Adelaide Footy League match reports round 11: Glenunga defeats St Peter’s Old Collegians away from home
A division one Adelaide Footy League dark horse bounced back from a big loss to double-chance contention. Full match reports from every division here:
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Round 11 of the Adelaide Footy League season is done and dusted and the finals picture is not any clearer after what was a competitive weekend of play.
There were close finishes, upsets and gutsy performances as clubs across the league’s divisions battled for finals spots or to avoid the relegation zone.
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for every division:
DIVISION ONE
Glenunga coach Nathan Grima was reassured by his side’s impressive 10.7 (67) to 10.24 (84) away win over St Peter’s Old Collegians after losing to Port District at home in round 10.
The Rams catapulted themselves back into the top four with their performance, holding a SPOC side without star forwards Jake Sutcliffe and Jock McLeay to 67 points for the day.
“It was a really, really good win for our young group – to take a scalp like that on their home ground with a great atmosphere was huge and well-deserved,” Grima said.
“We prepared really well after our loss last week, and St Peter’s did have some quality guys out we can’t hide from that but we put emphasis on the fundamentals and we felt we executed perfectly.”
Glenunga dominated through the middle and at the back in the first half, but left a lot of points on the table, kicking 5.13 to SPOC’s 4.3 and leading by 16 points at the main break.
The hosts then managed to get to within two kicks in the third term and then in front at the start of the fourth before the Rams regained the advantage at the contest.
Tom Butterworth was a standout for Glenunga, while Jack Scott was also influential through the middle.
“It was definitely the one frustrating aspect of our performance, the goalkicking, because I thought we had full control there in the first half,” Grima said.
“I loved that we showed some resilience though in that fourth quarter and it was a credit to our guys for holding strong.
“When you play a team like St Peter’s you’re never relaxed – it was really physical and there was a lot of emotion there so we’re thrilled.”
The Rams currently sit two wins from top, but just two losses from the relegation zone, and will have a good chance at another victory this coming weekend against Rostrevor OC.
“I’ve never been part of a league like this where you’re always excited to check the results because anyone can beat anyone on their day,” Grima said.
“Every week presents a new challenge but we feel we’ve been competitive in most games so if we can stick to the task at hand and keep improving I think we’ll remain competitive and give ourselves a shot at finals.”
Prince Alfred OC made it three straight wins with an important victory over Old Ignatians away from home, the Old Reds winning 11.11 (77) to 13.8 (86) to jump up to the top five.
Jack Trengove dominated in what was a tightly fought affair, winning a significant amount of contested ball and giving his forwards first look at it late in the game.
Finn Heard was integral up front with six majors.
The win underlines Princes’ return to form, the club hitting its straps at just the right time and looking like a possible contender.
Brighton also continued its winning streak, defeating Rostrevor OC 15.11 (101) to 7.7 (49) at Brighton Oval.
The Bombers had the ascendancy from start to finish and held ROC to one goal in the final term to seal the win.
Shane Harvey was a standout for the hosts, creating havoc up front with his efficient distribution and also booting five majors.
Port District went top with a convincing 104-49 win over Tea Tree Gully at home.
The Magpies only led by eight points at the half but piled on six to one in the third quarter to set up the win, controlling the centre bounces and the contested footy.
Dale Pearce kicked four, while Cooper Gaffney and Daniel Passaniti were also strong around the ground.
Goodwood got back to winning ways after its upset loss to Brighton last week, topping Payneham Norwood Union 8.11 (59) to 12.12 (84) at Payneham Oval.
With the game evenly poised at halftime, the Saints went on to boot eight goals to four to win it, Jakob Heitmann and Tom Carter dominating at the back and on the ball.
Will Clarke was the best of the goal scorers, kicking four.
DIVISION TWO
Broadview bounced back from its round 10 loss to Sacred Heart Old Collegians, holding PHOS Camden to just six goals at home in a 6.8 (44) to 10.11 (71) win at Camden Oval.
Both sides went goalless during the first quarter of what was a toughly contested game, but it was the Tigers who responded fastest in the second quarter, kicking 3.6 to 1.3 to set up a handy lead and ultimately the win.
Cooper O’Leary was fantastic around the ground for the visitors, while Jared Petrenko was also highly influential through the midfield and forwardline.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians stayed in touch with the top spot Tigers, piling on five goals to two in the final term to seal a dominant 16.18 (114) to 6.3 (39) win over Unley Mercedes Jets.
Clayton Symonds (three goals) was a force for SHOCs in the forward line, presenting well for the midfield and linking up with fellow forwards seamlessly as his side piled on nine goals to two in the second half.
Seb Kerrish also added to his strong year, earning another mention in the team’s best.
Salisbury North achieved a significant upset against third placed Athelstone away from home to move up to seventh on the ladder.
The Hawks – who trailed by 24 points at the final break – produced a remarkable six to two goal fourth quarter to steal the game, winning 10.8 (68) to 10.11 (71).
Travis McIntyre was superb, consistently winning contested ball and also getting on the scoreboard with a dramatic winning goal on the final siren.
