Adelaide Footy League match reports round 17/18: Glenunga defeats Old Ignatians to make 2022 finals
A newly-promoted div one club continued its remarkable surprise season by smashing a rival and consolidating a finals place. Full Adelaide Footy League match reports for every division.
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Another weekend of thrilling Adelaide Footy League action is over and finals are finally here.
Division seven played its first round of finals, divisions two to six completed their minor season, and division one played its second to last round.
There were big margins, big upsets and thrilling wins with each team vying for a spot in the finals or to avoid relegation.
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for every division:
DIVISION ONE
Glenunga coach Nathan Grima said not even he was expecting to make the finals after his newly-promoted side locked away a top five spot with an 18.14 (122) to 7.5 (47) away win over Old Ignatians.
The Rams, bolstered by former Glenelg forward Tom Condon (nine goals), got off to a fast start against the familiar foe, with captain Alex Haren leading from the middle and supplying his forwards with plenty of the ball.
D’Arcy Mitchell was also on-song at the back for the visitors as they held Iggies to just three goals in the first two terms and goalless in the final term on their way to the 75-point win – their biggest of the season so far.
The win sees Glenunga move to fourth spot, two points above St Peter’s Old Collegians.
“We started the game well, which we haven’t been able to do much this year, and even though they came back at us a bit in the third we were able to stick with the game plan and run it out strong so it was a really pleasing performance,” Grima said.
“It was always going to be a good test, we’ve got a really healthy rivalry with Iggies so it was a good win.
“Finishing top five probably wasn’t really a goal we had at the start of the year – no one would’ve predicted that, not even myself – so obviously we’re pretty glad with that outcome.”
The Rams were not heavily touted to be a contender in the division after moving up at the end of last season and struggling to make any major recruitments, but the coaching of Grima and the buy-in to the plan by his team has been obvious.
The Rams have been strong defensively and are third in the competition for points against, while also creating over 20 scoring shots in their last seven games.
“To be a team who can compete in this division you need to be a good defensive team and we’ve managed to be that,” Grima said.
“We’ve also started to improve in attack as well.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement and you can’t get complacent in this competition but I think if we can continue to work hard we’re going to give it a red hot crack in finals.”
While the Rams have finals locked in, they now have the opportunity to finish in the top three and with a double chance if they can beat in-form Prince Alfred OC at home on Saturday.
“They’re probably the team to beat right now, they’ve got quality on every line so it’s going to be a great test,” Grima said.
“We’re ready to go and to try and get that double chance at home.”
The Old Reds added to their now five-game winning streak with an impressive 8.6 (54) to 5.7 (37) victory over second place Goodwood Saints away.
The visitors trailed at quarter-time but held the Saints to just one point in the second term as they gained the ascendancy, Lachie McNamara and Chris Curran impressing on the ball and in the defensive line.
Tom Bartlett was also impressive, booting three goals to lead all goalkickers on the day.
Port District remained top with a straightforward 15.14 (104) to 5.3 (33) win over Rostrevor OC, leaving the relegation battle between ROC and Old Ignatians to the final day.
A six-goal final term capped off a strong day from the hosts, with Jack Gaffney, Thomas Schmusch and Jason Nyskohus all impressing around the ground.
Gavin Shephard was Port’s best with four goals and a number of goal assists.
St Peter’s OC remained in fifth spot with an 11.10 (76) to 6.4 (40) home win over Brighton.
The Bombers were held to two points in the first two terms by Saints, who capitalised on the hard, high pressure work of James Duncan and James Hargreaves.
Captain Jesse O’Brien was in top form, dealing the ball efficiently across the forwardline and adding three majors of his own.
Tea Tree Gully moved to sixth but will be unable to make finals after a thrilling 4.14 (38) to 4.9 (33) win over Payneham Norwood Union.
The visitors trailed the Falcons 31-17 at the final break but held the hosts to just two points in the fourth term while booting 3.3 to pull off a remarkable victory.
Small forward Ryan Spittle was at his best for the club, kicking an important goal and linking up seamlessly with midfielders, while playing-coach Alex McKay was also impressive on the ball.
DIVISION TWO
North Haven produced a dominant display in the middle to defeat Broadview 11.14 (80) to 7.7 (49) at home and finish in fourth place heading into finals this weekend.
