James Murphy
KYBYBOLITE 6.3 (39) d MUNDULLA 5.2 (32)
A SHOCKING upset has knocked reigning premier Mundulla out of the title race in Limestone Coast women’s football.
The final blow was dealt by Kybybolite in Sunday’s preliminary final, where Mundulla was dealt a seven-point defeat at Casterton’s Island Park.
The result came down to the wire and Kyby would not let its rival out of its sights, before clinching the lead in the third quarter and holding on in the final stanza.
Both teams started well and at the first change Mundulla had three goals on the board, to Kyby’s two-goals-one.
That five-point lead grew to 10 points by the main break and both teams geared up for a tough second half.
Kellsie Turner was impressing for Mundulla, while Jedah Huff played a strong game for Kyby.
A three-goal effort from Kyby in the third term narrowed the gap and while Mundulla converted one major, its lead was turned into a one-point deficit heading into the last.
In a rare occurrence, Mundulla was held scoreless in the fourth term and Kyby was able to find the big sticks to boost its lead to seven and book itself a grand final berth in the feature game.
The Tigers will meet North Gambier in next weekend’s season decider after the latter secured its place with a semi-final win over Mundulla.
Huf was the best of Kyby’s performers on Sunday, while Ella Boston, Maryann Thompson and Amelia Frick also impressed.
Dellie Brown and Tahlia Kavanagh rounded out the best players, while Boston topped the scoresheets with a game-high three goals.
Elle Treloar snagged two majors and Taylor Ryan had one.
For Mundulla, Kelsey Batt top scored with a pair of goals, while Erin Horsnell, Melody Maddern and Turner had one each.
Turner was named best on ground for the side, with other notable performances coming from Natasha Horne and Zoe Hawker.
Natalie Twigden also earned a mention, as did Horsnell and Eliza Orrock.
It will now be back to the drawing board for Mundulla and it will be eager to return to the top of the competition again next year.
SOUTH GAMBIER 3.6 (24) d KONGORONG 2.4 (16)
South Gambier will meet Penola in the consolation grand final next weekend after the Demons bested Kongorong in Sunday’s preliminary clash.
The Demons entered as slight underdogs, but made sure to make their opportunities count when claiming an eight-point win over the Hawks.
By the first change South had a seven-point lead, having kept Kongorong scoreless, before the Hawks hit back in the second.
A pair of goals and two behinds put Kongorong out to a four-point lead by half time, which set the scene for a thrilling second leg of the game.
The Demons wrestled back the lead in the third with a goal and two behinds, again holding the Hawks scoreless.
This time Kongorong had no answer in the following quarter and South added a goal for good measure to secure the honours by eight points.
Alisha Stephens was in impressive form to be named South’s best on ground.
Lucy Pridham, Kirra Schultz and Bailey Broome were others who excelled, while Chloe Haskins rounded out the best players.
Goals were shared around by the Demons with one each from Broome, Haskins and Pridham.
Kongorong relied on Raine Scott in front of goals and she scored both majors for the Hawks.
However, it was at the other end where the Hawks found their best player, with league joint best defender and Kongorong captain Sarah Lucas earning the best-on-ground honours.
Amber Formosa was another standout, as were Evie Sealey, Rach Perry, Katelyn Bowering and Scott.
South will meet a tough opponent next week and will want to pull off another impressive performance if it is to keep up with the Eagles.
