10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend

A division one Adelaide Footy League club showed resilience after a challenging week to win its first game of the season. Here’s 10 things we learned on an exciting weekend.

Local SA clubs produced a thrilling round of footy as they came together across the state to join the fight against mental illness during the state’s Breakthrough Round.

From big results to starring performances and everything in between, here are the 10 things we learned in suburban and country competitions during the weekend’s action.

SPOC SHOWS RESILIENCE

St Peter's Old Collegians captain James Duncan led his side to its first win of the year on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Keryn Stevens

St Peter’s OC bounced back from its disappointment through the week to pick up its first win of the season, defeating Goodwood Saints 9.8 (62) to 6.13 (49) at home.

The club had its round five win over Old Ignatians stripped for fielding an ineligible player last week but its players showed resilience against a motivated Goodwood outfit in wet and muddy conditions to register an important win.

Big forward Will Irwin sent the home crowd into a frenzy when he kicked the sealer off of the ground, his team moving up to second bottom above Old Ignatians and equal with eighth-placed Goodwood on points.

MAGPIES ARE FLYING

Brothers Mitchell, Jack and Cooper Gaffney look to have Port District back to its best in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Port District showed it was nearing the form which won the division one premiership in 2022, travelling to Tea Tree Gully and defeating an in-form host 7.6 (48) to 2.9 (21).

The Magpies’ defence was back to its best, holding play up with elite tackle pressure and efficient set up behind the ball to keep Gullies goalless in the second and fourth terms and to just two majors for the game.

Back flanker Cooper Gaffney performed brilliantly behind the ball and in the middle, while Zac Hawkins was also strong in the contest.

HAWKS STILL CONTENDERS

Salisbury North Football Club A Grade players Brodie Wagner, 20, and Malachi Ah Matt-Lovett, 23, wearing their Indigenous Round guernseys. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

While Salisbury North recently had six premiership points stripped for breaching the Approved Player Points System, the club proved it was still a contender for the division two flag on Saturday with an impressive 8.9 (57) to 3.8 (26) win over Edwardstown.

The home team was dominant from start to finish as it hosted a spectacular Indigenous Round event to celebrate the club’s culture and history, with dangerous forward Jake Wagner booting four goals in a strong display.

The Hawks now move up to four points – just one win out of the top five.

DEMONS ON DEMOLITION PATH

Lockleys’ Ben Haren after kicking 100 goals last season. Picture: Lockleys Football Club

The return of dominant key forward Ben Haren from injury would have been a relieving sight for Lockleys fans as their club registered its most impressive win of the year, defeating Plympton 16.13 (109) to 7.5 (47).

Now division four’s top side, the Demons were dominant from start to finish and booted seven goals to just one behind in the third term to seal the result.

Captain Zain King was inspirational on the ball and also hit the scoreboard, while four players kicked multiple goals for the hosts.

HOUNDS UP FOR FIGHT

Hectorville has emerged as a strong finals contender in division four. Picture: @charligbrown

Last season’s division five premier Hectorville has announced itself as a true finals contender in division four, defeating third-placed CBC OC 10.9 (69) to 8.14 (62) in a gutsy display.

The Hounds were held scoreless in the opening term but stormed back into the contest through the next two quarters to take a two-point lead into the final break and set themselves up for a dramatic win.

Star forward Jak Goudman-Glasson was at his best, taking multiple contested marks and booting six goals.

LIONS ROAR TO EQUAL TOP

Proprietary/Risdon proved it was an early shout for a premiership in the 2023 Spencer Gulf FL season, defeating recent rival Solomontown 16.6 (102) to 7.15 (57) away from home.

The Lions opened up perfectly, dominating the middle and booting five goals straight to Solomontown’s 1.4, and then managed to put the game away out of the main break as they kicked seven goals to two in the third quarter.

Cooper Promnitz was a standout for the visitors in the contest, winning plenty of the ball and finding teammates in space with ease.

BULLDOGS BACK IN CONTENTION

and Jesse O'Brien (SPOC) has been dominant since joining Onkaparinga Valley. Picture: Mark Brake

Onkaparinga Valley looks set to contend far into the Hills Football League season, adding another strong win to its 2023 tally with a 19.14 (128) to 7.14 (56) result against Blackwood.

The Bulldogs have been a force in the midfield since the arrival of former Brisbane Lion and SPOC gun Jesse O’Brien, the veteran onballer dominating again on Saturday and also booting two majors.

The side now sits in the top three under Hahndorf and Nairne Bremer.

MCELROY, WEST GAMBIER ON FIRE

Daron McElroy (left) with star West Gambier recruit Andrew Stone. Picture: West Gambier Football Club

While the West Gambier suffered its only loss of the season so far last week when it went down to Millicent, the Kangaroos bounced back with a big 16.7 (103) to 9.4 (58) win against Casterton Sandford.

The side cemented its spot in the top two under Millicent as Daron McElroy booted an impressive six majors to take his goal tally to 21.

The Kangaroos have officially emerged as the only contender for the Saints and could go all the way if they can keep their momentum through the second half of the season.

TIGERS TORMENTING NEFL

Alex Morgan (far right) has been dominant for BSR Tigers yet again in 2023. Picture: Facebook

The North Eastern Football League’s top side is in the midst of another dominant campaign, moving to 5-0 with a 16.13 (109) to 5.2 (32) win over North Clare.

Brinkworth Spalding Redhill won its third premiership in a row last season and has looked almost a certainty to win four straight this year, with no other side in the NEFL coming close to the Tigers’ level.

Star mid Alex Morgan has been a force yet again this season, booting eight goals to go with four best player performances in his five appearances.

COUGARS COULD GO WINLESS

Cummins Kapinnie’s horror start to the Great Flinders FL season continued on Saturday, the Cougars reaching a 0-6 record after going down 16.21 (117) to 1.4 (10) against Elliston Districts.

The side has not recorded a score of over 40 points so far this year and has already lost two games by more than 100.