GLENCOE 14.7 (91) d ROBE 12.13 (85)
THE Murphies have shot to second place thanks to a thrilling six-point seaside win over the Roosters.
The reigning premiers have only lost two games in 2019 and both have been to Glencoe.
As has occurred in most matches this season, Glencoe recruit Brodie Foster was the dominant forward with a game-high tally of seven goals.
This took his season’s tally to 87 and he is well placed to become the first centurion in the MSEFL in a decade.
After a bye this weekend, Foster has the opportunity to score the remaining 13 goals against Kongorong (home), Port MacDonnell (away) and Hatherleigh (home).
The Murphies have not had a centurion or leading MSEFL goalkicker since the premiership-winning season of 1992 when Neil Nankivell booted 123 goals.
Saturday’s match was also eventful for reliable Glencoe defender Trent Hawke who played his 250th A Grade game.
This is the qualifying mark for MSEFL player life membership and he is expected to receive his badge at the annual Mail Medal function at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre on September 8.
Another Glencoe player to mark a milestone was on-baller Tom Edwards who played his 150th A Grade game.
He has also spent two successful seasons with North Gambier in the Western Border Football League.
Robe Football Club vice president Roger Sweetman said the match of the round between two of the teams hoping to feature prominently in the final series did not disappoint, with Robe again ruing its inaccuracy in front of goal.
“Robe started quickly with fast and clean ball movement and at end of the first quarter led by six goals against a shocked Glencoe, who appeared to have difficulty picking up the pace of the game,” Sweetman said.
“The home team also lost an opportunity to put the match result away early in the second quarter, but could only manage six points and the visitors took advantage of this inaccuracy.
“They slowly worked themselves back into the match and were only behind by nine points at the long break.
“The second half of the match was a hard fought-tussle with neither side being able to gain any ascendancy and the lead changed many times.
“Glencoe however were efficient in front of goal and kicked 8.1 to Robe’s 5.4.”
According to Sweetman, Robe’s ruckman Tom Wachtel dominated the match both at ball ups and around the ground and gave his midfield first use of the ball.
“Jed Jarrett continued his fine form in the forward line for Robe and co-captain Jake Wehl continued to play his consistent best.
“Robe’s goals were evenly shared between the forward line players, however they will need to spend some time practising their goal kicking or this could become an issue in the major round.
“The match was a great game of football that kept all supporters on the edge of their seats until the final siren.”
The next challenge for the Roosters will be played at Kongorong on Saturday.
HATHERLEIGH 26.15 (171) d MOUNT BURR 11.4 (70)
THE latest golden era of the Mozzies has come to an end when the ladder-leading Eagles lowered their colours at home by 101 points on Saturday in round 14 of the Mid South East Football League.
Hatherleigh shortened its odds of winning its first flag since 2013 and took a giant step towards gaining the coveted minor premiership.
There are always bragging rights to be scored when these cross-town rivals meet and I suspect the Eagles would have been well satisfied with a one-point victory, let alone one which is the equivalent of almost 17 goals.
Jake Wight proved to be a potent focal point in attack with seven goals, while the other leading lights included coach Gerard McGrath and newcomer Mitch Leek.
Mount Burr never looked like winning the contest after falling 35 points in arrears by quarter time.
The deficit ballooned out to 81 points by the long break and much of the heat went out of the contest in the second half.
It was a tough day for forwards as heavy midweek rain made the ground sodden.
As part of the preparation, Mount Burr’s senior and underage teams did not use it for training.
The green-and-golds needed to win to keep in touch with the top four, but the drubbing has put paid to that.
Although there remains a mathematical possibility of still reaching the finals, Mount Burr’s recent form of four losses in the past five games suggests this will not occur.
The only way to overtake the Magpies and reach fourth spot would be to have Kalangadoo lose at Nangwarry on August 10 and suffer two other heavy defeats.
Tom Renzi’s team has been in the top four for just one round in 2019 and now the planning for next season can begin.
The home team had a sub-optimal preparation for this game as it knew it was going to be without several key players on account of a major social occasion.
Mount Burr fielded seven senior colts in its 21 as well as 12 players who have at least one A Grade premiership to their credit.
On the other hand, Hatherleigh is starting to settle on its major round combination with ex- SANFL player and former assistant coach Caolan Buckley playing his second B Grade game of 2019.
Looking to round 15 on Saturday, Hatherleigh will host Kalangadoo in a match which will determine where the teams finish the minor round.
Mount Burr should return to the winners’ list at Nangwarry.
It is almost five years to the day since the Saints last won a game.
They defeated the home team at Robe by six points in round 15 of 2014.
KONGORONG 10.13 (73) d TANTANOOLA 10.7 (67)
THE Tigers were luckless in their home match against Kongorong and went down by one straight kick.
After a horror run with injury throughout 2019, Tantanoola looked for a dose of good fortune, but it was not to be.
The scores were tied away at 19 points apiece at the first change, but Kongorong missed the opportunity to secure a good lead.
The home side had a 75pc conversion rate from its scoring shots while the visitors could only score two goals from its nine attempts.
Tantanoola held narrow leads at the long break and the final change.
It was a torrid final term, but Kongorong was able to edge in front.
It certainly had the advantage in terms of players with A Grade experience and this proved to be decisive.
It was a sweet homecoming for Kongorong coach Will Whitty as Tigerland was where his football journey began well over 25 years ago.
Hawks skipper Bryn Weaver was in good touch and must be a chance of winning his team’s best and fairest.
Tantanoola coach Josh Peters was able to score a gamehigh tally of four goals despite being one of the oldest of the 42 participating players on the ground.
Looking to round 15, Tantanoola makes the long journey to Port MacDonnell, while Kongorong hosts Robe.
KALANGADOO 16.10 (106) d PORT MACDONNELL 11.9 (65)
THE Magpies took a giant stride towards a double chance berth by defeating the Demons at home by 31 points.
It was the third consecutive win for Kalangadoo and it means Port MacDonnell will definitely miss the finals for the second consecutive year.
The home side began the game well and overcame the drizzle to take a 20-point lead by the first break.
This blew out to 44 points at the half-time interval, with the Demons only posting 1.6 to this time.
The honours were shared in the third term and then the visitors saved their best footy for the last quarter.
Port MacDonnell added 5.1 to 4.2 from Kalangadoo to make the scoreboard look more appealing.
On-baller Andrew Stone has been in career-best form of late for Kalangadoo and he gave the umpires another reason to give him Mail Medal votes with a game-high tally of five goals.
Kalangadoo is building momentum ahead of the major round which starts on August 31 with the first semi-final at Kongorong.
A month ago, it did not have a Mail Medallist on the field and now it has three – Ben Mules, Brett Lindner and Jack Casey.
Another bonus has been the presence of Tye McManus who has spent most of the season in underage ranks with SANFL zone club Glenelg.
The brightest light for Port MacDonnell was ruckman Daron McElroy who is back to his form after recovering from injury.
Among the onlookers in the crowd during the curtain-raisers was Sports Minister Corey Wingard who was discussing the redevelopment plans with Kalangadoo officials.
All tiers of government are contributing to the project with $155,000 coming out of the State Government coffers.
Port MacDonnell will start as favourite at home against Tantanoola in round 15, while Kalangadoo meets ladder leader Hatherleigh on its home ground.
