Adelaide Footy League finals match reports: Prince Alfred Old Collegians defeat St Peter’s Old Collegians to advance to semis
The reigning premier overran a historic rival with a gutsy performance as finals kicked off in div one of the Adelaide Footy League. Full match reports from every division.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Finals footy was officially underway in every division of the Adelaide Footy League over the weekend.
There were big wins, upsets and thrillers as players left it all on the field to get their sides into grand finals, preliminary finals or semi-finals.
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for every division as finals footy heats up:
DIVISION ONE
Prince Alfred Old Collegians coach Craig Pitt said he was proud of his side’s effort as the Old Reds used big second and fourth quarters to top rivals St Peter’s OC 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56) away from home in the division one elimination final.
Stars Jack Trengove, Sam Buckham and Chris Curran were all at their best as Princes kicked four goals to one in the second term and again in the fourth term to seal an impressive win.
“It definitely added a bit more to it, the fact it was against St Peter’s – we seem to be making a habit of seeing each other in finals which is always good,” Pitt said.
“We knew it was going to be hard-fought and we were quite proud with the performance we were able to produce and thrilled with the result.”
Saints got off to the better start at home, booting three quick goals through Jock McLeay and Jake Sutcliffe up front, but the visitors soon gained the ascendancy through the middle, with players like Trengove, McNamara and Dalwood all stepping up in the contest.
SPOC fought back in the third term to make it a two-kick game but the Old Reds soon responded, kicking away in the fourth through Finn Heard (three goals) and Graig Pitt (two goals).
“They’ve always been a fast-starting team so we knew we didn’t want to let them get on a roll – I was happy we were able to keep ourselves in it through the early-going,” Pitt said.
“We managed to utilise stoppages a fair bit and get our hands on the ball first to get it moving, which I think was key to gaining a good score advantage and keeping them to a low score.”
The club will take on Glenunga at Webb Oval this Saturday in the first semi-final, having just lost comfortably to the Rams in the same fixture two weeks ago.
Pitt said his side had learnt from the experience and would come back stronger.
“That game was the first time we played there and there were definitely some things we could work on – they really outplayed us,” he said.
“Another elimination situation, we’re really excited and we know they’ll be eager to bounce back after this week.
“It’s going to be a great game.”
The Rams lost away to Goodwood on Saturday, going down 14.10 (94) to 6.12 (48) in the qualifying final.
Glenunga led by seven points at the first break but the Saints soon got on top in the contest, stars Nick Favretto and Tom Carter dominating as they built a 68-37 advantage by three-quarter time.
Usually a strong defensive outfit, the Rams could not stop Goodwood’s clearance work and repetitive rebound 50s as Favretto (four goals) and Nick Burgess (three goals) capitalised on the scoreboard.
The Saints will meet top side Port District this Saturday in the second semi-final.
DIVISION TWO
A 10 to two goal opening half saw Broadview complete a 16.7 (103) to 13.11 (89) away second semi final win over Sacred Heart OC to book a spot in this year’s division two grand final.
Former Adelaide Crow Jared Petrenko produced one of his best displays of the season, dominating out of the middle and up front to give his team an edge in entries and opportunities in front of goal.
Ruckman Alex Cailotto was best on ground for SHOC and helped his side back in it late, but a Tigers outfit led by Kobi Russell (five goals) and captain Jay O’Leary could not be topped.
North Haven pulled off an upset 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (64) away victory over Athelstone to win its way into this Saturday’s preliminary final against Sacred Heart OC.
The Magpies trailed 63-37 at the final break but remarkably held the Raggies to just a single behind in the fourth quarter while adding five goals of their own.
Captain Mark Rowe was inspirational on the ball yet again, hitting the contest hard and dealing to teammates with efficiency.
Luke Rander started strong for Athelstone, dominating across the forwardline, but saw much less of the ball in the second half as North Haven’s midfielders took over.
Magpie forward Tom Sandercock booted three majors to lead the goalkickers.
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove remained undefeated this season to win its way through to the grand final, defeating Flinders Park 13.9 (87) to 7.16 (58) in a hard-fought affair.
The Reds surprised through the early stages, leading by 10 pts at quarter-time and a goal at halftime after impressive play by Nathan Hinter (four goals) up front and Jay Hansen in the contest.
The Kookaburras came out of the gates with intent in the third term however, quickly gaining momentum through the middle with Mitch Payne and captain Cam Shenton winning contested ball and creating for teammates.
Flinders Park was held to just two goals in the last two terms as Golden Grove sealed the win but would be ruing inaccuracy, the visitors kicking 2.7 in the half.
