10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend
An Adelaide Footy League flag favourite booked its first div one grand final in almost four decades with a grinding win. What else emerged in SA’s local leagues last weekend?
Local Sport
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Local SA footy has produced one of its most exciting weeks this season, with a number of thrilling results and major upsets being played out across the state.
From historic grand final appearances to nail biting results, this weekend had it all as SA’s clubs battled to remain in the hunt for silverware.
Here are the 10 things we learned from the state’s country and suburban competitions.
RAMS MAKE HISTORY
Glenunga marked a major achievement in club history on Saturday, booking a spot in the division one grand final for the first time since 1978 by defeating Prince Alfred OC 7.9 (51) to 6.7 (43) at home.
It was a neck-and-neck affair from start to finish at Webb Oval, with star players such as Nick Wundke, Sam Parsons, Chris Curran and Jack Trengove all at their best for the affair.
Nathan Grima’s Rams only took a two kick lead into the final term after the Old Reds mounted a third quarter run, but managed to hold firm through brilliant attack on the footy and set up behind the play, and a remarkable left foot snap by goal sneak Beau Schwarze.
The Rams are now just one win away from their first ever division one flag.
“For myself there’s probably a feeling of relief more than anything,” coach Nathan Grima said on his side making this year’s big dance.
“We obviously lost a div two grand final a couple years ago and went out in straight sets last year and you just hope the group doesn’t have the mindset that we can’t perform when it matters.
“We’ve now got the opportunity to do something we set out to do three years ago.”
The Rams will have another week off as they await the winner of this Saturday’s preliminary final between Prince Alfred OC and Tea Tree Gully.
Grima said his players would need to be at their best for whoever they played.
“Prince Alfred matched us in just about every area on Saturday so we know they’re going to bring it again if we see them, and we’ll need to beat them for a third time in a row if we want to win the grand final,” Grima said.
“Tea Tree Gully have had a couple great wins away from home now as well and Blake Penney is probably the best ruck in the competition so they’ll bring a different challenge for us if they get through.”
GULLIES TALLY ANOTHER UPSET
Tea Tree Gully pulled off its second remarkable finals win in as many weeks with a huge upset over Sacred Heart OC away from home, winning 11.10 (76) to 9.11 (65).
Brodie Latham was integral for the Gullies as they got off to a strong start, winning plenty of the footy in the contest and helping his side to lock the ball in their forward half with a number of second and third efforts.
Ruck Brodie Latham was also important, while Luke Brown was influential at the back and up front, taking an important mark and kicking the sealing goal from 50 metres out with just a minute remaining.
TTG will now face Prince Alfred OC away from home in this season’s preliminary final.
KOOKABURRAS LAUGHING IN DIV TWO
Golden Grove cemented itself as division two favourite with a monster 21.11 (137) to 6.6 (42) win over PHOS Camden in this year’s second qualifying final, booking a spot in the big dance and claiming promotion to division one for the first time ever.
Superstar midfield/forward utility Josh Glenn was at his best for the Kookaburras, finding plenty of the football and either setting up teammates with damaging disposal or finishing for himself to boot four majors on the day.
Lewis Johnston was best on ground for his efforts behind the footy and up front, taking a number of big grabs and kicking three goals.
The side will play PNU or PHOS Camden in the grand final and will be heavy favourites.
FALCONS SHOW BOTTLE
Payneham Norwood Union stood strong through the final quarter of its do or die semi-final against Rostrevor OC at home, hanging on in a thriller to win 9.10 (64) to 9.8 (62).
Tom Wagner was influential across the forwardline with three goals and also on the ball as the hosts put a run on in the third quarter, turning a five-point halftime deficit into a 63-49 three-quarter-time lead.
Mack Haynes was also integral behind the footy, winning a number of key possessions to help his side to the win.
The Falcons will clash with PHOS Camden in next weekend’s preliminary final, the Phantoms winning the qualifying final against PNU just two weeks ago.
REDS INTO DIVISION TWO
Flinders Park has sealed promotion to division two by booking a spot in this year’s div three grand final with a courageous 11.7 (73) to 10.7 (67) win over Modbury away from home.
The Reds saw a halftime lead vanish in the third quarter and entered the fourth a point down but managed to produce clean footy and string together some flawless passages through the middle to ground the Hawks in the final term.
Tom Schwarz was the difference in the contest, winning a number of contested possessions for the visitors as they gave Macx Teague (three goals) multiple looks at it up front in the death.
The team will play the winner of Modbury and Unley in two weeks.
HAHNDORF IS BEATABLE
In one of the upsets of the weekend, Nairne Bremer handed Hahndorf its first loss of the season, defeating the Magpies 15.7 (97) to 11.12 (78) away from home and booking a spot in this season’s Hills FL grand final.
The Rams flew out of the gate, holding the hosts to just three behinds in the first term while kicking 4.1 (25) to build a handy first break lead.
While they were pegged back to 10 points in the second term, the visitors managed to show composure and extend the lead back to 22 in the third and see the game out through sturdy last quarter defensive work in the middle and at the back.
Captain Brock Knott was big in the ruck for the Rams, while Lachy May was a standout at the back yet again.
Hahndorf will face the winner of Uraidla Districts and Mt Lofty in the preliminary final.
EAGLES FLY TO BIG DANCE
Lincoln South dominated from start to finish of its 10.19 (79) to 6.6 (42) preliminary final defeat of Tasman to reach the Port Lincoln FL grand final against Marble Range.
Star recruit Zane Montgomerie was big across half back and along the wing as the Eagles flew to a 42-7 quarter-time lead, the club captain winning plenty of the footy and providing damaging run and carry and ball use.
Playing-coach Johann Wagner was also at his brilliant best, taking a number of big grabs up front to either set up teammates or boot one of his four big goals.
BLUDS REMAIN UNBEATEN
Jervois kept its undefeated record intact to make this year’s RMFL grand final, defeating Southern Mallee 9.16 (70) to 8.12 (60) away from home.
The second quarter was the key for the visitors as they held the Suns goalless and booted four of their own to open up an ultimately insurmountable 24-point lead.
Former SANFL gun Taite Silverlock was at his best for Jervois in the contest, attacking the footy relentlessly and gaining important ground for his side.
Ben Moroney and Tom Keough were the standouts for Southern Mallee.
TIGERS HANG ON IN THRILLER
Nuriootpa almost saw a 44-29 three-quarter-time lead slip against South Gawler in the Barossa Light and Gawler FA second semi on Saturday but remarkably held firm to see out a dramatic 7.8 (50) to 7.7 (49) away win.
The Tigers started the stronger of the two sides in the biggest clash so far this season, controlling the contest through star players Nick Gregurke and Mitch Norton, but Patrick White (two goals) and star onballer Steve Burton would lead South Gawler back into the game.
Norton would lead by example in the final term however, making a number of important contests to prevent the Lions from taking the lead.
The result sees the reigning premier into this year’s grand final.
SAINTS MARCH IN NAIL BITER
Kingston defeated Mundulla by a point in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL preliminary final away from home to book a spot next to Barossa District in this year’s grand final, defeating the Tigers 10.9 (69) to 9.14 (68).
The visitors managed to build a 19-point halftime lead but slowly saw it dwindle down in the final two terms as Mundulla star Nathan Studham (three goals) took over up front.
Onballer Jack Armfield was at his best in the final term however, helping his side to stem the flow just enough with strong contested ball work.
This year’s grand final will mark a major turnaround for both Kingston and Barossa District who finished fifth and sixth last season.
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