Footy resumes this weekend in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League after the King’s Birthday long weekend.
The league had a successful interleague carnival last weekend against the Mid South Eastern Football League.
The A Grade won the tight clash in trying conditions.
The KNTFL were behind at half time and fought hard in the second half to turn things around and record a 24-point victory.
The Knights had all single goal kickers in Lachie Jones, Darcy King, Angus McKenzie, Sam Pridham, William Shepherd, Riley Wilsdon and Hagan Wright.
The best players were Hagan Wright, Mitchell Minns, Thomas Worthley, Tom Fisher, Will Schreiber and Daniel Bibby.
Coach Zac Richards said he was proud of the way the team fought back, with the association pleased with how he coached the team.
The league kicks back into gear this weekend with some monster clashes.
Keith hosts Kingston in the game of the round on Saturday.
This is first verus third and with only one loss for the season between the two sides, this game promises to be a cracking contest.
This is the ultimate offence versus defence battle. Keith has the most points in the league so far this season, while Kingston holds the best defence.
Ben Simounds, Riley Wilsdon and Aaron Young have been consistent scorers all season for the Crows.
It will be interesting to see which defensive match-ups the Saints go with to counter the Crows’ firepower.
The Saints’ defence, led by Ben Rogers, Tom Rogers and Campbell Watts, has been strong all season so far.
The biggest improvement for the Saints has been the all-ground defence, as they have had success in limiting teams’ ability to move the ball freely around the ground.
Keith has a nice running game plan when they can get out in space. Will Schreiber loves to get the ball and run it down the ground.
Seb Schreiber, Daniel Bibby and Lewis Hender will have big roles to play if the Crows are to get the victory.
How the Crows counter Kingston coach Alex Barns’ influence in the ruck will go a long way to deciding this game.
Keith at home will start as slight favourites, but the Saints have not put a foot wrong all year and will be right in the game until the final siren.
Kybybolite are at home against Mundulla in a big contest, with the battle of the Tiger teams set to be a good game.
Both clubs have had constant team changes in the first half of the season.
Kybybolite started the season on fire and were looking good until their last two games, where they have been blown off the park by Kingston and Lucindale.
Kybybolite will be hoping the week off has given some players extra time to heal and prepare for to push in the season’s second half.
Charlie Hillier, Jared Deep and Stephen Craig have barely played this season so far, and Kybybolite need them back in the side if they are to challenge the better teams.
Mundulla have been in the same position as Kybybolite as far as available players.
The last couple of games have seen the Moots getting back towards their best team line-up.
Nathan Studham, Daniel Noll, Jacob Pedlar and Darcy King have been standouts in 2025 for Mundulla.
If they can get back James Hinge, the Moots will likely be ready to make a charge towards the finals.
A forward structure that includes James Hinge, Darcy King and Billy Wiese is enough to scare any team.
Kybybolite will look to counter that with James Bittner, Jamie Bettoncelli and Tom Kitschke in the backlines.
Billy Stretch, Billy Laurie, Angus McKenzie and William Thorp are important to Kybybolite’s chances of setting up a winning score.
Mundulla looks primed for this game and will be expected to get a comfortable victory.
Naracoorte hosts Border Districts, and the Eagles must win this game to stay in touch with the top five.
The Eagles are sitting in sixth position and just outside the top five on percentage and need to get the job done on Saturday.
Border Districts forward Samuel Smith has been a serviceable recruit for the Eagles and could see this game as one where he can get a bag of goals.
The Eagles have had consistent performers in Joshua Richards, Fraser Adams, Grant Cother and Dylan Auciello and are likely to get good games from all four on Saturday.
Naracoorte just have to try and scrap the best they can. Matthew Maney has been one who can hold his head high as he provides the Demons with a target when they push forward.
Lucas Leehane, Nicolas Lacey, Blake East and Jack Durand have been some bright spots during the winless season so far. The Demons might be able to put together a 10-goal game this week, but I feel it will not be enough to get over the Eagles on Saturday.
Padthaway welcomes Bordertown on Saturday, and the winner might only be one game outside the top five at the end of the game if results fall their way.
This game might be the hardest game to predict who will win as both teams enter the game after recent good form.
Thomas Worthley, Joshua Dodd, Sebastian Trenordan and Harrison Fromm were in good touch in their victory against the Demons. They will be confident they can carry that form over into this contest.
Billy Hayes has been a big loss since round three for Bordertown. His ability to score and set up shots on goal is hard to replace. If he is back, that could swing things the Roosters’ way.
Padthaway, on the other hand, has been trying to find the right formula for a consistent output.
Nathan Jones, Riley Faehrmann, Jordan Hooper and Cody Marshall have been very good for the Lions in 2025.
Coach Mitch Minns has been consistent in form and leads from the front. Troy Menzel has been a scoring threat when he has played. Troy looks like he will have a good battle this week as he looks to keep his hot goal-kicking form going.
Padthaway at home might be the team to choose if they can get near to their best team on the ground.
Tobin Cox and Troy Menzel might be too much for the Roosters to handle and get the Lions home in a close game.
