By Trevor Jackson
KONGORONG V KALANGADOO
Mid South East football goes full circle this weekend, with the second half of the season to kick off.
Those sides that lost in Round 1 can have the chance to right the ledger, but it will be a tough call for Kongorong against the might of Klanagadoo.
In the opening round the Hawks pushed the Magpies far more than many may have expected.
In fact, the Hawks led at every break before the Magpies came home with a wet sail and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
It was a new-look Magpies roster and Dylan Bromley wasted no time stepping up for the Magpies, with five major scores to help fill the void left by Michael Krieger’s departure.
The usual suspects in Ben Mules, Lachy Jones and Sam McManus were also in on the action and will be hard to stop.
For the Hawks, Jarrod Ryan bagged four goals as Kongorong looked to upset the reigning premiers, but it was not to be.
Kongorong comes off a loss to Tantanoola, while Kalangadoo claimed the points over an inconsistent Glencoe last weekend.
While the Hawks will put up a fight, the Magpies will be too strong as they march towards another finals tilt.
ROBE V TANTANOOLA
It is hard to mount a case for Tantanoola this weekend, mainly due to the performance of Robe this season.
The Roosters have gone through half the season unimpeded, generally with decent margins to their opposition.
Back in Round 1 the writing was on the wall as the Roosters easily accounted for the Tigers and sent their first message to the remaining sides.
Ten individuals put their hands up for a major score in that game, with Hamish Smith bagging five.
Nathan Brown certainly has his players well drilled and Robe is probably an unbackable favourite for the flag at this stage of the season.
What that means for the Tigers is a tough day at the office.
The long trip up to Robe will not be fruitful and Tantanoola can only hope for a tighter contest than the Round 1 encounter.
The Roosters will win this win at a canter and add to their growing list of success in season 2023.
MOUNT BURR V NANGWARRY
Nangwarry chalked up its first win of the season in Round 8, but the same result will not come this weekend.
The Saints face a tough Mount Burr, a side embroiled in a battle for third place on the ladder.
Kalangadoo, Hatherleigh and the Mozzies all sit on 20 premiership points, with the Eagles off with the bye this weekend.
Mount Burr is always tough at home and the Saints will need to bring their best to compete.
Andrew Hyland has been a shining light for the Saints, kicking six of their 15 goals to beat Kongorong just a couple of weeks ago.
Last week his absence was sorely noted and he will be needed if the Saints are to come close to the Mozzies.
Nangwarry suffered a big loss to Robe last week, while Mount Burr comes off a bye and the extra week from the Interleague carnival.
You also get the feeling Mount Burr has not yet shown its full hand and as the season progresses, the Mozzies should lift further.
They will need to lift, considering the fight for a finals berth, with the Mozzies just outside in fifth place, with a small percentage margin to Hatherleigh in fourth.
The Mozzies will claim the points in this one without too many dramas.
GLENCOE V PORT MACDONNELL
A tough season gets no easier for Glencoe this weekend when the Murphies host Port MacDonnell.
The Murphies have been hot and cold this season, with some glimpses of what could be, mixed in with some ordinary performances.
They sit down in seventh spot on the ladder, with just two wins for the season.
In contrast, the Demons sit up in second place, clear of Kalangadoo by just four percentage points.
Back in Round 1 they easily accounted for Glencoe, in a game that saw 11 Demons contribute major scores.
The biggest result for the Murphies this season was their huge win over Hatherleigh, but since then wins have been scarce.
The Murphies were easily beaten by Kongorong, then pushed Robe for the full four quarters.
Another big victory came in Round 7 against Nangwarry, with a couple more losses.
Port MacDonnell went on from that first-round win in strong fashion, with last week’s loss to Hatherleigh in atrocious conditions is not typical of the Demons’ season.
Despite having to travel to Glencoe, the Demons will come out on top and hold onto their second position clear.
