10 things we learned in local SA footy finals this weekend

Payneham Norwood Union produced an inspired performance to snatch an elimination final victory at Golden Grove on Saturday. See the 10 things we learned in local SA footy country and suburban finals.

Local SA footy finals are in full swing and a number of thrillers were played out on Saturday as teams fight for silverware.

Here are the 10 things we learned across the state’s country and suburban competitions.

FALCONS FLY TO UPSET

PNU gun Jed Spence was at his best against Golden Grove. Picture: Dean Martin

Payneham Norwood Union advanced to the division one semi final with a gutsy 8.14 (62) to 7.15 (57) win over Golden Grove in an away elimination final.

The Falcons trailed early in tough and windy conditions at Harpers Field but managed to gain the ascendancy in the second term through positive play by Jed Spence and Matthew Nunn on the ball to lead 29-15 at the main break.

The Kookaburras had plenty of the play through the third term with Josh Glenn, Jake Pitman and Aidan Thatcher standing out around the ground but were not able to capitalise on the scoreboard as the Falcons continued to make clutch plays, including a craft snap by Grant Catalano to ensure a three-quarter-time lead.

Cini’s men produced an assured territorial approach in the final term, winning plenty of the contested footy and locking the ball in the forwardline before Golden Grove surged back into the game.

Versatile gun Brandon Jackson-Martin stood out to take a number of intercept marks as the Falcons hung tough to grab the win.

PORT IN DANGEROUS FORM

Matt Rose was important for Port District on Saturday. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Port District has booked a qualifying final clash with Glenunga next Saturday after topping Sacred Heart OC 9.10 (64) to 7.6 (48) away from home in the first week of div one finals.

After leading what was a gritty affair by 10 points at the main break, the visitors ran away in the third term through impressive work in the contest and efficiency in front of goal, booting five goals to none to take a 64-21 advantage into the fourth term.

SHOCS showed some resilience in the final quarter to get back into the game on the scoreboard, holding Port scoreless and adding four goals, but it was not enough to salvage a result.

Matt Rose an Sean Davidson were both major standouts on the ball and around the ground, while Alex Dienhoff and James Batty were important in front of the big sticks.

The club may be sweating on the fitness of star ruck Scott Lycett ahead of the Glenunga game after he picked up a right leg concern, while Hearts will need to bounce back ahead of a big semi final clash with PNU.

HAWKS DIV TWO FAVOURITES

Salisbury North flexed its muscle at home to top Rostrevor OC 12.11 (83) to 6.14 (50) and book a spot in the division two grand final as well as promotion to div one for next year.

The Hawks, while aided by poor ROCS goalkicking, held the visitors goalless through the first two terms to take a 28-7 lead into halftime and then booted 4.4 to 2.3 in the third quarter to all but seal the result.

Captain Jordan O’Brien was inspirational in the middle for the hosts, while Jake Russo was as dominant as ever in the ruck, controlling the game with his ability to give his midfielders first look at the footy.

The Hawks showed why they stand as division favourites through their tough contested footy work and seamless ball movement.

Cam Ball and Charles Kemp were standouts for Rostrevor OC around the ground and will be looking to repeat the same efforts in the preliminary final against Athelstone next Saturday.

SHARKS TOO STRONG IN DIV THREE

Henley's Kane Sherlock. Picture: Henley Football Club

Henley produced a big fourth quarter to defeat Unley 17.5 (107) to 12.7 (79) to surge into the division three grand final and earn promotion to division two.

The highly anticipated clash was neck-and-neck for three quarters as each side’s star players produced strong performances around the ground and in the contest, the Sharks leading by four points heading into the fourth.

The hosts flicked a switch in the final term however, dominating clearances and territory to boot five goals to one and walk away with a big win.

Kane Sherlock had another top display on the ball in the absence of Matt Broadbent, winning a number of contested possessions and dealing to his teammates efficiently around the ground, while Brett Harland was a colossus up front, taking a number of big marks and booting a huge seven goals.

Unley will play Lockleys in the prelim.

CHICS ON FIRE

Kilburn was impressive in its defeat of Plympton. Picture: Supplied

Kilburn is on a roll in division four, defeating top spot Plympton 11.13 (79) to 9.12 (66) away from home to make the grand final and move up to div three.

The visitors burst out of the gate in the opening term to take a 36-6 lead and never looked back as a number of star players stood tall around the ground.

