Adelaide Footy League finals: Make your predictions ahead of an exciting series
Adelaide Footy League finals are upon us and ahead of this weekend’s action 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 2023 Adelaide Footy League season is at the business end and finals are finally here.
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.
DIVISION ONE
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Prince Alfred OC vs Sacred Heart OC
- Elimination final – Port District vs Tea Tree Gully
Finals predictions:
Premier – Glenunga
Runner-up – Prince Alfred OC
The finals frame is all set after what was a thrilling last round of the Home and Away season in division one on Saturday, with Goodwood remarkably being relegated and Tea Tree Gully just finishing fifth above Broadview.
Glenunga, Prince Alfred OC, Sacred Heart OC, Port District and Tea Tree Gully will be the clubs vying for silverware this year.
With Glenunga having the first round bye after a dominant minor premiership run, all eyes will be on what should be an intriguing qualifying final between the Old Reds and Hearts at Prince Alfred, with the winner to take on Glenunga in next week’s second qualifying final.
Princes are coming off of a strong win over TTG, with stars like Jack Trengove, Andrew Bradley and Hayden Jolly all hitting their straps at the perfect time for the club, while SHOCs will take positives from their narrow loss to top spot Glenunga, with playing-coach Alex Cailotto and forward Oscar Lovelock doing damage.
Tea Tree Gully will be the underdog heading into its matchup against Sam Gray and Port District at Largs Bay after a big loss to PAOC, but if star players Luke Brown, Alex McKay and ruck Blake Penney can produce their best the side may be a chance of an upset.
While a number of division one’s finals sides could claim a strong chance at winning the 2023 premiership, Glenunga rightfully heads in as favourite, finishing the season with an impressive 16-2 record.
Star recruit Abe Davis has been dominant in the contest and up front for Nathan Grima’s side, while captain Alex Haren, defender Zac Smith and Sam and Nick Wundke all head into finals in strong form.
DIVISION TWO
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Payneham Norwood Union vs PHOS Camden
- Elimination final – Rostrevor OC vs Athelstone
Finals predictions:
Premier – Golden Grove
Runner-up – Payneham Norwood Union
Division two favourite Golden Grove will have a week off after another dominant season, the Kookaburras set to play the winner of the PNU and PHOS Camden qualifying final.
The Falcons should defeat the Phantoms at home, with stars Tom Wagner and former North Melbourne gun Brad McKenzie in strong form, but the visitors could be an outside chance if champion midfielder Henry Papatolis and standout recruit Michael Virgin both produce their best.
Rostrevor OC will take on Athelstone at home just a week after comfortably defeating the Raggies in the same fixture.
The visitors rested a number of players before the clash but should see the return of league medal contender Mitch Grigg for Saturday’s big game.
While ROC, led by James Butterworth and Tom McCormack may go into the game as favourites at home, don’t be surprised if Grigg and the Raggies flick a switch to avoid elimination.
Golden Grove should be well-rested after its upcoming first round break, with stars Lewis Johnston, Cam Shenton, Luke Bilby, Josh Glenn and Jake Pitman all ready to fight for a second consecutive premiership.
DIVISION THREE
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Unley Mercedes Jets vs Flinders Park
- Elimination final – Hope Valley vs Pembroke OS
Finals predictions:
Premier – Pembroke OS
Runner-up – Modbury
Pembroke OS looks to be finding form at just the right time, making a statement against Hope Valley away from home on Saturday ahead of its clash with the Demons away again this weekend.
Last season’s division four premier defeated Hope Valley to claim that flag and will have star players Mark Evans, Anthony Wilson, Patrick Levicki, Max Thring and Alex Fortser available as they look to go on another late season run and win a second flag in a row.
The Demons will be hoping for big performances from Paul Puopolo, Jack Grieger, ruckman Brayden De Prinse and star forwards Matt Min and Daniel Nobes as they aim to overcome the Kings for the first time this year.
Scott Thompson’s Unley has defeated Flinders Park twice so far this season and will be expected to do so again in this weekend’s qualifying final.
Star forward Jake Sutcliffe will be fresh off of his 10-goal performance against Seaton Ramblers last weekend, while former Woodville West-Torrens star Mitch Duval should be a major factor on Saturday.
Flinders Park brothers Tom and James Schwarz have been in exceptional form through the middle to end the season however, and could win the game for the Reds, while vice-captain Daniel Blythe looks to be a major threat, booting eight goals against Gaza last week.
