NANGWARRY v KONGORONG
WILL Saturday finally be the day when the luck turns for Nangwarry players and they get to sing their victory song at 5pm?
The Saints last won a game almost five seasons ago, but their best hope of success in living memory occurs on their home ground against Kongorong in round two of the Mid South East Football League.
The run of losses for the Saints is currently approaching 70 and is the worst playing record of any current club in the MSEFL.
The unwanted record is held by defunct-club Tarpeena which endured over a 100 consecutive losses until emerging victorious in a mid-season match against Hatherleigh in 2001.
Lady Luck has seldom smiled on the Saints in recent times.
The destruction of the Nangwarry licensed clubrooms in a probable arson attack in January has been well-documented.
From these adverse circumstances have emerged a strong resolve to rebuild and the Saints faithful have been well supported by gestures and practical measures from near and far.
Nangwarry supporters bristle at suggestions their club is in jeopardy and point to the situation of a so-called powerhouse MSEFL club which had to call on five long-retired players aged in their 40s to field a B Grade team in round one.
Saturday is the day when all sections of the community ranging from council and footy officials to the surviving members of Nangwarry premiership sides of 1993-4, 1997 and 1999 should line the oval and cheer on reappointed captain Aiden Mills as he leads out the Saints.
The home side will be much stronger than round one when several players were unavailable.
Among them was spearhead Tyson Ploenges who did not play in 2018.
His footy journey has taken him from Nangwarry to West Gambier and Kongorong and back to Nangwarry.
His presence in front of goal will give the home side a target it has lacked for several seasons.
Despite the hype about Nangwarry, Kongorong will still come into the game as favourite.
It has acquired new coach Will Whitty and Tommy Hales from Mount Burr while skipper Bryn Weaver and forward Bohdi Pannenburg would be in contention for interleague honours.
In this contest, my heart says Nangwarry but my head says Kongorong.
KALANGADOO v ROBE
THE Robe Roosters lowered the colours of the Kalangadoo Magpies on both occasions in 2018 and reigning premiership coach Jack Kelly is planning on a three-peat.
Kelly takes his team on the road in round two and hopes a good number of seaside supporters also make the journey.
The two meetings of the clubs last season had their share of controversial moments with club-initiated reports, but Kelly would not be drawn on what might happen.
“We have a great amount of respect for the Kalangadoo Football Club who we play on Saturday,” he said.
“We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Robe only fielded half of its premiership-winning side in round one, but it still managed to defeat Mount Burr in a rematch of the 2018 grand final.
Although several have retired or transferred to other clubs, Kelly said a number of the flag-winning team might return as early as round two.
“Jordan Pettit will be back after being unavailable in round one, while Riley Dickenson might need another week to recover from injury, he said.”
“Terrence Wilfred and Angus Weir are having a run with Glenelg in the SANFL, while Tom Rechner is studying in Adelaide and might be back for a few games.”
Kalangadoo has a good chance of success going on their large win in the opening round.
Tigers coach Josh Peters rated the Magpies well and highlighted Ben Gregory’s decisive role with with five goals.
HATEHRLEIGH v Port MACDONNELL
THE Port MacDonnell Demons play their first game for 2019 and are rated as underdogs as they make their second-longest journey of the year to Hatherleigh.
The seasiders used their opening round bye to do their homework on their round two opponents.
Vice-captain Daron McElroy is hard to miss with his 195cm frame and shock of blonde hair and he was spied in the crowd at Kongorong as the Eagles triumphed over the Hawks by 93 points.
It was a sizeable win for the visitors, but it came at quite a cost as steady defender Todd Watson suffered a knee injury.
The Kongorong Oval had earlier been the venue for Watson’s two playing highlights.
Not only did Hatherleigh win their last premiership there in 2013, Watson won the Stan Jones Memorial Medal as best-on-ground.
His likely departure means Hatherleigh coach Gerard McGrath may need to use recruit Ben Parish in a defensive role.
McGrath said Parish had played his underage football with the Eagles
He said Parish would continue to live in Adelaide and certain commitments might limit his availability.
“We will have to sharpen up our skills this week and use the big oval to our advantage,” McGrath said.
The Demons have been around the mark for several seasons, but the Eagles will start as favourites.
MOUNT BURR v GLENCOE
IT is quite a few years since the Glencoe Murphies have returned with the Ian McInnes Memorial Shield from their yearly match against the Mount Burr Mozzies at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval.
They might be carrying some extra cargo back home along the Overland Track going on the results of round one.
Glencoe demolished Nangwarry at home and moved to the head of the premiership table, while Mount Burr was pipped by Robe at the seaside by a mere two points.
Although the Saints have improved, there is no doubting that the Murphies were impressive, with a 171 point win.
Star recruit Brodie Foster booted 11 goals and showed why he has been a stand-out player with Penola in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League and South Gambier in the Western Border.
However, Glencoe lost Patrick Mitchell to a broken arm and might lose another due to suspension.
Otherwise, Glencoe coach Zacc Cocks said the Murphies were close to full strength.
“The Mount Burr Oval has not been a happy hunting ground for us,” Cocks said.
“We are pretty confident and excited by the challenge this week.”
Down at the seaside, Mount Burr had finished so well that another three minutes on the time clock might have been enough to secure the premiership points.
On the debit side, Robe’s poor conversion of only 11 goals from 26 scoring shots kept Mount Burr in the game, along with the pin-point accuracy of the Mozzies with 13.1.
Another worrying sign for Mount Burr was its need to press-gang five long-retired past players to field a B Grade.
They included ex-coaches Adam Wiese and Phil Lambert who are both 46 years of age.
Mount Burr still has many quality players and will win by a small margin.
