The Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League is heading for an exciting last minor round of the season after Keith upset Kingston to stay in the finals race.
The other results went the way most people expected, but it was Keith who needed to win to stay in the finals race.
The Crows had the hard task of facing an unbeaten Kingston team that had been dominant in most of its matches all season and got the victory they needed. The Saints came into the game missing quite a few players due to illness, and it showed on the field. The Crows, though, were switched on from the start of the game and played four strong quarters to win by 72 points. Riley Wilsdon led the Crows' charge with five goals. Lewis Hender (four goals) and Blake Read (three goals) were also scoring threats during the game. The Crows' best players were Will Schreiber, Aaron Young, and Riley Wilsdon. Connor Nutting led the Saints' scoring with three goals. Kingston's best players were Alex Barns, Oliver Clarke, and Ben Warner.
Lucindale's finals dream is still alive after they recorded a thirty-three-point victory against Kybybolite. The Roos won every quarter to maintain their position inside the top five. Tyson Brazel (four goals) and Ryan Kemp (three goals) led the Roos' scoring charge in the victory. Alexander Pitt, Tristan Menz, and Tyson Brazel were Lucindale's three best players. Billy Laurie led Kybybolite's scoring with two goals. The Tigers' best players were Billy Laurie, Henry Crauford, and Billy Stretch.
Border Districts continued to hold their place inside the top five with a victory over Padthaway. The Eagles were strong throughout the four quarters, recording a 79-point victory as they look to qualify for the finals. Matthew Nunn was instrumental in the Eagles' victory, scoring six goals. Mackenzie Bower was also a strong forward presence with three goals. Border Districts' best players were Matthew Nunn, Bart Nolan, and Fraser Adams. Brad Ficken (three goals) and Nathan McCarthy (two goals) were solid contributors in front of the goal for Padthaway. The Lions' best players were Nathan McCarthy, William Charlick, and Job Colwell.
Bordertown sealed a top-three finish after they blew out Naracoorte by 134 points. The Roosters were in full control of the whole game as they held the Demons to no goals in the first half. The Demons showed some pride in the second half, scoring four goals in their last game of the season. Ryan Weidenhofer kicked six goals to lead the Roosters' scoring. Jordan Houlahan (five goals)and Billy Hayes (four goals) were also serious scoring threats during the game. The Roosters' best players were Harrison Fromm, Ryan Weidenhofer, and Amon Hampel. George Pretlove led the Demons' scoring with two goals. Naracoorte's best players were Jack duRand, Kai Schmid, and Taylor Lawrie.
Round 18 is this weekend, and it is the last round before the finals start. The league would be thrilled that the ladder is not set and there are many different positional moves that can still happen.
Mundulla hosts Lucindale in a big clash for both teams. Mundulla, with a win, can seal the double chance and play in a qualifying final against Bordertown. If the Tigers lose, they could face Lucindale again in an elimination final. The ramifications are big in this contest. On the Lucindale side of things, they can still make the top three with a win or miss the finals with a loss. The stakes are high. The Tigers are fresh after the bye on the weekend. You can expect the reigning champions to have their best team available, as this is the crunch time of the year. The break could not have come at a better time for the Tigers. Older superstar players such as James Hinge and Jake McGrice will be fresh and ready for a tilt at another flag. In a year where they were tipped to have a down year, the Tigers are still in the mix. Lucindale coach Riley McFarlane will have his team ready for the clash, and you can expect they will throw everything they have at the Tigers. Ryan Kemp is starting to score again, a boost for the Roos. He and Tyson Brazel combined for nine goals when these two teams faced each other earlier in the season. Another performance like that and the Roos will be well on their way to victory. Mundulla has its own firepower that must be respected, as James Hinge, Darcy King, and Billy Wiese have combined for 94 goals this season. They work very well together. A game that is expected to be close when the final siren sounds. Mundulla at home might get across the line against a desperate Lucindale team.
Border Districts and Bordertown face off in a blockbuster game. The Eagles need to win to make sure of their finals position. The Roosters, on the other hand, are set to play in a qualifying final. If results go the Eagles' way, they could face Bordertown two weeks in a row. For that to happen, the Eagles need to win this contest, and it won't be easy. The Roosters have a strong forward line with Jordan Houlahan, Ryan Weidenhofer, and Sebastian Trenorden leading the way. Billy Hayes has also had a strong scoring impact during the season. The Eagles' defence will have their hands full trying to defend the Roosters' forward line. Dylan Auciello has had another consistent season for Border Districts in defence. Matthew Nunn, Bart Nolan, and Mark Quinn have been in great recent form for the Eagles. Tristan Carcuro and Mackenzie Bower will be called upon to continue their forward work as leading targets and give the likes of Zac Richards, Isaac Hewson, and Joshua Richards something to aim for. Bordertown's Cooper Machin cut the Eagles apart the last time he played them, and he is in some great form, and the Eagles will need to cut his influence out. Another contest that could go either way, and it is most likely going to be a close margin. I think the Eagles will be more desperate than a Roosters team already locked into a qualifying position. I think the home team can get across the line by a few goals.
Kybybolite hosts a Keith team that is searching for a win and a finals spot. The Tigers will be looking to spoil the Crows' party for a second time this season after they defeated Keith earlier in the year. Keith coach Brad Richardson has the team back near full strength and can make a late-season charge with a win and do some damage in the finals if they make it. Players such as Lewis Hender, William McMurray, Will Schreiber, and Seb Schreiber are playing good football. In a big boost to the team, Riley Wilsdon has looked very good since his return to the side. His leading and marking skills are vital to any Crows' chance of going deep into the post-season. Aaron Young is the icing on the cake, as he has loads of top-line experience and is a league medalist. The Tigers will be determined to spoil the day with Billy Laurie leading the way. Billy has had another super year, and the Tigers would be wishing they had three of him. The Tigers have had injuries and player unavailability all season. Jared Deep playing only four games has hurt the midfield depth. Billy Stretch, Rohan Bailey, Elliot Chalmers, and Angus McKenzie have been great players all season. The depth around them has been inconsistent and has held the Tigers back from contesting for a finals spot. The Crows should be switched on from the opening bounce, as they have everything to play for, and I can't see them letting this game slip like earlier in the season. The Crows to get across the line by five goals.
Kingston is looking to bounce back when they play Padthaway on Saturday. The Saints lost their first game of the year on the weekend and will be aiming to enter the finals series with a win. This is the only game on the weekend that does not impact a finals position. How both teams approach the contest is the question. I am guessing that the Saints will welcome back quite a few players and look to get in a solid hitout before they have the week off. The Lions will also be keen to end the season on a high note and have something to build on for next year. The visitors have had some solid recruits this year, and if they can keep them and add more, they might be able to make a finals push in 2027. Players such as William Charlick, Mitchell Minns, Nathan McCarthy, Kiefer Sharkie, and Tom Moyle-Read have been consistent in effort all year and often among the Lions' best players. Kingston coach Alex Barns has spent more time forward in recent weeks, and this might be another game he can play in the forward line. The Lions don't really have a matchup for him if he does. The Saints have the firepower to put up a big score with Connor Nutting, James Siviour, Ben Warner, and Hagan Wright all capable of kicking a bag of goals. The depth of the Saints team is its strength, and I think the Saints will prove too strong for the Lions with a comfortable victory on Saturday.
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