MOUNT Burr players are ‘cherry ripe’ ahead of the final match in the 2017 season of the Mid South East Football League this weekend.
It follows their impressive 35 point win over a disappointing Kalangadoo in the preliminary final played in wintry conditions at Tantanoola on Saturday.
The reigning premiers will play Hatherleigh in the MSEFL grand final at Nangwarry on Saturday in a first-ever match-up of the Mozzies and the Eagles in a season decider.
The two clubs have been neighbours for the past 70 seasons in the MSEFL but never before met in the last game of the season.
The weather forecasters had predicted poor weather for the MSEFL preliminary final and they were spot-on in their statements.
Despite pre-match speculation, neither Mount Burr nor Kalangadoo were forced to make major changes due to injuries to their lineups which had played earlier in the major round.
Mount Burr teen Thomas Vanderhorst injured a hamstring muscle in the first semi and was replaced by past premiership player Tom Fennell who had recovered from injury.
The main surprise in the Kalangadoo camp was the return from overseas of young ruckman Braeden Ousey after he had missed the second semi final loss to Hatherleigh at Robe.
With the sun hidden by the clouds for most of the afternoon, it was the more desperate and committed brand of football by the reigning premiers which has earned them the chance to add to their league record which stands at 18 post-war A Grade premierships.
Saturday’s contest was lacklustre in many respects as the result was known by quarter time as Mount Burr took a commanding lead of 35 points into the first break and had restricted the minor premiers to a solitary point.
The reigning premiers like playing at Tigerland in 2017 as they had defeated Tantanoola by 74points on May 13 and then accounted for Port MacDonnell by 76 points in the first semi.
The Mozzies had the first use of a three goal breeze which favoured the eastern end and they made good use of it and a bit more.
The Magpies registered a behind at the two minute mark but this was the only time they led in the match.
After four minutes of play, Mount Burr co-captain Brodie Hennink booted the first major score and it was arguably the goal-of-the game.
It was only his 12th major for 2017 but his snap from the “wrong” pocket was indeed a pearler.
A scrappy seven minutes followed as the minor premiers did their best to thwart the breeze advantage enjoyed by the reigning premiers.
As he has done on many occasions in the past, a five minute “purple patch” from elusive Mount Burr forward Dylan Ridley turned the course of the match.
He booted goals at the 10, 12 and 15 minute marks to both inspire his team mates and crush his opponents.
A further major from teammate Josh Fiebig helped the defending champions to a score of 5.6 at quarter time while Kalangadoo had only that mere behind to show for 30 minutes of play.
Kalangadoo found some sparkle going with the breeze in the second term and finally posted a goal through coach Ben Mules.
He was followed suit by Brad Auld and Scott Agnew as the margin was trimmed back to 12 points.
Mount Burr responded in the best possible fashion with a couple of goals into the wind and led by 24 points at the long break.
The third term began poorly for Kalangadoo as co-captain James Pratt was penalised for a rough tackle on Mount Burr veteran Will Whitty.
Pratt was yellow-carded and sent from the field for 15 minutes while Whitty was the beneficiary of a free and a 50 metre penalty.
This brought him to point-blank range and his goal signalled the start of another Mozzie onslaught.
They piled on 4.2 for the term while again conceding just one behind.
The Magpies had little system to their play while the Mozzies moved the ball with confidence and precision.
As the difference was a whopping 49 points at the last change, Kalangadoo needed a footy miracle to get to their second consecutive grand final.
It was not to be as the Mount Burr work rate continued to deny them any easy kicks.
Much of the fizz went out of the contest in the final 30 minutes as players and spectators accepted the inevitable result.
Ace Mozzie forward Jack Gregory achieved a game high tally of 4 goals but he did not look to be fully fit as he favouring one leg.
Coming into the match, Kalangadoo had been the warm favourite to succeed among the “experts” in the mainstream media.
The “experts” had obviously overlooked Mount Burr’s renowned major round efforts whenever the stakes are high.
Field umpires Heath Case, Travis Lockwood and Gavin Motley acquitted themselves well and must come into contention when the grand final umpires are chosen at the final umpires’ training for 2017 which will be held at Glencoe tomorrow night (Wednesday).
Saturday’s crowd paid $12,690 at the gate and this has taken total gate takings for the three finals to almost $36,000.
Hatherleigh coach Jase Faulkner would like to have one more win in 2017 to mark a successful start to his senior coaching career.
If successful and he gets to hold the Wilf Sprengel Shield aloft at Nangwarry on Saturday, he will join a rare group of country league coaches who has won a premiership at his first attempt.
On the other hand, Mount Burr coach Tom Renzi will be looking for a second flag to go with the first he won a year ago.
Faulkner, his brains trust and his players were interested onlookers at Tantanoola on Saturday while their Eagle club mates successfully played in two of the curtain raisers.
The Nangwarry Oval will be a fitting venue to farewell the 2017 season with the Saints happy to show off their numerous improvements due to a number of working bees and the support of Wattle Range Council.
Final score: Mount Burr 12.9 (81) d Kalangadoo 6.10 (46)
Picture: J.L. (“FRED”) SMITH
