Wave of confidence

NOT QUITE THERE: Hatherleigh Eagle Joe Ferguson-Lane almost laid a tackle on Port MacDonnell Demon Jake Turner at home on Saturday. Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH

PORT MacDonnell secured a hard-stopping two- point win at Hatherleigh in Saturday’s Mid South Eastern Football League Round 5 action after a torrid final few minutes.

The home side had plenty of scoring opportunities in the dying moments, but stout defence by the seasiders meant there were few easy shots on goal.

The win is a tonic for the young Demon side which is in a rebuilding phase.

Port MacDonnell 11.15 (81) d Hatherleigh 12.7 (79)

This game had been set to be an enthralling contest given Hatherleigh has been shedding players due to injury, whereas Port MacDonnell has been getting stronger with injured players returning to the action.

By the time the team sheets were swapped at 2pm on Saturday, neither side was being led by its captain.

Demon skipper Zack Williams had not recovered from a leg injury, while Eagles leader Gerard McGrath had his arm in plaster and is set to be on the sidelines for several weeks.

As a result, the toss of the coin for choice of ends was made by their deputies.

Hatherleigh’s Sam Waring tossed the coin and Port MacDonnell’s Wade Chant called correctly.

Chant chose to send his team to the southern end of the Hatherleigh Oval, which was favoured by a slight breeze.

The seasiders made good use of it to put on 5.7, while their opponents were not daunted and managed 4.1 of their own.

After a total of nine goals were scored in the first quarter, the match tightened up and a total of 13 goals were booted in the remaining three terms.

Crowd numbers were boosted as the sole Western Border game being played was at Island Park in Casterton.

At least four ex-Millicent Football Club coaches were in the crowd along with a large number of Hatherleigh backers who were taking part in the annual sponsors’ day.

The Demons take on reigning premiers Mount Burr at home on Saturday while the Hatherleigh squad will appreciate the bye.

Mount Burr 17.22 (124) d Robe 9.8 (62)

MOUNT Burr players have sent a message the 2018 Mid South East Football League premiership pennant is well and truly in their sights after defeating Robe by 62 points at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval on Saturday.

The home side exactly doubled the score of their opponents to make an emphatic statement a record fourth consecutive premiership is one the cards.

The Mozzies leap-frogged the previously unbeaten Roosters and moved into second place.

The seasiders used up their full allocation of 16 player transfer points to take on the reigning premiers, who made use of only a handful.

The renowned “Can Hill” was packed with supporters from both clubs as well as neutral barrackers from the Western Border Football League which was having a split round.

The home team selectors pulled a surprise on Saturday when former vice-captain Jake Dowdy was available to play again.

The multiple premiership player and interleague representative had been travelling in outback Australia and the Round 5 fixture was his first game for 2018.

The return to the fray of Dowdy meant the Mozzies could field a team where 19 players had played in at least one premiership team.

Their opponents decided to play recruit Matt Wachtel in the curtain-raiser for the second consecutive week, with club insiders citing a lack of player transfer points as the reason.

The first quarter was an intense affair, but Robe lost on the scoreboard and in terms of playing personnel.

The Roosters had the first benefit of a breeze which favoured the southern end, but were in arrears to the tune of nine points by the first break.

Worse for Robe was the fact two key players were sidelined with injuries.

Acting skipper and former Mount Burr player Jonny Agnew suffered a knock in the opening minutes of play which put him out of the game, while ruckman Riley Dickinson was also sidelined for the duration of the contest.

Mount Burr took full advantage of these absences and the much-lauded defensive zone strategy of Robe could not cope.

Inspired by centreman Dylan Ridley and with skilled and precise movement of the ball by hand and foot, the reigning premieres slammed on 7.4 to a mere two behinds.

This gave the home team a seemingly insurmountable lead of 53 points at the long break.

The result was all but determined by half-time, although Robe put up stiffer opposition in the remaining two terms.

The margin grew out by a couple of points in the remaining two terms but the heat was out of the game.

For the victors, Ridley controlled the pivot and his side received great drive from wingmen Josh Fiebig and Nathan Muhovics.

Henry Crauford was the dominant ruckman throughout the day, while Brodie Hennink and Tyler Stanley marshalled the defence.

Robe’s playing coach Jack Kelly won plenty of the ball and the Pitt brothers showed their class, but overall it was a lacklustre showing.

On the strength of Saturday’s performance, several Mozzies and Roosters would be worthy of selection in the Mid South East interleague team under coach Kelly which takes on the two other leagues from this region in the SE zone carnival at Robe on June 9.

Mount Burr heads to the Bay in Round 6 while Robe hosts Tantanoola which is fresh from a win.

Tantanoola 22.24 (156) d Nangwarry 3.2 (20)

IT may have been a 136-point defeat, but Nangwarry achieved its best result of the season to date at Tantanoola on Saturday.

The undermanned Tigers inflicted the smallest loss on the Saints for 2018 of around 22 goals.

In contrast to the four other games this season, Nangwarry was still in the game at the first change of end as the deficit was a modest nine points.

Thereafter, the home team took control and led by 35 points at the long break.

The visitors did not score after half-time as the superior fitness levels of the home team came to the fore.

The undoubted stand-out forward on the day was Tantanoola’s Garrett Ha as he slotted through seven goals.

Teammates Cooper Hamilton and Robbie Versace were also prominent with four goals apiece.

The best player for the Tigers was Braydn Reilly and he has started the year in excellent form.

Lending great support to Reilly were newcomer Mitch Kipping, Ha, Hamilton and Mason Hunter.

Over in the Nangwarry camp, the best players were brothers Justin and Shane DeJong and fellow recruit Scott Brooksby as well as Ben Deamer.

Nangwarry did have some joy in the curtain-raiser as it won its second consecutive match against an undermanned Tantanoola side.

This victory was savoured by the Saints as they had been on the end of some hidings from the Tigers in this grade over many seasons.

There are also encouraging signs in the underage grades for the Saints.

Looking to Round 6, Tantanoola is on the road to Robe while Nangwarry is at home to Kongorong.

Kalangadoo 20.9 (129) d Kongorong 7.8 (50)

KALANGADOO players got to sing their victory song for the fifth consecutive game on Saturday at Kongorong as the home team is still waiting to celebrate a victory in 2018.

This venue has become a favourite of the Magpies as it claimed the pre-season cup there in March.

Chris Mules and his team quickly settled into the groove and did not look like being beaten after half time.

The final margin of 79 points was a reminder to all in the MSEFL the black-and-whites have not fluked their position at the top of the table.

They are currently one win ahead of second-placed Mount Burr and yet to play Nangwarry, which has provided other clubs with a sizeable percentage boost so far in 2018.

The ladder leaders showed their worth in the opening term when they piled on 8.2 and were never headed thereafter.

Forwards of the calibre of Lachy Jones and Michael Krieger could not be contained and continued to create headaches for the Kongorong defence for the remainder of the match.

Although the Hawks managed 4.1 in the opening term, trying to find a reliable avenue to goal was an issue.

The Magpie defence expertly led by Mitch Lowe only allowed a further four goals to be scored after quarter time.

The only multiple goal scorer for the home side was coach Bronson Saffin with two.

His team used regular spearhead Josh Wright on the ball and to good effect.

Wright was placed at the head of the best players list but his absence from the forward line was decisive.

Kalangadoo hosts arch rival Glencoe on Saturday while Kongorong should achieve a breakthrough win at Nangwarry.