Adelaide Footy League 2020 match reports: Henley beats SHOC in thrilling round two clash
Henley showed plenty of heart and desperation to win a thriller against Sacred Heart Old Collegians on Saturday. See the round two reports from every Adelaide Footy League division here.
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Spectators were on the edge of their seats during a few of the Adelaide Footy League’s round two games, while other teams stamped their mark on their divisions with commanding wins.
The division two clash between Henley and Sacred Heart Old Collegians proved to be a match of the round but it was the Sharks’ desperation which helped them claim a thriller.
Check out The Messenger’s match reports from every division.
DIVISION ONE
Port District completed a stunning 235-point turnaround from round one when it heaped more pain on Athelstone in their top flight clash on Saturday.
The Magpies, who copped a 91-point hiding against St Peter’s Old Collegians in the season opener, showed no signs of wear in a 27.18 (180) to 5.6 (36) belting of the Raggies at Largs Reserve.
Small forward James Batty led the way for District and could not be contained with nine goals in a best-on-ground display.
“It was really pleasing to get such a big win after a tough game the week before,” Magpies coach Simon Maddern said.
“After an even first quarter we got on top in the clearances and started using the ball efficiently going forward.
“We had a lot of run and drive from our back half and our forward line were strong and creative.”
Athelstone led by six points at the first break before Port piled on the pressure with 25 goals to two in the following three quarters.
The Raggies lost to Brighton by 72 points in round one and face reigning premiers Payneham Norwood Union next up.
The Falcons are also winless after falling to the Bombers in a six-point nailbiter on Saturday.
Brighton jumped out to an early lead and was able to keep a small buffer between itself and PNU for much of the day.
But the Bombers showed their fortitude in the last when they fell behind before fighting back through two late goals to Jarrod Miller for a 8.16 (64) to 8.10 (58) victory.
“To get one up on a team and a club like that, it feels pretty good,” Brighton coach Joel Tucker said.
“We were fortunate enough our wayward kicking for goal early in the game didn’t cost us – it nearly did – but we were good enough to wrestle it back just at the right moment.”
St Peter’s Old Collegians is top of the ladder after holding off Goodwood Saints for a six-point win away from home.
Jock McLeay starred with six goals for SPOC as Goodwood fought back from 25 points down at the final change, before going under 13.7 (85) to 11.13 (79).
Rostrevor Old Collegians rolled on with a 12.11 (83) to 6.11 (47) victory over Unley Mercedes at Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
The Jets led by a point at quarter time but ROC showed its class as its stars, led by the dynamic Luke Manuel, controlled the contest.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians found itself six points down at the first break against Adelaide University before powering away to a second-straight win.
The Old Reds piled on eight goals to zero in the second term to set up a 14.6 (90) to 8.11 (59) win.
DIVISION TWO
With no promotion or relegation this Adelaide Footy League season, some teams could be forgiven for playing just for fun.
But that certainly wasn’t the case in the division two clash between Henley and Sacred Heart Old Collegians at Henley Grange Memorial Oval on Saturday.
A desperate chase, and a tackle by Henley’s Kyle Nicol which resulted in a holding the ball decision and stopped a SHOC goal midway through the third term proved a defining moment for the Sharks.
It was that heart, grit and hunger that helped Henley to the thrilling 8.12 (60) to 7.11 (53) win.
The 2019 division two preliminary finalist challenged the Sharks, who were relegated from the top tier at the end of last season, and scores were locked at 30 apiece at half-time.
Despite a few lead changes in the third and fourth terms, Henley proved it was not going to let this game slip away and rallied to claim the victory.
Sharks coach Jarrad Parker lauded his sides’ mental strength and said that was behind the result.
Parker said recording two consecutive victories would give his players confidence after only managing to snag three wins in 2019.
“For a young group to show a bit of mental strength late in the game and hold their composure was probably the big thing for us,” Parker said.
“It was an important stepping stone for us as a group for them to get over the line.
