Keith booked a spot in the second semi-final after a hard-fought win against Mundulla on Saturday as the 2022 Bendigo Bank Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League finals commenced at Kybybolite.
The game was close until the fourth quarter when the Crows were able to kick away to a strong win.
George Johnson was a powerhouse in the forward line, booting four goals in the victory.
Lewis Hender helped out with three goals, while Seb Schreiber had an outstanding game to be named as best.
Mundulla was a bit banged up but battled hard all game long with Jake McGrice leading the way despite playing under an injury cloud.
James Hinge provided the Tigers with a great target to aim at and ended up with two goals, while William Nankivell also was able to get free at times and impact the scoreboard.
But their efforts were not enough and the Crows can now look forward to the challenge of facing Lucindale for a spot in the decider.
Mundulla face Naracoorte in the first semi-final and both teams will be ready to go hard at it.
Naracoorte will take confidence knowing they have recent success over the Tigers, especially after last weekend’s big win over Kingston.
The Demons held up against an early game charge despite a scrappy start.
There were lots of tackles and kicks that were sprayed due to the pressure both teams were putting on.
While the Saints blew chances away, Naracoorte was the first team to hit the scoreboard via coach Matt Willson.
However, Kingston worked hard and Bew Warner found Todd Lockwood twice in a row to take an eight-point lead entering time on.
But Naracoorte worked the ball down the field from the kick in where Brock Summerhayes was able to slot a goal and retake a two-point lead at the first change.
Matt Willson, Keenan Jacobs, and Josh Gregg were providing the Demons with good ball use around the ground as the side’s work rate lifted advantage increased out to 27 points by the
Jamie Bettoncelli was held down the defence and would get in the way any time the Saints attacked, who found it hard to get any forward chains going.
Rory Taggert and Kingston’s Jake Fisher were having a great contest as two heavy weights collided.
Kingston finally got a goal through Lockwood as they tried to stay in the game, but he proved to be the only avenue to goal.
Gregg and Jacobs continued to get clearances and give the Demons forwards silver service, while Willson kept running hard and use his smarts to hurt the Saints with his skills to guide his team to a 58-point win.
The result sets up an intriguing first semi-final contest between the reigning champions Mundulla and the Willson inspired Naracoorte team that has hit form at the right time.
Last week the Tigers missed Darcy King and defensive key Lachlan Duell from the team, while McGrice played with an injury and all three need to be fit and firing if they are going to do damage again in the finals.
The Demons on the other hand are clicking on all gears at the right time of the season.
Willson has the team playing effective team football and they will be confident in their chances this weekend after they put in a wonderful team performance to defeat Kingston in the Elimination Final.
Josh Gregg, Keenan Jacobs, and Josh Cother form a working-class midfield help that can be played around Matt Willson and Rory Taggert when he is played in the midfield.
For Mundulla, James Hinge and Darcy King are great marking options while if the midfield can give their forward line enough looks, they will be hard to stop.
Few will be surprised if Mundulla get up, but one feels Naracoorte are primed to win on Sunday at Penola and continue to the next week of the finals.