By Lachlan Onions
HATHERLEIGH v TANTANOOLA
Round 7 of Mid South Eastern football sees the Tigers paying visit to Hatherleigh.
The Eagles will head into this clash as favourites and have won three of their five games this season.
However, Tantanoola has the potential to give the hosts a run for their money.
The Tigers have won only one games this season but came close to snatching a win against the third-placed Mount Burr earlier in the season.
Hatherleigh started its year poorly with a comprehensive defeat to Glencoe but has since won three of its last four games.
Tom Hutchesson will be a key player around the contest and his class will likely shine through for the Eagles.
William and Patrick Chay have also been consistent performers for Hatherleigh and the latter has kicked 16 goals in five games.
For Tantanoola, Jordan Hatt will need to be a his best to give his side a chance of claiming an upset victory.
Jack Dawe will be another key player for the Tigers in what should be a difficult contest.
Ultimately, the Eagles will prove too good and will likely claim a reasonably comfortable win.
PORT MACDONNELL v KALANGADOO
The match of the round will take place at the Bay with the Demons hosting the Magpies in a contest which could have major implications down the track in the battle for finals.
Port MacDonnell has been one of the standout teams this season and has won five of its six games, with its only defeat coming to the ladder-leading Robe.
Kalangadoo is currently in fourth with three wins from five games.
The Magpies’ two losses came to Robe and Mount Burr, with the latter defeating Kalangadoo by one point.
This clash will be a battle between two of the elite key forwards in the competition.
Port MacDonnell’s Colby Munro has 19 goals for the season and kicked seven in his side’s recent win over the Mozzies in Round 4.
The Demons will also look to Christian Howlett, who has been in impressive form this year.
At the other end of the field, Dylan Bromley will be a pivotal forward for the Magpies as he has kicked 18 goals in five games.
This game should be a close contest but the class of Port MacDonnell will be too much for Kalangadoo.
GLENCOE v NANGWARRY
The Saints will look to claim their first win of the season when they take on the Murphies on Saturday.
Glencoe has been a mixed bag this season and has been unpredictable to begin the campaign.
The Murphies suffered an emphatic defeat to the Demons in Round 1 but then backed it up with a massive upset win over Hatherleigh the following week.
They were outclassed by Kongorong and by Mount Burr in the second half but when they faced the Roosters, they put up a solid fight until the final siren.
Alex Hentschke will be a key player for Glencoe in the ruck and in the forward line.
His ability to take contested grabs is crucial for the Murphies in possession and will look to dictate the contest in the air.
When he is in the ruck, he will face Jack Pudney form Nangwarry, who has been a solid performer this season.
Other key players for Glencoe will be Jack Edmonds and Zacc Cocks.
If the Saints are to stand a chance in this game, they will need their key forward, Andrew Hyland, to put in another strong performance.
Hyland is currently fourth in the league for goals kicked with 17 in five games.
While Hyland and the Saints will likely put up a fight, they will ultimately be no match for the Murphies who will claim their second win of the season.
KONGORONG v MOUNT BURR
The Mozzies will look to continue their impressive start to the season when they make the trip to Kongorong on Saturday.
Mount Burr has won four games from six this season, while the Hawks have just the one win from five to date.
Kongorong will need its leading goalkicker to continue to display his prowess from the outset.
Jarrod Ryan has been lethal in the forward line and has kicked 20 goals from five games.
The Hawks will also look to Matthew Roberts, who has been a consistent performer this season.
For the Mozzies, Jack Gregory has been in solid form with 16 goals in six games, while Dylan Ridley and Josh Wallis have also impressed.
This should be a fairly one-sided contest and Mount Burr should solidify its hold of third place on the ladder with a win on Saturday.
