Adelaide Footy League match reports round 14: Goodwood Saints top St Peter’s Old Collegians in thriller
A division one Adelaide Footy League club retained its spot in the top two after an inspired comeback win over a finals rival in round 14. Full match reports for every division.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Round 14 of the Adelaide Footy League season was played out over the weekend and the competition saw more exciting results just a few weeks out from finals.
There were nailbiting contests, convincing wins and table-turning results as each club vied for important premiership points across the league’s seven divisions.
THE ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE’S TOP 40 PLAYERS IN DIVISION TWO
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for each division.
DIVISION ONE
Goodwood Saints coach Luke Donaldson said he was satisfied and relieved with his side’s thrilling comeback win over St Peter’s OC.
The Saints trailed by 22 points during halftime at Goodwood Oval but managed to hold SPOC to just two goals in the third term as they got back in the game, only trailing 62-64 at the final break.
The hosts then hit the front by three kicks in the fourth but SPOC – behind leaders James Hargreaves and Jesse O’Brien – would not go away, bringing the lead back to just three points before the final siren, Goodwood emerging 11.13 (79) to 11.10 (76) winners.
The win now puts the Saints equal top with Port District, second on percentage.
“I felt we’d prepared really well through the week leading in and they just got a bit of a jump on us and got their hands on the footy first,” Donaldson said.
“To the boys’ credit though they stayed composed and did what they had to to get back in it.
“We were riding every bump there on the sidelines and to be on top when the siren went was a big relief – it was a big win for the club.”
Goodwood managed to get its hands on the ball first in the last two terms to turn the tide, and Donaldson said regaining the lead was a full team effort.
“A lot of guys contributed in the middle and then around the ground,” he said.
“I thought Nick Crockart, Tommy Perrin and Jack Luders all really stepped up and key guys like Reece Slape, Tom and Jack Carter, and Kyle Kirk were all huge to finish the game.
“It was just a really resilient performance from all our guys.”
The Saints will face Glenunga this Saturday as they aim for a top three finish.
“We’re super impressed by them (Glenunga). They’re a really well-drilled, tough team who love to get out and run, so we’ll have to be at our best,” Donaldson said.
Glenunga went down to Tea Tree Gully away from home, with the Rams never able to recover from a tough first quarter and losing out 15.9 (99) to 13.8 (87).
Nathan Grima’s men only registered a single point in the opening term and trailed by 21 points at the first break.
Gullies were too strong from then-on despite a brief Rams fightback, with Peter Persinos (four goals) and star defender Blake Penney leading the hosts to a valuable win.
Bottom team Payneham Norwood Union claimed maybe the biggest upset of the year, defeating top side Port District 8.12 (60) to 7.7 (49) at home.
The Falcons flew off the mark in the first term, leading 33-9 at quarter-time, but only kicked eight behinds in the next two quarters to lead by just four points heading into the fourth quarter.
The hosts found some momentum behind stars Ethan Haylock and Anthony Giannini however and kicked three goals to two to emerge victorious and keep the door to an escape from relegation well and truly open.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians continued its winning streak and remarkably moved up to fourth on the ladder with a 16.8 (104) to 4.4 (28) win over Rostrevor Old Collegians.
ROC started the stronger, leading 6-20 at quarter-time, but it was a Princes onslaught from thereon, the hosts holding their visitors to just 1.2 for the remainder of the contest.
Star Jack Trengove was at his best for the Old Reds, accumulating plenty of the footy and booting a major, while Chris Curran and Hayden Jolly were also standouts.
Brighton responded to its round 13 loss to Glenunga with an impressive 4.6 (30) to 10.14 (74) win over Old Ignatians at Karen Rolton Oval.
In what was a defensive masterclass by the Bombers as the hosts were held goalless in the opening half, and could not overcome the deficit through the final two terms.
Nigel Osborn and Jed Farquhar were both instrumental on the ball and in the contest, while Jarrod Miller added four goals up front.
Brighton now sits fifth.
DIVISION TWO
Adelaide Uni won an upset over PHOS Camden to move out of the relegation zone, holding on in the fourth quarter to emerge 11.5 (71) to 10.6 (66) victor.
Josh Sims (four goals) was dominant on the ball and up front for the Blacks who went into the first break up 19-1 and continued on their momentum to eventually lead 68-38 at three-quarter-time.
Phantoms launched a comeback in the final term however, booting 4.4 to 0.3, coming agonisingly close to a thrilling win.
Stefan Jankewicz was a standout for the hosts, while Sims was also among the side’s best for his performance in front of goal.
Broadview bounced back from its round 13 loss to Athelstone to top Unley Mercedes Jets 10.10 (70) to 13.9 (87) away from home and remain top two.
The Tigers faced a tough challenge from the hosts all day, but finally managed to pull away in the final term, kicking 4.3 to 2.3 to extend their lead to three kicks and grab the win.
Kane Flanagan was strong at the back, while Jacob Rillotta’s four goals proved instrumental in the win.
Sacred Heart OC continued its form, holding Henley scoreless in the third term to set up a 5.7 (37) to 11.9 (75) win at Henley Memorial Oval.
SHOC trailed 28-15 at the main break before putting the foot down in the third, with Clayton Symonds dominating on the ball and Seb Kerrish picking off multiple attacks to begin rebounds for the visitors.
The Sharks could not halt Hearts’ momentum, the visitors remaining top with the convincing victory.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Salisbury North 21.14 (140) d Gaza 10.10 (70)
- Athelstone 11.10 (76) d North Haven 8.10 (58)
DIVISION THREE
Modbury blitzed Morphettville Park 24.20 (162) to 3.4 (22) at home to remain in the division’s top four.
