Blockbuster predicted in Mid South East

GOING FOR A TENTH: Mount Burr veteran Dale Bowering already has nine premiership medals dating back to 1995 and will hope to help his team to a tenth, but Robe stands in its way to a grand final berth.

THE Mid South East Football League second semi final at the Kalangadoo Oval today will be a blockbuster contest with the Mount Burr Mozzies tipped to win by a margin of 18 points.

Not much separates the two teams as they have lost just two games each during the minor round.

Due to a superior percentage, the Mozzies claimed the minor premiership at the expense of the seasiders at the end of Round 18.

With almost a full list, the green-and-golds are well poised to continue their quest for a record fourth consecutive flag.

In their meetings in 2018, Mount Burr doubled Robe’s score at home on May 5 and then won the return match by 33 points at the seaside on July 21.

Although it is the double chance final, I believe Mount Burr has the side to take home the black-and-red premiership pennant and Wilf Sprengel Premiership Shield in just over a fortnight from now in the “big dance” at Glencoe.

I believe Tom Renzi will win the coveted Phil Muhovics Memorial Medal as the winning grand final coach for the third consecutive season.

As the loser of the second semi final contest, I believe the Robe Roosters will also be beaten by the in-form Kalangadoo Magpies in the preliminary final at Nangwarry on September 8.

Both teams have added to their collection of silverware following the Mail Medal presentation function on Sunday at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre.

Due to strong showings in its four footy teams over the minor round, Robe finished runner-up in the Klas BLit and Glenelg Football Club trophies as the champion club in the MSEFL for 2018.

Vice-captain Jonny Agnew won his first Walker Medal as runner-up in the Mail Medal, mentor Jack Kelly was senior coach of the year, Jake Wehl won the Bill Hanel Memorial Prize as Best Under 21 player and Jake Pitt was the competition’s leading goal scorer with 77 majors.

Both Robe and Mount Burr had numerous representatives in the MSEFL team of the year.

There were also rich pickings for the green-and-golds.

On an individual level, teenager Cory Gamble won the Radio Triple M “Farmer” Phil Scanlon Memorial Rookie of the Year award while MSEFL player life membership was awarded to veteran Dale Bowering.

The nine-time premiership player sets a new senior playing record at Mount Burr on Saturday.

The reigning and minor premiers have shown their confidence in the leadership of Renzi as he has been given a fourth consecutive season as coach.

This is a rare length of time at the helm of Mount Burr and not seen since the days of the Adam Wiese regime.

Mount Burr will start as favourites because of its superior forward structure led by Jack Gregory, tall timber, plus September nous and experience.

Renzi has been one of the competition’s outstanding midfielders this season and his pace and strength are hard to match.

He oversaw a training run at Blue Lake Sports Park in Mount Gambier on Saturday morning and then viewed the first semi at Port MacDonnell.

Renzi told The South Eastern Times utility player Jake Dowdy would be back from his travels, but Tom Fennell would be missing due to a broken tibia.

He was coy about his team’s chances of winning a hat-trick of victories over the coastal team in 2018.

“We are a 50/50 chance of winning,” Renzi said.

“We will wait and see on the day.”

Kelly said he was one of five players who were under an availability cloud.

He has had a troublesome ankle injury for over a month and it kept him out of the Murray South East zone team in the SA Country Championships at Renmark in July.

“Angus Weir looks as though he might be unavailable, Ben Vedic has a hip problem, Jake Pitt has a sore lower back and Andrew Everett has a wrist problem,” Kelly said,

Kelly has nominated Renzi, Henry Crauford and Dylan Ridley as the Mount Burr players who will cause Robe the most problems.

Robe has been on the recruiting trail for out-of-town recruits in recent seasons and has been given additional allocation player transfer points by the MSEFL executive committee.

Tantanoola coach Josh Peters said the 16-point limit will pose problems for the coastal team as it selects its best 22.

“Robe will have to make tough decisions,” Peters said.

“If Robe can get Tom Wachtel into the team to ruck against Crauford, they will be a lot better off.

“Crauford takes control at the centre clearances.

“They will need to drop a points player”.

In a competition which is so finely balanced, Mount Burr has the best “bottom six” in the Mid South East Football League.

It will be a wonderful match and one which the Mozzies will win.