Preliminary Finals – 2025

U13 Results – Greenbottles 5 def Kingston/Lucindale 0

Goal scorers: Henry Thring (G), Annabel Menzel (G), Alice Fry (G), Henry Evans (G), Oscar Rowland (G)
Greenbottles Best: Angus McGregor, Lachie Withers, Oscar Rowland
Kingston/Lucindale Best: Amelia Johns, Archie Loechel, Lachie Munro

Greenbottles v Kingston/Lucindale

The first quarter of the U13 preliminary final had players and supporters from both sides on the edge of their seats as the game moved slowly and the score line remained at zero.

In the second quarter, Greenbottles’ Angus McGregor brought the ball down and sent it across goals several times, only to have scoring opportunities go begging. Henry Thring then broke the drought by positioning himself perfectly and guiding the ball into the goal.

Kingston/Lucindale Coach Jen rallied her troops during the half time break and they appeared to strengthen both their defence and their pressure on the ball. With effective clears from the backline and good dispersals from the midfield, the strikers then linked well and ran the ball down the sidelines. Unfortunately, they were simply unable to get the ball into their circle for a chance to score.

Despite finding it slightly difficult to take coach Matt seriously in his garish green afro wig, Greenbottles managed to extend their lead after the half time break through Annabel Menzel who had a successful one-on-one with the goalie, and again during a textbook short corner in which Lachie Withers injected smoothly to Alice Fry who smartly belted the ball to the backboard.

In the fourth quarter, the smaller Kingston/Lucindale team began to tire, while Greenbottles remained steady. Some good, wide passes between Greenbottles culminated in a strong hit by Madeleine McGregor from the top of the circle towards goals. Henry Evans deflected into the goalie, pounced again on that deflection and was rewarded with a goal. Not long after, Angus McGregor was instrumental at the top of the circle; his sneaky slap hit at goal went wide but Oscar Rowland was there for the deflection, cementing the win.

Ultimately, Greenbottles’ persistent attacks made hard work for Kingston/Lucindale’s defence, especially their goalie for the day, Amelia Johns, whose courage and reflexes were very impressive. KL’s overall tenacity made the game tougher than Greenbottles had expected. Good luck to Greenbottles for their grand final match against Dartmoor on Saturday.

U16 Results – Tatiara 1 (1) def Dartmoor 1

Goal scorers (regular time): Oisin Gill-O’Donovan (T), Amy Ewer (D)
Goal scorer (extra time): Finn Quilter (T)
Tatiara Best: Finn Quilter, Oisin Gill-O’Donovan, Hannah Harkness
Dartmoor Best: Amy Ewer, Eddie Dolphin, Maggie McLean

Tatiara v Dartmoor

What a cracking day for a Preliminary Final at Naracoorte. Dartmoor came out firing and quickly scored the first goal through Amy Ewer. The game had lots of intensity through the middle, with plenty of skills on display from forwards, but then intercepts, steals, and tackles from the defenders put the pressure on.

The second quarter began with more great skills and lots of running from both teams. After multiple short corners for Tatiara that were expertly defended and cleared by Dartmoor’s defenders, Tatiara eventually managed a great team goal, slotted in by Oisin Gill-O’Donovan to level the score.

Tatiara pushed hard up forward, but the Dartmoor defenders remained consistently strong and did not allow anything through. Many hot, sweaty faces came off the field at half-time for a break after a very hard-fought first two quarters.

Early in the second half, Dartmoor had a beautiful breakaway down the field, working together like a dream team, but Tatiara managed to get numbers back into defence and clear the ball. A couple more short corners were awarded to Tatiara, but once again, the Dartmoor defence stood strong, not allowing any easy goals.

Dartmoor once again pushed forward, displaying phenomenal skills from Eddie Dolphin in the circle, but Piper Taylor and her defensive team continued working to clear it once again demonstrating their fantastic team skills. The game certainly showcased the incredible defensive skills of both teams, who were under pressure from strong strikers at both ends.

The intensity lifted in the last quarter as both teams were desperate to secure an outright win in game time and avoid the dramas of a draw at full time. An exciting near-goal from Dartmoor just slid across the face of the goal, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats.

The full-time whistle blew, and the game was still tied at 1-all, so it went into extra time. The score reflected what a tight game it was, with incredible skills, athleticism, stamina, and sportsmanship on display, and how evenly matched the teams were. Both defensive ends made it nearly impossible to score.

