Trevor Jackson
NANGWARRY V HATHERLEIGH
Nangwarry will hope to take advantage of a Hatherleigh side not at its best in the 2023 Mid South East football season.
The Eagles finished runners-up last year but have clearly taken a blow in the off-season, with just a 2/2 win/loss record this year.
Those losses came at the hands of Glencoe and Robe, with the Murphies easily accounting for the Eagles by close to 100 points.
Nangwarry will need to be at its best to compete for four quarters against the Eagles, with some improvement from 2022.
The Saints have regularly kicked scores this season, but have been unable to sustain the scoreboard pressure to result in a victory.
The result will be similar this weekend, with the Eagles sure to look for a strong performance to remain in touch with the top four.
TANTANOOLA V PORT MACDONNELL
Port MacDonnell will hope for a percentage-boosting win against Tantanoola to ensure it remains clear in second position on the ladder.
The only blemish for the Demons this season was against the ladder-leading Robe, where they went down by just 16 points.
The usual suspects in Will MacDonald, Tim Sullivan, Ned Wilke and Mark Smith have kept the ball moving and the scoreboard ticking over for the Demons and will look to control the game from the outset on Saturday.
Tantanoola has tasted success just once this year, with a big win over Nangwarry in Round 3.
that was on the back of a close game against Mount Burr in Round 2 where the Tigers went down by just seven points.
Despite the home-ground advantage this weekend, Tantanoola will struggle to keep pace with the Demons, who look well on the way to more post-season action in 2023.
MOUNT BURR V GLENCOE
Mount Burr has a tentative hold on fourth place on the ladder this season and will hope to keep its four-point buffer to fifth-placed Hatherleigh when it hosts Glencoe on Saturday.
The Mozzies have a 3/2 win/loss record at this early stage of the season, but come off a loss to the Eagles in Round 5.
In contrast, Glencoe sits down in seventh position with just one victory.
The Murphies also come off a loss – at the hands of Robe – and will no doubt rate themselves a strong chance against the Mozzies.
This could turn out to be an entertaining clash, with either side able to secure the points.
For Glencoe, the likes of Alex Hentschke, Dylan Childs and Jake Blackwell will need to be at their best to control the ball and apply scoreboard pressure.
For Mount Burr, Dylan Ridley is a strong avenue for goal, while the likes of youngster Kallan Bevan and the Wallis brothers will keep the Murphies honest.
In a tough game to pick, the Mozzies should get the job done on their home deck.
ROBE V KONGORONG
Robe has set the benchmark early in the 2023 MSEFL season, with an unblemished record so far.
While there has only been one big victory – over Tantanoola – the Roosters have taken care of the top teams from last season comfortably.
They beat the reigning premiers Kalangadoo by 40 points, Port MacDonnell by 16 and last year’s runners-up Hatherleigh by 34.
incoming coach Nathan Brown appears to have his charges working well, himself kicking a few goals along the way to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Hamish Smith joined the Roosters in 2023 from Mount Burr and has made his presence felt, with 13 goals so far this season.
Robe sits four points clear at the top of the table and it appears it will take a big effort to knock them off.
Kongorong has shown some strength throughout the season, but has not been able to convert that to victory, except for a solid win over Glencoe.
The Hawks come off a bye so will be well rested for their drive up the coast.
Robe will win this one comfortably.