Edwardstown put together a complete performance in its first semi-final win over Modbury at Modbury Oval, storming home in the final term to leave with a 12.16 (88) to 7.8 (50) victory.
Josh Schiller starred for the visitors, working tirelessly through the middle and also hitting the scoreboard for two goals as his side dominated in contested ball and gained the upper hand.
Brad Horgan and Jess Watchman were also impressive in the contest and behind the ball as the visitors sealed a prelim final spot against Flinders Park.
DIVISION FOUR
Hope Valley and Pooraka fought out one of the biggest thrillers of the weekend, the Demons winning 10.14 (74) to 10.13 (73) at home.
The hosts trailed the Bulls by four points at the final break but could have been further behind if the visitors kicked straighter, Pooraka tallying 1.9 in the third term.
Hope Valley managed to boot their way in front through the first half of the final quarter behind Matthew Min and Daniel Nobes before the Bulls charged back late with Matt Rankine, Kaide Smith and captain Frank Timpano controlling the game.
Pooraka remained a point behind for the final five minutes though, and was unable to crack the strong tackling pressure of the Demon midfield and defence, the final siren ensuring a prelim final date with Plympton for Hope Valley.
Pembroke Old Scholars took advantage of Plympton’s inaccuracy in front of goal to earn a spot in the grand final, defeating the Bulldogs 7.9 (51) to 4.15 (39).
The visitors were held to one behind in the first term as the Kings started on fire in the contest but missed seven opportunities in the second term to head into halftime down 2.7 (19) to 0.8 (8).
Max Thring and Alex Forster came out firing in the third term, putting Pembroke OS four goals on top as the Dogs continued to miss in front of goal, registering 1.4 for the term.
The visitors maintained the fight in the middle and managed to win the final term by a goal but it was not enough as the hosts managed two sealing majors.
Plympton ruck Stuart Taverner was again a standout for his side, while Matt Falzon, Max Thring and Mitch Curnow all played well defensively and in the contest for the Kings.
DIVISION FIVE
In another nailbiting affair, Lockleys kicked two goals to one in the final term of its second semi-final against Hectorville to claim a dramatic one-point win – 11.10 (76) to 12.3 (75).
Star Demons forward Ben Haren kicked two important goals to give his side the edge over the inspired Hectorville outfit led by captain Jake Mazzonne in the middle.
The visitors stormed back late but Lockleys’ defence and pressure in the contest held firm, the Demons advancing to the division five grand final.
Gepps Cross kicked four goals to two in the final term to oust Colonel Light Gardens 13.15 (93) to 12.10 (82) and progress to this weekend’s preliminary final against Hectorville.
The Rams put together a hot start, leading 29-8 at quarter-time, but the Lions surged back into the game throughout the next two terms, kicking nine goals to five to lead at the final break.
Jarrad Clark-Rantasa – three goals for the game – stood up in the final term for the hosts however, providing a brilliant link up option in the forwardline as the hosts sealed the win.
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars put together a seven to three goal second half to overrun Marion in the division six second semi and take its place in this season’s grand final with an 11.14 (80) to 8.3 (51) win.
The Rams started well, taking their opportunities in front of goal with Grant McLeod performing promisingly up front.
It wasn’t long before the Lions took control coming out of halftime however, with vie captain Cameron Hankinson dictating play on the ball and feeding key forward Dom Barilla with efficient disposal.
Marion will now see West Croydon in Saturday’s preliminary final after the Hawks defeated Central United 13.15 (93) to 9.13 (67) at home.
The visitors burst out of the gates with a 36-7 start but were held to just four goals for the remainder of the game as Llewellyn Milera and Lionel Wilson overwhelmed the Bulldogs in the centre of the ground.
Five separate players including Luke Woodcock and Reece Johnston hit the scoreboard multiple times for West Croydon as they surged to the five kick victory.
DIVISION SEVEN
Adelaide Lutheran dominated Houghton Districts in the division seven preliminary final, defeating the Raiders 15.14 (104) to 5.6 (36) at home.
After earning a 31-17 halftime advantage, Lutheran booted seven goals to just two in the third term to lead by 50 points heading into the fourth quarter, all but sealing a place in the grand final this weekend against Greenacres.
Nick Sandford was a terror on the ball for the hosts, winning it with strength in the contest and dealing around the ground with ease.
He also hit the scoreboard for a major.
Adelaide Footy League club lands superstar signing for 2025
A local SA footy star and former SANFL captain and premiership player has joined an Adelaide Footy League club on the rise for season 2025.
Bartel’s best: Saints legend lists top teammates, opponents in stellar career
A Goodwood Saints legend has looked back on his career and picked his top opponents and teammates after being named as the top Adelaide Footy League player of the 21st Century.