Matthew Beggs
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Demons too hot for the Saints

Demons too hot for the Saints

Aug 08, 2022

Naracoorte booked their finals spot on Saturday after a blistering victory over Kingston. The Demons came in to the game in fifth position and needing to fight off the challengers to record their spot in the 2022 finals series.

Naracoorte were switched on right from the start of the game as they were winning the ball away from the centre bounce regularly. Joshua Gregg, Rory Taggert and Matt Willson were winning clearances and driving the ball forward. The Demons were setting up and taking shots as they piled on the first four goals of the game to take early control of the contest. Rory Taggert, Sam Bates, Blake East and Sam Willson each put their name in the scorer's card as the margin was out to 27-points after 10 minutes of play. Kingston finally got on the board after a shot on goal from Tom Rogers went through after he received a handball from Brock Kennedy. Naracoorte hit back straight away with goals from Josh Reeves and Rory Taggert. Kingston stayed in touch after Todd Lockwood got a goal after the quarter time siren. Naracoorte had a 28-point lead at the first change.

Naracoorte started the second quarter like they did the first as Sam Willson put through the first goal. Kingston then started a fightback as they started to win some ball around the ground. Ben Warner, Chad Wood and Jake Wehl were started to get some overlap and running going. Jack Harding was taking some great marks and he put through a much-needed goal for the Saints. Todd Lockwood worked hard and handballed the ball to Brock Kennedy who kicked another goal as the Saints were fighting hard to get back in to the game. James Siviour took a strong mark and found Todd Lockwood for a mark and goal. Gabriel Cox added another goal as he kicked a running goal for the Saints as they had gotten the momentum and the margin back to 11-points. Naracoorte steadied the ship in time on of the second quarter as they were able to get goals from Will Walker, Sam Willson, Sam Bates and Jack Steadman as the Demons went from being in trouble at half time to having a comfortable lead at the long break. Matt Willson, Joshua Gregg and Rory Taggert were big in and around the packs. Keenan Jacobs also was having a great game, working hard all the time around the ground. Naracoorte led by 35-points at half time.

Kingston got off to a great start in the third quarter as Cody Benson did a big tackle in the forward lines and was rewarded. Cody calmly put through the goal as the Saints pulled the margin back to 28-points. Kingston had a bit more run in their step as they tried to win clearances and get it forward. Ben Warner ran hard to get touches and start some plays for the Saints. Chad Wood and Jake Wehl were providing much needed zip to try and get Kingston flowing. Gabriel Cox was also running and providing a good contest as he used his speed to get free and get the ball forward for the Saints. Naracoorte put the hammer down in the rest of the third quarter as Rory Taggert took over in the middle and in the forward lines. Sam Willson kicked a goal and Taggert added three of his own in a row as the Demons had pushed the margin out to 58-points. Sam Willson continued his great game by adding another as the visitors had a big third quarter and the margin was 59-points by the last change. Kingston tried to stick with the slick Demons, but Naracoorte were getting quality shots on goal through their great ball movement. One Saint who stood up was Jack Harding, who took some saving marks when the Demons went forward and also, he worked hard to provide a good target to aim for around the ground. Naracoorte had hard workers in Dylan Albrecht, Sam Bates and James MacDonald who were contributing greatly to the setup of the lead.

Naracoorte continued on their run in the fourth quarter as Sam Willson put through another goal. Goals from Jack Steadman, Sam Willson and Matt Willson had the Demons clear by 85-points. Kingston got their only goal of the fourth quarter by Todd Lockwood as he continued to work hard in front of the goal and when he pushed on the ball. Naracoorte finished off the contest as Rory Taggert kicked another goal and the Demons ended up winning by 88-points and book their place in the finals.

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