Kingston won their way into their first Kowree Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League Grand Final in 23 years after defeating Mundulla by a point in overtime.
In a game that had everything, both teams battled hard for three hours to try and determine who would face Border Districts in the Grand Final.
Mundulla went into the contest down two key players in forwards James Hinge and Darcy King. The Tigers had to be creative with their lineup as they started Jake McGrice in the forward line to try and compensate for the loss of Hinge and King.
Both teams were nervous in the opening minutes as neither team wanted to give the other side an inch. Five minutes had elapsed before Mundulla kicked the game's opening goal through Nathan Studham. The game was a contested contest as both sides laid many tackles early. Kingston took thirteen minutes to get their first goal as Ben Warner kicked the Saints' opening goal to give Kingston a two-point lead. Daniel Noll started the game gathering many touches around the ground for Mundulla. Daniel intercepted a kick-in and kicked Mundulla's second goal to give the Tigers the lead. Mundulla were getting on top in general play and Nick Mosey, Elliot Jaeschke and Nathan Studham were getting their hands on the ball and driving it into Mundulla's front half of the ground quite a bit. Kingston was defending well late in the first quarter. Ben Rogers, Orestis Gambranis and Jed Castley were doing a lot of defensive work for the Saints. Kingston didn't concede any more goals but Mundulla still had an eight-point lead at quarter-time.
Mundulla got a great start to the second quarter as they got the opening goal of the quarter through Dylan Mosey to extend their lead to 14 points. Jacob Grosser was controlling the ruck for Mundulla as he directed his ruck taps to the Tigers midfield brigade often. Ethan Murdock was working his way into the game for Kingston as he set up Ben Warner for a shot on goal and Ben kicked it through the middle to bring the margin back to eight points. Ethan Murdock popped up again for Kingston as he kicked a goal to get the Mundulla lead back to three points. Kingston was starting to get the football going their way more often than not. William Watts's work in the packs for Kingston was a big reason the Saints were getting on top. William would flick out quick handballs and it opened up the game for his teammates to clear the ball. Ben Warner, Ethan Murdock, Jack Harding, Tom Rogers and Chad Wood were other Saints getting involved in the ball movement. Todd Lockwood kicked another goal for Kingston as they grabbed the lead by three points. Kingston was getting on top in the contest and started to put that advantage on the scoreboard. Ethan Murdock kicked another goal and when Thomas Matsouliadis found Todd Lockwood for another goal, Kingston had stretched the margin out to 14 points. Kingston got another late goal before halftime when Jarryd Hill put through a straight kick and the Saints had built up a nice lead of 19 points by halftime. Kingston played some great team football during the second quarter. Despite the great defensive efforts by Tom Gaden, Harry Kuchel and Reagen Tink for Mundulla, Kingston was able to build a good lead by halftime.
The start of the third quarter was hectic and contested as both teams went in hard at the ball. Mundulla attacked the forward constantly, but couldn't find a goal. Ben Rogers, Orestis Gambranis and Jack Armfield were great in defence for Kingston. They continually held the Tigers from scoring goals. Kingston got the ball back the other way where Chad Wood was able to kick a goal for the Saints and put the margin out to 25 points. Ethan Murdock continued to win a lot of the football for the Saints and used his left foot to hit teammates on the chest. Jack Tapfield, Campbell Watts and Thomas Matsouliadis were also gathering important touches for Kingston. Mundulla stayed in the contest as Jake McGrice snapped a goal to give the Tigers a heartbeat. Ten minutes went by as both defences were on top. Tom Gaden was playing a great game for Mundulla. Tom would get spoils in when needed and take team-saving marks if the ball was in his area in defence. Mundulla hung around and kept fighting and when Nathan Studham kicked a goal, the Tigers were back to within 12 points at the 22-minute mark of the third quarter. Elliot Jaeschke was hard at the contest for Mundulla and did a lot of work to get the ball for Mundulla. Nick Mosey was another Mundulla player who was lifting in the contest and using his great skills to hit teammates with the football. Daniel Noll, Jacob Grosser and Jake McGrice were helping get Mundulla back into the game. Both teams looked tired and needed the three-quarter time break to happen. The siren sounded and Kingston was 13 points ahead at three-quarter time.
Mundulla did all the attacking early in the fourth quarter as Kingston's backline was under siege. Nathan Studham kicked the opening goal of the fourth quarter for Mundulla to cut the margin to seven points in favour of Kingston. Nick Mosey, Elliot Jaeschke and Danie Noll were in the thick of the play for Mundulla. Nick Mosey soon kicked another goal for Mundulla as the Tigers tied the scores up at the ten-minute mark. Mundulla kept attacking hard but Kingston's defenders were doing a great job to hold the Tigers up. Kingston's Jack Armfield was taking saving marks and sending the ball out of the backlines constantly. Ben Rogers, Orestis Gambranis, Jack Tapfield and Tom Rogers were forming a strong wall of defence to help the Saints hold up against the Mundulla attack. Kingston finally was able to get the ball going back towards their forward line and was able to put two scores on the board to get the lead back. The Saints scored a behind and then Ethan Murdock was able to kick a goal to give Kingston a six-point lead at the 20-minute mark. William Watts, Chad Wood, Ben Warner and Ben Rogers were huge in the fourth quarter for the Saints. Mundulla continued to attack and run the game out strong. The Tigers got the ball forward and Jake McGrice was able to kick a goal and level the scores again at the 25-minute mark. Nervous fans of both clubs were watching on as the game went two minutes more and no extra score was added as the siren went and the score was tied. The game was sent into extra time to decide the contest.
The first extra time started and the contest was fierce and both teams went as hard as they could at the ball. Neither team wanted to give an inch and both wanted to strike first on the scoreboard. Kingston was able to win the ball forward where Ryan Clarke took a shot on goal and put it through the middle as the Saints took the lead by six points. Mundulla kept attacking to respond, but the Saints defended hard. The siren went and the first overtime was done as the Saints held a six-point lead.
Mundulla attacked hard right from the start of the second overtime as players like Daniel Noll, Nick Mosey, Eliot Jaeschke and Nathan Studham continually drove the ball deep into the Mundulla forward line. Mundulla's Dylan Mosey worked forward and was able to get the ball and kick a goal for the Tigers as they tied the score up again. The Tigers won the ball forward again and were looking to score again to get the lead. Kingston's backline was holding up strong against the Tigers' forward entries. Jack Armfield was playing an unbelievable defensive game for Kingston. Jack took many saving marks during the extra period. Ben Rogers was also strong with great spoils and saving marks. Kingston was able to win the ball back late in the second overtime. The Saints worked the ball down the wing and Ethan Murdock was able to pinpoint a pass to Todd Lockwood who marked inside the forward 50. Todd went back and lined up the goals and sent the ball forward where it sailed through for a point giving Kingston the lead. The siren went after that shot as the Saints had won an amazing game and booked their way into the 2023 Kowree Naracoorte-Tatiara Grand Final.
Picture supplied by https://www.acecootephotography.com