Adelaide Footy League divisions 2-7 finals: Make your predictions ahead of an exciting series

Adelaide Footy League finals are upon us – we’ve analysed the big fixtures and predicted a premier for divisions two to seven. See our tips and have your say.

The 2024 Adelaide Footy League season is at the business end and finals are finally here for all but the top division.

There have been upsets, big wins, spectacular individual displays and thrilling finishes during what has been a fantastic year of local footy, and finals promises to be no different.

Ahead of this weekend’s games, we’ve analysed the big fixtures, predicted our division premiers and runners-up and also given you the chance to have your say on who will take out each flag in divisions two to seven.

DIVISION TWO

This week’s fixtures:

• First qualifying final – Rostrevor OC vs Athelstone
•  Elimination final – Modbury vs Flinders Park

Finals predictions: 

Premier – Salisbury North

Runner-up – Rostrevor OC

Salisbury North will have a week off in division two after a dominant season and will play the winner of the first qualifying final, with Rostrevor OC and Athelstone set to clash in what should be a great contest.

ROCS and the Raggies have played out two close meetings so far this year, with Athelstone winning by 14 points away from home in round four and Rostrevor OC exacting revenge by seven points in round 13.

The matchup will feature some of the competition’s top players, with Rostrevor OC midfielder James Warton having a sensational individual year and dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg continuing to dominate for Athelstone.

Athelstone star Mitch Grigg. Picture: Matt Loxton

Modbury will take on Flinders Park at home in a rematch of the 2023 division three grand final from which the Reds emerged victorious.

The Reds head into the clash having lost their last two games but did defeat the Hawks 102-68 away from home in round 16 and 67-49 in round seven.

It is an affair which could go either way but the visitors, led by star players Nic and James Schwarz, would be feeling confident.

Salisbury North, led by star playing-coach Luke Habel should feel confident ahead of their finals series as the top side for most of the season and will be the favourite regardless of the opponent.

DIVISION THREE

This week’s fixtures:

• First qualifying final – Lockleys vs Unley
• Elimination final – North Haven vs Pembroke OS

Finals predictions:

Premier – Henley

Runner-up – Lockleys

Both Lockleys and Unley head into their qualifying final having defeated in rounds 17 and 18 respectively and either side would feel confident against a rested Sharks in round two of the finals.

The Demons, led by dominant goalkicker Ben Haren and onballer Angus Poole, will be tough to beat at Lockleys Oval and demonstrated this with a big 94-47 win over the Jets at home in round 10.

While the hosts will be expected to grab the win, Scott Thompson’s Jets, who just missed out on promotion last year, are well-poised for a strong finals run, with star player Mitch Duval hitting strong form.

Lockleys Footballer Ben Haren after kicking 100 goals. Picture Lockleys Football Club

North Haven has experienced a much improved season after suffering relegation from division two in 2023, with players like captain Mark Rowe and former AFL star Lindsay Thomas getting back to their best for the Magpies.

They will face a tough test in Pembroke OS at home having defeated the Kings by eight points at Haslam Oval last week but should emerge victorious and book a meeting with the loser of Lockleys and Unley next week.

Despite an uncharacteristically inconsistent end to the minor round, Henley will be the major favourite to take out the div three flag and should have too much firepower in the big games.

DIVISION FOUR

This week’s fixtures:

• First qualifying final – Westminster OS vs Kilburn
• Elimination final – Morphettville Park vs Hectorville

Finals predictions:

Premier – Plympton

Runner-up – Kilburn

Division four is one of the most open divisions in the AdFL this season with a number of clubs well-equipped for a premiership push.

Plympton will have a week off after finishing top by one point and will be watching Westminster OS vs Kilburn closely, with the Dragons and Chics set to compete in what should be a thrilling qualifying final.

Both sides boast top drawer talent, with names like Corey Solly, Jayden Davison, Kurtis Phillips and Harrison Lienert all in strong form throughout the season and have one win from two clashes this year.

The Chics, who upset Gepps Cross in last year’s division five grand final, are used to tough finals tests will be confident they can perform and grab the win away from home after a strong end to the season.

Star Kilburn goalkicker Corey Solly. Picture: Supplied

Morphettville Park will take on Hectorville at home in an exciting win or go home matchup.

The Roos should be capable of winning out at home and will need yet another big performance from star ruck/forward utility and captain Alex Barns.

The Hounds have impressed through the middle and up front this year but may find the task of topping the Roos at their best on their home deck too tall.

Plympton is primed to finally go all the way in the division after falling short in recent years, with Curtly Hampton, Lonnie Hampton and Kieren Nelson all at the top of their game.

DIVISION FIVE

This week’s fixtures:

• First qualifying final – Colonel Light Gardens vs Marion
• Elimination final – Greenacres vs Pulteney

Finals predictions:

Premier – Mitcham

Runner-up – Colonel Light Gardens

The top two sides of division five should make the grand final barring any upsets.

Greenacres would have been more comfortable heading into a matchup with Pulteney earlier in the season but their visitors are in strong form having recently lost to Colonel Light Gardens by just two points and defeated Marion away from home, a win which saw them scrape into finals.

Greenacres forward Matt Gibson will be one to watch this weekend. Picture: Supplied

Tipped to go far in the pre-season, Pulteney could loom as a threat to the top two and will be confident of an upset after defeating the Dragons away from home in round 12.

Colonel Light Gardens, led by captain Nick Patterson and gun mid Kye Dean will be the favourite against Marion despite a round 14 loss at home to the Rams, who should push the Lions all the way to the final siren away from home.

Mitcham will have the week off after finishing top on percentage and should use the break to prepare for a strong premiership bid.

DIVISION SIX

This week’s fixtures:

• First qualifying final – Eastern Park vs Fitzroy
• Elimination final – Ingle Farm vs St Paul’s OS

Finals predictions: 

Premier – Salisbury

Runner-up – Eastern Park

Salisbury remains the benchmark of the division six competition and is well-deserved favourite for the flag after handling Eastern Park away from home two weeks ago.

The Demons, who have lost just one game at home (Salisbury), will be looking for big performances out of a number of guns including goal machines Chris Knapp and Shawn

Chris Knapp in action for Eastern Park. Picture: Supplied

Mansell and should take care of what is a solid Fitzroy outfit at Dwight Reserve.

Ingle Farm will also be heavy favourite for its elimination final against St Paul’s OS, with a number of star names including Terrel and Brandon Rigney in hot form heading into the affair.

St Paul’s OS has impressed to make the finals series but will likely struggle against a strong Bulldogs side away from home.

DIVISION SEVEN

This week’s fixtures:

• Second qualifying final – Para Hills vs OSB Lonsdale
• Semi final – Hackham vs Brahma Lodge

Finals predictions:

Premier – OSB Lonsdale

Runner-up – Para Hills

Para Hills will host OSB Lonsdale in a major clash between first and second which will see the winner book a spot in this year’s grand final and also seal promotion to division six.

The Big Reds should be well-rested after having the week off for claiming the minor premiership but the Lions will be as confident as ever after thrashing Hackham in the first qualifying final last week and also defeating Para Hills away from home already this year.

Daniel Weetra at the Para Hills Football Club. Picture: Ben Clark

It is a game which could go either way, with Para Hills forward Daniel Weetra and OSB Lonsdale veteran Trevor Rigney both set to put on a show.

Brahma Lodge is riding a high after upsetting Flinders Uni last week but may face too tough a test away at Hackham this weekend, with the Hawks and dominant captain Luke Allan still among the competition’s despite the loss to OSB Lonsdale.

A win would give Hackham its first A Grade finals victory since 2006.

MARKS AND GOALS 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.