ROBE v HATHERLEIGH
THE Eagles will maintain their unbeaten status and place at the head of the MSEFL ladder with a narrow victory at the seaside.
The margin will be a matter of points rather than goals but the reigning premiers have used up their quota of luck for all of 2019.
The Roosters have featured in the two closest finishes of this season and won both of them.
The seasiders defeated Mount Burr at home by a mere two points when the 2018 grand final was replayed in the opening round.
The second narrow escape was on Saturday at the Bay when Port MacDonnell fell an agonising four points short.
Robe is certainly missing the on-field presence of inspirational coach Jack Kelly who is again on the sidelines with a back injury.
The Roosters have two excellent co-captains in Jake Wehl and Jonny Agnew but Kelly has the ability to direct the traffic when the ball enters the forward line.
His team has a new-look forward line this season without the dominating Pitt brothers.
Hatherleigh is playing with purpose and confidence and has valuable contributors across every line.
TANTANOOLA v NANGWARRY
WILL the 72-game losing streak of Nangwarry finally be broken on Saturday when it takes on fellow winless club Tantanoola at Tigerland?
Although the two undermanned clubs are at the foot of the premiership table in the Mid South East Football League, the clash has assumed match-of-the-day status.
The Saints have become the sentimental favourites around the league in 2019 owing to the twin blows over summer of the closure of the town’s mill along with the presumed arson attack which destroyed its licensed clubrooms.
Support for Nangwarry has also come to date from the supporters of the Kongorong, Hatherleigh and Kalangadoo clubs who have turned up in large numbers to games this season at the Nangwarry Oval.
There are only seven current players at Nangwarry who played in the club’s last win at Robe almost five years ago on July 26, 2014.
Nangwarry’s seaside score of 16.12 (108) was too much for Robe’s 15.7 (97).
Current skipper Aiden Mills has stuck with the Saints during this long lean period along with Brayden Kelly, Ben Dinnison, Ben Deamer, Aiden Paprotny and ex-coach Craig Hicks while Ricky Linder has returned after a stint with West Gambier.
This group might need to hand out the song sheets of the words to “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” at 5pm on Saturday.
The Roosters fielded a quality outfit on that day including players of the calibre of Nick Cane, Zack Deane, Dylan Coxon, Jaryd Dawson, Pete Agnew, Jordan Pettit and John Dunn.
The ace in the pack on that day back in 2014 for the victors was Tyson Ploenges who booted seven goals.
After a break from footy, Ploenges has been back training at Nangwarry this season but injury has delayed his comeback to the playing arena.
Over in the Tigers camp, there is also a key forward who could have an impact if he pulls on the boots again after a lengthy absence.
Robbie Versace is a past multiple goal-kicking winner for the Tigers and might be exactly the focal point the team needs in attack.
Saints supporters are down-playing their chances of success on Saturday.
Pure statistics alone show the Saints are a 10 goal better side than in 2018.
They have been helped by a better run with injuries, the return of Lindner and the addition of master ruckman George McWaters.
There were high expectations of Nangwarry when it hosted Kongorong in round two but the deficit proved to be 139 points.
I think the drought will break for the visitors at Tigerland.
KALANGADOO v MOUNT BURR
THE Magpies wrested back the coveted Harry Bott Memorial Shield from the neighbouring Mozzies in 2017 and are in no hurry to give it back.
The late Harry Bott was a revered figure at both communities through his involvement in sports administration and commerce.
The post-match presentation of the shield is always treated with respect by players and supporters of both clubs.
Mount Burr will be fresh from a bye and it is understood some of the players spent a cancelled training session visiting other clubs.
The players observed how other clubs in the MSEFL and Western Border Football League went about their training routines.
Although currently ranked outside the top four, the green-and-golds remain in good heart.
The club’s fine spirit was shown at a well-sported charity event at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval on Saturday night to benefit Reserves player Harley Linnell after he was injured in a motorbike mishap last month.
It is hard to assess the recent form of Mount Burr and Kalangadoo as both have come off good wins against Nangwarry.
After this match, the Magpies can enjoy a three week lay-off on account of a scheduled bye and the June 8 South East zone carnival at Naracoorte.
The Mozzies have a superior on-ball division with the likes of Hayden Schultz covering the departure of past skipper Chris Puiatti.
Mount Burr will continue to be on the winners’ list.
GLENCOE v PORT MACDONNELL
The Murphies are in fine fettle and the only blemish so far in 2019 has been a narrow loss to Kalangadoo at home in round three.
On current form, and with some players returning from injury and suspension, Glencoe is well-placed to finish top two by the end of the minor round.
One the other hand, the Demons have had a mixture of big wins, big losses or narrow defeats.
This record has left the seasiders with only two wins and they are well outside the top floor.
It is a similar equation for the team as it prepares to take on the Murphies in round eight.
If it can travel to Glencoe and win, it will be a huge confidence boost and show it is a worthy finalist.
On the other hand, another loss will lower morale and push it further out of reach of the top four.
The Demons would then probably have to win nearly all of their remaining nine games to reach the major round.
