Adelaide Footy League finals: Make your predictions ahead of an exciting postseason
Adelaide Footy League finals are here and ahead of this weekend’s games we’ve analysed the big fixtures and predicted a premier for every division. See our tips and have your say.
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The 2022 Adelaide Footy League season is at the business end and finals are finally here.
There have been upsets, big wins 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.
DIVISION ONE
Finals predictions:
Premier – Prince Alfred Old Collegians
Runner-up – Goodwood Saints
There is still a bit to play out in division one this season with the final minor round taking place this Saturday, but the five finals teams have been confirmed.
Port District, Goodwood Saints, Prince Alfred OC, Glenunga and St Peter’s OC will be the clubs vying for silverware.
The pieces may still move around, with fourth-placed Glenunga taking on Prince Alfred OC at home this weekend and St Peter’s OC going head-to-head with Payneham Norwood Union at home.
Whoever wins between the Rams and Old Reds will earn a double chance in finals and if SPOC wins and Glenunga loses, the Rams will slide to fifth.
As it stands, Goodwood will play PAOC in the qualifying final, while Glenunga will see Saints in the elimination final.
While Port District has an automatic second semi-final spot and Goodwood seems likely to keep home ground advantage for the first week, Princes – aiming for a second straight flag – now look like the team to beat.
Stars like Jack Trengove, Hayden Jolly, Chris Curran, Cam Giles and Hayden Jolly have all hit strong form at just the right time, playing a significant part in the club’s recent five-game winning streak.
“I think what we’ve been seeing is the star guys really stepping up and the younger guys beginning to follow and match that level,” coach Craig Pitt said.
“Anyone can beat anyone in division one so we just need to stay focused, enjoy our form and hopefully build on it.”
DIVISION TWO
This week’s fixtures:
- Qualifying final – Broadview vs Athelstone
- Elimination final – North Haven vs Henley
Finals predictions:
Premier – Sacred Heart Old Collegians
Runner-up – Broadview
Broadview will have the services of key forward Jesse White this weekend after the last game of his three-match suspension for striking was overturned.
Having lost three of their last six, including against Athelstone away from home, the Tigers would be hoping for a strong display to build some momentum heading into a potential second semi playoff against red-hot Sacred Heart OC.
Hearts are the form team in the division, having won nine of their last 10 games, with a one-point loss to North Haven the only blemish through the last two months.
“We’re a very level-headed group so we know we have to continue to put in the work in order to compete for the ultimate goal,” SHOC coach Steve Kay said.
“The division is full of surprises so we’re excited for the challenge ahead.”
North Haven and Athelstone remain an outside chance to cause an upset and make the big dance, with players like Tom Sandercock and Brett Pederson in great form for the Magpies and Raggies stars Luke Rander and Aaron Stewart also on-song as of late.
However, with both Broadview and Sacred Heart OC built for finals and stacked with talent through the middle, it would be a tough ask.
DIVISION THREE
This week’s fixtures:
- Qualifying final – Flinders Park vs Modbury
- Elimination final – Edwardstown vs Scotch OC
Finals predictions:
Premier – Golden Grove
Runner-up – Modbury
Undefeated power Golden Grove remains one of the most obvious premiership picks across the entire competition, the Kookaburras blowing out every division rival throughout the season.
Lewis Johnston, the Shenton brothers, and spearhead Joel Horskins are all in strong form for the club which has a week off after finishing top.
While Golden Grove is hot favourite, the division remains wide open in regards to who could be playing against the Kookaburras in the final week of the season.
Flinders Park takes on Modbury this week in a bid to play Golden Grove in the second semi-final, and while the Reds – bolstered by the Schwarz brothers and forward Justin Hardy – are in strong form, Modbury’s defensive capability cannot be overlooked.
The Hawks remain the only team to keep a full-strength Golden Grove side below 100 points in a game, and have also turned in some outstanding displays in contested ball – a recent 108-67 win over Flinders Park included.
