As the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League (KNTFL) readies itself for the upcoming season, Matt Beggs delves into each team’s journey from last year’s campaign to the present, including crucial player movements, and offers a glimpse into their prospects for 2024.
Border Districts
2023 finish: Premiers
2024 Coach: Zac Richards
Player Movement
In: Joshua Richards (Norwood)
Out: Harris van Adrighem
Border Districts had the fairytale season in 2023 when they won their first premiership in the Kowree/Naracoorte Tatiara Football League, defeating Kingston by 17 points in the grand final. Dylan Auciello had a superb game to be named best on the ground. 2024 brings a new season and Border Districts will look to take on all challengers in their title defence.
Zac Richards takes over as the new coach for the new season after Aaron Jelfs left to coach Norwood’s Reserves team in the SANFL.
The Eagles look to have kept most of the premiership team together and will be strong again in the new season.
Zac’s brother Joshua has been added to the lineup after he played several seasons at Norwood in the SANFL.
With players such as Mark Quinn, Dylan Schoenmakers, Jameson Bower, Mackenzie Bower, Chase Bower and Dre Stirling leading the way the Eagles should be right in the mix again in 2024.
Bordertown
2023 finish: Sixth
2024 Coach: Tom Whittlesea
Player Movement
In: Troy Blackwell (Langhorne Creek Football Club), Tom Neville (Victor Harbour), Jaidan Kappler (Noarlunga), Harry Jolly (Scotch Old Collegians), Tom Mackenzie (Scotch Old Collegians), Billy Hayes (Dimboola), Carson Clark (Ballina)
Out: Jed Jarrett (Robe), Curtis McCarthy (Noosa)
Bordertown spent the 2024 off-season recruiting heavily looking to bolster a team that was competitive in most games in 2023.
The Roosters finished outside the finals by three wins and will look to bridge the gap to be in contention in 2024. Ex-South Adelaide player Jaiden Kappler has been recruited to help get the Roosters up the ladder.
Jaiden spent 2023 playing at Noarlunga in the Southern Football League and helped them to make the grand final.
The Roosters added a lot of depth to the team.
The keys still will be getting the ball to Tom Whittlesea and Jacob Eats so they can put the goals on the scoreboard to win games.
Adding past players in Tom Neville and Billy Hayes should have Roosters fans excited about a finals push in 2024.
Keith
2023 finish: fourth
2024 Coach: Lewis Hender
Player Movement
In: Aaron Young (North Adelaide), Cameron Craig (North Adelaide), Alex Schiller (Goodwood), Jordan Ackland (Wisanger), Marty Smith
Out: Dylan McNeil
The Crows arguably had the best off-season of any club in the league, adding to their playing stocks by recruiting 2022 Magarey Medallist Aaron Young and former SANFL Team of the Year defender Cameron Craig to the lineup to strengthen the backline. The Crows will have a strong backline with Cameron there to help Will Schreiber and Seamus McMurray rebound the ball. The return of William McMurray from a knee injury will bolster the midfield stocks.
Adding McMurray next to League medallist Daniel Bibby and club A Grade Best and Fairest winner Seb Schreiber makes the midfield look deep.
The Crows also have a strong scoring forward line with George Johnson and Lewis Hender leading the way.
Lewis spent a lot of the time in 2023 playing in the midfield but he still kicked 33 goals for the season.
The Crows should feel confident about their chances in 2024 as long as they can have a better run with injury than they had in 2023.
Kingston
2023 finish: Runner Up
2024 Coach: Sean Jackson
Player Movement
In: Mackenzie Slee (Prince Alfred OC), Connor Baker (Ramblers FC), Tyson Baker (Ramblers FC)
Out: Cody Benson (Dartmoor), Jacob Fisher (Salisbury North), William Wiseman (Woodend-Hesket)
Kingston came close to winning the premiership from fifth position in 2023. The Saints made the grand final the hard way after defeating Naracoorte, Keith and Mundulla in three cutthroat finals games.
The Saints’ victory over Mundulla in the preliminary final was arguably the club’s greatest victory since the club joined the KNTFL in 1993. 2024 brings a new season and a chance for redemption for Kingston.
The Saints re-appointed coach Sean Jackson for another season.
Mackenzie Slee joins to add to the ball-moving brigade.
Kingston’s tall stocks were hurt in the off-season when they lost Cody Benson, Jacob Fisher and William Wiseman.
The Saints still have a young core and players like William Watts, Jack Harding and Campbell Watts will be backed in to take another step in their development.
The Saints should be around the mark again in 2024 and pushing for a finals spot.
Kybybolite
2023 finish: Tenth
2024 Coach: Jack Kelly
Player Movement
In: Jack Trengove (Prince Alfred OC), Andrew Bradley (Prince Alfred OC)
Out: Max Malone (Walkerville)
There has been a bit of a buzz about the Tigers ever since Jack Kelly took over as coach in 2023. Jack had Kybybolite playing some good football in the second half of the year and the Tigers had plenty of chances to pull off some victories against more fancied opponents. 2024 presents a year for more growth from the Tigers youngsters and the added experience of Jack Trengove and Andrew Bradley should give Kybybolite a big boost in the new season. Billy Laurie and Brad Castine were consistent contributors last year and will be called upon to provide the same output in 2024.
Stephen Craig is another player who could be in for a big season in front of the goals.
Stephen works hard and can win games for the Tigers if he gets enough supply in front of the goals.
The Tigers only won two games last year.
There is no reason why the Tigers cannot aim to win at least six in 2024.
