Tantanoola v Kalangadoo
Can Kalangadoo reverse its form slump and secure a place in the major round of the Mid South East Football League?
That is the $20,000 question around the league as the fifth-placed Magpies are far from assured of completing a hattrick of premierships for the third time.
Their run home includes a bye as well as matches against the four teams who are below them on the premiership ladder.
They meet Tantanoola at Tigerland in round 14 on Saturday and then host Glencoe.
The Murphies have lost more than 20 matches in a row to their arch rivals.
Kalangadoo’s final two opponents are bottom-placed Kongorong (away) and eighth-placed Nangwarry (home).
The likelihood of winning all four matches is high but the late arrival of winter has brought heavy grounds and thus fewer opportunities to build percentage.
The black and whites need to as they are well behind of fourth-placed Port MacDonnell.
The Demons are one win ahead of Kalangadoo, have a superior percentage and have already had their second scheduled bye for the minor round.
The seasiders have had three of their “big guns” recover from injury: coach Josh Woodall, skipper Tim Sullivan and four-time Mail Medallist Will McDonald and the trio all played in their round 13 win over Mount Burr at home.
Getting back to the match at Tantanoola, the Tigers are bound to offer stiff resistance.
They are looking for their third consecutive win and spectator numbers should be high on account of various charity events to support the Do it For Dolly Foundation.
It has an emphasis on mental health initiatives.
Such community-minded gestures strengthen the bonds of football clubs and often have a positive impact on the scoreboard as well.
Tantanoola will be without injured coach Jack Dawe because of a knee injury which will keep him on the sidelines for the remainder of 2024.
Kalangadoo coach Al Lyon suited up for first game of the season on Saturday and should be back in the pivot again come Saturday.
If his side cannot win, the chances of the Magpies playing finals will plummet.
The number of Kalangadoo supporters at the home ground loss to Robe was below par and so they need to turn up in droves in round 14.
Hatherleigh versus Port MacDonnell
Hatherleigh has probably never been better placed than now to go through a season undefeated and attain a feat which has proved elusive since its first season in 1947.
A big test will be mounted by Port MacDonnell as an away win would go a long way to
yet another major round appearance.
The Demons would have been pleased to see the Eagles conceded four goals in the opening quarter at Nangwarry last Saturday.
This is not a huge number and the Hatherleigh forwards did post six of their own on the way to a big win.
Nevertheless, if the Saints can boot four majors in 30 minutes, how many could the Demons manage?
If you look at the career averages of the likes of Josh Woodall, Tim Sullivan, Will MacDonald, Colby Muro, Alex Redding, Jake Turner and Christian Howlett, I expect them to show they average three goals per game when playing exclusively in the forward line.
That formidable firepower has seldom been seen so far in 2024 as most of this septet have had to overcome injuries.
After playing lowly Kongorong and Nangwarry in recent week, the Eagles will need to be sharp and focussed across every line to secure another win.
Glencoe versus Kongorong
The meeting of the Hawks and the Murphies is the only match in round 14 which has no impact on the final four.
Kongorong wants to avoid consecutive wooden spoons while sixth-placed Glencoe could finish between seventh and fifth.
Due to the timing of the SA Country Football Championships and its scheduled bye, Glencoe players have had the luxury of a late-season break lasting three weeks.
The exception was skipper Dylan Childs who represented the SE Zone team with distinction at Victor Harbor.
I have seen Kongorong on three occasions in 2024 and the results have been almost identical.
That is, the Hawks were two or three goals in arrears well into the third term but then capitulated and lost by large margins.
As 77 points separated the sides when they last met on May 11, it is hard to predict anything other than a Glencoe victory at home.
Robe versus Nangwarry
In a technical aspect, this match could have an impact on the makeup of the top four.
An unlikely Nangwarry win at the seaside would make Robe’s hold on second place a little less secure.
The Roosters certainly do not want to be relegated to a cut-throat first semi final as they lost the equivalent fixture in 2023.
There would be an obvious temptation to rest players but it would be folly to do so against the Saints.