Gun forward Liam Verity will also be a threat up front for the Hawks, tallying 83 goals in the minor round.
Edwardstown – powered by former West Adelaide stars Josh Schiller and Aaron Anderson – is also a threat, but has struggled against finals opposition away from home this year.
DIVISION FOUR
This week’s fixtures:
- Qualifying final – Plympton vs Hope Valley
- Elimination final – Pooraka vs Walkerville
Finals predictions:
Premier – Pembroke Old Scholars
Runner-up – Hope Valley
With Plympton finishing second by a point over the weekend, Hope Valley will face the Bulldogs away from home in the division four qualifying final.
It’s been an up and down season for the Bulldogs, who went on a six-game winning streak in the middle of the year to take top spot before falling to Pooraka and Hope Valley at the tail-end and dropping back below Pembroke OS.
Plympton lost to the Demons at home just two weeks ago, and could very well go down again this week depending on how star ruck Stuart Taverner and his midfielders hold up.
Hope Valley would be full of confidence and a forwardline of Matthew Min, Jayke Hellmanns and key target Daniel Nobes is one which should do big damage in the finals.
Pembroke Old Scholars earned the week off by winning five of its last six games but a last-round loss to Pooraka would have left a sour taste for the Kings.
Regardless, the side – led by goal machine Alex Forster, stars Tom and Mark Evans and gun midfielder Max Thring – remains a well-deserved favourite to take out the premiership.
DIVISION FIVE
This week’s fixtures:
- Qualifying final – Hectorville vs Gepps Cross
- Elimination final – Colonel Light Gardens vs Eastern Park
Finals predictions:
Premier – Lockleys
Runner-up – Hectorville
Having lost just one game this season, Lockleys should take out the division five flag, barring any major upsets or injuries.
The Demons have been completely dominant through the season, blowing multiple teams out by over 100 points and capitalising on the abilities of star forward Ben Haren brilliantly.
Haren, who booted 104 goals this season, said his side was ready for the finals challenge.
“We’ve really started to click as a team and the game plan is coming together nicely,” he said.
“We’re playing the way we know we are capable of and we’re definitely confident we can go all the way.”
While Hectorville might struggle if they handle Gepps Cross at home and face Lockleys, the Hounds should be good enough to bounce back and get to the big dance.
DIVISION SIX
This week’s fixtures:
- Qualifying final – Marion vs West Croydon
- Elimination final – Central United vs Rosewater
Finals predictions:
Premier – Trinity Old Scholars
Runner-up – West Croydon
Undefeated side Trinity Old Scholars has been one of the most dominant forces in the competition this year, sitting on a remarkable percentage of 331 after the minor round.
The Lions were dominant in an 87-point win over contenders West Croydon on Saturday, with star forward Dom Barilla and captain Dylan Winning in spectacular form.
The Hawks have a challenge against Marion away from home in the qualifying final this week but would be full of confidence after their 106-65 win over the Rams at home in late July.
West Croydon is full of experience and with veteran star Luke Woodcock in standout form up front they will be tough to handle.
DIVISION SEVEN
This week’s fixtures:
- Second semi-final – Greenacres vs Adelaide Lutheran
- First semi-final – Houghton Districts vs Flinders Uni
Finals predictions:
Premier – Greenacres
Runner-up – Adelaide Lutheran
Adelaide Lutheran looked in solid shape in last week’s qualifying final win over Houghton Districts and will face undefeated Greenacres in the second semi-final this Saturday in what should be a precursor for the grand final.
The Dragons have been unstoppable in division seven this season, winning 17 straight games at a percentage of 270 and providing dominant forward Matt Gibson with plenty of the ball.
Lutheran will need to bring strong tackle pressure on the inside and efficiency up front as they did in their recent two-goal loss to Greenacres in round 16.
The two sides were level heading into the fourth term of that affair before the Dragons gained the upper hand in the midfield.
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