“One area that we’d like to improve on, though, is our movement through the middle of the ground so we are getting more genuine one-on-ones.
“I thought we got out-marked a lot, but once the ball hit the ground, our smalls did a pretty good job.”
SHOC, meanwhile, entered the match after a strong win in round one.
The visitors worked hard and never gave up, which pleased coach Steve Kay.
“I think we felt pretty positive the way we played,” Kay said.
“We gave ourselves plenty of opportunities to win the game.
“But probably at the end of the day we didn’t take those crucial (opportunities) when we needed to.
“Full credit to Henley, they were a bit better on the day and they were very strong over the footy.
“I was proud of our boys’ effort but we probably failed to land that killer blow.”
Seaton Ramblers, meanwhile, recorded its first win of 2020 after beating Glenunga 28.7 (175) to 15.7 (97) away.
Brett Harland was the star, booting seven goals for the Seaton, while Josh Byrne finished with a haul of five majors.
A strong first term led to the visitors taking a 30-point buffer into quarter-time helped set up the victory.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Tea Tree Gully 5.10 (40) d Broadview 3.13 (31) at Pertaringa Oval
■ PHOS Camden 22.12 (144) d Salisbury North 5.4 (34) at Salisbury North Oval
■ Scotch Old Collegians 13.4 (82) d Old Ignatians 9.10 (64) at Scotch College
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove appears set to challenge for the title in division three as it sits top of the ladder on the back of two thumping wins.
Semi-finalists last season, the Kookaburras would surely fancy their chances this year following a 16.14 (110) to 5.6 (36) defeat of Gaza at Harpers Field on Saturday.
Especially since the demoted Eagles were coming off a round one win over Flinders Park, which knocked Golden Grove out of the finals in 2019.
Brayden Shaw booted six goals and Jake Pitman starred as the Kookaburras kept Gaza goalless in the first quarter and did not look back.
Modbury made its first appearance of the season and showed it was the real deal after suffering relegation last year with an 84-point demolition of CBC Old Collegians.
The Hawks had the bye in the opening round but wasted no time when it finally got on the ground at the East Parklands on Saturday.
Modbury led the 2019 division four premiers at every change in the 21.12 (138) to 8.6 (54) belting.
Kyle McNaughton was best for the Hawks, who had eight multiple goalkickers.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Westminster OS 12.12 (84) d 7.10 (52) at Glandore Oval
■ Edwardstown 9.8 (62) d Flinders Park 8.10 (58) at Flinders Park
■ Bye – North Haven
DIVISION FOUR
Gun recruit Stephen Tahana inspired Gepps Cross to a stirring seven-point victory over Walkerville at Duncan Fraser Reserve.
The former North Adelaide and Collingwood VFL man starred as the Rams held on to win 12.6 (78) to 10.11 (71) as the Cats came hard in the final term.
Gepps Cross led all day but its lead came under threat as Walkerville, led by playing coach Ryan Madden, pushed the hosts right to the end.
Pulteney notched its first win on return to division four with a valuable away victory over a wayward Woodville South.
The Cats kicked a disappointing 3.17 (35) to 11.12 (78) as they went down to the Navy Blues at Ledger Oval.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke OS 13.9 (87) d 10.13 (73) at Haslam Oval
■ Hope Valley 8.15 (63) d Morphettville Park 7.15 (57) at Kellett Reserve
■ SMOSH West Lakes 12.15 (87) d Mitcham 9.12 (66) at West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Lockleys continued its strong form with a commanding victory over Pooraka away on Saturday.
Dylan Howie led the way for the Demons with five goals as they beat the Bulls 20.10 (130) to 6.11 (47).
Liam Narcys and Henry Johnson chipped in with four majors each for the visitors, while former Richmond and North Adelaide midfielder Matt McDonough booted two.
Lockleys coach Stephen Zweck said his side took advantage of a bigger oval and used their speed to win the game.
