UGSFL 2024: Narrogin edge out Kukerin-Dumbleyung by percentage to secure fourth spot and finals berth

After a thrilling final round of the regular season, Narrogin pinched fourth spot by percentage courtesy of an upset win over Williams on Sunday in the Upper Great Southern Football League competition.

The Hawks were fifth on the ladder heading into round 14, but their 27-point win and a loss to Brookton-Pingelly, who were in fourth spot, handed them a finals berth.

With wet and windy conditions across the region, Kukerin-Dumbleyung produced a thumping win over Katanning Wanderers, but their 80-point triumph wasn’t enough to jump ahead of the Hawks.

The Hawks finished with 28 points and a percentage of 98.15 and the Cougars also had 28 points but missed the top four by a narrow margin, with a percentage of 95.52 despite keeping the Tigers to one goal and kicking 13 of their own on Sunday.

Playing in Williams, the Cats scrapped hard in the first half as they led by seven points.

However, a five-goal to one third term proved the difference as the Hawks hit the front before adding four more in the final term to claim a huge 12.6 (78) to 7.9 (51) victory.

Langford Williams was outstanding for the visitors with five goals, while Noah Criddle-White and Maximus Skerritt each kicked two.

The Hawks were well served by Damon Penny, Noah Bowen-Zoccoli, Tom Kilpatrick, Bradley Timms and Declin Mumby.

Despite strong performances from Riley Cunningham, Michael Cowcher, Kyle Shanahan, William Schorer, Ollie Kable and Charlie Morfesse, the Cats fell to a third loss of the season.

The Cougars needed a big win, and they delivered at Nenke Oval in Kukerin.

Six goals in the second term powered the home side to a 13.9 (87) to 1.1 (7) win as Coen Marwick booted five majors.

Player-coach Jye Depane added three goals, while Byron Blevin, Sheldon Taylor, Justin Joyce, Austin Shotter and Lachy Ward (two goals) were all superb for the Cougars.

The Tigers’ sole goal came from hardworking midfielder James Laurino, while teammates Jake Blight, Bodean Morton, Jack O’Brien, Devan Mills-Durack, Chace Campbell and Reece Nicholson were solid as their season came to an end.

The Panthers missed their chance to stay in the top four and play finals, with an agonising 10-point loss to minor premiers Boddington.

In a game that ebbed and flowed at Boddington, the Panthers kicked three goals in the second to trail by eight points after the Eagles had a strong start.

The Eagles kicked two goals in the third, and the Panthers hit back with two of their own in the fourth, but they fell short 5.12 (42) to 7.10 (52).

Joshua Lee was the leading goal kicker for the Panthers with three, and they had strong contributors from Ezekiel Bolton, Lewis Parsons, Jacob Sounness, Ryley Conlan and Chris Masten.

Jimi Gillespie and Lloyd Padwick booted two majors each, while teammates Dylan Kirk, Korben Halter, Matt Giumelli, Riley Smith, Luke Kirk and Ben Sherry ensured the Eagles take winning form into the finals.

Wickepin finished their regular season on a high, beating Wagin by 26 points at Matera Oval, and guaranteed their place in the finals as a result.

The Warriors were brilliant in the first term with six goals, and by three-quarter-time led by 55 points.

The Bulldogs added some respectability with four unanswered goals in the fourth but they went down, 5.8 (38) to 9.10 (64).

Royce Melvin and Jaxon Ramsey were the Warriors’ main avenues to goal with three each, while Sam Fortini, Flynn Spark, Ryan Melvin, Joshua Houwen and Corey Houwen were also impressive.

Cooper Schulz was among the best players and finished with three majors for the home side, well supported by Alex Mancini, Jaemeson Davidson, Jayden Crawford and Josh Kirk.

In the first week of league finals this weekend, the Eagles and Cats will square off in Saturday’s second semifinal at Pingelly with a grand final berth on the line.

On Sunday in Williams, the Warriors and Hawks will do battle in an elimination first semifinal.