The Chics backed up their thrilling win with Westminster OS with another gritty performance in the middle, with Jayden Davison and Scott Galbraith leading the way through their relentless attack on the footy and accurate disposal.

The side, which is now one win away from back-to-back flags, will play the winner of the preliminary final which will feature Plympton and Westminster OS.

TIGERS FAIRYTALE CONTINUES

Andrew Bradley and Kybybolite topped Keith in a thriller. Picture: Sarah Reed

Top Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL side Kybybolite is one win away from a fairytale turnaround, booking a spot in this year’s grand final with an epic four-point win over Keith a year after finishing bottom.

The Tigers, led by Billy Laurie, Andrew Bradley and Jack Trengove, were made to earn the win by an in-form Keith side which was coincidentally playing at home.

Crows recruits Aaron Young and Cameron Craig started well as their side earned a nine-point halftime lead but Kybybolite soon clicked into gear in the second half behind inspired play from Laurie and Oscar Clark in the contest.

Bradley and Trengove were also influential around the ground as Kyby held onto a one-kick lead in the fourth behind tough attack on the footy, solid defending and wayward goalkicking by the Crows.

Keith will play the winner of the Mundulla and Border Districts semi final in next weekend’s preliminary final.

FLAGSTAFF HILL SENDS MAJOR MESSAGE

Flagstaff Hill sent a message to top Southern FL side Reynella on Saturday with a huge 18.16 (124) to 5.5 (35) win over Port Noarlunga in the qualifying final to book a second semi final clash with the Wineflies.

The hosts were dominant right from the start of the clash, winning countless clearances through great work by Reece Milsom and Michael Shearer to create a number of goalkicking opportunities and open up a huge 91-13 lead at the main break.

Quick ball movement and relentless tackle pressure completely overwhelmed the Cockledivers, who will need to bounce back in next week’s semi final.

Falcons recruit D’Arcy Mitchell was at the top of his game in key positions at the back and up front, dominating in the air and also booting three goals.

CATS CLAW TO UPSET WIN

Corey Davey's Solomontown pulled off a big upset against PropRisdon. Picture: Solomontown Football Club

Solomontown booked a spot in this year’s Spencer Gulf FL grand final with an impressive away win over a previously 17-0 Prop/Risdon, despite going scoreless in the opening term.

Lions were the much better side to open the game, controlling the contest through Jordan Serle and superstar Tyler Eckert, but the Cats would eventually bounce back in style.

Trailing 40-18 at the half, the Cats booted eight goals to four and clawed back to a 67-65 three-quarter-time lead before adding three more goals in the final term and escaping with a famous win.

Dual Mail Medallist Corey Davey was at his best around the ground and in the contest, racking up disposals with ease and creating a number of goalkicking opportunities.

Tye Starkey-Treloar was also instrumental with four majors.

TAGGERT TIME FOR MYPOLONGA

Rory Taggert was dominant for Mypolonga. Picture: Emma Brasier

Former Melbourne and Sturt forward Rory Taggert was at his brilliant best for Mypolonga against Southern Mallee in the River Murray FL first qualifying final, booting four goals and dominating around the ground in a big 11.10 (76) to 5.7 (37) win.

The Tigers led by 21 points at the main break and stepped it up a gear in the third term to boot four goals to no score and all but seal the win.

On-ballers Pat Davies and Riley Robinson were also standouts for the hosts as they controlled the play out of the middle and gave their forwards good looks at goal.

The Tigers will play Coorong for a spot in the grand final next weekend, while the Suns will take on either Imperials or Jervois in the semi final.

RAMPAGING RAMS KEEP MOMENTUM STRONG

Nairne Bremer tallied its eighth straight win to set up a highly-anticipated meeting with Hahndorf in next week’s qualifying final, topping Mt Lofty 8.16 (64) to 8.9 (57) at home.

Reigning Mail Medallist Brock Knott was dominant in the ruck and around the ground as his Rams overcame a 29-8 quarter-time deficit to lead by two points at halftime and eventually grab the win with a one goal eight behind fourth term.

The hosts had to dig deep as the Devils put up a strong fight with Nick Thomson and onballer Tyson Hone at the top of their game, but an inspired final term by star defender Lachy May saw the visitors only register a single point.

While the Rams have lost both meetings with Hahndorf this season, they have hit strong form since Knott’s return to the side from injury and will take confidence from their defeat of the Magpies in last year’s grand final.