By Trevor Jackson
THE Mid South Eastern Football League heads to Glencoe on Saturday for the block-buster second semi-final and the entertainment value could not be much higher.
The undefeated Kalangadoo takes on Port MacDonnell, with the first grand final berth up for grabs.
It will certainly be a big call for the Demons to claim the win, with the Magpies having the upper hand head-to-head for the season.
The first clash of the two side back in Round 2 went to the Magpies by just nine points, but that margin widened by the time Round 11 came around.
Kalangadoo claimed the win by a more-comfortable 27 points before a league-wide bye, one more round then two weeks off due to coronavirus restrictions.
After that two-week break the Demons fell to Hatherleigh, then claimed a comfortable victory over Robe before finishing the season on a high with a big defeat of Kongorong.
The Magpies simply continued on after the forced break, with a strong win over Robe, before two huge victories over Kongorong and Glencoe.
Back in Round 11 Kalangadoo held the advantage in a competitive contest.
Justin Bromley and Josh La Rocca kicked three majors each, as did Kevin Thomson for the Demons.
League leading goal kicker Michael Krieger joined a couple of other magpies with two, while three
Demons also added two goals.
Both sides have plenty more firepower.
The Magpies boast the likes of Lachy Jones, Mitch Lowe, Andrew Stone and Ben Gregory – to name just a few – who are all capable in front of goals.
For the Demons, look at the likes of Dylan Bromley, Daron McElroy, Brandon Newton and Ned Wilke and it evens the field somewhat.
The Demons have shown a capacity for solid defence, with Mark Smith a tough opponent to beat and that could be a telling factor.
If Port MacDonnell can limit delivery deep into the Kalangadoo forward 50 they certainly have a good chance to take the win.
It is certainly an intriguing battle around the ground and the Demons would be confident they can defeated the untouchable Magpies.
This could well be a precursor for the grand final, so both will want the claim the psychological advantage should that scenario unfold.
It is hard to go past the Magpies, but the Demons should book the first grand final berth in an upset.
