Glencoe v Nangwarry
Is 2023 the year that Nangwarry wins the Phil Muhovics Memorial Trophy for the first time when it heads to Glencoe on Saturday in round seven of the Mid South East Football League?
The award honours the memory of the football identity who coached four clubs in this region before his death from cancer in 2010.
Glencoe was the home club of Muhovics but the high point of his long career was coaching the Nangwarry Saints to their first three flags in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
The Murphies have had the trophy in their possession for almost a decade but the club is in the middle of a form slump.
Other than an impressive 97-point win at home over Hatherleigh on April 22, Glencoe has suffered four hidings.
The maroon-and-golds have begun these games well only to drop well away after the long break.
Tom Edwards’ team is just three rungs off the foot of the premiership table and it certainly does not want to go down in history as the first to “win” the wooden spoon since the Glencoe Football Club was formed in a burst of Edwardian fervour in 1910.
In a masterstroke, Glencoe officials plan to get more home ground supporters through the gate by designating Saturday as the annual Life Members Day.
The home team needs every bit of vocal and emotional support in order to overcome the Saints.
They will be looking to co-captains Joel Virtanen and Andrew Hyland to continue their good form.
Of the 265 players who have played A Grade this season, only Glencoe’s Dylan Childs and Robe newcomer Henry Laurie have been named in the best players on five occasions.
Childs, current coach Tom Edwards and ex-coach Zacc Cocks are the players most likely to stand in the way of a rare win for the Saints.
Hatherleigh v Tantanoola
There is an opportunity for Hatherleigh’s chief forward Paddy Chay to climb the goalkicking table when his side hosts Tantanoola.
He has slotted through 16 goals so far in 2023 and the undermanned Tiger opposition currently sits in eighth place with its only victory being against Nangwarry.
Chay is level with Mount Burr’s Jack Gregory and Robe’s Jack Gregory.
Ahead of them are Nangwarry’s Andrew Hyland (17 goals), Kalangadoo’s Dylan Bromley (18), Port MacDonnell’s Colby Munro (19) and Kongorong’s Jarrod Ryan (20).
The meeting of the cross-town rivals is certain to draw a large crowd with Hatherleigh seeking to increase its percentage by a hefty amount.
The Eagles currently occupy fifth place but are seven%age points behind fourth-placed Kalangadoo.
Kongorong v Mount Burr
Mount Burr has regained its mojo after retaining the Ian McInnes Memorial Trophy at the expense of Glencoe and will start as favourite at Kongorong.
The Mozzies have the potential to go deep into September but it will rely on a generous dose of luck.
This has deserted the green-and-golds so far in 2023 with coach Reece Duncan, ruckmen Cam Sparkes and Josh Sparkes and ex-skipper Nathan Muhovics on the injured list.
The club’s Reserves team is struggling while the pick of the senior colts are already getting a game in A Grade as well.
Perhaps the birth of a fourth son for the Mozzie coach on Friday night, Artie Duncan, was the tonic the club needed.
Jack Gregory returned to form with seven goals against the Murphies while teen Kallan Bevan was simply outstanding.
Prior to Saturday, Gregory’s best haul of goals in 2023 had only been two.
Josh Wallis is gradually marking his mark as a forward after more than 150 games in defence.
The Hawks matched the ladder-leading Roosters at the seaside in round six for the opening quarter only.
Robe then gained the ascendancy and banked a healthy amount of percentage as 15 players got on the goalkicking list.
Kongorong will make good use of its home ground advantage but must find a good tagger to restrict the influence of Bevan.
Port MacDonnell versus Kalangadoo
Port MacDonnell can push to the max when its hosts reigning premiers Kalangadoo as it will not have to front up again until June 17.
The well-timed mid-season furlough is the result of its scheduled bye in round eight and then the MSEFL takes a break for the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend.
One of the incentives for the Demons is that any win will guarantee it top spot on the premiership table with Robe dropping to second.
Few would have predicted the seasiders having such a strong start to the season.
Kalangadoo sits in fourth place and it is still adjusting to the absence of several players from its grand final winning team including Andrew Stone and Michael Krieger.
The trump card for the Magpies could be its ace forward, Dylan Bromley.
He knows the Bay well as he has won a premiership medal and a league goal kicking prize while wearing a Port MacDonnell guernsey.
