword.
Although the Roosters were ahead by 27 points at the end, the Murphies were still a chance of victory deep into the final term.
Both teams showed enough good form to indicate they are likely participants in the major round in 2025.
New Roosters coach Adam Kurzman got to sing the victory song with his players while the victory was timely as it was the annual Robe Sponsors Day.
Robe heads down the road to Kalangadoo on Saturday while Glencoe has a three-week break.
This is due to its scheduled bye and the Easter holiday long weekend.
Mount Burr 9.12 def.
Kalangadoo 2.8
Public support for night footy was evident at Mick and Jean Walker Oval on Saturday when Mount Burr played Kalangadoo at dusk under lights.
Crowds packed the Can Hill viewing area as the home team accounted for the visitors by 46 points.
The home team received a welcome tonic on the eve of the match when SANFL zone club Glenelg allowed teen Kallan Bevan to return home and pull on the green and gold stripes of the Mozzies.
It was a low-scoring match with the exception of a 15-minte purple parch midway through the second term.
The opening term had been a battle of defences and then the floodgates opened.
After a goalless first term, the Mozzies piled on five unanswered goals to put the game out of the reach of the Magpies in a strong display.
Only four goals in total were scored in the second half with the conditions remaining first class.
It has been quite some time since Kalangadoo only managed two goals for an entire match with all credit going to the tight Mount Burr defence.
The visitors did not post a goal in the second nor third terms.
Mount Burr heads to Hatherleigh for the second round while Kalangadoo is home to Robe.
LCFNL president hits back
Harsh criticisms levelled at the Limestone Coast Football Netball League have been rejected by its president Kurt Slaven.
The remarks were a part of the Secretary’s welcome which was penned by Mid South Eastern Football League secretary Naomi Mitchell.
They appeared in the MSEFL opening round budget which was published online on Friday.
“Our closest neighbours, now adjusting to life as a seven-team competition, will contend with the joys of an uneven minor round fixture, split rounds, and, for added entertainment, a grand final date deliberately set to clash with ours—a scheduling decision dripping with arrogance, in line with their long-held belief they reign supreme over every other league in the region,” Ms Mitchell wrote.
“After we announced Robe as our grand final venue, they conveniently decided to schedule a direct clash—an obvious move to assert dominance, but one that I hope backfires!”
The SE Voice showed Mr Slaven a copy of Ms Mitchell’s remarks on Friday afternoon and sought a response.
He said the timing of the LCFNL grand final on Septpember 27 represented an opportunity for his league.
“Naomi Mitchell can have her opinions about South East football and her place in it,” Mr Slaven said.
“I am not here to comment on them.
“My role is to ensure the LCFNL has a successful season.
“All the best [for 2025] to Naomi Mitchell and her league.”