“I didn’t expect we would win by that much,” Zweck said.
“But we did think that when we got to a bigger oval it would suit us even more because I have a fair few runners.
“The deck was in good condition and we got a good start.
“I was very happy with my defence as well, they worked overtime and the forwards finished off well when it (the ball) got down there.”
Eastern Park recorded its first win of this season when it beat Fitzroy 16.12 (108) to 13.15 (93) at home.
The hosts held a 32-point lead at half-time but were forced to hold off a strong comeback by the Lions.
Kym Sumner kicked four goals for Eastern Park, while Jarryd Humphreys finished with three majors.
Dean Miller was a force up forward for Fitzroy, kicking five goals, but it was not enough to help his side to a win.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ West Croydon 17.11 (113) d Smithfield 10.14 (74) at Fawk Reserve
■ Kenilworth 16.18 (114) d Rosewater 9.9 (63) at St Mary’s
■ Colonel Light Gardens 12.13 (85) d Salisbury 8.9 (57) at Mortlock Park
DIVISION SIX
Hectorville’s Jake Mazzone’s eight-goal haul helped the Hounds enjoy a big win over Para Hills at home.
The Hounds remain top of the sixth tier after the 22.18 (150) to 3.3 (21) victory.
Hectorville held Para Hills scoreless in the third quarter and would have claimed an even bigger triumph had it not been for inaccurate goal kicking.
The Hounds booted 3.7 in that third quarter before icing the game in the final term.
Lucas Sanders and Ryan Kamenic booted three majors apiece for Hectorville, while
Daniel Weetra kicked two for the visitors.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ St Pauls Old Scholars 26.5 (161) d Houghton Districts 11.9 (75) at Houghton Memorial Oval
■ Blackfriars Old Scholars 17.20 (122) d Mawson Lakes 6.9 (45) at St Dominic’s Oval
■ Marion 13.9 (87) d Elizabeth 8.12 (60) at Sturt Oval
■ Trinity Old Scholars 17.13 (115) d Ingle Farm 6.4 (40) at Trinity College
DIVISION SEVEN
Brahma Lodge made the short journey to northern rival Central United and took home the points in an emphatic 88-point triumph at Mofflin Reserve.
The Tigers led 3.7 to 0.2 at the first change before straightening up in front of goal and continuing to stifle the Bulldogs on their way to a 17.20 (122) to 4.10 (34) win.
Eric Hem-Mendes slotted eight goals for Brahma and Jake Medhurst added three while Corey Clark and Tyson Brooks battled hard for United.
The Tigers, who were relegated from division six last season, sit top of the ladder after two rounds.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Adelaide Lutheran 19.9 (123) d O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 7.9 (51) at South Parklands
■ Flinders University 14.9 (93) d Mitchell Park 8.8 (56) at Flinders University
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
This weekend’s round three match between SMOSH West Lakes and Payneham Norwood Union is looming as a potential grand final preview with both sides entering the clash undefeated.
The Lions, who are coached by Port Adelaide great Greg Phillips, smashed division one newcomers Old Ignatians 11.8 (74) to 0.1 (1) on Saturday.
PNU, meanwhile, kept Golden Grove scoreless for the entire match to win 17.11 (113).
The Lions v Falcons clash this weekend will take place at SMOSH’s home ground under lights on Saturday.
Phillips, who led SMOSH to the grand final last year, said he had worked hard to develop a strong culture within the women’s program and that had led to the recent success.
He expected the game against PNU to be tough.
“It will be a good test for the girls, but being home, we should be right in it,” Phillips said.
“I’ve built a culture that the girls want to keep coming to training and keep playing.
“I try to make training enjoyable and the games are obviously serious.
“We have a lot of fun and the girls get along well with each other.”
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Adelaide University 9.8 (62) d Angle Vale 2.3 (15)
■ Salisbury 4.5 (29) lost to Morphettville Park 5.3 (33)