Tallangatta and District: Kiewa-Sandy Creek clinches minor premiership

See all the pics from the Tallangatta District league’s final-round thriller where Kiewa-Sandy Creek clinched the minor premiership.

The Tallangatta and District league premiership race is headed for a thrilling climax with four genuine flag contenders when finals start at Sandy Creek on Saturday.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek came from 14 points down at three-quarter time to beat Beechworth by two goals on Saturday to claim the minor premiership and the all-important spell in the opening weekend of finals.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Zachary Mona tackles a Beechworth opponent. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

Beechworth has finished third and plays Yackandandah in Saturday’s qualifying final and reigning premier Chiltern is strongly favoured to beat Barnawartha in Sunday’s elimination final.

Beechworth kept Kiewa-Sandy Creek goalless in the first quarter and also led at halftime before being mowed down in the last term when the lead changed five times.

Connor Newnham booted five goals for Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Mitchell Paton, Jack McDonald, Jack Haugen and Josh Hicks among the best players.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Mitchell Paton is tackled by Beechworth’s Liam Stephens.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek was undefeated until a late-season slip up against Chiltern.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek coach Jack Niel is stepping down at the end of the season and will be replaced by another non-playing coach Zac Fulford.

The TDFL will be one of 17 leagues starting finals this weekend with four leagues having teams that have gone through the season undefeated.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Tristan Mann climbs over the top of Beechworth’s Mitch Anderson.

They are Harcourt (Maryborough Castlemaine District), Newborough (Mid Gippsland), Sea Lake-Nandaly FNC (North Central) and Ararat (Wimmera).

Two leagues — Omeo and District and Upper Murray — will play their grand finals on Saturday.

Swifts Creek plays Omeo-Benambra in the ODFL grand final at Buchan and Cudgewa meets Bullioh in the UMFL grand final at Cudgewa.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Connor Newnham celebrates one of his five goals.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Mitchell Harris joined in the last term onslaught that delivered victory over Beechworth.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Connor Stone comes from three deep to attempt to mark.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Jack Haugen celebrates a goal against Beechworth.

Josh Hicks, left, was one of Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s best players against Beechworth.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Brandon Turner tangles with Beechworth’s Connor Thornton.

Beechworth’s Brenton Surrey barges through a pack.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Jack McDonald battles for the ball with Beechworth’s Campbell Fendyk.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Connor Newnham and Beechworth’s Mitch Anderson compete in the air.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek pair Mason Brown, left and Nic Carne outnumber Beechworth’s Lachlan Armstrong.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek’s Jordyn Croucher and Beechworth’s Hamish Malsem do battle.

Kiewa Sandy-Creek’s Callum Turner is met head on by Beechworth’s Mitch Anderson.

Beechworth’s Tristan Stead is gang tackled by Kiewa-Sandy Creek pair Josh Hicks, left, and Tristan Mann.