Adelaide Footy League match reports round 12: Jett Boxer takes hanger as Rostrevor OC upsets Glenunga
See the mark that stole the show as an Adelaide Footy League div one underdog sealed a shock-win. Full match reports here.
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Round 12 of the Adelaide Footy League has produced one of the season’s most entertaining weekends.
There was close results, major upsets and a contender for mark of the year as clubs across seven divisions fought for important premiership points with finals just six weeks away.
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for every division.
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians coach Ben Watkins said he was in awe of player Jett Boxer’s specky in the final minutes of his club’s comeback upset win over Glenunga.
Sitting in the relegation zone and trailing by 23 points at the final break at Webb Oval, ROC launched an inspired last quarter comeback, booting seven goals to none and upsetting the in-form Rams 9.16 (70) to 13.6 (84).
With just minutes remaining and the visitors in control, Boxer launched off half-back to take one of the marks of 2022, even leaving opposition coach Nathan Grima stunned.
“Nathan just turned to me and yelled ‘what was that!?’,” Watkins said.
“We both just laughed at each other – it was probably mark of the year so far.”
Glenunga was in control through the second and third quarters but fired up ROC forward Nick Murphy took matters into his own hands, booting eight majors in a game-winning effort.
Captain Daniel McCallum was also integral, adding strength and toughness to the contest.
“We went a bit harder in the contest in that last term and paid more attention to our overall structure,” Watkins said.
“We stretched them a bit up forward with Murphy back in the side from injury and our captain was brilliant the way he kept us in the game and helped to bring us back.
“The Rams are very well-coached, especially behind the ball, so to get that win was massive for us going forward.”
Rostrevor OC still sits ninth and in the relegation zone, but the win has put them level on points with three other clubs with just six games remaining.
Watkins said while it had been a challenging year, his side remained confident of contending for finals going forward.
“Every team’s done it a bit tough this year with Covid and injuries but it seems we’ve had guys out at all the wrong times,” he said.
“We’ve still got a strong squad mentality though and we’ve had 15 debutants this year which I think puts us in good stead for the last few weeks.
“We’re looking at getting six or seven guys back within the next couple weeks and we’re confident we can win as many games as possible and have a shot at playing finals.”
Brighton remarkably jumped up to fourth on the ladder with a strong 5.7 (37) to 12.10 (82) win over Payneham Norwood Union at Payneham Oval.
Just four weeks ago the Bombers were battling to stay out of relegation, but they have proved anything is possible in the league’s most competitive division to give themselves a shot at finals.
The visitors got the jump early and never looked back, holding the Falcons to just 10 points in the first three terms while booting 11.9.
Harrison Boyle was again among Brighton’s best with three goals, while Blake Higgins also performed well down back.
Third placed St Peter’s Old Collegians pulled away from Tea Tree Gully in the final quarter to record a strong 8.12 (60) to 13.13 (91) win at Pertaringa Oval.
Saints only led by 11 points at three-quarter time but kicked four goals to one in the last to grab the win.
Jock McLeay was big on return with five goals.
Port District remained top of the division with a dramatic three-point win over Prince Alfred Old Collegians away from home.
The Magpies hung tough in what was an arm wrestle and went into the last quarter up by a goal, managing to hang on by kicking 2.3 to Princes’ 3.0.
Thomas Carter was the match-winner for Port, booting three goals including one late to give the visitors an important win.
Goodwood remained level on points with Port District, dominating Old Ignatians at home to win 10.14 (74) to 7.8 (50).
Nick Favretto was at his brilliant best again for the Saints as they dominated through the middle and locked Old Ignatians in their forward half, Iggies only scoring 16 points to halftime.
Kyle Kirk and Will Clarke were also impressive, booting two goals apiece and providing consistent options ahead of the ball.
DIVISION TWO
Fourth placed North Haven stayed in touch with the division’s top two with a thrilling one-point away win over Adelaide Uni – 14.7 (91) to 14.8 (92).
The Magpies led by 20 points at the final break but an inspired Uni outfit, led by Will McGowan and forwards James Carter (five goals) and Braden Robinson (four goals) booted the first three goals of the fourth quarter.
Ryan McInerney stood up in the middle to give the visitors consecutive shots on goal however, and Tom Sandercock (five goals) managed to stave off the host’s comeback late, his side clinging on for an important win.
Athelstone bounced back from its upset loss to Salisbury North to defeat Henley 17.12 (114) to 8.7 (55) at home.
The Raggies had a point to prove and started hot, holding the Sharks to just four goals in the first two terms while booting 7.9 to head in four goals up at halftime.
The domination continued in the final two terms with the hosts piling on 10 more majors.
Sam Tarca was again influential for his side, while Luca Stepic and Luke Rander had four goals apiece in the win.
PHOS Camden remained in the finals hunt with a gritty eight-point win over Unley mercedes Jets at Kingswood Oval – 9.6 (60) to 10.8 (68).
Both sides were neck-and-neck throughout what was a scrappy affair, but Phantoms managed an important six-point lead at the final break which would be the difference after another even quarter in the fourth.
Todd Lewis was best on ground for the visitors in ruck, while Declan Grant led all goalkickers with four.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Sacred Heart OC 17.21 (123) d Gaza 4.8 (32)
- Broadview 13.22 (100) d Salisbury North 4.10 (34)
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove used a seven-goal final term to achieve an impressive win over finals contender Modbury at Modbury Oval, emerging 7.13 (55) to 13.14 (92) victors and remaining undefeated in 2022.
