10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend revealed
The reigning division one Adelaide Footy League premier has sent a message to the rest of the competition with a resounding win over a top spot contender. See the 10 things we learned from this weekend’s local footy action.
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Another weekend of local SA footy has been played out as teams across the state battle for finals positions in the second half of the year.
See the 10 things we learned from this weekend’s country and suburban action.
DITTERS DOMINATING IN D1
Reigning division one AdFL premier Port District has sent a major message to the rest of the competition with a huge round 11 win over third spot Sacred Heart OC at home.
Port put on a defensive masterclass in the clash, holding SHOC to just nine points in the first half and running out 13.10 (88) to 3.7 (25) winners.
Star ruck/forward utility Scott Lycett was at his best in the contest and around the ground, giving his midfielders first use and creating goalkicking opportunities, while Cooper Gaffney and Matt Rose were also influential behind and on the ball.
Ditters have now gone clear at the top of the D1 ladder with seven rounds remaining and will be the favourite to claim the minor premiership as they search for back-to-back flags and three in four years.
Sacred Heart OC has dropped to just a game ahead of fourth spot Golden Grove and Alex Cailotto will be hoping his players can bounce back against the Kookaburras in a big matchup next week.
KOOKABURRAS ON FIRE
Golden Grove has now won four consecutive games in division one after suffering a round seven loss to Glenunga, defeating second spot St Peter’s OC 14.14 (98) to 7.12 (54) at home on Saturday.
The Kookaburras, coached by former Central District gun Luke Barmby, led by just 13 points at the main break but put on a clinic in the third and fourth terms to hold SPOC to just three goals and add seven of their own.
Key forward recruit Liam Verity continued his hot form, booting six goals and creating a number of others to take out best on ground honours, while Aidan Thatcher was at his best at the back.
The club has now moved up to fourth after a tough start to the season and will have the opportunity to peg back third spot against Sacred Heart OC next weekend.
OLD REDS OUT OF RELEGATION ZONE
Ned McHenry’s Prince Alfred OC side has leapfrogged Payneham Norwood Union and moved out of the bottom two of division one after a resounding 18.9 (117) to 8.9 (57) victory over a winless Broadview.
The Old Reds produced one of their best halves of footy this season in the first two terms of the clash, holding the Tigers to 1.3 and kicking 13.6 (84) to build an insurmountable lead.
Henry Slade was a standout around the ground alongside Will Schmidt who won plenty of the footy and distributed well, contributing to the hosts’ slick ball movement and efficiency.
James Bentley was the standout forward for the side, taking a number of contested marks and booting six goals.
SHARKS CLOSING IN
Henley seems to have found its groove in division two, winning its fifth straight game with an impressive 13.7 (85) to 8.13 (61) victory over second spot Tea Tree Gully away from home, just three weeks after beating top spot Athelstone.
The Sharks booted six majors to two in the third term to take a commanding lead into the fourth and held firm to record one of their best wins of the year.
Captain Tom Pillion and onballer Kane Sherlock were at their best in the contest, winning plenty of important possessions for the visitors and delivering to teammates well to damage the hosts.
The result sees Henley move to level on points with third spot Goodwood Saints and within just two points of Tea Tree Gully in second.
RAMS STAY UNDEFEATED
Marion has remained undefeated in division five of the AdFL with a thrilling two-point win over Gaza at Klemzig Reserve.
The Rams overcame a 13-point halftime deficit in the third quarter by running riot and kicking seven goals to just two but were made to defend in the final quarter by an inspired Eagles outfit, kicking just one goal and holding off a late comeback to leave with the win.
Harry Stanborough was integral in the contest for the visitors, winning important possessions in the last quarter and gaining big metres for his side when they were up against it.
Marion is now 11-0 at the top of the ladder with a percentage of 69, while Gaza agonisingly missed an opportunity to move out of the bottom two.
BLUDS GO TOP
Jervois has taken advantage of a Coorong Cats loss to Imperials last week to defeat the Imps on Saturday and move up into top spot on the River Murray FL ladder.
The Bluds played an inspired brand against the hosts to take a 12-point lead into the main break and held firm for the remainder of the contest, kicking two goals to none in the final quarter to win 10.11 (71) to 6.8 (44).
Star player Josh Scott was at his best around the ground for the Bluds, the club captain dominating in the contest and linking forwards and midfielders seamlessly to open up the Imps defence.
Zane Barry continued his strong form with five goals, with the Imperials defenders unable to quell his influence on the game.
SAINTS ON A TEAR
Kingston has continued its undefeated 2025 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL campaign with a strong 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51) win over Border Districts at home.
Star recruit Ben Kennedy wreaked havoc against the Eagles on-ballers, the former Collingwood and Melbourne player winning plenty of the contested footy and delivering to his forwards at a high efficiency.
Dominant playing-coach Alex Barns was also at his best in the ruck and up front, giving midfielders first use and hitting the scoreboard for two goals as the visitors struggled to quell the high pressure and quick ball movement of the Saints.
The side now sits at the top of the ladder with an 11-0 record and will have a bye in round 13.
FALCONS FLY TO STATEMENT WIN
Flagstaff Hill has remained level with top spot Happy Valley in the SFL with a tough two-goal win over Reynella on Saturday.
The Falcons saw another big performance by key position player D’Arcy Mitchell in the ruck and around the ground as they overcame an early 15-point deficit to win 13.6 (84) to 11.6 (72).
Mitchell’s work combined with Reece Milsom and Michael Shearer’s production through the middle as well as Nathan Beenham’s four-goal effort up front made the hosts too tough to handle for the Wineflies, who left frustrated after starting positively.
The Falcons have proved they can win in a number of ways this year and should be a major contender alongside top spot Happy Valley come September.
DEMONS IN TOUCH WITH TOP
Willunga remained level on points with top GSFL side Victor Harbor on Saturday, recording a big 17.10 (112) to 11.10 (76) win over third spot McLaren at home.
The Demons were unstoppable through the midfield, with Cam Hutchens and Liam Nye finding plenty of the footy and delivering to teammates while under pressure with ease to keep the McLaren defenders back-pedalling.
Star forward signing Daniel Nobes was also typically dominant, proving unstoppable in the air and booting seven goals alongside forward teammate Dylan Draper, who had three majors of his own.
McLaren will be looking to bounce back in round 13 against Victor Harbor but will likely find itself three wins below Willunga if it loses that clash with the top side.
PANTHERS A THREAT
Angaston has proved it has what it takes to top the best sides in the BLGFA, beating Nuriootpa 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65) at home on Saturday to move level with the second place Tigers on points.
The Panthers impressively nullified a number of Nuri stars at home to build a strong lead in a big second term, kicking five goals to just one and never looking back.
The tackling pressure and aerial dominance of the hosts was too much for the visitors to overcome and a dominant display by star player Tom Corcoran around the ground ensured the Panthers always had the upper hand.
Last year’s runner-up to Willaston, Angaston surprised many by making the big dance.
The club has possibly now proved it has what it takes to make the ultimate decider again this season.
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