By Trevor Jackson
KALANGADOO V HATHERLEIGH
THE Mid South East football match of the round this week will see a grand final re-match, as the reigning premier Kalangadoo hosts Hatherleigh.
While the Eagles would love to get one back on the Magpies, more importantly for the reigning premiers, they are still chasing their first victory in season 2024.
So far this season there has been no joy for the Magpies, with a 27-point loss to Port MacDonnell in the opening round, followed by an eight-point loss to Mount Burr in a cracking contest last time out.
Both games have not seen goal-kicking wizard Michael Krieger do much damage in front of goal, but rather, a spread of scorers, which has been a strong point for Kalangadoo in recent seasons.
In contrast, the Eagles sit toward the pointy end of the ladder with two wins from as many outings, with a tough hit-out to open the round against Glencoe, where they escaped with a 14-point victory, plus a big win over Kongorong last round.
Coach Tom Hutchesson, Jed Telfer and Patrick Chay have been among the goals, with all three in the league top 10 at the moment.
Hutchesson has nine goals, just one behind league leader Tim Sullivan.
Whether the Magpies can produce the good in Round 3 remains to be seen, but if the two sides put on a similar display to last season’s decider, this will certainly be worth the trip to Kalangadoo.
KONGORONG V ROBE
KONGORONG will face a tough test against Robe, as the Roosters, just like last season, have been in good touch early, with two solid victories in 2024.
it could be argued the Roosters have not faced much stiff opposition yet, their win over Glencoe in Round 2 came much easier than Hatherleigh’s effort the week before.
The Eagles were home by 14 points against the Murphies, while the Roosters did a job on Glencoe in Round 2, with a big 53-point advantage.
It certainly showed some solid form, after their first-round 56-point win over Tantanoola.
In front of goals last week there were 11 Roosters who stood up to slot through at least one major score, which provides a tough task for any team to defend.
For Kongorong, the season has begun as last year panned out.
The Hawks are struggling to string together any real threats, but against Hatherleigh they did kick six goals, all by single players.
The Roosters will continue on their winning way this round.
NANGWARRY V MOUNT BURR
NANGWARRY hosts Mount Burr and will need its home-ground advantage to come close to the Mozzies.
Mount Burr is buzzing under the tutelage of Clint Gallio and have so far recorded two wins.
Round 2 was impressive against Kalangadoo in the night fixture and while it was a low-scoring affair, the Mozzies fought to the end and came up trumps.
Gallio has been right in the action on the ground, kicking goals and earning best-player votes each round.
Dylan Ridley and Jack Gregory are firing, while Josh and Sam Wallis are their usual tough selves.
The Saints kicked off with the bye, then faced a tough Port MacDonnell outfit last week.
While it was a big loss, the Saints used Andrew Hyland well up forward.
The big forward kicked seven of the Saints’ nine goals, but they just could not stop the Demons, who have started the season in ominous form.
Mount Burr will take this one easy, but the Saints will certainly fight hard.
GLENCOE V TANTANOOLA
IF season form is anything to go by, Glencoe should be hard to beat when the Murphies host Tantanoola.
While they are yet to chalk up a win, the Murphies have faced two tough opponents in Hatherleigh and Robe.
They put up a good fight in the opening round against Hatherleigh, last season’s runners-up, but Robe’s running game found them wanting in Round 2.
However, in that opening -round clash Patrick Mitchell kicked five major scores against tough opposition, while Isaac Mulraney, Dylan Childs and Alex Hentschke all chipped in with multiples.
The Tigers had the bye last week and will be fresh, but did suffer badly against Robe in the opening round.
On the Murphies’ home deck this one should go to Glencoe by a comfortable margin.
