The Picola District League ladder has been set after a thrilling final round of action

The even nature of the top eight sides in the competition is clear, with the 2024 finals series set to be a thrilling five weeks of action.

On Saturday, fifth-placed Katunga hosted top spot Strathmerton in a tight clash.

The Swans got off to a good start at home, kicking 22 to 14 in the first quarter.

However, the Bulldogs bit back in the second term, keeping the Swans to one behind, while they kicked three goals to claim a nine-point lead.

Bulldogs star forward Tim Looby was busy in front of goal, kicking five majors to take his season tally to 113 from 16 matches.

In the second half, Katunga was able to seize back momentum of the match.

The Swans scored five second-half goals to Strathmerton’s two to claim an impressive nine-point win over one of the flag fancies.

The final score was 8.10 (58) to 7.7 (49).

Katunga co-coach Nick Flanagan said his side learned a lot from its clash against Strathmerton earlier in the season when the Swans lost by 56 points.

“It was certainly hard fought for the whole 120 minutes,” he said.

“We have a lot of respect for Strathy and the footy they play; they beat us earlier in the year and we took a few lessons from that.

“We needed to make sure we weren’t just continually giving the ball back to them, with the way we moved the ball — we needed to be more patient.

“At the same time, we needed to be more brave with it; it’s stuff we have been working on for 15 or 16 weeks.”

In the Swans’ last match against the Bulldogs, Strathmerton’s midfield dominated Katunga’s.

However, Flanagan said his midfield held its own against last year’s grand finalists on Saturday.

“I thought our midfield as a group overall were really solid,” he said.

“Cam Bishop, Nic McCann they lead the way in there.

“I thought Bailey Thomas forward of the footy was really effective.

“Sam Arho (three goals) always presents a problem; he didn’t kick as straight as we would have liked, but he is a very talented player and a difficult match-up with his size, strength, speed and power.”

With the ladder set, finals begin on Saturday with Katunga playing eighth-placed Jerilderie at Tungamah.

Flanagan said his side had already begun preparing for this weekend’s elimination final.

“The closeness of the competition, even down to seventh and eighth, they are going to be dangerous,” he said.

“We had a training run this morning, a bit of a recovery session and mapped out what the next month could potentially look like.

“But our focus will be on beating Jerilderie at Tungamah next Saturday.”

In other round 18 senior football matches, Tungamah defeated Picola United by 30 points at home.

With the Bears finishing sixth and United finishing seventh, Saturday’s match was a preview of this weekend’s other elimination final.

Tungamah forward Jake Henderson booted five goals, while Picola’s Lachlan Collins kicked six.

Katamatite has secured top spot on the ladder with an 82-point win over Rennie.

Mitch Coleman kicked six for the Tigers.

Katamatite will play Katandra in a qualifying final in the second week of finals.

The Kats finished the season in fourth place after falling to two consecutive defeats to end the home and away season.

On Saturday, away side Katandra lost to Deniliquin Rovers by 21 points.

For the Rovers, the 21-point victory wasn’t enough to qualify for finals, finishing just outside of the top eight due to percentage.

Waaia has finished the season in third place and will play Strathmerton in the other qualifying final after it defeated Blighty by 159 points.

Bombers forward Charlie Burrows kicked a bag of 13 goals.

Meanwhile, Jerilderie beat Mathoura by 83 points and Berrigan has defeated Yarroweyah by 114 away from home.

In A-grade netball, third-placed Katunga defeated Strathmerton 42-31.

Deniliquin Rovers overran Katandra at home to beat the Kats by one goal.

With the Rovers finishing in second and the Kats in third, the two sides will meet again in the second week of finals.

Katamatite secured a top-place finish in the football and netball after it defeated Rennie 58-33 — Rennie still qualified for finals in eighth position.

Waaia dominated Blighty 24-58, while Jerilderie defeated Mathoura by 49 goals.

Tungamah beat Picola United by 14 goals, while Berrigan defeated Yarroweyah by 49 goals.