WILL Demon players be able to overcome the bitter disappointments of many recent finals campaigns and do they have the talent and tenacity to defeat reigning premiers Mount Burr?
These questions will be answered when the teams do battle at the Tantanoola Oval today in the cut-throat first semi final of the Mid South East Football League (MSEFL).
The Demons took the first game by a solitary goal, but the Murphies came out firing in their second encounter to win by 16 and as a result will come into the do-or-die final as favourites.
It is quite an achievement for Port MacDonnell to play in finals yet again as it lost players of the calibre of Dylan Bromley and Mal Lewis over summer with others on the long-term injured list.
Due to the long injury list and patchy form of Port MacDonnell, some in the league are unkindly claiming the seasiders are merely making up the numbers in the major round.
The naysayers believe league powerhouse Mount Burr is very much in the mix for yet another flag.
The Mozzies have won more flags than any other MSEFL club and their golden run over the past eight completed seasons has netted them an additional five premierships and a runners-up placing.
It had a pre-finals hiccup in atrocious weather conditions at Robe last month but is now ‘cherry ripe’ for another premiership.
Minor premiers Kalangadoo and second-placed Hatherleigh are also highly favoured by the bookies as they have won a total of 26 games in 2017 and lost only six.
However, it is the finals-hardened Mozzies who are on the lips of many MSEFL followers whenever the premiership chances are discussed.
It is hard to fathom Mount Burr was languishing at second-to-bottom after four rounds.
Fate has not dealt rookie Demon coach Ben McGregor an easy hand as most weeks he has had to cover the absence of key players due to injury.
Key talls Will Macdonald, Jake Turner and Daron McElroy have all missed vital games while Hamish Stevens has been sidelined since mid-July.
Mount Burr has had its first-choice team available most weeks with well over half the team playing every minor round game.
However, key utility player Jake Dowdy has missed the past two matches.
In recent seasons, Mount Burr’s major round form has been outstanding.
Port MacDonnell players have seen plenty of finals action since 2010 and made it through to the grand final on four occasions.
Despite making the finals in six of the past seven seasons, only once have the Demons claimed the premiership and held aloft the Wilf Sprengel Shield.
Back to tomorrow at Tigerland and the minor round meetings of the two teams provide few clues to the outcome of the match.
Both were won by Mount Burr but the margins were tight.
The Mozzies won at home at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval by just two points in their first meeting on April 8 and the result was repeated in the return bout at the Bay on June 24.
On this occasion, the difference in another low scoring game crept out to 12 points.
I think the winning edge will come Mount Burr’s way on Saturday as it has a more productive forward line and Port MacDonnell’s lineup is unsettled due to its injuries as it was in 2016.
At the other end of the field, Mount Burr will look to league leading goalscorer Jack Gregory to produce the goods yet again.
Gregory leads the competition with 73 goals while teen Tommy Hales (28) and veteran Dale Bowering (24) have also been prominent.
Both teams are blessed with strong on-ball divisions with Port MacDonnell well served by the likes of Macdonald, MacGregor and McElroy along with Zack Williams
For Mount Burr, the club will be looking to teenage ruckman Henry Crauford, coach Tom Renzi, onballer Dylan Ridley and skipper Brodie Hennink give them the drive.
Macdonald has been outstanding form and he is expected to feature in the Mail Medal voting in Millicent on Sunday afternoon.
Cool and showery weather is forecast for Saturday afternoon and the sun might not peak through the clouds.
It is a safe bet to assume the playing surface at Tantanoola will be of a good standard.
The momentum is building for yet another Mount Burr flag and Port MacDonnell players will look for the mothballs at 5pm tomorrow.
Verdict: Mount Burr by 30 points.