Lucindale
2023 finish: Ninth
2024 Coach: Riley McFarlaine
Player Movement
In: Scott Foord-Spriggs (Scotch OC), Tom Logan (out of retirement), Lachlan Earl (Tanunda), Jay Schultz (Old Launcestonians), Justin Watson (Goolwa/Pt Elliot), Jack Yates (Glenelg)
Out: Matt Gould (Balaklava), Nick Cane (retired), Hamish Gordon, Henry Gould (Narrogin Hawks), Myles Bittner (Walkerville)
The Roos took a backwards step in 2023 after winning the 2022 premiership. Player losses in the off-season hurt their chances of having a good crack at going back-to-back.
A new season brings fresh hope and 2024 looks like it might be a year when the Roos can start to climb back up the ladder again. 2022 premiership players Scott Foord-Spriggs, Tom Logan and Justin Watson return to the club to help boost the Roos’ chances of a finals spot.
The recruitment of Ex-AFL star Jay Schultz could form a deadly forward line duo with Josh Trembath.
Another recruit Lachlan Earl spent time at Glenelg as well and should help add quality experience to the team.
Lucindale looks like they will be a team that will be in the finals mix when the end of the season comes.
Mundulla
2023 finish: Third
2024 Coach: Luke Wiese
Player Movement
In: Austin Davies (Sacred Heart OC Juniors FC)
Out: Henry Hollams (Central Yorke)
Two close preliminary finals losses two years in a row will have Mundulla hungry and determined to get back to the finals and make sure it does not happen for a third straight season. The Tigers will be also hoping they get a bit more luck on the health side of things as they lost key forwards Darcy King and James Hinge to injuries at the wrong time of the season. Darcy by all accounts is looking very fit and ready to go for the new season. Lachlan Duell is back to full health again to strengthen the defence. Lachlan and William Nankivell will be a welcome addition back into the lineup.
William kicked 34 goals in 2022 before only appearing in one game in 2023.
Luke Wiese has taken over as coach from Nick Davis.
Mundulla will again look to Jake McGrice, Nick Mosey and Dylan Mosey to be the driving force for the Tigers out of the midfield.
Mundulla will be around the mark again in 2024 and one of the teams to beat.
Naracoorte
2023 finish: fifth
2024 Coach: Sam Logan
Player Movement
In: Nil
Out: Nath Davey (Mypolonga), Rory Taggert (Mypolonga), James McDonald (Tantanoola), Brodie Arundell (Nangwarry), Mitch Pulmer (Hatherleigh), Sam Willson (Dudley United), Keenan Jacobs (Dudley United), Tyler Thomson (Robe), Darcy McKenny (University Hawks AFC), Sam Bates(Robe), Zac Peake (Plympton), Josh Gregg (Ouyen), Sam Thomson (Robe)
Naracoorte looks like they are taking a step back in 2024 to focus on blooding youth and building the core group up again. The team has lost a lot of experience in the off-season and will lean heavily on the experienced shoulders of Matt Willson to help guide Naracoorte towards being competitive. Sam Logan takes over as coach for the Demons as he will bring lots of experience to the job.
Sam coached Lucindale to a premiership in 2017 over Mundulla.
Naracoorte will be looking for some of their 2023 premiership Senior Colts team to help keep the A Grade competitive during 2024.
The Demons are in for a rough season on the field. For their loyal fans, I hope the team can do them proud and record a few wins and show they have some decent growth in the younger players for the years to come.
Padthaway
2023 finish: Seventh
2024 Coach: Mitchell Minns
Player Movement
In: Danny Juckers (Willunga), Shane Heatley (Mount Compass), Jordan Hooper (Mount Compass), Anthony Dempsey (Port Noarlunga), Blake Harris (Unley Jets), Jesse Wall (Reynella), Brad Ficken
Out: Darcy Boyanton (Pulteney Football Club), Daniel Menzel (Coorong Cats), Mitch Cotter (Druin), Tom Edwards, Will Rivers (Brighton), Tarquin Brown (Victor Harbour), Sam Buckham, Tim Butterworth (Sorell)
Mitchell Minns takes over as coach of Padthaway in 2024 and the Lions look like they will be a tough competitive team. The Lions lost experienced key players in Darcy Boyanton and Tom Edwards in the off-season.
The Lions will look to recruits such as Shane Heatley, Jordan Hooper and Danny Juckers to cover the losses.
Danny played in the South East Country Championships in 2023 and the Lions will need his experience and skill if they are going to improve in 2024.
Mitchell Minns enjoyed a great first season at Padthaway and seems pumped up to take on the challenge of coaching in 2024.
The Lions won four games last season and will be looking to get off to a fast start to the season and challenge for a finals spot.
Penola
2023 finish: Eighth
2024 Coach: Jayden Eldridge
Player Movement
In: Jak Ryan (Edenhope/Apsley), Harry Evans (Edenhope/Apsley), Beau Shinnick (Angle Vale), Luke Walker (Tasman Football Club), Rhys Timms (Port MacDonnell)
Out: Jacob Pfitzner (Glencoe), Oliver Bennett (Robe), Brock Egan, Brad Maney, Matt Ferguson, Ben Swan, Tom Williams (Robe)
Penola looks to continue the rebuild in 2024 and strive to get a few more wins on the board than in 2023. Jayden Eldridge takes over as senior coach in his second season at Penola.
Jayden enjoyed a consistent first season running off half-back for the Eagles and he will be hoping the continued growth in the younger players helps build a strong core for the coming season.
Luke Walker returns to the Eagles to add much-needed experience to the lineup.
Bradley Bryant, Bradley Merrett and Jordan Galpin will be relied upon again to win lots of the football for the Eagles and have it towards their end of the field.
The confidence could lift if the Eagles get a few early wins on the board but five or six wins in 2024 would be a step in the right direction.
