THE town of Robe might be painted red (and black) on Saturday night as the Mid South East Football League (MSEFL) is well placed to win its first-ever South East zone carnival at the seaside.
The Jack Kelly-coached league has several key factors in its favour.
Not only does it have the home-ground advantage, the Mid South East’s renowned run-on style of play will be assisted by a ground which has a firm playing surface and a forecast for fine and sunny weather.
If the Mid South East can indeed lower the colours of its two neighbours in the Western Border and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, it will arguably be one of the proudest days since the league was founded 82 years ago.
The Mid South East has been a nursey for talented youngsters at the elite level, with four ex-players currently on AFL lists.
The Mid South East stocks have soared after a robust 60-minute training session attended by 32 players at Hatherleigh on Tuesday night, which pleased Kelly.
The Robe coach told The Border Watch it was the second time the squad had trained together and there was a good team atmosphere.
“We have a good measure of maturity in the training squad as well as young classy players,” Kelly said.
“There has been fantastic liaison with all clubs and coaches.
“We have a lot more experienced squad than in 2017, with six club coaches.
“Robe is familiar to all Mid South East players and the oval is in good shape.
“There will be a good atmosphere with the holidaymakers on the long weekend.”
It is the second consecutive season Kelly has held the coaching role and he is a strong supporter of interleague football.
“I find representative footy to be awesome,” he said.
“I am always up for a challenge and you get to know people.”
Vital off-field support roles are being filled by Robe skipper and runner Jaryd Dawson, plus Port MacDonnell coach and selector Ben McGregor, while MSEFL secretary Naomi Mitchell is again the team manager.
Among the training squad who have played at senior interleague level at other places are Kalangadoo’s Lachy Jones and Robe’s Kane Cuthbertson (Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara), Port MacDonnell’s
Daron McElroy (Western Border) and Tantanoola’s Sam Haniford (South Australian Amateur Football League).
Kelly said the final Mid South East training run will be a held tonight at Robe tonight and it will be a short and intense session.
He said the team and its leaders will then be announced.
The ‘Footy Gods’ have not been smiling on the MSEFL in recent weeks with Hatherleigh’s Jack Sullivan and Robe’s Pitt brothers sidelined with injury.
There were already a large number of injured players who could not be considered for selection, including Hatherleigh skipper Gerard McGrath and Nangwarry ruckman Andrew Russell.
Such player unavailability issues have also disrupted the preparation of the Western Border and the KNTFL.
The Mid South East and Robe footy administrators are keen to put on a good show for players and spectators alike.
Tomorrow’s schedule at Robe begins mid-morning and includes Under 17 contests for the three leagues.
The renowned “B Grade Booth” at the golf course end of the ground should be packed throughout the day and the adult admission fee to the ground is only $10
A further underage carnival will be staged by the three leagues at Kongorong on Sunday.
Prediction: In recent seasons, the MSEFL has been able to lower the colours of its two neighbouring leagues by not in the same carnival.
With an in-form blend of youth and experience and Kelly’s fine leadership, the home league will achieve a breakthrough championship victory.
