10 things we learned in local SA footy round 13 revealed
A reigning Adelaide Footy League premier has emerged as a major finals contender for season 2024 after a big away win. See the 10 things we learned during local SA footy’s country and suburban action this weekend.
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The SA Country Football Championships kicked off on Saturday as the state’s top footballing regions clashed for silverware, while Adelaide Footy League clubs in divisions two to seven battled for important ladder positioning during the run home.
Here are the 10 things we learned from the weekend’s exciting action.
REDS ON FIRE
Reigning division three premier Flinders Park won its fourth division two game in a row on Saturday, defeating Goodwood 18.11 (119) to 5.14 (44) away from home.
The Reds, who topped Edwardstown 112-6 in round 12, had the ascendancy from the start of the affair and took a 51-26 lead into the main break.
Toby Schulz and star onballer Nic Schwarz dictated play through the final two terms to help the visitors secure the big win, with captain Josh Gericke booting four goals.
The club now sits in fifth on the ladder, level on points with fourth spot Athelstone.
ROC STORMS HOME
Rostrevor OC overcame a 26-point halftime deficit against Athelstone at Max Amber Sportsfield to pull off one of its best wins of season 2024 and remain on top of the division two ladder.
ROC was easily second best through the first two terms as Raggies stars Mitch Grigg and Caleb Barton dominated up front, but inspired performances across the lineup would see the visitors boot five goals to two in the third term to cut the margin back to just four points.
The side continued the momentum in the final term, kicking 4.5 to 3.0 to secure the win.
Captain James Butterworth was an inspirational leader for Rostrevor and Luca Stepic was also important up front.
KINGS BACK IN FINALS FRAME
Pembroke OS stars Alex Forster and Nick Dinham kicked 11 goals between them to lead the Kings to a big 25.12 (162) to 4.1 (25) win over SMOSH West Lakes on Saturday and place their side back in division three’s top five.
The visitors were dominant from start to finish, winning plenty of the contested footy in the midfield to give Forster and Dinham consistent opportunities in front of the big sticks.
Archie Richardson was at his best on the ball for the Kings, while Darcy McRostie was also important around the ground.
The win was an important one for the club, which had lost its last four games in the division.
SHARKS SWIMMING IN DIV 3
Henley kept its brilliant undefeated season intact in div three with a huge20.20 (140) to 2.6 (18) win over Scotch OC.
The Sharks held their visitors to just one behind for the entire first half as Matthew Broadbent, Jack Enright, Nic Couroupis and Kane Sherlock dominated in the contest.
Brett Harland was a terror up front for the hosts, booting nine goals to take his season tally to 20 goals in just four appearances.
The club remains at the top of the ladder with a 13-0 record.
WEETRA TONNES UP
Para Hills star Daniel Weetra made the 100-goal-mark for the second season running as the Big Reds dominated Smithfield at home to win 27.14 (176) to 8.11 (59) in division seven.
The dominant goal sneak needed just two goals to reach the milestone and achieved the feat quickly, chasing down a defender and slotting home nicely from 50 metres after being awarded a holding the ball free kick.
Weetra has been the fastest to 100 through the past two seasons and kicked four on the day to take his 2024 tally to 102 in just 13 games.
CENTRAL ZONE STILL DOMINANT
The Central zone has announced itself as a force to be reckoned with yet again, defeating Northern 8.4 (52) to 4.5 (29) and th4 South East 7.2 (44) to 4.3 (27) in the opening weekend of the 2024 SA Country Football Championships.
Balaklava’s Bailey Arthur was strong in the midfield and also added two majors for his side in Central’s first affair, while Barossa District’s Jack Carpenter was the standout against the South East.
Former Central District gun Shay Linke (Tanunda) and Two Wells forward Caleb Edmead were also important up front.
HONE SHINES FOR EASTERN
Mt Lofty star Tyson Hone was dominant for Eastern on Saturday, producing best on ground displays in wins over both the Southern and North zones.
A skilled mid who can also do damage up front, Hone found plenty of his own footy through his side’s two contests and also managed to hit the scoreboard through clever finishing.
If he continues his strong form, Eastern will be a strong chance to go back-to-back.
WAGNER, MONTGOMERIE SET TO STAR
Star Lincoln South leaders Zane Montgomerie and Johann Wagner (former Port Adelaide) were at their best for the Eyre Peninsula as they achieved a gritty 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28) win over the South East and a strong 7.3 (45) to 5.10 (40) win over Southern.
Montgomerie was integral through the midfield and across the flanks with his ability to win the play and deliver to teammates, while Wagner showed he was still one of SA country footy’s top forwards, executing smart leads, taking big marks and booting four goals in his two appearances.
The two guns have had impressive seasons for the Eagles after leading them to their first Port Lincoln FL flag in 20 years in 2023 and should continue to standout at the country championships.
THARALDSEN AMONG COUNTRY’S BEST
Flagstaff Hill playing-coach and Southern captain Sam Tharaldsen proved he was still one of the best defenders in SA country footy on Saturday, producing two excellent displays against Eastern and the Eyre Peninsula.
While his side lost both close affairs, Tharaldsen’s ability to make strong marking contests, clamp down on a number of forwards and also deliver efficiently around the ground was on full display.
TUNKIN ONE TO WATCH
Millicent star Harry Tunkin has emerged as one of the South East’s top young players, producing strong performances against the EP and Central at the country championships.
The former Glenelg and Prince Alfred College midfielder was a workhorse in the contest, hitting a number of contests hard to win his own footy and release teammates around the ground.
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