Kingston won the 2026 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League premiership on Saturday after they displayed a ruthless brand of football against Lucindale. The Saints capped off their perfect season with a 66-point win to lift the premiership cup.
Lucindale scored the opening goal after Tyson Brazel moved the ball into the forward line and a smart knock-on by Luke Kelsh set up the chance for Luke May to convert the kick at goal. As the underdog, it was the perfect start that the Roos were looking for. Kingston got the quick reply as Thomas Matsouliadis hit a leading Connor Nutting on the chest with a pass, and Connor converted the shot at goal to level the scores. Kingston soon hit the lead after Connor Nutting laid a tackle that made the Roos player drop the ball, and Jack Armfield kicked the goal as the Saints started to get going. Harry Tunkin, Alex Barns, William Watts and Hagan Wright were starting to get their hands on the ball for the Saints. The Saints scored their fourth goal after William Watts and Harry Tunkin combined to get the ball to Connor Nutting, who kicked the goal as the danger signs were starting to show for Lucindale. Kingston were 18 points in front. Connor struck again with a checkside dribbling goal as he roved a ball off a pack and finished with a straight kick. Kingston had control of the scoreboard and the start they wanted. The Saints led at quarter time by 25 points. Kingston had a great start, with players such as Connor Nutting, Jack Armfield, Hagan Wright, Tyler Baker, Tom Rogers, Alex Barns, William Watts, and Harry Tunkin having important moments during the quarter that led to the quarter-time lead. Lucindale tried to stay with the Saints as Jack Yates, Tom Fisher, Matt Kelsh, and Riley McFarlane put in strong starts for the Roos.
Kingston continued on their way early in the second quarter. Connor Nutting kicked his fourth goal after being awarded a free kick, and the Saints were 31 points ahead. Kingston had another goal after James Siviour won a ruck contest and swung a left-foot kick forward and found an open teammate in George Brice-Marwood. George went back and kicked the goal to extend Kingston's lead to 36 points. The Saints' ball movement was causing problems for Lucindale defensively. William Watts, Alex Barns and Harry Tunkin were dominant in the contest around the ruck duels and were being helped by plenty of teammates. Todd Lockwood was another Saint who was having a good quarter. The Roos couldn't find any answers to add to their score. At half-time, the game was very much in the Saints' favour as they had a lead of 38 points. The question was whether the Roos could find a way to get back into the game. They had enough inside fifties, but the Saints' defence was standing up strong. Tyler Baker, Campbell Watts, Orestis Gambranis, Tom Rogers, Sam Robertson and Edward Shaw had individual strong defensive moments during the first half and stood strong when working as a team to clear the ball from the Roos' forward line. The Roos needed a lift from their midfield if they were going to get back into the game.
The game was in a holding pattern early in the third quarter as both sides tried to add to their respective scores but could not kick the majors. It took eight minutes for the Saints to get the first goal of the second half after Jack Tapfield found Harry Tunkin with a handball, and Harry kicked the goal to push the Saints' lead out to 44 points. Kingston soon scored again after William Watts, Harry Tunkin, William Watts and Ben Warner combined to get the ball to a leading Jack Harding. Jack marked the ball and kicked the long goal as the Saints were 50 points ahead. The work rate of the Saints midfield was overwhelming the Roos. Alex Barns was dominating the ruck, and it allowed the Saints midfielders to get first use of the ball. Brandon Tapfield was strong on his wing for the Saints during the quarter. Lucindale finally found some inspiration as Ryan Kemp took a big mark at half-forward and then combined with Riley McFarlane to get the ball to Luke Kelsh, who kicked the goal. The Roos cut the Saints' lead back to 44 points. Luke Kelsh soon had another goal after Tyson Brazel, Ryan Kemp, Harry Hogan, and Jack Yates combined to move the ball from half-back and into the forward line, where Luke Kelsh marked and goaled again. The Roos were trying to find their way back into the contest. Kingston had all the answers as they replied with a goal from James Siviour after George Brice-Marwood found James on a lead. The Saints were in full control of the contest. Kingston led by 43 points at three quarter time. The Roos had an improved third quarter but couldn't make any strong push to get back into the game.
Lucindale got the early goal in the last quarter that they were looking for after Ryan Kemp snapped a goal. RileyMcFarlane and Luke Kelsh combined to get the ball forward, and Kemp finished the work. The margin was cut to 37 points. Tom Fisher, Tyson Brazel, Ryan Kemp and Matt Kelsh were lifting. Kingston replied after Hugo Lyon kicked a goal. Sam Robertson, Tom Rogers, Orestis Gambranis, Harry Tunkin and William Watts combined in a big disposal chain to get the ball to Hugo. Kingston could sense it had almost done enough. Kingston scored another after Alex Barns won a turnover and got the ball to Harry Tunkin, and Harry slammed a long goal through. The Saints were charging towards the premiership now. The Saints again scored afterCambell Watts found Harry Tunkin, who kicked another running goal. Harry had the ball on a string and was also kicking goals as he was everywhere. James Siviour took a strong mark and kicked another Saints goal. Alex Barns, Jack Armfield, Thomas Matsouliadis and Hagan Wright worked together to get the ball forward, and James marked and finished off the work with a goal. Kingston scored again after Alex Barns won the ball in the restart of play in the centre and kicked the ball forward, where Ben Warner and Hugo Lyon combined to get the ball to Jack Harding, and he snapped the kick right through the middle. The Saints were finishing the game off strong and marching towards the premiership. The siren sounded, and fittingly, the Saints coach Alex Barns ended up with the ball. The Saints players and supporters were happy and joyous as their premiership drought was over. Kingston midfielder Harry Tunkin won the best on ground award.
Photos provided by https://www.acecootephotography.com