By Trevor Jackson
ROUND 14 of Mid South East football kicks off this weekend, with the Hatherleigh v Port MacDonnell clash the match of the round.
HATHERLEIGH V PORT MACDONNELL
Port MacDonnell travels to face Hatherleigh this weekend, with a huge task ahead if the Demons are to secure a win.
It is all-but a must-win game for the Demons, who sit in fourth place, four points clear of Kalangadoo, with the Magpies up against Tantanoola, a game they should win.
Meanwhile, the Hatherleigh juggernaut continues to role, with the Eagles undefeated at the pointy end of the field.
On their home deck, the Eagles will be tough to topple, but that could be said about any ground they venture to.
Back in Round 5 the two sides faced off and the Eagles were winners to the tune of 56 points.
The Demons were in touch until the main break, trailing by just six points, when the Eagles kicked into gear and opened the margin substantially to be 29 points up.
In the final quarter they simply got on with the job and ran the game out in style with seven major scores.
It was no surprise Patrick Chay topped the goal-kicking list, with seven majors.
Chay has 45 goals for the season, some eight ahead of Glencoe’s Alex Hentschke.
While he may not kick a bag this week, he should do enough to stay in front of the pack.
Hatherleigh has been well served by the majority of its list this season, from coach Tom Hutchesson, to the likes of Jack Skeer, Brad Mitchell, Ayden Reid, Jase Bateman and the list goes on.
For the Demons it will be a matter of accurate kicks inside 50, with the likes of Tim Sullivan a major focus.
Will Macdonald needs a big game in the ruck, while the likes of Colby Munro and Alex Ridding needs to get their hands on the Sherrin inside 50 and make the Eagles pay.
It will be a huge task and it is hard to see Hatherleigh dropping this one.
GLENCOE V KONGORONG After a reasonable start to the season, Glencoe has slipped down to sixth place on the ladder and will need to win this one against Kongorong.
The Hawks come off a huge loss to Tantanoola, which few would have seen coming and would want to at least put in a solid showing.
However, back in Round 5 the Murphies were on top, controlling the contest after the opening term to run out 77-point victors.
In that game Alex Hentschke kicked seven goals, while Tory Weaver kicked five.
There was also a long list of single goal scorers to prove headaches for the Kongorong back six.
This game could be a big result considering the Murphies have had a long break after Country Championships and last week’s bye.
That will provide fresh legs which the Hawks will not have.
On their home deck the Murphies should be up to the task, but expect the Hawks to fire out of the blocks and keep Glencoe honest, at least in the opening term.
TANTANOOLA V KALANGADOO
Tantanoola would like its chances of a win over the reigning premier Kalangadoo on Saturday.
The Tigers come off a big 66-point win over Kongorong and would like to keep that momentum flowing.
Of course it is never an easy contest against the Magpies, but this has certainly not been their best season to date.
They sit down in fifth place on the ladder, but could well jump inside depending on the outcome of the Hatherleigh v Port MacDonnell game.
If the Demons win that one and the Magpies get up against the Tigers, a change of position is on the cards.
Looking back to their Round 5 clash, the Magpies were 62-point victors and would surely think they have the chance to replicate that result.
However, Kalangadoo comes off a 62-point loss to Robe and that could be a problem for Tantanoola.
If the Magpies look to atone for last week’s result, it could be to the detriment of the Tigers.
In the end the Magpies should get up and keep their post-season hopes alive.
ROBE V NANGWARRY
ROBE looks set for a big win when it hosts Nangwarry on Saturday.
The Roosters have been one of the form sides of the competition, with just the one loss – to Hatherleigh in Round 8.
Against the Saints in Round 5, the Roosters were 130-point victors and there is nothing to say it will not be a similar result this weekend.
The Roosters play their home ground well and will be a class above the Saints.
The list of danger-men for the Roosters is long, with Hamish Smith fourth on the league goal-kicking list with 37 majors.
Against the Saints in Round 5 Smith kicked eight goals and will need some special attention to keep him subdued.
Joel Bryant sits in sixth place with 35 goals, but you have to look outside the top-10 to find anymore Roosters.
Sam Bates sits 13th with 26 goals, while Jed Jarrett in 19th with 20.
Bryant and Jarrett are regulars in the goal-kicking honours and will have a field day on Saturday.
The Saints sit second-to-bottom on the ladder, but equal on points with Kongorong.
If the Hawks do sneak a win over Glencoe, it will make a tough pill to swallow for the Saints.
Robe should claim this win quite comfortably and keep their momentum going.
