Adelaide Footy League match reports round 14: Old Ignatians lose third game in four matches
A division two contender is on a late-season slide with three defeats in four games after falling to a finals rival. Read match reports from every division here.
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A series of crucial clashes in division two have not disappointed as the ladder is shaken up with just four games remaining.
With the top flight in a split round, we have turned our first focus to the second tier this week.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from round 14:
DIVISION TWO
Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots is confident his side can arrest its late-season slide after falling to its third defeat in four games.
The Iggies mentor described their form as “disappointing” following a 21-point defeat to Sacred Heart Old Collegians in a dour contest at Karen Rolton Oval on Saturday.
Third-placed SHOC was superior to the fourth-ranked hosts in the second half, kicking seven goals to three after the main break to record a 9.8 (62) to 5.11 (41) win.
It marked a low point in a bad run for Iggies.
A 54-point defeat to Broadview in round 11 followed by a five point loss to PHOS Camden and Saturday’s failure has moved them from second to fourth spot and at risk of missing the double chance.
Iggies had the division’s best attack coming into the match – averaging 82 points per game – but were held to their lowest score since 2019 by SHOC.
“Obviously we’re disappointed,” Boots said.
“Taking nothing away from Sacred Heart, they were really good, took their opportunities and we probably didn’t in the end.
“We missed every set shot we had and when that sort of thing happens it’s pretty difficult to kick a score.”
SHOC moved two points clear of Old Ignatians after the win.
With Salisbury North, Glenunga, Athelstone and Scotch Old Collegians to come in their final four games, Boots believed Iggies’ best was good enough to take on any side.
They have lost to the top two teams – the Rams and PHOS Camden – by less than a kick.
“I feel like the way we can play when we bring our best is going to give us a real opportunity to win no matter who we play,” Boots said.
“The last month hasn’t been kind to us, we haven’t played well so we just need to reset for this last four weeks.
“Hopefully we can find that form trigger and push hard into the end of the season and finals.”
On Saturday, Shaun Tapp was a rock in defence for SHOC and played a major role in blunting the hosts’ attack.
Douglas Proud and Cameron Rankin were also prolific, while Mathew Brunoli battled hard for Iggies.
Old Ignatians’ defeat would have stung more given Henley moved a game and half behind it on the ladder by snapping its six-game losing streak.
The Sharks finally sang the song again and drew level on the ladder with Broadview after they beat the Tigers 11.10 (76) to 6.7 (43) at home.
Jack Enright and Lachlan Sheffield led the way for Henley.
Joshua Sheppard kicked four goals in a fighting performance for Broadview.
Scotch Old Collegians continued its surge with a third-straight victory, this time knocking off second-placed PHOS Camden.
Max Marslen was again the main man and booted five goals in the 9.13 (67) to 8.8 (56) triumph.
Scotch, which once appeared almost certain for relegation, is now just one win behind Salisbury North (seventh) and Athelstone (eighth) in the battle to avoid relegation.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Athelstone 10.9 (69) d Seaton Ramblers 7.13 (55) at Max Amber Sportsfield
■ Glenunga 10.16 (76) d Salisbury North 10.9 (69) at Salisbury North Oval
DIVISION ONE
Payneham Norwood Union has made it eight wins in a row and pulled equal top of the division one ladder – for now – by exacting revenge on division one rival Rostrevor Old Collegians.
The red-hot Falcons, whose last defeat came at the hands of ROC in round six, powered home to prevail by 24 points at Campbelltown Memorial Oval on Saturday.
A seven-point lead to the hosts at quarter time was short-lived as PNU edged ahead by half-time, before kicking 6.7 to 3.5 in the second half to win 11.13 (79) to 7.13 (55).
Their place in equal first will likely be short-lived however, with top side Prince Alfred Old Collegians one of four division one sides which did not play due to the split round.
Kristian Roocke and Anthony Giannini were influential for the Falcons while Jake Veide was best for ROC.
A fiery clash at University Oval ended with a 13-point win to Tea Tree Gully against Adelaide University.
