By Matthew Beggs
ROUND 14 was the final round of the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League 2021 season and it produced some great games as placings for this weekend’s finals series were locked in.
Kybybolite finished its season on a high after it came from behind to defeat Border Districts in a close game.
The Tigers were behind at each change until the last quarter as they were able to get the lead in the fourth quarter and hold on to it.
Bradley Castine, Jamie Bittner, Will Russell and Bill Munn all kicked two goals each in the victory.
Castine, Callum Masters and Tom Taheny were important in the win.
Shawn Mansell kicked four goals for the Eagles in the loss.
Mark Coles helped out with two goals.
Mark Quinn, Jack Helyer and Zak Edwards tried hard for the Eagles all game.
Kingston was in control of most of its match against Penola on the weekend.
The Saints got ready for a finals challenge as they ran out 28-point winners at home against the Eagles in Adam “Hoggett” Merrett’s last game for Penola.
Jacon Fisher and James Siviour kicked three goals each in the victory for the Saints.
Chad Wood, Siviour and Rowan Werchiwski were great for the Saints all game long.
Merrett was able to kick three goals in a fighting effort despite carrying an injured hamstring into the game.
Bradley Bryant, Luke Walker and Scott Merrett fought hard all game for the Eagles.
Mundulla sealed top spot on the ladder and knocked Lucindale out of finals contention with a hard-fought 12-point game at Lucindale last weekend.
Lucindale tried to make a charge in the fourth quarter but couldn’t catch Mundulla.
Reagen Tink kicked three goals in the victory for Mundulla, while Brayden Redden and Jake McGrice kicked two goals each for the Tigers.
McGrice continued his great season, with Dylan Mosey and Tink helping out in the victory.
Sam Williams tried his best to keep Lucindale in the game as he kicked six goals.
Sam Mardling kicked two goals as well, but the Roos fell short.
Lachie Jones, Matt Kelsh and Williams were the Roos’ best players.
Naracoorte booked a finals position when it came from behind to beat Bordertown and finish in fifth position on the ladder.
The Demons were four goals down at half time, but turned it around in the second half by kicking seven goals to two, fighting for an eight-point victory.
Rory Taggert led the comeback with three goals.
Sam Bates, Sam Willson and Joshua Gregg all kicked two goals each for the Demons in the victory.
Keenan Jacobs, Bates and Tommy Anderson were the best players for Naracoorte.
Curtis McCarthy, Harrison Fromm and Thomas Whittlesea kicked two goals each for the gallant Roosters.
Rory Tink, Lewis Crawford and Curtis McCarthy were the Roosters’ best players.
Padthaway won the battle for third spot as it dismantled Keith by 54 points last weekend.
The Lions opened the game right up in the first half and had a 51-point lead by half time and never looked back.
Joshua Vandermeer kicked four goals in the victory.
Tobin Cox helped out with three goals of his own.
Nathan McCarthy, Joshua Vandermeer and Tom Edwards were great in the win.
George Johnson kicked three goals for Keith in a fighting effort.
Seamus McMurray, Will Schreiber and George Johnson fought hard all game for the Crows.
FINALS GET UNDERWAY
THE first week of the finals has Kingston and Padthaway facing off on Saturday at Keith in the qualifying final.
Padthaway won the last time these two teams played and is on a current win streak of eight and will look to extend that streak this week.
The Saints have found some of their defensive best footy the last couple of weeks and are getting their near best team back on the park and will go in confident in this game.
The elimination final on Sunday will see Keith play Naracoorte at Mundulla and Keith will look for revenge after Naracoorte beat them two weeks ago.
The Crows are not bringing the best form in to the finals, but they have the players to do damage if everything clicks on their day.
Naracoorte will be confident of beating the Crows after beating them last time they met.