DIVISION FOUR
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Lockleys vs CBC OC
- Elimination final – Plympton vs Hectorville
Finals predictions:
Premier – Pooraka
Runner-up – Lockleys
Lockleys will take on CBC OC in a big clash which will decide who plays division four minor premier Pooraka, the Demons in strong form after defeating Walkerville by 47 points over the weekend.
Captain and superstar forward Ben Haren was at his best with eight goals and will be a player 60-goal playing-coach Brett Simpson and CBC OC need to stop if they want to win an upset at Lockleys Oval.
Plympton and Hectorville should be one of the most entertaining match-ups of the weekend, with the Bulldogs defeating the Hounds by just five points away from home two weeks ago.
Curtly Hampton remained out for Plympton over the weekend but Lonnie Hampton has maintained his strong form heading into finals, while Hectorville midfielder Daniel Fairbrother and target forward Jak Goudman-Glasson will need to produce their best footy so far this season if the Hounds want to avoid elimination.
Pooraka heads in as favourite after a spectacular season and will like its chances of taking out the flag after a rest to start the finals.
Star players Frank Timpano and Matt Rankine should have a standout finals series through the middle and up front and will make their side tough to beat.
DIVISION FIVE
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Kilburn vs Colonel Light Gardens
- Elimination final – Trinity OS vs West Croydon
Finals predictions:
Premier – Gepps Cross
Runner-up – Kilburn
It is hard to picture anyone beating Gepps Cross to the division five premiership this season, but Kilburn may be capable of an upset if it can defeat Colonel Light Gardens and book a spot against the rested Rams next week.
The Magpies have been in scintillating form through recent weeks, led by key position player Corey Solly who has booted 34 goals in his last four appearances, including eight against Gepps Cross.
Lions captain Nick Patterson will head into the Kilburn game in strong form however, booting five goals against Trinity OS last week to give his side some important momentum before finals.
The elimination final between Trinity OS and West Croydon could go either way, with both sides evenly matched across the board.
Each side has registered a win over the other away from home this season, but the Hawks may fancy their chances of defeating the home side this weekend with gun forwards Dion Doolan, Brad Kersten and Joshy Wills all in strong form.
Gepps Cross will play the winner of Kilburn and Colonel Light Gardens for a spot in the grand final, and should head in as strong favourite after a dominant season.
The division leaders boast a star-studded line-up which includes big ex-AFL names such as Dom Barry and Robbie Young.
DIVISION SIX
This week’s fixtures:
- First qualifying final – Greenacres vs Salisbury
- Elimination final – Fitzroy vs Central United
Finals predictions:
Premier – Marion
Runner-up – Salisbury
Marion will have an extra week off after a strong season which resulted in a division-best 17-1 record, the Rams sitting as major premiership favourites.
Greenacres will take on a much-improved Salisbury side at home in this week’s qualifying final, the Dragons in hot form after handling Adelaide Lutheran away from home with ease behind the play of star midfielder Scott Burnett and forward Oliver Robinson.
Salisbury will still like its chances however, the Magpies just recently defeating Greenacres at home in round 15.
Forward Mitch Slater will be one to watch, having booted 26 goals through his last four games including 14 majors against Smithfield in round 17.
Fitzroy will be expected to get through its elimination final against Central United on Saturday having defeated the Bulldogs twice already this season.
The Lions are coming off of an impressive 118-point win over Smithfield, captain Cain Smith leading the way with a number of contested ball gets and three goals.
DIVISION SEVEN
This week’s fixtures:
- Semi final – Para Hills vs OSB Lonsdale
- Qualifying final – Ingle Farm vs Houghton Districts
Finals predictions:
Premier – Ingle Farm
Runner-up – Para Hills
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale will play second spot Para Hills after a convincing elimination final win over Flinders Uni last week, with iconic local forward Trevor Rigney, Austinn Wurst and Ryan Fitzpatrick combining for 10 goals.
The Lions will be up against it, with Para Hills eager to bounce back from its disappointing 14-point qualifying final loss to Houghton Districts at home, who will now take on Ingle Farm for a spot in the big dance.
While the Raiders will be full of confidence after their win, Ingle Farm remains the hot favourite in the division and should emerge victorious, having just defeated this weekend’s opponent 141-84 in round 17.
Star player Terrel Rigney will be one to watch for the Bulldogs after a big 57-goal season.
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