ROUND 13 of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football provided some interesting results that turned the ladder around.
Naracoorte 12.10 (82) d Keith 11.6 (72)
Naracoorte’s defeat of Keith was the big surprise as the Crows dropped from top to fourth with one round to play.
The Crows led by eight points at three-quarter-time after overcoming a 21-point deficit at half time and would have been confident of running out the game for the win at home.
However, Naracoorte had other ideas and responded in the fourth quarter, kicking four goals to one to snatch the victory and give themselves a real shot at making the finals.
Aaron Slorach kicked four goals for the victors, while Joshua Reeves and Sam Bates kicked two each.
Rory Taggert, Joshua Gregg and Keenan Jacobs were instrumental in the victory.
Ben Simounds was a strong target up forward for the Crows with six goals, while William McMurray and Albert Dunstan kicked two each.
Will Schreiber, Simounds and George Johnson were the Crows best players.
Kingston 14.12 (96) d Kybybolite 9.11 (65)
Kingston sealed a top-three finish with a 31-point victory against a gallant Kybybolite.
The game was a classic wrestle, as the Saints built a big lead, but the Tigers fought back in the third quarter to make it a tight contest.
The Saints had a bit more depth in the fourth quarter to claim the victory and jump up to second spot on the ladder.
Jacob Fisher kicked four goals for Kingston, James Siviour three and Travis Burns two.
Jake Wehl, Tom Rogers, Campbell Watts and Ben Warner were outstanding for the Saints.
For Kyby, Stephen Craig kicked three goals, while Lucas Schultz and Bill Munn added two each.
Callum Masters, Bradley Castine and Will Russell were the Tigers’ best.
Lucindale 14.12 (96) d Bordertown 11.11 (77)
Lucindale kept its finals hopes alive with a come-back win against Bordertown at home.
The Roos were down by 16-points at half time, but levelled the scores at the final change.
They then went on with it to record a 19-point victory and slide in to fifth spot on the ladder.
Scott Spriggs and Tom Logan kicked three goals each in the victory.
Spriggs, Jack Walker and Henry Tregoweth were the Roos best players.
Curtis McCarthy kicked five goals in a losing effort for Bordertown, while Billy Hayes and Thomas Whittlesea kicked two each.
Lachlan Murch, Thomas Gough and McCarthy were the Roosters best.
Munculla 23.28 (166) d Border Districts 5.4 (34)
Mundulla dismantled Border Districts by 132-points to take over top spot on the ladder.
Had it not been for some inaccuracy in front of goals, the margin could well have been much greater.
William Nankivell, Jake McGrice and Tom Gaden kicked four goals each in the big win.
McGrice, Nicholas Mosey and Gaden were Mundulla’s best.
Jack Helyer battled hard for the Eagles as he kicked two goals, while Mark Quinn, Grant Cother and Mitchell Coles were named in the best.
Padthaway 12.10 (82) d Penola 4.6 (30)
Padthaway moved in to a top-three position after a clinical victory against Penola.
It was the seventh win on the trot for the Lions as the team finds impressive form heading towards the business end of the season.
Luke Harder and Joshua Vandermeer kicked three goals each in the win, while Thomas Edwards, Archie Longbottom and Matthew Raitt were the side’s best.
Penola had only single goal kickers, while Harry Porter, Bradley Bryant and Scott Merrett were the Eagles best.
Round 14, the final minor round games for the season before the finals see quite a few match ups that will shape the final ladder.
Border Districts host Kybybolite in a game where both will be playing for pride as neither can make the finals.
Kingston hosts Penola and the Saints would look for a win to try and steal top spot, if other results go their way.
Lucindale hosts Mundulla and there are big stakes in this game as both need to win to stay in their current top five positions.
It should be an entertaining contest as both bring in good form.
Naracoorte hosts Bordertown in a game where the winner will make the finals if Mundulla beats Lucindale.
With it all o n the line this should provide an intriguing contest.
Padthaway is at home to Keith and the winner will be rewarded with the double chance in the finals.
The Crows will be fired up to respond after last week’s loss and look to climb back into the top three.
However, Padthaway is in top form though and will be hard to beat at home.