Tempers boiled over at times in the 9.10 (64) to 7.9 (51) result in favour of the fifth-placed Wolves.
TTG’s win was set up by a 5.9 to 3.4 first half and the Blacks, who lacked firepower in defeat, were not able to peg back the deficit, despite a couple of second-half surges.
Isaac Hewson continued his strong season to be the Wolves’ best alongside Chad Schoenmakers. William Warrick was a standout in defeat for Uni.
The Blacks dropped from eighth to ninth on the ladder after Port District took the points against Unley Mercedes in a game marred by injury.
The game was called off after Jets player Jacob Earl was concussed about 10 minutes into the third quarter of the game at Kingswood Oval.
Port District, which led 8.5 (53) to 5.4 (34) at the time, was awarded the win after the long stoppage forced the abandonment of the match.
The Magpies moved up to seventh with the win and are still within striking distance of fifth spot with four rounds to go.
DIVISION THREE
Modbury has taken its second top-three scalp in a month after upsetting reigning premier Golden Grove in a muddy affair at Modbury Oval on Saturday.
The division three dark horses kicked poorly but still had enough to down the Kookaburras, 6.13 (49) to 4.7 (31).
Modbury kicked a wayward 1.8 to 1.0 in the opening term to keep Golden Grove in the contest and just seven points split the two sides at half-time.
However the hosts managed to put their misses behind them to boot four goals to two and take a scrappy, but valuable victory.
Fifth-placed Modbury moved one win clear inside the finals spots while Golden Grove slipped from first to second.
Last month, the Hawks upset third-ranked side Flinders Park and they have now won four of their past five matches, putting a spanner in the premiership race in the process.
Fourth side Gaza is the other team causing havoc in the back half of the season.
The Eagles grabbed their fourth-straight victory in a tight contest against Westminster Old Scholars at Glandore Oval.
It was the Dragons who shot away early with a 6.3 to 2.4 lead at the first break before ex-SANFL midfielders Ben Nason and Scott Lewis dragged Gaza back into the match.
The Eagles had too much class in the end, prevailing 11.18 (84) to 10.16 (76).
It wasn’t for a lack of effort from former West Adelaide forward Aaron Fielke, who kicked three goals in a starring role for Westminster.
The defeat put an end to any hopes the eighth-placed Dragons had of a late push for fifth spot.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ CBC OC 28.17 (185) d Portland 5.5 (35) at East Parklands
■ North Haven 13.7 (85) d Edwardstown 4.8 (32) at Largs North Reserve
■ Flinders Park 16.12 (108) d Plympton 5.5 (35) at Plympton Oval
DIVISION FOUR
Pembroke and Morphettville Park have set up a mouth-watering top of the table clash for next weekend by each recording huge round 14 victories.
The top ranked Kings will head to Kellett Reserve to take on the Roos next Saturday in a match which will go a long way to deciding the division four minor premiership.
Pembroke kept hold of first spot by smashing Pulteney 16.16 (112) to 5.4 (34) at Haslam Oval on Saturday.
League-leading goal kicker Alex Forster bagged seven majors in the 78-point belting and was in hot touch alongside the likes of Matt Falzon and Jack Green.
Morphettville Park also gave itself a nice percentage boost after it showed no mercy in a 155-point demolition of bottom side Kilburn.
The 28.13 (181) to 3.8 (26) triumph was highlighted by eight goals from veteran spearhead Matt Duldig.
The Roos are one win behind Pembroke, alongside Walkerville which is third on percentage.
Celebrating their 120th anniversary, the Cats survived a late charge from Gepps Cross at home on Saturday.
Walkerville appeared in control at the last change with a 31-point lead, only for the Rams to surge back and give the hosts a scare.
The Cats managed to hold them off and salute 9.16 (70) to 8.14 (62).
OTHER RESULTS:
■ SMOSH West Lakes 9.9 (63) d Mitcham 3.14 (32) at Price Memorial Oval
■ Hope Valley 12.16 (88) d Woodville South 10.9 (69) at Hope Valley Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Colonel Light Gardens has gone from fifth spot to top of the ladder in a matter of minutes after a bizarre finish against Lockleys, which has gone viral online.