The Hawks held the visitors scoreless in the first and third terms, leading 39-0 at the first break and 113-8 at three-quarter time.
Liam Verity was in top form up front, booting six goals in two terms before leaving the game with injury, while defender Tim Davey and on-baller Nathan Hearing (four goals) were also standouts.
Golden Grove made it a remarkable 14 games without a loss this season, defeating Seaton Ramblers 5.2 (32) to 10.19 (79) away.
The Kookaburras held Ramblers scoreless in the second quarter to take a 6-30 lead into the main break and never looked back.
Playing-coach Luke Barmby produced another strong display on the ball while captain Cam Shenton again led by example, competing hard at the contest and winning plenty of the footy.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Edwardstown 7.9 (81) d SMOSH West Lakes 5.19 (49)
- Westminster OS 12.9 (81) d Scotch OC 8.9 (57)
- Flinders Park 22.13 (145) d CBC OC 8.5 (53)
DIVISION FOUR
Pooraka moved above Walkerville and into fourth spot with a statement 21.11 (137) to 9.10 (64) win over the Cats.
Luke McCormick-Smith (eight goals) was on fire for the Bulls as they burst out of the gate and built on a commanding half-time lead to seal the victory.
Matt Rankine proved to be another catalyst in the forwardline and through the middle, the Cats unable to shut him down as he kicked a bag and created multiple opportunities for McCormick-Smith and others.
Plympton maintained its recent hot form to remain top of the ladder in a 10.5 (65) to 14.14 (98) win at Kenilworth.
The Bulldogs took control out of the middle in the second half of the game, with ruckman Stuart Taverner giving his players first disposal throughout.
Zac Peake benefited up front with five majors to take his season total to 37 in 10 games.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Pembroke OS 15.8 (98) d Woodville South 9.5 (59)
- Mitcham 24.11 (155) d Pulteney 4.3 (27)
- Hope Valley 22.15 (147) d Portland 15.5 (95)
DIVISION FIVE
Lockleys went 13-1 on the season with a comfortable 22.9 (141) to 12.4 (76) win over Gepps Cross at Lockleys Oval.
The Demons led 50-14 at quarter-time, 65-45 at halftime and 103-52 at three-quarter-time in what was a one-sided affair, with key forward Ben Haren booting 10 goals to take his season total to 73 in 12 games played.
Nathan Batley was also instrumental for the hosts - efficient on the ball and hard at the contest.
Colonel Light Gardens remained in the finals discussion with a 6.5 (41) to 15.14 (104) display against Salisbury away.
The Lions kicked seven goals to just one in the final two terms to secure an impressive result, controlling proceedings in the centre and putting the Magpies defenders under constant pressure.
Sam Luckett was a ball magnet while Nick Patterson (five), Cooper Schultz (five) and Paul McInerney (four) had 14 goals between them.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Kilburn 14.21 (105) d Elizabeth 10.9 (69)
- Eastern Park 17.12 (114) d Blackfriars OS 9.9 (63)
- Hectorville 13.14 (92) d St Pauls OS 9.13 (67)
DIVISION SIX
Trinity OS topped seventh spot Fitzroy 2.4 (16) to 17.10 (112) away from home to remain undefeated at 13-0 in season 2022.
The Lions were kept scoreless in the third and fourth quarters as the visitors piled on 9.7 to come away with a huge win.
Jack Matthews was a standout through the middle, distributing to teammates with efficiency and also hitting the scoreboard for two goals.
Marion defeated fourth spot Central United at home – 14.11 (95) to 5.2 (32) – to remain in the top three of the division.
The Rams produced a flawless first two terms to set up the win, kicking 12.6 (78) to 3.0 (18) by halftime.
Vice-captain Grant McLeod was a force in the middle, dominating the contested ball and also kicking a goal, while Patrick Anthony O’Dea booted three majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Rosewater 10.7 (67) d Ingle Farm 8.6 (54)
- West Croydon 27.19 (181) d Para Hills 9.5 (59)
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres continued its undefeated campaign, moving to 14-0 with a 4.5 (29) to 6.19 (55) win over Mitchell Park away from home.
It was a neck-and-neck affair for the first three quarters, the Dragons kicking inaccurately for goal to lead 4.5 to 4.14 at the final break.
The visitors held Mitchell Park scoreless in the fourth however and added 2.5 to come away with the win.
Sean Bockman was a standout defensively and Josh Adey was reliable on the ball.
Forward Matt Gibson’s hopes for a 100-goal season took a big hit, the Greenacres star now sitting on 77 with three games left after registering just one over the weekend.
Flinders Uni upset third-placed Adelaide Lutheran away from home, winning 7.9 (51) to 9.6 (60).
The visitors went into the first break up 7-24 and maintained their lead all day, with Brett Pinder working hard around the ground and inspiring his side both in the contest and on the ball.
Peter Rhodes was also a standout with five majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Houghton Districts 12.16 (88) d Hackham 3.12 (30)
- O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 8.12 (60) d Mawson Lakes 5.8 (38)
‘Like a second home’: Local footy club legend calls time
A Southern Football League great has called time on his dazzling career ahead of season 2025 after winning a fourth A Grade premiership with his beloved local club in 2024.
‘Gone up a notch’: Local footy club makes major additions for season 2025
A recently relegated Adelaide Footy League club has welcomed back a number of big names for 2025 including a former Crows gun and dual league medallist as it prepares for instant division two success.