MOUNT BURR v HATHERLEIGH
MOUNT Burr will have to defeat ladder leaders Hatherleigh today to keep their slim hopes alive of reaching the finals.
The Mozzies have accumulated six flags and two runners-up rankings in the space of a decade, but that golden run could just about be extinguished by 5pm today when round 14 of the Mid South East Football League is completed.
If the Eagles maintain their good form and Kalangadoo defeats Port MacDonnell, the green-and-golds will be three wins plus a significant percentage outside of the top four with only three games to play.
As renowned September specialists, the absence of Mount Burr from the major round in 2019 would be welcomed by the Magpies as well as reigning premiers Robe and third-placed Glencoe.
Although the number one focus of all football clubs will win A Grade flags, a ranking outside of the top four by season’s end will guarantee Mount Burr will host the 2019 MSEFL grand final.
It will mean the Wattle Range Council area will set a new South Australian record by hosting three consecutive grand finals of three different leagues in the same month.
The season decider of the Western Border Football League will be played at Millicent’s McLaughlin Park, while the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League grand final will be contested at Penola’s McCorquindale Park.
The Mozzies look to be undermanned as this afternoon looms with an important social occasion likely to rob the team of several key players.
It fielded 13 players with A Grade premiership experience at Port MacDonnell on today, but still went down by 12 points.
Meanwhile, confidence levels are soaring in the Hatherleigh camp and it is many years since it has entered a game at the picturesque Thomas Drive venue as such a warm favourite.
There is pressure for places in the Eagles lineup with ex-SANFL player and past assistant coach Caolan Buckley back in the mix.
Work commitments have kept Buckley out of the side, but he played his first game for 2019 in the Reserves.
Under the finals qualifications rules in operation in the MSEFL, Buckley still has to make a few more appearances to be eligible for major round action.
A sea of blue-and-gold will fill terraces of Can Hill to probably see Hatherleigh put Mount Burr out of the finals race.
ROBE v GLENCOE
THE seaside clash of the second-placed Roosters and the third-placed Murphies has more than just bragging rights at stake.
Glencoe is the only team to lower the colours of the reigning premiers so far in 2019 and coach Zacc Cocks and his team are keen to make it two-from-two as they head to Guichen Bay.
Cocks had a rare match on the sidelines on Saturday as his team cruised to a big win at Tantanoola’s expense.
There is still an outside chance the results in the remaining five rounds could go the way of the maroon-and-golds and they could finish as high as second or even claim the minor premiership.
It is impossible to write about Glencoe’s resurgence in 2019 without mentioning the impact of star recruit Brodie Foster.
He has featured in the goalkickers’ list in every game this year, including a haul of nine against the Roosters at home on May 11 when the margin was 32 points.
Foster is on target to reach 100 goals in the minor round and this feat has been achieved on only one other occasion since the MSEFL permanently reverted to a nine-club competition 15 seasons ago following the sad demise of Tarpeena.
Until the departure of the Canaries/Kangaroos, there were 18 minor round games and now there are only 16.
Foster has had a busier 2019 season than most as he has had three extra days of tough competitive football as he has represented the MSEFL in the Naracoorte zone carnival and the Murray South East at the Port Pirie country championships.
If Foster repeats his round-five antics in round 14, Robe will lose its second game of 2019 and remain in second place.
KALANGADOO v PORT MACDONNELL
THE Magpies will definitely cut the Demons out of the premiership race if they can repeat their May 11 win at the Bay.
After lacklustre efforts for much of June, Kalangadoo has played with far more purpose in July with solid wins over Glencoe and Kongorong.
The black-and-whites might yet finish the minor round as high as second or as low as fifth, but will probably feature in the first semi-final by finishing in fourth place.
They meet Port MacDonnell which has possibly just had its best game of the season.
Although the seasiders managed only eight goals, it was enough to defeat Mount Burr and keep them in the finals race.
As has occurred on many occasions in recent years, its best players list was headed by Daron McElroy and Zack Williams.
The reigning Mail Medallist and the longserving skipper have been sidelined with injury for much of the season.
There is no doubt Port MacDonnell would have been much closer to the finals action if this pair – and a few other Demons – had been injury-free.
TANTANOOLA v KONGORONG
THESE are the only two clubs to announce their coaches for 2020 and this is the only game which does not have an impact on the composition of the top four.
Both the Tigers and the Hawks were soundly beaten in round 13 and were a disappointment to their supporters.
Those results have to be put aside ahead of their clash at Tigerland as Kongorong and Tantanoola are battling for seventh place.
It is much easier to go recruiting over the offseason with such a ranking rather than the unwanted second-to-bottom placing.
Reappointed Kongorong coach Will Whitty returns to his home club where he first pulled on a red-and-white jumper almost 30 years ago.
His side has the talent to win by a clear margin.
