10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend revealed
A revitalised Adelaide Footy League power has retained top spot on the ladder with another impressive 2024 win. See the 10 things we learned in local SA footy’s country and suburban competitions this weekend.
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Another entertaining round of local SA footy is done and dusted as teams across the state start to think about the run home to finals.
Here are the 10 things we learned from the weekend’s action.
ROC ON A ROLL
Rostrevor OC retained top spot on the division two ladder on Saturday with an impressive 9.6 (60) to 2.13 (25) win over Goodwood at Goodwood Oval.
ROC was dominant in the contest to open proceedings and kept the Saints goalless for the entire first half to build a big 41-7 lead at the main break.
While the visitors only added three goals in the second half, Goodwood’s goalkicking woes continued, the hosts kicking 2.6 on their way to the loss.
Rostrevor was tough through the middle through all four quarters and made sure to play tight defence on Goodwood’s talented forwards and midfielders.
Captain Daniel McCallum was among his side’s best, while young gun utility Finn Wakelin was influential up front.
BOMBERS FLY TO BIG WIN
Brighton notched its third win of the season with a strong display against Prince Alfred OC at home, topping the Old Reds 8.19 (67) to 4.6 (30).
Former Geelong forward Jake Tarca was at his best in the clash, booting three goals and setting up multiple others as the Bombers put together a four goal to one third term and ran away with the points.
Will Rivers was also impressive through the middle and up front as the hosts won plenty of the ball in the contest and moved it around the ground efficiently.
The Bombers now sit ninth and are just one win from moving out of the relegation zone.
RAMS REMAIN UNTOUCHED
Glenunga kept its undefeated record intact at the top of the division one ladder in round 11 by defeating Broadview 16.12 (108) to 5.3 (33) away from home.
The Rams raced to a big lead in the first two terms through typically suffocating defence and quick ball movement through the midfield to create a high number of opportunities in front of goal.
Captain Abe Davis was at his best on the ball and up front, while Charlie Pridham was also impressive on the flanks.
Glenunga now sits with an 11-0 record as the Rams aim to make amends for their 2023 grand final loss to PAOC.
SCHWARZ CELEBRATES IN STYLE
Former South Adelaide star Nic Schwarz celebrated his 100th Flinders Park game in style on Saturday as his Reds earned a tough 8.11 (59) to 5.6 (36) victory over Old Ignatians at Karen Rolton Oval.
Schwarz was a standout in the middle as his side booted 3.5 to 0.2 in the final term to achieve the win, winning plenty of contested footy for the visitors and setting up teammates ahead of the ball.
The win sees the reigning division three premier leapfrog Goodwood into fifth spot on the ladder.
They sit two points below fourth spot Modbury and six behind top side Rostrevor OC.
EAGLES EDGING CLOSER
Elizabeth proved it was not far off its first win of the 2024 season against fifth spot St Paul’s OS in division six, losing by just two kicks away from home.
Cooper Burt was a standout for the Eagles up front and around the ground as they remained competitive in a neck-and-neck affair, but St Paul’s OS captain Riley Henriks and his side were too strong when push came to shove, producing impressive play through the middle and up front.
It was one of Elizabeth’s best displays so far this year and the club will be hoping it can repeat the effort next Saturday when it hosts seventh spot Houghton Districts.
WEETRA JUST SEVEN AWAY
Daniel Weetra booted seven goals on Saturday as his Para Hills team taught Hackham a lesson in division seven, defeating the Hawks 15.14 (104) to 5.7 (37).
The star goalkicker has now booted 93 goals in just 11 games this year and will reach the tonne mark in what could be a league record 12 games if he can kick seven against top side O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale next week.
That game will also feature local goalkicking legend Trevor Rigney, who currently sits on 56 goals after kicking four in a win over Mawson Lakes.
FALCONS, KEARSLEY MAKE SFL STATEMENT
Flagstaff Hill made a statement in the Southern Football League with a huge revenge win over Port Noarlunga, defeating the Cockledivers 22.15 (147) to 5.0 (30) in club legend David Kearsley’s 300th game.
The Falcons flew out of the gates to lead 35-6 at quarter time and 68-24 at halftime before booting six goals to no score in the third quarter to put any comeback from their visitors beyond doubt.
Kearsley, who booted three majors, and Brad Kirk were both standouts on the ball as the hosts won contest after contest to create chances for 14 separate goalkickers.
The win was Flagstaff Hill’s 10th of the season and saw the club move past Reynella and Port Noarlunga to take top spot.
TIGERS ON A TEAR
Mypolonga made it six wins from its last seven River Murray FL games during the league’s Indigenous Round with a dramatic 7.3 (45) to 5.11 (41) win over Southern Mallee away from home.
The Tigers, who led by 15 points at the main break, scored just one behind in the third term but managed to claw out a win with two majors and tough defence in the final quarter.
Forward recruit Rory Taggert was influential up front for the visitors as they created just enough across the forwardline to get the job done, while Pat Davies and Riley Robinson were important on the ball.
The side now sits in second on the ladder.
BRADLEY BOLSTERS MEDAL SHOUT
Andrew Bradley continued his sensational season for Kybybolite in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League, leading the Tigers to a strong 10.10 (70) to 4.9 (33) win over Lucindale at Lucindale Oval.
The former Glenelg captain, and a premiership star for Prince Alfred OC last season, returned to his junior club alongside Jack Trengove and Oscar Clark for season 2024 and has been a force through the midfield, behind the ball and up front.
Bradley was a contested ball beast on Saturday, winning a high count of tough possessions for his side as they maintained a 7-1 record so far this year.
He has been among Kyby’s best in all eight of his appearances so far and should be favourite for the Mail Medal as it stands.
LIONS CAN’T BE TAMED
Prop/Risdon dealt Solomontown its second loss of the Spencer Gulf FL season on Saturday, defeating the Cats 16.13 (109) to 8.8 (56) away from home.
Superstar Lions midfielder Nick Kraemer, who joined the club from South Adelaide for this season, was best on ground yet again as his side dominated the centre of the ground and created a number of opportunities for Hugo Wallace, Aidan Jacobs and Michael Hobbs up front.
The game was never close, with the visitors building an 11.5 (71) to 4.4 (28) halftime lead and never looking back.
The reigning premier now sits top of the ladder with an undefeated 10-0 record, while Solomontown remains second.
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