Extra time saw an early short corner awarded to Tatiara, and a beautiful cracker of a hit from Finn Quilter from the top of the circle saw the ball fly into the goals to secure the win for Tatiara. What a fantastic game to watch!

All the best to all teams playing in the Grand Final next week.

Women’s Results – Greenbottles 2 def Tatiara 1

Goal scorers: Lucy Possingham (G), Rachael Withers (G), Imogen Rivaz (T)
Greenbottles Best: Anna McGregor, Leisha Munro, Emily Clark
Tatiara Best: Imogen Rivaz, Jaime Densley, Hannah Harkness

Greenbottles v Tatiara – Women

Greenbottles started slow and a hungry Tatiara team capitalised. A quick run up the left, including some clever play between Tatiara’s Claire, Hannah and Tessa Harkness, followed by a switch across the front of goals, allowed Tatiara’s Imogen Rivas to open the scoring.

It took well into the second quarter for Greenbottles to find their rhythm, and even longer to score. Their short corners went unconverted, and Tatiara’s midfield, especially speedy mother and daughter duo Jaime and Scarlett Densley, made them work hard for every touch. The equaliser finally came from a free hit taken just outside the 25 by Anna McGregor who drove the ball into the circle, and, after a few quick passes between Greenbottles to dodge defenders, Lucy Possingham slotted the ball past the keeper.

The third quarter involved plenty of action through the midfield as neither team seemed to make effective use of the space out wide. Some near misses as well as excellent saves by both goalies kept the score line low. Finally, after some clever, linking passes, a ball by Greenbottles’ Sophie Waters pierced the circle from the right towards Rachael Withers who decisively slammed the ball straight through the goalie’s legs.

Tatiara’s attempts to link up and move up into their circle repeatedly hit Greenbottles’ defensive wall but they refused to back down, and late in the third quarter, Greenbottles players and supporters held their breath as Tatiara did manage to penetrate the wall. Following some scrappy and desperate play close to goals, Greenbottles collectively exhaled with relief as the three-quarter time whistle sounded.

The fourth quarter was a struggle as both teams began to tire but Greenbottles managed to hold their ground, limping home with a 2-1 win over a determined Tatiara side.

Men’s Results – Redlegs 3 def Dartmoor 2

Goal scorers: Jacob Edwards 3 (R), Jesse Lewis (D), Lochie Dolphin (D)
Dartmoor Best: Lachie Maddern, Jesse Lewis, Lochie Dolphin
Redlegs Best: Ander Doecke, Jacob Edwards, Sale Tipa

Dartmoor v Redlegs – Men

The final game of the preliminary finals between Redlegs and Dartmoor came down to the last second, and had everyone in the audience on their feet. The harsh intensity that the men brought to the game was impressive.

The first goal of the match was brought to us early, when Jesse Lewis ran down the field and was able to hit the ball off his backstick, and into the goals. Dartmoor kept in the lead for the first two quarters as both men’s teams swam in determination to make it through to the grand final. The ball stuck in the mid field for a majority of the half, with Redlegs gaining a few runs into their attack, but were unable to score.

After the second half began, everyone started to realise how much a goal was needed. As both teams gave it everything they had, the play was very even. After shots on goal, Redlegs were able to gain a short corner, which would result in the first goal for Redlegs and the drawing goal for the game.

Soon after Redlegs scored their first, Dartmoor was eager to run the ball up their forward line and pass the ball into the circle where Lochie Dolphin would be able to control the ball and score a goal, leaving Tatiara in the lead for the third quarter break.

As the teams made their way back onto the field for the last 15 minuets of the game, everyone was keen to score the winning goal that was very much needed for both sides. After a lot of fight and running, Jacob Edwards was able to score his second goal of the game to bring the score back to 2 all.

Both teams fought endlessly to keep the ball in their attack, but Redlegs were able to get a pass off to the midfield, which resulted in the third and last goal for Redlegs, putting them in the lead for the first time all game. At no point in the game did the play stop. The men fought until the final whistle which put Redlegs through to the 2025 Mens grand final.

---

Grand Finals – Saturday, 16th August

10.00am – Under 13 – Dartmoor v Greenbottles

11.30am – Under 16 – Greenbottles v Tatiara

12.30pm – Junior Presentations

1.00pm – Under 9 – All teams – mini tournament

2.00pm – Women – Dartmoor v Greenbottles

3.30pm – Men – Greenbottles v Redlegs

5.00pm – Senior Presentations

* Please note that some game times may be a little later than scheduled if extra time is required for the previous match.

Publicity – Winning teams