PENOLA faces a do-or-die scenario on Sunday in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara semi-final, after a heart-breaking two-point loss to Lucindale on the weekend.
The Eagles faced off against the second-placed Lucindale at Kaniva in the qualifying final and began in fine form, going to the first break a point ahead.
Unfortunately the second term let the side down, which would ultimately cost the game.
By the long break the Eagles trailed by 18 points, after Lucindale banged on four goals to Penola’s one.
However, at the long break the Eagles rebooted and came out firing.
They held Lucindale goal-less for the term, while adding a further four major scores to turn their fortunes around and go to the final break with a handy five-point advantage in the less-than-ideal conditions.
From there it all seemed to go well for the Eagles, as they continued to push hard and created a 10-point break with just minutes on the clock.
But Lucindale found some handy possessions late in the contest and ran out two-point victors, leaving the Eagles to lament what could have been.
Coach Matt Tilby said he was disappointed with the result in what was a tough day of football.
“Lucindale is certainly a good side,” he said.
“We started really well in the first quarter and matched it with them, which we were really happy with.
“It was a physical contest and I felt we were on top.”
Tilby said the second quarter let the Eagles down and put them on the back foot.
“They got a real spurt on, got a fair few clearances and used the footy well,” he said.
“They ran and created options and we were left a bit flat footed.”
To Penola’s credit the turnaround after half time was impressive, with some good run through the middle of the ground to finish off in style.
That set the game up for a grandstand finish and Tilby said his players were up for the challenge.
“Going in at three quarter time five points up I was confident we could go well,” he said.
“We started the final quarter well and Jason Nysten was all over his opponent in the ruck.
“Simon Berkefeld had a huge impact, the likes of Jordy Galpin and Scotty Merrett were throwing themselves at the contest and the class of Brock Egan was showing through.
“We got on top early, but we probably lacked a bit of composure late which ultimately cost us the game.
“It was a very disappointing loss, but at the same time we feel we are right around the mark.
“They have some guys who have played at the elite level and I felt we kept up with them fitness wise, but at times they had a bit more polish than us.
“We can address that.
“We are a skilful side and just need to continue to make the right decisions and execute.”
That will be needed this weekend when the Eagles face Kaniva in the semi-final.
A loss and the season is all over.
Penola has recorded two victories over Kaniva in the 2019 season, but Tilby said his side can take nothing for granted as it enters the elimination final.
“They have some fantastic footballers,” he said.
“Their coach Nick Murphy is a former captain of South Adelaide and he will play centre half forward for them.
“Then they have Michael Wundke at full forward who has been a leading SANFL goal kicker as well.
“Cameron De Visser plays down back and Cameron Hitchcock is a very good player for them as well.
“We will have to be mindful of that and make sure we have our matchups right.
“Most importantly we need to have our work rate up and pressure on right from the start.”
Saturday’s loss showed even a one-quarter drop in intensity can effect the final result, which Tilby said his players needed to be aware of.
“We really only had probably one poor quarter on Saturday, which ultimately cost us the game,” he said.
“We need to look at that and try to be as consistent as we can over a four-quarter period.
“Over the last five weeks we have been really good and have won most of our quarters.
“We just need to drill that home and win four quarters of footy, then we have a chance at a preliminary final.”
