KALANGADOO v GLENCOE
A NEW-LOOK Magpies outfit takes to its home turf against the Murphies in a match dubbed the “Heritage Round”.
Unfortunately, there will be no new faces in the lineup which sang its victory song on just one occasion during the month of June.
Kalangadoo players will wear their former jumper design of a black body with a white V.
This was last worn in 1982 when the club began a hat-trick
of premierships under captain-coach Roger Doody.
In the following season, the local club adopted the vertical monochrome stripes of the Collingwood Magpies and has kept this design ever since.
Matches against the Murphies have always been keenly fought, but the home club has a depleted playing list.
Ex-coach Ben Mules and Casterton/Sandford recruit Billy Galpin missed the Robe loss and Nathan Reeves injured his ankle in that match.
The June 30 deadline for regular inter-club clearance has passed, but teen Tye McManus is allowed to return home from Adelaide where he has been playing well for SANFL zone club Glenelg in the Under 18 competition.
McManus had many useful possessions against the Roosters and is set for one more match for his home club before he returns to the capital city.
Glencoe will be a formidable opponent and keen on a big victory.
The club has occupied third place for much of the season.
It looks as though the Murphies will be without the services of injured forward Tory Weaver, but have Brodie Foster, Alex Hentschke and Patrick Mitchell as potent targets in attack.
The maroon-and-golds did not like losing the Max Matthews Memorial Cup at home on April 27 when the teams last met and will make amends in the return bout.
TANTANOOLA v ROBE
THE Roosters and the Tigers resume usual programming on Saturday in round 12 of the Mid South East Football League after their controversial meeting at Robe on Good Friday.
Both teams will miss their coaches on Saturday but for different reasons.
Tantanoola’s Josh Peters is heading to Melbourne with some fellow cancer survivors to take part in a charity football match with retired AFL celebrity footballers.
In his absence, joint assistant coaches Hayden Brown and Sam Haniford will be in charge.
Robe’s Jack Kelly will be at Tigerland, but on the sidelines due to a knee injury suffered in round 11.
The injury has disrupted Kelly’s plans to take to the field and contribute to the business end of the 2019 season.
However, he will hope to spur his team on from the sidelines until the injury is healed.
Despite the leader’s injury, the second-placed seasiders are in good shape and especially with the temporary return of teen Angus Weir from the Glenelg Under 18 team.
NANGWARRY v PORT MACDONNELL
CERTAIN political events in 2019 have shown that miracles do happen and Port MacDonnell is hoping one does occur in the footy realm.
At present, the Demons have won a mere three games, occupy sixth placed and sit three wins outside of the top four.
However, the two teams immediately above the seasiders are in a poor run of form.
Fourth-placed Kalangadoo has only won one game since the end of May, while fifth-placed Mount Burr has just suffered two heavy defeats.
If the Magpies and the Mozzies keep losing and the Demons keep winning there might be a surprise occupant of fourth place.
Stranger finishes to the minor round have occurred in the MSEFL in living memory.
The first part of the potential “Port Mac Miracle” is set to occur on Saturday with a big win at Nangwarry.
When the two teams last met at the Bay in round three, Nangwarry managed a mere 1.5 and crashed to a heavy 188-point defeat.
There were much better statistics for Nangwarry at Kongorong on Saturday as it neither recorded the lowest losing score nor the greatest losing margin in round 11.
There is no doubt the heavy ground and wintry conditions helped keep the scores close, but there was also greater endeavour shown by the Saints.
Their sandy home ground is the best wet-weather venue in the MSEFL and this will help the Demons to boot a winning score.
MOUNT BURR v KONGORONG
DESPITE the round 11 results, Kongorong is still rated as the underdog against Mount Burr on Saturday.
The Mozzies had a nightmare match at Glencoe and recorded both the lowest score of 5.2 and greatest losing margin of 98 points of the four matches played last weekend.
It has been many seasons since the most successful club in the MSEFL has returned these statistics.
After a long injury-free run, the green-and-golds have been blighted by various aliments including an ankle complaint for coach Tom Renzi.
The absence of injured A-graders has a trickle-down effect on the club’s two support teams.
In recent weeks, a number of Senior Colts and B-graders have again been forced to pull on the boots and gurernseys at 2pm to ensure all 21 places in Mount Burr’s A Grade side can be filled.
Loyal Mozzies such as 46-year-old former coach Adam Wiese have come out of retirement to support the club in its hour of need.
Having said that, the Mount Burr United Football Club might well adopt the Latin motto of Fortitudo In Adversis which means strength in adversity.
Renzi’s team currently sits one win plus 2pc points outside of the top four and desperately needs a win.
Kongorong will be a tough opponent as it has had two comparatively small losses on the road against Port MacDonnell and ladder leader Hatherleigh and a win at home over Nangwarry.
The win over the Saints was not a runaway victory as the margin was 46 points.
Saturday’s game at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval will be the first time Hawks coach Will Whitty and team mate Tommy Hales play at the venue where they enjoyed multiple premiership successes.
Whitty was a Mount Burr vice president and major sponsor and an upset victory would be sweet indeed.