Lions forward Bryce Smith became an overnight sensation after saving a what would have been a matchwinning goal with his face at Lockleys Oval.
Smith put the Lions in front by with a snap around the body before sprinting down to the backline to defend his sides’ lead as the clock ticked down.
Lockleys’ Zain King then pulled in a mark and looked set to win the game for the Demons with a shot after the siren from 10m out.
But King’s kick cannoned straight into the face of the jumping Smith, winning the game for CLG.
Had the Lions lost they would have dropped down to fifth on the ladder but the win put them top of the fifth tier ladder.
However they have just a one-point lead with Eastern Park hot on their heels.
The Demons kept themselves right in the mix for the minor premiership by travelling to northern rival Salisbury and comfortably beating the Magpies by 43 points.
Chris Knapp and Adam Hann were crucial for Eastern in the 15.6 (96) to 8.5 (53) win.
And the mayhem in division five did not end their.
Hectorville put a spanner in the works by upsetting previous ladder leader Pooraka on a muddy Daly Oval.
The Hounds edged out a 6.8 (44) to 3.9 (27) victory, which put the Bulls in third place and a win behind CLG.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Kenilworth 28.13 (181) d Fitzroy (10.6 (66) at St Mary’s
■ West Croydon – bye
DIVISION SIX
A thrilling 41-point comeback win has placed Trinity Old Scholars in the box seat to claim second place in division six.
The Lions trailed finals rival Blackfriars Old Scholars by 35 points at three quarter time on Saturday, only to storm home and snatch a 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74) victory at Trinity College.
TOS is second on the ladder – equal with third-placed St Paul’s Old Scholars on 10 wins – however the Lions have a game in hand.
Both sides trail undefeated Elizabeth by three wins.
For Blackfriars, which is six points back from TOS and SPOS, giving up the six goal lead quashed any hope it had of securing a top three berth.
Sam Peters, Cameron Hankinson and Harrison Tuck (five goals) were brilliant for Trinity on Saturday as it booted 7.5 to the Hounds’ 1.0 in the fourth quarter.
At Eric Sutton Oval, Marion landed a big blow in the battle for fifth spot by edging out Rosewater by 13 points.
The two sides were separated only by percentage coming into the clash but it was the Rams who managed to pull a game clear.
Marion led by three points at the last change and held on to prevail 10.10 (70) to 8.9 (57).
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Elizabeth 17.20 (122) d Ingle Farm 7.10 (52) at Rowe Park
■ St Paul’s OS 14.14 (98) d Mawson Lakes 7.6 (48) at Thebarton Oval
■ Para Hills – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Central United now has a firm grip on the minor premiership after overcoming fellow premiership contender Greenacres in a tense top of the table clash on Saturday.
Last season’s wooden spooners’ remarkable revival continued as it prevailed by four points over the Dragons at Edward Smith Reserve.
The Dogs are now two wins clear on top of the division seven ladder following the 8.11 (59) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Both sides have three matches and a bye remaining before finals.
Peter Dempsey, Adrian Mark and Rick Keen were the prime movers for United on Saturday.
The Dogs led by 13 points at the main break but Greenacres brought the margin back to five at three quarter time before an arm wrestle of a final term.
Veteran Paul Merritt and Joseph Eisner did their best to try and get the Dragons over the line.
Mitchell Park secured a healthy percentage boost by taking bottom side O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale to the cleaners in a 24.23 (167) to 2.3 (15) thrashing.
Adam Halime kicked seven goals while Brendan Lees, Victor Buza, Jordan Mandemaker and Jay Butler-Chaseling ran riot at Lonsdale Oval.
And the 152-point margin was crucial for the Lions.
They are in a logjam for fourth spot alongside Adelaide Lutheran and Houghton Districts on six wins.
However the Dogs have a game in hand over their two rivals.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Flinders University 9.19 (73) d Houghton Districts 7.8 (50) at Greenwith Oval
■ Adelaide Lutheran 11.14 (80) d Hackham 6.10 (46) at South Parklands
■ Brahma Lodge – bye
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