Trevor Jackson
Kalangadoo 20.16 (136) d Glencoe 4.4 (28)
Kalangadoo bounced back from a Round 9 loss to Hatherleigh with a stinging victory over Glencoe in Round 10 of Mid South East football on Saturday.
The Magpies hit the road to take on the Murphies and were never troubled throughout the day.
From the outset it was apparent the Magpies had come to play, with a 24-2 opening term, which could have been far worse for the Murphies, was it not for the six behinds kicked by Kalangadoo.
That continued on into the second stanza and by the long break the Murphies had only managed to kick one major score and two behinds.
In contrast, the Magpies had banged on 10.8 for a commanding lead.
The lead expanded as the game continued and a final-quarter six-goal burst rounded out a dominant day for Kalangadoo.
There were no huge bags of goals, but rather a long list of single-figure scorers, topped off by a five-goal haul to Michael Krieger.
Ben Mules added four, while Patrick Davies and Ben Gregory chipped in with two each.
For coach Kevin Stark it was an impressive return to the winner’s list after an extra week off to reflect.
“It was good after a loss, then the bye to get back out and work on a few things,” he said.
“I think the boys were keen and having the week off gives you time to think about the last game.
“I thought the boys bounced back well and put on a good display.”
The opening term was a tough slog, as Glencoe looked to take the game up to their more-fancied rival.
The quarter-time score did not reflect the intensity of the contest but the magpies were able to make the most of their possession up forward and built an early lead as a result.
“In the first quarter it was an arm wrestle but we managed to get into our work after that and settle things down,” Stark said.
“I thought Glencoe started really well but we managed to put a couple of the board.
“But it wasn’t until that second quarter where we managed to convert a little bit.”
Again the Magpies ran the game out hard, despite holding a big lead at the final break.
Stark said that has been a focus for him this season which was clearly paying dividends.
“It doesn’t matter what the score is, we keep trying to do the right things for four quarters,” he said.
“That is important to us and we have a really good group where everyone seems to enjoy themselves and are willing to work hard for the four quarters.”
The Magpies finished the day with 11 individual goal scorers, which Stark said was pleasing.
“We would take that every day rather than one bloke kicking 10,” he said.
“We don’t want one bloke having to carry the workload and being our one avenue to goal.
“We are happy with the many threats up forward.”
While many supporters believe the 2022 season is a foregone conclusion, with Kalangadoo touted as the premiership victors, the same could have been said last year.
It did not pan out that way in 2021 and 2022 is certainly still up in the air, especially after the Round 10 results.
The ladder has now tightened up at the pointy end and Stark could not be more pleased.
“I think it is great for the competition,” he said.
“Anyone can win on any given day.
“You have to turn up and you have to play well to get the win.
“Hatherleigh took care of us last round and Mount Burr just got the job done on Hatherleigh.
“If you don’t turn up on the day any side can win.
“For the health of the competition it is really good and it should make it a tight race for finals.”
