Mixed bag for Round 6

Kalangadoo will look to continue its strong run in the 2022 Mid South East football season when they host Nangwarry this weekend.

By Trevor Jackson

Round 6 of Mid South East football promises some tight contest and real challenges.

Kalangadoo v Nangwarry

Nangwarry has so far enjoyed a more productive season than in recent years but is yet to claim that elusive victory.

The Saints have pushed a few sides right to the final siren but this week face yet another huge challenge on the road.

Nangwarry travels to Kalangadoo to take on the all-conquering Magpies in what will be a tough day at the office.

The Magpies start as un-backable favourites and should breeze through the contest.

However, as the likes of Tantanoola, Glencoe and Port MacDonnell have found, if you are not on your game, the Saints will pounce.

No doubt their first win is not far off but it will not come this weekend.

The Magpies have simply not been troubled this season so far, with four big wins and a real focus on the major prize.

Kalangadoo welcomed Michael Krieger back in Round 2, after a season-ending injury in 2021.

in the three games since his return Krieger has banged on 16 goals, to complement the forward strength the Magpies already possess.

Last week they enjoyed 10 individual goal kickers, with Alex Lyon best with five majors but the likes of Krieger, Patrick Davies and Ben Mules also putting their hands up.

The list goes on, with some of the best in the league running through the middle, towards the attacking end of the ground and finishing with style.

It makes it tough for any side to counter and Nangwarry will unfortunately become another statistic as the Magpies race towards September.

Glencoe v Hatherleigh

Glencoe is another side that will be up against in Round 6, as a date with Hatherleigh is sure to push the Murphies to the limit.

The Murphies have caused a few teams some headaches this season but the Eagles will not be one of them.

Just like Kalangadoo, Hatherleigh has been almost untouchable this season, only troubled early in games and generally with enough in the tank to run out emphatic victors.

The smallest winning margin for the Eagles this season is 44 points, which does not bode well for the Murphies this week.

Hatherleigh did suffer a few injuries in their last hit out but have had the luxury of a bye to rest and recuperate.

Coach Jake Dowdy has stood tall in the attacking half of the ground, with his last effort resulting in a seven-goal haul against Tantanoola in a big 87-point win.

Jake Wight may still not be fit in time, a key focus up forward but in his absence last game the Eagles still found plenty of options up forward.

The likes of Jack Skeer and Jordan Galpin joined Dowdy with multiple goals against the Tigers and again the Eagles were untouchable.

While the Murphies have the home-ground advantage, it will not be enough to knock Hatherleigh off its pedestal, with the visitors to claim the honours in a comfortable manner.

Port MacDonnell v Robe

Port MacDonnell has had an unremarkable start to the 2022 season, as the Demons defend their premiership crown from 2021.

Having lost a list of premiership players, they still sit in fourth place with three wins and a loss from their four outings.

A tough victory over Nangwarry heralded their latest win, where the Demons were forced to hold on into a stiff breeze against a hard-running and determined Saints lineup.

It showed plenty of resolve, which will be called upon again this weekend.

Robe sits in third place with the same win/loss ratio and appears to be on track for a solid season.

They have been led well by coach Tom Wachtell, with Lachlan Hentschke and Jed Jarrett popping up with multiple goals last weekend.

They find plenty of run from the likes of Jasper Barritt and Sam Clements, along with a list of others.

The Roosters appear the more settled side, as the Demons still chase a regular lineup, after being hit with injury and Covid.

This is certainly a game which could go either way but Robe should be up for the challenge and claim the points in a close one.

Kongorong v Tananoola

Kongorong has not enjoyed the best start to the 2022 season and will host Tananoola this weekend.

The Tigers sit in fifth place with two wins and two losses, while the Hawks have struggled with just one win from four outings.

Kongorong’s only win came against Nangwarry, while the three remaining games resulted in losses, two of those to top sides Robe and Kalangadoo.

The Hawks were impressive in the oprning round against the reigning premiers but Port MacDonnell had enough in reserve to claim the win by a comfortable margin in the end.

The Tigers have had a mixed start, with hard-fought victories over Nangwarry and Glencoe showing their resolve.

The result is certainly up in the air, with the Tigers to win in a tight contest.