OTHER RESULTS:
- North Haven 15.10 (100) d Gaza 10.9 (69)
- Henley 13.7 (85) d Adelaide Uni 9.10 (64)
DIVISION THREE
A thrilling win saw SMOSH West Lakes move into the top five as it came back from 18 points down in the final term against Westminster Old Scholars at home to win 14.13 (97) to 14.12 (96).
The hosts led by a kick at halftime but could not quell an inspired effort by the Dragons in the third, conceding five goals and only kicking two to trail at the final break.
Kyle Dalidowicz was influential through the middle in the last quarter, while Elex Day (three goals) had big impact up front in the final minutes as SMOSH West Lakes snatched victory.
Golden Grove’s undefeated season continued to 11 games as it made a statement against Flinders Park at home, winning 17.14 (116) to 11.7 (73).
The Kookaburras dominated from the outset, Cam Shenton impacting the game any way he could off and on the ball and setting up his teammates consistently.
They kicked eight goals to just one in the third term to set up the big win, Flinders Park struggling to put a lid on the home side’s dominance.
Jacob Templeton led the goalkicking for the hosts with four majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Edwardstown 15.13 (103) d Morphettville Park 10.8 (68)
- CBC OC 14.12 (96) d Seaton Ramblers 4.7 (31)
- Modbury 9.21 (75) d Scotch OC 7.11 (53)
DIVISION FOUR
Plympton made a statement with a 14.22 (106) to 6.3 (39) win over top team Pembroke Old Scholars at home, moving up to second on the div four ladder.
The Bulldogs put together a big first two terms, holding the Kings to just one major throughout and leading by 70 points at halftime.
The visitors could not win enough momentum to get back in the game, with Jack Donkersley (four goals) and Zac Peake (five goals) unstoppable up front.
Ninth place Mitcham pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season, beating top three side Walkerville 19.8 (122) to 8.3 (51).
The Hawks led by 25 points at the main break and put together a fantastic second half, booting 10 goals to three, to put the exclamation mark on a remarkable win.
Stewart Lawson was dominant on the ball, while Max Smyth (six goals) and Lucas Spiniello (five goals) put on a clinic in the forwardline.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Portland 15.5 (95) d Kenilworth 13.16 (94)
- Pooraka 27.8 (170) d Pulteney 9.5 (59)
- Hope Valley 15.16 (106) d Woodville South 6.3 (39)
DIVISION FIVE
Gepps Cross turned a 32-13 quarter-time deficit around to earn an important away win over Colonel Light Gardens on Saturday and remain in the top five.
The Rams were slow out of the gate but fired up in the second term to kick three goals to one and get themselves right back in the game.
They managed to pull the deficit back to just a point by three-quarter-time and then overran the Lions in the final quarter, kicking five goals on their way to an impressive win.
Brayden White was everywhere for the visitors, while Graham Hampton booted a strong six goals.
Lockleys remained at the top with a convincing 20.6 (126) to 11.11 (77) win over Kilburn at Lockleys Oval.
The Demons only led by five points at the main break but kicked nine goals to three in the third quarter to open the game up and run away with the points.
Samuel Ferguson had a significant impact in the middle, while Henry Johnson and Ben Haren had four goals each.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Eastern Park 18.8 (116) d St Pauls OS 14.7 (91)
- Hectorville 22.13 (145) d Blackfriars OS 7.8 (50)
- Elizabeth 13.12 (90) d Salisbury 10.4 (64)
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars remained undefeated this season with a big 20.8 (128) to 8.4 (52) win over Rosewater.
The Lions kicked six goals to two in a dominant second term to open the floodgates, with the Bulldogs unable to gain any control on the ball.
Captain Dylan Winning was superb, setting up multiple teammates and also booting two majors.
West Croydon absorbed a six to two goal final term by Brahma Lodge to win an important game away from home and remain top three.
The Hawks started the better, winning the ball in the contest and taking advantage on the scoreboard to lead 32-60 at halftime and then 53-91 at the final break.
The Tigers clawed their way back however, but a six goal term wasn’t quite enough to top the resilient visitors.
Luke Woodcock starred for the Hawks with four goals, while Llewellyn Milera also had four.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Central United 19.10 (124) d Ingle Farm 9.6 (60)
- Marion 12.13 (85) d Fitzroy 11.4 (70)
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres went to 11-0 on the season with a dominant 24.13 (157) to 9.4 (58) win over Houghton Districts.
The Dragons were on top with their tackle pressure and hard ball gets from the first bounce and completely blitzed the Raiders through the first two terms, leading 100-14 at halftime to all but seal victory.
Sean Bockman was outstanding defensively, while star forward Matt Gibson kicked eight goals to take his season total to 63 in 11 games.
Flinders Uni got the best of Mawson Lakes by seven points in a big bottom of the ladder clash, winning 8.3 (51) to 8.10 (58) at Mawson Lakes Oval.
The visitors trailed by 15 points at halftime but held the hosts to one point in the third, turning their fortunes around with a stunning six goal display to take a 33-57 lead in to the final term.
Uni only managed to score a single point in the fourth but the hosts could not score enough to snatch back the lead and the win.
Nick Rantanen was best on ground for Flinders.
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