The Kookaburras trailed by two points at three-quarter time, Liam Verity (four goals) leading from the front for the Hawks, but they soon turned up the heat in the contest to dominate possession and restrict the hosts to five behinds in the final term.
Josh Ingram was strong at the back for the visitors, while Lewis Johnston had a significant impact around the ground, putting in solid shifts up front and in defence.
Scotch Old Collegians came back from two kicks down in the final quarter to record an important eight-point win over Seaton Ramblers at home and stay in touch with eighth placed Morphettville Park.
Captain Harrison Jolly was inspirational for his side through the middle as it booted four goals to just one in the final term of a neck-and-neck matchup, winning 9.10 (64) to 8.8 (56).
Harry Chaplin and Mani Draper were also impressive in the forwardline, kicking two goals apiece and creating multiple opportunities for teammates.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Edwardstown 15.10 (100) d Westminster OS 9.3 (57)
- CBC OC 11.10 (76) d Morphettville Park 7.9 (51)
- Flinders Park 19.21 (135) d SMOSH West Lakes 8.8 (56)
DIVISION FOUR
Mitcham pulled itself further out of the relegation zone with a major upset over Pembroke Old Scholars, defeating the kings 10.8 (68) to 12.4 (76) at Haslam Oval.
The Hawks fought hard throughout and finally won separation in the fourth term, kicking four goals to three to win important premiership points in a thriller.
Zach Sutherland was best on ground for his performance in the contest, while Patrick Newman booted four majors for the side.
Plympton capitalised on Pembroke’s loss to go top with a huge 3.5 (23) to 20.12 (132) win over Woodville South away from home.
An 11 to two goal opening half set the win up for the Bulldogs, who capped off a dominant defensive display by holding the hosts goalless in the last quarter.
Captain Brodie McLeod produced his second best on ground performance in as many weeks, playing on the ball and up front to kick five goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Walkerville 9.13 (67) d Portland 9.8 (62)
- Hope Valley 26.8 (164) d Pulteney 13.17 (95)
- Kenilworth 9.6 (60) d Pooraka 7.9 (51)
DIVISION FIVE
Top side Lockleys put the foot down against Colonel Light Gardens, using the momentum of a nine goal second term to win 15.8 (158) to 5.16 (46).
The Demons were on top in the middle from the outset and their forwards benefited as a result, winning high-percentage shots on goal against an overwhelmed Lions defence.
Henry Johnson was the standout for the hosts, booting seven goals and setting up vice captain Ben Haren (five goals) on multiple occasions.
Blackfriars Old Scholars topped Kilburn 13.17 (95) to 11.10 (76) to go one game clear from St Pauls OS and the relegation zone.
The hosts went into quarter-time up 28-8 but only managed four more goals ‘til the final break and trailed by four points heading into the final term.
The side kept its composure in front of a tense home crowd however, kicking five goals to two in the last 20 minutes to achieve the most important win of the club’s season so far.
Captain Matthew Brincat led his team by example, dominating in the contest and slotting home two majors, while Giuseppe Vellotti had a day out with six goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Hectorville 17.13 (115) d Salisbury 2.6 (18)
- Elizabeth 14.12 (96) d St Pauls OS 8.8 (56)
- Gepps Cross 13.9 (87) d Eastern Park 4.11 (35)
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars extended its record to 11-0 with a 0.1 (1) to 37.20 (242) thrashing of Para Hills away from home.
The visitors dominated in every area of the game as they kept the home side scoreless for the first three terms and capitalised in attack during what was an onslaught.
Dom Barilla booted 14 goals for the day in a standout performance up front.
Third placed West Croydon bounced back from a challenging opening term to defeat Ingle Farm 8.11 (59) to 14.16 (100) at Rowe Park.
The Hawks went into the first break down 22-4 but would be quick to respond, holding the Bulldogs to four goals over the next two quarters while adding nine of their own.
The visitors then maintained control in the centre during the fourth quarter to run away with the result.
Llewellyn Milera was a standout off half-forward, while star Luke Woodcock (two goals) had another solid outing.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Rosewater 14.10 (94) d Central United 11.11 (77)
- Fitzroy 18.15 (123) d Brahma Lodge 8.10 (58)
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres moved to 12-0 on the season with a hard-fought 5.2 (32) to 8.10 (58) win over Adelaide Lutheran away.
The Dragons were pegged back by the hosts twice in the first three quarters, the game all tied up at 32 apiece heading into the final term.
Greenacres was inspired in the fourth though, holding Lutheran scoreless and adding four goals to come away with a tough victory.
David Ward was the standout for the visitors at the back, while star forward Matt Gibson added three majors to his season tally of 66.
Flinders Uni defeated O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 8.7 (55) to 7.15 (57) in a thriller to move a game out of the relegation zone.
The hosts, who were without star forward Trevor Rigney, went into the main break up by 20 points but were held scoreless in the second term as Flinders stormed back to lead by a kick at three-quarter time.
The last quarter then saw the sides kick three goals each, with the visitors holding on ‘til the final siren after a late goal by the Lions.
Cooper Henshaw was a rock at the back, while Luke Warland led the side’s goalkickers with two majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Houghton Districts 16.15 (111) d Mawson Lakes 2.6 (18)
- Hackham 16.15 (111) d Mitchell Park 10.6 (66)
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