KALANGADOO will take full advantage of fresh legs and the small Mount Burr Oval and defeat Hatherleigh in the Mid South East Football League preliminary final on Saturday.
This result will set up the Magpies for a grand final show-down against the Glencoe Murphies at this venue on September 21.
The Magpies are an older and stronger side than the Eagles and the tight dimensions of the Mount Burr oval will assist them.
Having only played one game in a month is also a bonus for the team in a major round contest.
Although the venue will please Magpie mentor Chris Mules, the weather forecast for this week will not.
With an abundance of sunshine tipped, the surface will be firm and dry and this will suit the Eagles who are a younger and faster side.
The Mozzies only have their senior colts in training on the oval and it has not hosted a match since August 17.
Hatherleigh plays its best football on the larger ovals where it can run the ball and set up the loose man.
Its preferred venue would have been Robe, but it will have to contend with the smallest venue in the MSEFL.
The terraces of the famed “Can Hill” will be packed with spectators including a big contingent from the Glencoe sporting fraternity.
In all likelihood, every Hatherleigh goal will be cheered by the supporters of the Murphies.
Although Glencoe is currently the short-priced favourite for the premiership, it obviously does not want to meet Kalangadoo in the “Big Dance.”
Its losing run against the Magpies began in round 13 on July 13 of 2013 and the unlucky number 13 might spook some superstitious types.
The two neighbouring clubs have had an intense rivalry dating back to the 1920s.
The probable vocal support from the Glencoe camp for Hatherleigh may not be needed by the minor premiers as they already have the largest following in the MSEFL.
In a further rare occurrence, the Eagles have all four teams competing on the day.
The opposing coaches on preliminary final day are highly regarded by their respective clubs and across the wider SE football community.
Mules took on the A Grade coaching gig at his home club a decade ago when he was not far into his 20s.
He took the Magpies into the 2009 grand final but lost to Mount Burr.
His elder brother Ben Mules returned home from SANFL club Glenelg and took the Magpies top in 2013.
Chris Mules resumed as coach in 2017 and has served a lengthy stint as the club’s vice-president.
A calf injury kept him on the sidelines for the first semi-final victory over Kongorong at Robe, but he will be “cherry ripe” for Saturday.
Over at Hatherleigh, Gerard McGrath has arguably been its best player since returning home a few seasons ago.
The 2019 umpires panel rated him highly as they gave him enough votes to finish equal third in the Mail Medal.
In his first season as coach McGrath took the team to the minor premiership and it was unbeaten at home.
All the while, McGrath has had to contend with various factors which meant many of his first-choice players could not be selected.
Some players had work and family responsibilities which made them unavailable, while the Hatherleigh injury list was as long as any of the eight other clubs in the competition.
McGrath was able to recall Jase Faulkner, Matt Fabris and Brad Wight back to the starting 18 for the second semi at Port MacDonnell.
However, key defenders Joe Ferguson-Lane and Ben Parish were hurt in this heavy 62-point loss to Glencoe.
Although Robe ruckman Tom Wachtel deservedly captured the media spotlight with his Mail Medal success, there were two other awards given on Sunday to players who will feature on Saturday.
Hatherleigh newcomer Mitch Leek won the prestigious Bill Hanel Medal as the best player until 21 years of age in the MSEFL.
Meanwhile, Kalangadoo on-baller Andrew Stone was judged as the MSEFL’s most valuable player going on votes cast by opposition clubs.
It will be a tight contest but Kalangadoo players have a fervent desire to set up their first grand final meeting with Glencoe since 1983.
