10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend revealed
An Adelaide Footy League grand final favourite survived a scare to book a top two clash in the qualifying final. Here’s our weekly wrap of SA’s country and suburban leagues.
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Another weekend of local SA footy finals action is done and dusted with the Adelaide Footy League beginning its postseason and a number of country clubs also clashing to progress to next week’s big games.
From thrilling finishes to upsets and standout individual displays, here are the 10 things we learned across the state’s suburban and country competitions.
PRINCES PREVAIL
Prince Alfred OC stormed home in its first qualifying final matchup with Sacred Heart OC on Saturday to book a major clash with Glenunga next week, defeating the visitors 10.10 (70) to 9.5 (59).
Princes trailed by two goals at the final break of what was a neck-and-neck affair, Oscar Lovelock and Alex Cailotto standing out for Hearts as they kicked three goals to one in the third term.
The hosts would flick a switch in the last quarter however, booting 3.5 and holding SHOC scoreless through brilliant contested work in the middle and strong contested marking across the backline.
Chris Curran was PAOC’s best on the day, chopping off a number of attacks and distributing with ease out of the back, while captain Lachy McNamara was also a standout with three goals.
GALVANISED GULLIES PROGRESS
Tea Tree Gully pulled off the first upset of the weekend in the Adelaide Footy League by eliminating reigning premier Port District away from home, defeating the Magpies 14.14 (98) to 13.5 (83).
Trailing by two points at halftime of what was a top quality game between two strong sides, the Gullies would boot five goals to two in the third term to open up an ultimately insurmountable 82-63 lead.
Tyler Martin was a standout for the visitors, making the move to the forwardline and dominating in the air and at ground level to create for his side and also kick five important goals.
The side will meet Sacred Heart OC next weekend.
PHANTOMS EYE PROMOTION
PHOS Camden has given itself a shot at promotion with an upset win over Payneham Norwood Union at Payneham Oval, defeating the Falcons 14.9 (93) to 12.6 (78) in the first qualifying final of div two.
The visitors hit the ground running, kicking six goal to three in the first term to open up a 38-19 lead and never looking back, impressing in the middle with contested ball work and fluid movement and finishing off up front.
Finn Betterman was a star through the midfield with his ball-use and decision-making, while Henry Papatolis was his usual self in finals, winning plenty of the footy and dealing to teammates with ease.
The Phantoms will now clash with division favourite Golden Grove for a spot in the grand final.
DEMONS PULL OFF MEMORABLE COMEBACK
Hope Valley completed one of the great comebacks in local SA footy against Pembroke OS at home in the division three elimination final, booting 13 goals to three in the final term to win 18.13 (121) to 16.6 (102).
The Kings had the ascendancy through the first three terms, with star forward Alex Forster – who booted seven for the game – putting on a clinic as the visitors built a 30-point three-quarter-time lead.
The hosts looked a different side in the final term though, dominating through the middle and moving the ball seamlessly into star forwards Daniel Nobes and Matt Min as Pembroke’s work rate dropped.
Ben Carabott was a standout in the contest while also adding two majors, and Nobes was at his best with five big goals.
BULLDOGS BARKING AT RIGHT TIME
Plympton made a major statement in its division four elimination final win over Hectorville, dominating the Hounds from start to finish at home to win 22.15 (147) to 9.6 (60).
Captain Kieren Nelson was integral in the contest through the early stages as the Bulldogs booted six goals to just one in the second term to gain separation.
Jak Goudman-Glasson was potent for Hectorville but the Hounds forwardline did not see enough of the ball throughout the second half, Plympton’s midfielders controlling the contest with hard tackle pressure and slick usage.
Lonnie Hampton was at his best for the hosts, winning the footy inside and also moving up front to boot three goals including a spectacular finish from the boundary in the final term, while Lachie Stoddard had a day out with eight majors.
RIVERLAND UPSET
Barmera Monash pulled off one of the upsets of the season to end Renmark’s run of three consecutive Riverland FL flags and take out the 2023 premiership, defeating the Rovers 5.5 (35) to 3.8 (26).
The underdogs held a slim 21-10 lead at halftime in a scrappy and low scoring affair, the side’s accurate goalkicking proving to be the difference with the rovers only managing a single goal and four behinds in the first two terms.
Accuracy would prove to be the difference in the final two quarters as well, Barmera Monash adding 2.2 to Renmark’s 2.4.
Sam De Michele was the standout for the premiers in the contest, while Max Pietrolaj’s two goals proved significant.
RAMS BOOK BIG PLAYOFF
Nairne Bremer took care of business against Uraidla Districts to book a spot next to Hahndorf in next weekend’s Hills FL second qualifying final, defeating the Demons 19.9 (123) to 10.9 (69) at home.
Darcy Hourigan (four goals) and Archer Connolly (six goals) were both accurate up front as the Rams built a 40-8 quarter-time lead and never looked back.
The side’s impressive defensive set up led by Lachlan May played a major part in the win, while Josh Dodd and Jamie Drew were also important around the ground.
The Rams will attempt to hand Hahndorf its first loss of the year.
MOONTA MAKES BIG DANCE
Reigning Yorke Peninsula FL premier Moonta booked a spot in this season’s grand final with a convincing 17.18 (120) to 7.6 (48) win over Kadina at home.
The Demons were unstoppable from start to finish, dominating in the contest through Ryley Maitland and Malcolm Karpany and creating a number of opportunities for captain Tyler Andrews and Matt Appleton up front.
Appleton was tough for the Bloods to stop, booting five goals and setting up a number of others through the four quarters.
SAINTS MARCHING AGAIN
Millicent booked a spot in this year’s Western Border FL grand final, defeating West Gambier 10.14 (74) to 7.5 (47) away from home.
The Saints stormed out of the gates, kicking 6.7 (43) to the Roos’ 2.0 (12) in the opening term to set up the big win.
Captain Jacob Carger produced one of his best games of the season, winning plenty of the contested footy and also proving impossible to hold up front, booting four goals.
MUDLARKS SHOW BACKBONE
It wasn’t straightforward for Myponga-Sellicks, but the club managed to hold on late to secure an 11.10 (76) to 11.7 (73) win over Victor Harbor at home and progress to next week’s Great Southern FL second semi-final against McLaren.
The Mudlarks trailed early but played some of their best footy of the season in the second term, booting four goals and six behinds to lead the Roos 50-33 at the main break, a lead they would cling on to for the remainder of the game through consistent tackle pressure and tough contest work in the air.
Ben Kennedy was a standout for the hosts through the middle with his efficient disposal, while Levi Proude and Jake Spinks (four goals) were also important.
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