By Trevor Jackson
Tantanoola v Robe
Tantanoola faces somewhat of an unknown quantity when the Tigers host Robe in Round 2 of Mid South East football.
It will be Robe’s first game of the 2022 season, after a bye in the opening round last week.
Tantanoola comes off a hard-fought victory over Nangwarry, with the game in the balance right to the final siren.
The Tigers certainly had to work hard for the victory, with the Saints kicking 16 major scores in a losing effort.
Six of those goals came from Tantanoola coach Jak Ryan, with several other Tigers kicking multiple majors.
That provides the Tigers with clear options up forward, with the mid-field under pressure to deliver with accuracy.
However, with Robe coming off a solid, somewhat extended pre-season, it is anyone’s guess which way the final result will go.
The Roosters bowed out of last year’s post season in the first semi-final, by just six points to a tough Hatherleigh outfit.
If the bring the same intensity this season, it could be a tough ask for the Tigers to claim the points.
Robe should claim the points, despite having to travel to Tantanoola.
Glencoe v Mount Burr
Over at Glencoe, the Murphies host Mount Burr, with both sides keen to open their accounts for the 2022 season.
Both sides suffered big losses last round, with Glencoe up against a tough Kalangadoo outfit keen to atone for its 2021 grand final loss to Port MacDonnell.
The Mozzies suffered a similar fate against Hatherleigh, another side keen to push deeper into the post season this year.
Glencoe will look for a better performance in the attacking 50, after Henry Smith was the only Murphy to kick multiple goals last week, with two to his name.
Mount Burr enjoyed a couple of multiple goal kickers against Hatherleigh, with Hamish Smith bagging three and Nathan Muhovics with two.
Again it is a tough call to pick a winner but on their home turf, Glencoe should claim the points in a tight contest.
Hatherleigh v Nangwarry
Last week Nangwarry almost pulled off a drought-breaking win but did not quite get across theline against a determined Tantanoola.
Hatherleigh made short work of Mount Burr on a short road trip and this week enjoy the confines of its home ground.
It would be nice to see the Saints claim that breakthrough victory but it will not come against the Eagles.
Last season Hatherleigh fell short of a grand final berth and would be keen to remain at the pointy end of the ladder throughout 2022.
Coach Jake Dowdy led by example, with six goals to his name, while the remaining major scores were shared around, with Jack Skeer bagging four and Jordan Galpin three.
Add to that a couple from Joe Rayson and the Eagles certainly have plenty of firepower.
Nangwarry has a strong spearhead forward in Andrew Hyland, who kicked eight of the Saints goals last week.
With 16 goals in total, it left other Saints to stand tall and they certainly did that.
Trent Badman banged on three, while Jake McKeon contributed two.
Hyland is sure to be a focus for the Eagles this week and if they can limit his damage, Hatherleigh should claim a comfortable victory at home.
Kongorong v Kalangadoo
Kalangadoo appears to have returned to its 2021 form, albeit after just one round of football.
The Magpies travel to face Kongorong, a side that pushed the reigning premiers last week, again on their home deck.
To be at home for a second week will be a bonus for the Hawks but it will take more than that to roll last year’s bridesmaids.
The Magpies certainly hit the ground running, with 14 individual goal kickers to account for their 23 majors.
Ben Gregory and James Pratt topped the list with three each and it continued from there.
That will provide a tough challenge for any side, with Kongorong the face the task this weekend.
In contrast, the Hawks had seven major contributors in their loss but with just 11 goals scored, it was still a good spread.
Quite simply it is hard to see Kongorong having the firepower to be any threat to the Magpies, who could well complete another minor season undefeated.
