Matt Beggs
MUNDULLA booked its way in to the 2021 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football grand final after tight six-point preliminary final win over Keith on Saturday at Kingston.
The game was an almighty defensive struggle in difficult conditions as both sides employed 8-10 players around the ball for most of the game and it stopped the game from really opening up and having much free-flowing football.
Mundulla had the aid of the breeze in the first quarter and used it to good advantage, with a 14-point lead at quarter time.
Jake McGrice, Sam Luckett and Nicholas Mosey were strong around the ground for the tigers, while for Keith, Henry and Will McMurray battled hard as they tried to stay close early.
The Crows had the breeze in the second quarter and despite many shots on goal, they only added 2.5 for the quarter.
First semi-final hero Ben Simounds found it tough to find a clear run at the ball as Mundulla did a good job for most of the quarter trying to block up the leading lanes, with Mundulla ahead by a solitary point at the long break.
Mundulla had the breeze in the third quarter and it was their turn to be wasteful as they kicked 2.6.
McGrice, Mosey and Brayden Redden worked the ball forward for Mundulla, but the Tigers just could not kick straight to open up a big lead.
Seamus McMurray was solid down back for the Crows, but Mundulla went into three quarter time 12 points ahead.
The script changed once again as Keith attacked hard in the fourth quarter with the breeze.
The Crows had plenty of drive from Charlie Hannemann, George Thring, Will Schreiber and McMurray, but could not convert in front of goal.
Mundulla kicked one goal against the breeze which would end up as the winning margin.
Keith’s magical run of close finals wins had come to an end and Mundulla will now meet Padthaway in the grand final.
