A clearer picture of the top five teams in the Kowree Naracoorte-Tatiara finals race is starting to show after round ten provided some good games and a big upset win by Keith. The top five teams are now two games clear and a big percentage gap that almost makes it three games difference. With six rounds to go before the finals, anyone outside the top five cannot put a step wrong if they want to chase down a finals spot.
Keith had a big upset win against Mundulla on the weekend. The Crows started slow in the first quarter, but a big second quarter had the Crows go in at half time eleven points ahead. Mundulla worked hard to be 16-points clear at three quarter time. Keith though ran over the top of Mundulla in the last quarter to pull off a great win at Mundulla and finish 11-points ahead of the home team. Lewis Hender and George Johnson kicked three goals each in the victory. Billy Wade helped out with two goals. Ryan Bartlett, George Thring and Aydon Innes were the Crows best players. William Nankivell kicked four goals and James Hinge kicked three goals for the Tigers. Nicholas Mosey, Dylan Mosey and William Nankivell battled hard for Mundulla.
Naracoorte continued their great form of late as they accounted for Kybybolite by 51-points on Saturday. The Demons had to work hard for the win as the Tigers hung with them as the margin was only four points at half time. Naracoorte opened up the game in the second half and took control by kicked eleven goals to three to run out comfortable winners. Rory Taggert kicked six goals for the Demons. Brock Summerhayes and Will Walker added three goals each as the Demons took home the win. Matt Willson, Rory Taggert and Lachlan Bowler were the Demons best players. Tyler Harris battled hard to get three goals for the Tigers. Tom Woodard, Sean Munn and William Russell.
Padthaway kept their slim finals chances alive after beating a team also trying to get there in Border Districts by 20-points. The Lions were in full control of the game as a big first quarter set them up to come away with the win. The Eagles ran the game out strong, but the damage was already done in the first three quarters. Trent Lowry and Joshia Miller kicked three goals for the Lions in the victory. Tobin Cox, Thomas Cooper and Will Rivers put in great games for Padthaway. Mark Quinn kicked four goals in a losing effort for the Eagles. Nathan Naylor, Fraser Adams and Mark Quinn were the Eagles best players.
Lucindale got back on the winners list as they took care of Penola by 86-points at Lucindale on Saturday. The Roos built up a strong lead by half time and never looked back. Josh Trembath kicked seven goals and Hamish Gordon kicked five goals as both were hard to contain for the Eagles. Bradley McCarthy, Hamish Gordon and Josh Trembath were the best players for Lucindale. Drew Clayfield and Zac Deane kicked two goals each for the Eagles. Bradley Bryant, Luke Walker and Bradley Merrett were Penola's best players.
Kingston moved to second spot on the ladder as the Saints put in a strong performance against Bordertown to win by 35-points. Most of the Saints damage was done in the third quarter as the home side put through six goals without a miss and held the Roosters goal less during the quarter. Todd Lockwood had a day out with five goals and Brandon Tapfield kicked two goals to lead the goal kicking for Kingston. Ben Warner, William Watts and Todd Lockwood were the Saints best players. Thomas Whittlesea was the only Bordertown player to kick multiple goals as he ended up with three goals. Jacob Eats, Lochie Eats and Ben Jarrett were the best players for Bordertown.
A big clash between Keith and Lucindale headlines round 11.
The Crows are coming off their best win of the year and face the Roos with lots of confidence. The Roos have lost only one game and bounced back last week after their loss to Naracoorte. Lucindale will start as favourites, but the Crows will push them all the way. Hopefully both teams are at full strength, so the Crows can get a real measure of where they sit in the league.
Bordertown host Mundulla in the derby and last time they faced, they had a thrilling draw. Mundulla unusually have lost two of their past three games as they try to find the right form during the run home towards another finals campaign. Bordertown's season fell away after such a promising start. Recently the Roosters had been better, but Kingston put a big dent in their season on the weekend and a finals appearance now would be a miracle. Mundulla should win to bounce back on to the winners list.
Border Districts host Kingston and the Eagles have been up and down recently and would be frustrated at losing close games they need to win to make the Finals. Kingston is flying at the minute, they have worked their way to second place and hold their own destiny in their hands as far as trying to get a top three spot for the finals is concerned. Kingston will be favourites on the weekend. I expect the Eagles to put up a stronger showing for longer than they did on the weekend and to push the Saints all the way.
Penola host Naracoorte and last time these two teams met, the Eagles gave the Demons a thumping. This time around, i think the Demons will be stronger and ready to put on a show and get one back on the Eagles. The Demons have found their groove lately and will be hard for the Eagles to contain. Penola should put up a fight, but the Demons to get across the line in the end.
Kybybolite host Padthaway in a game where it really will start almost even. Both have some exciting players to watch and it really wouldn't be a surprise to see either of the sides get the win. The Tigers beat Padthaway last time, so the Lions will be looking to get that one back on the Tigers this week. It should be a great contest.