Adelaide Footy League division one finals preview and predictions
Finals time is finally here for division one of the Adelaide Footy League. See our full preview and predictions and have your say ahead of the weekend’s action.
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The major round will begin in division one of the Adelaide Footy League this weekend, with four of the competition’s top five clubs hoping to get their quest for silverware off to a strong start.
Ahead of Saturday’s games, we’ve analysed the big fixtures, predicted our division premier and runner-up and also given you the chance to have your say on who will take out.
Division one finals clubs: Glenunga, Sacred Heart OC, Port District, Golden Grove, Payneham Norwood Union
Predicted premier: Glenunga
Predicted runner-up: Port District
Glenunga has been the top team all year and came agonisingly close to an undefeated minor round, losing just one game to St Peter’s OC in round 17.
The Rams, led by coach Nathan Grima and dominant utility Abe Davis, boast one of the competition’s top defence and an improved attack this season.
While they should face challenges from any of the other top five sides, the club has a good opportunity to bounce back from last year’s grand final defeat to Prince Alfred OC and claim the premiership.
First qualifying final – Sacred Heart OC (second, 13-5) v Port District (third, 11-6-1)
Prediction: Port District by 12 points
Players to watch: Alex Cailotto (Sacred Heart OC), Scott Lycett (Port District)
Sacred Heart OC will host Port District in the first qualifying final this Saturday as both sides clash for the chance to meet top spot Glenunga in the second qualifying final.
SHOC, led by star utility and playing-coach Alex Cailotto, went down to Port District twice during the minor round but will be confident of pulling off a result at home after a strong season so far.
Cailotto will need to be at his best against former West Coast and Port Adelaide ruck Scott Lycett, while players like Louis Sharrad, Sam Gray, Matt Rose and Joey Haines will all pose a major threat for the hosts.
Sacred Heart has not been as high scoring a side as Ditters this year but its ability to apply pressure in the contest and across the backline has seen the club hold a number of top sides to low scores throughout the year.
The side will also be hoping for strong performances out of Seb Kerrish along the flanks as well as Cam Rankin and Brad Noble on the ball.
Josh Ramsey’s Port District side enters finals in strong form having won its last four games including over SHOC by five points in round 15.
Louis Sharrad has been the form player around the ground for the club with his versatility and efficiency but names such as Lycett, Gray, Haines, Rose and Cooper Gaffney have all been integral throughout the year.
SHOC should look to quell the influence their visitors can have off of halfback with Port often able to damage sides through their slick ball movement on the rebound.
While the clash between two strong sides could go either way, Port District may just ride its momentum and edge out Hearts with its star power.
Coach Josh Ramsey said his side was not focused on its minor round wins over SHOC.
“As a coaching group we always take something out of a game, win or lose, however, as a playing group it’s a new season and another step in our 2024 journey,” Ramsey said.
“We don’t take a lot from the in-season games and I don’t fall for the ‘it will give us confidence or momentum because we have beaten them before’ approach.
“They were qualifying games and in fairness it was a nine-goal quarter by us which was the difference the first time, which is unusual against the SHOC defence.
“The reality for us is they finished above us for a reason, they are a quality football team and the number one defence in the league.”
With Sacred Heart boasting a tough defensive approach, Ramsey believed his players needed to gain the upper hand in the contest.
“Our pressure will need to be really high, particularly around the ball and in up forward to make sure we can keep the game in our front half.
“They have some strong midfielders so we will need to match them in there and limit the opportunities presented to their forwards.
“Scoreboard pressure in finals is key, so executing the basics well and good decisions in transition will help us against their defence.”
Elimination final – Golden Grove (fourth, 10-8) v Payneham Norwood Union (fifth, 9-9)
Prediction: Golden Grove by three points
Players to watch: Josh Glenn (Golden Grove), Matt Nunn (Payneham Norwood Union)
A rematch of last year’s division two grand final, this win or go home clash between Golden Grove and Payneham Norwood Union has the potential to be the top game of the weekend in local SA footy.
The Kookaburras experienced a slower start to the season than PNU but have come home strong to win seven of their last eight games after losing to the Falcons in round 10.
Josh Glenn has hit form at just the right time for the hosts up front and around the ground, influencing games with his skill and athleticism, while gritty onballer Jake Pitman should also be important for the side on Saturday.
Star key defender Aidan Thatcher could also be set to play another major role for Golden Grove as the side looks to shut down a number of Falcons forwards including Harrison Viney and Jack Hodges, while 2024 recruit Mitch Slater should nbe one to watch with his ability to impact the game in the contest or up front.
Jeremy Cini’s PNU side has put together a strong season after earning promotion to the top division and could very well have the pieces it needs for a strong finals run.
The Falcons, much like Golden Grove, have played an attractive brand of footy this year with onballer Matthew Nunn leading the side through the midfield.
Former Norwood stars Brad McKenzie and Tom Wagner have also had big years and should prove tough for the Kookaburras to stop, while in-form onballer Anthony Giannini will also be a key factor.
PNU has kicked two big scores against the Kookaburras and will be hoping to produce another strong attacking display on Saturday behind Wagner, Hodges and Viney.
Nunn also got off the chain in the last meeting between two sides to boot three goals from midfield, something Golden Grove will need to prevent this time around.
Expect a tight affair between two tough sides which could go either way.
Falcons coach Jeremy Cini said his team was confident despite losing their last three games to Port District, Prince Alfred OC and Glenunga.
“The last three weeks haven’t been ideal but we have a chance in finals now and we’re staying positive,” Cini said.
“We’re keeping a lot in perspective considering we’re a young group which doesn’t have the same amount of experience (as Golden Grove).
“We’ve beaten them a couple times and absolutely take confidence from that.
“Our record away from home is 6-3 which probably shows we’re up for the fight and we know if we bring our best we can beat anyone.”
GOALS AND MARKS OF THE WEEK
The goals and marks of the week have been picked for the round and in conjunction with the Adelaide Footy League, we’re giving you the chance to vote for who you think is the standout in both categories.
Watch the videos and vote in our polls below.
Each week the votes will go towards the Adelaide Footy League’s awards for the mark and goal of the year.
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