Gallery | Double delight for Katamatite in Picola District League semi-finals

The Swans had their chances early in the match, but couldn’t capitalise on their forward 50 entries, kicking 2.7 in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Tigers were potent in front of the big sticks, kicking 6.3 in the first two quarters to take a 20-point lead into half-time.

Knowing that, with their season on the line, the Swans would come charging out of the sheds for the second half, the Tigers were able to quell any attempt at a comeback from Katunga.

Katamatite coach James Hazelman said he was pleased with how his players took control of the match after the main break.

“We felt at times they (Swans) were creating a plus one behind the footy,” he said.

“They were trying to outnumber us in our forward half, so we thought if we could even up the contest — it didn’t matter how it happened — we backed ourselves in one-on-one.

“Fortunately, a few things fell our way and we hit the scoreboard in that third quarter.

“It was a huge plus and I think it gave the boys a lot of belief going forward.”

The third term — often referred to as the premiership quarter — was pivotal for this clash, as the Tigers took control of the match and kicked away to a match-winning margin.

Katamatite booted 5.2 to Katunga’s 1.2 to lead 71-27 at the final change of ends.

Star forward Mitch Coleman was in fine form for the Tigers, kicking a game-high four goals.

Hazelman noted a few players who impressed him during the match, specifically a winger and a tagger who stood up for the Tigers on Saturday.

“James Beilby off a wing,” he said.

“Two weeks in a row, he has been sensational for us with his ball use and the way he thinks his way through things; he has been terrific.

“Young Kaeden Talay in the ruck was really good.

“Trent Steers did the job on Cam Bishop, who is one of their better players if not one of the best players in the comp, so I thought he did a terrific job on him.”

Katunga was not able to mount a substantial charge in the fourth quarter as Katamatite secured an impressive 45-point victory.

The final score was 13.9 (87) to 5.12 (42).

After a slow start cost Katamatite in its qualifying final against Katandra the previous weekend, Hazelman said his side was determined to avoid making the same mistake again.

“We had a big focus on the way we started,” he said.

“We have let ourselves down over the course of the year (with our starts) and we have had to do a lot of work in games to get back into the contest.

“Normally, we have been able to do it, but in finals footy, it is very hard to run sides down.

“The way we started, I think we set the tone and gave ourselves some self-belief.”

This Sunday, Katamatite will face its toughest challenge yet when it takes on two-time reigning premier Waaia in the second preliminary final, which will be held at Yarroweyah.

Hazelman said his side would have to be switched on from the first bounce if it is to book a spot in the grand final.

“The way the comp is, we haven’t played them since round three, so it has been a long time,” he said.

“They have been the best side in the comp now for two and a bit years.

“They have come back to the pack a bit with everyone else this year, but I think they have still had a great year and we will have to be at our best.

“We take enormous belief out of yesterday and we are looking forward to the challenge this Sunday.”

In the semi-final on Sunday, Strathmerton got off to a fast start against Tungamah, leading the match 29-7 at quarter-time.

The Bears fought back in the second term, reducing the margin to seven points halfway through the game.

Strathmerton led Tungamah by 20 points at three-quarter time (51-31).

However, in the final term, the Bears had the wind and used it to their full advantage, kicking nine last-quarter goals.

Tungamah’s massive upset victory over last year’s grand finalist (the score finished 57-90) means that the Bears will meet their rivals, the Kats, in next weekend’s preliminary final.

In the netball, Katamatite bounced back from the previous weekend’s loss with a commanding victory over Waaia on Saturday.

The Tigers won the match 49-27 to book a spot in this weekend’s preliminary final against Deniliquin Rovers.

In Sunday’s match, Strathmerton overpowered Katandra to win a nail-biter by one goal.

The Kats were struck down with injuries in their goal end early in the match, with the Bulldogs claiming the victory and advancing to the preliminary final against Katunga.