James Murphy
A GRADE – BORDER DISTRICTS 12.13 (85) d PENOLA 9.11 (65)
IT was not the ending Penola’s A Grade side was looking for when it went down to Border Districts by 20 points in its final game of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football.
The Eagles hosted Borders for the final minor round of the season, with hopes of concluding their KNTFL era with a victory.
However, despite a solid effort from the hosts it was not to be, with the visitors keeping their opponent at arm’s length for much of the clash.
A five-goal opening quarter put Border Districts in a strong position, holding a 25-point lead at the first break.
Penola hit back in the second term with its own five-goal effort, but Borders kept it at bay with a couple of goals to hold a two-point lead at half time.
From there Border Districts was able to extend its lead with another five goals in the “premiership” quarter.
The Eagles only answer was a single major score and at the final change it was a 27-point game.
To their credit the hosts held their rival goalless in the last, but even with a couple of unanswered goals the win remained out of grasp.
Playing coach Jayden Eldridge topped the best players for Penola, while it was again Brodie Foster who impressed in front of the big sticks.
Foster bagged five goals on the day, while Sam Gartner had three in another solid performance.
Beau Shinnick maintained his consistency with a solid outing, while Bradley Bryant, Jak Ryan, Jordan Galpin and Harrison Evans also featured in the best.
Border Districts was best served by Harrison Pretlove, who had four goals on his way to a best-on-ground performance.
Penola’s A Grade footballers will now regroup over the off season for an exciting new era with the club to join the Limestone Coast Football Netball League in 2025.