The Magpies were in control out of the centre through the four quarters, midfielders Brett Pederson and Mark Rowe having their way in the contest.
The Tigers were held goalless in the second term and were unable to overcome the 43-15 halftime lead built by the hosts despite the strong play of captain Jay O’Leary.
Tom Sandercock starred up front with four goals for North Haven while Kobi Russell had three for Broadview.
Tigers key forward Jesse White was unable to hit the scoreboard.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians finished the minor round on top of the ladder with a flawless performance against Salisbury North, holding the Hawks to one goal in the first two terms on the way to a 24.12 (156) to 5.7 (37) win.
Clayton Symonds, Cam Rankin and Seb Kerrish were all at their best for SHOC, damaging the visitors with accurate and penetrating disposal moving forward.
Symonds also booted four goals for the hosts, while Cailotto, McAuliffe and Rankin all had three apiece.
OTHER RESULTS:
- PHOS Camden 8.11 (59) d Athelstone 5.7 (37)
- Henley 12.9 (81) d Unley Mercedes Jets
- Gaza 15.9 (99) d Adelaide Uni 11.9 (75)
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove finished the minor season undefeated, moving to 18-0 with a 19.21 (135) to 3.2 (20) win over Westminster OS.
The Kookaburras led 55-20 at the main break and held the visitors completely scoreless through the final two terms while adding 11 of their own goals to come away with the big win.
Mitchell McKelvie, Jarrod Cotgrove and Jake Pitman were at their best on and behind the ball, helping to win the contested footy and apply tireless pressure to the Dragons mids.
Former Norwood and Gold Coast player Josh Glenn returned from four years out of the game to boot four goals.
Flinders Park guaranteed relegation for Morphettville Park and consolidated its top two spot heading into finals in an impressive 24.16 (160) to 14.11 (95) away from home.
Roos star Chris Barns stepped in as playing-coach in the absence of Steve Nolis but he could not galvanise his troops against an in-form Reds side, the visitors controlling the contest and kicking straight to lead 87-35 at halftime.
Flinders Park’s dominance in the centre continued through James and Tom Schwarz through the third term and the club maintained a big advantage despite an eight goal to five final quarter in favour of the hosts.
Justin Hardy was a standout for the Reds, booting nine majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Seaton Ramblers 11.10 (76) d SMOSH West Lakes 9.12 (66)
- Modbury 6.7 (43) d Edwardstown 3.8 (26)
- Scotch OC 9.11 (65) d CBC OC 3.4 (22)
DIVISION FOUR
Pooraka defeated top spot Pembroke Old Scholars 8.14 (62) to 7.4 (46) at home to remain fourth heading into finals, just one point off of third placed Hope Valley and a double chance.
The Bulls trailed by two points after a neck-and-neck first half, but soon managed to build separation through strong tackle pressure and an unbreakable set up behind the ball to force repeat entries.
The hosts would have been frustrated with their kicking for goal but their dominant display at the contest meant they would not pay the price.
Tommy Millar was best on ground through the middle for Pooraka, while Vivian Davey booted five goals.
Plympton kept its spot in second place ahead of this week’s qualifying final against Hope Valley with an impressive 9.17 (71) to 6.5 (41) victory over Walkerville at Plympton Oval.
While they were wasteful in front of goal, the Bulldogs put on a clinic in the middle of the park, with star players Harry Phelan, Kieren Nelson and Brodie McLeod – the club’s co-captains – at the top of their game.
Plympton’s defence also stood up, keeping star Walkerville key Adam Proud goalless.
Zac Peake top scored for the hosts with three majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Mitcham 15.8 (98) d Hope Valley 10.11 (71)
- Portland 16.8 (104) d Woodville South 12.18 (90)
- Kenilworth 16.8 (104) d Pulteney 9.13 (67)
DIVISION FIVE
Colonel Light Gardens took advantage of an Eastern Park loss to Kilburn to move up to fourth and book a home final against the Demons with an 11.14 (80) to 8.12 (60) win over St Paul’s OS.
It was a big third quarter which gave the Lions the win, the hosts booting four goals to just one in the term to create enough separation heading into the fourth.
Captain Sam Vivian was at his best along with Jock Van Kempen and Sam Bruinewood in the contest, while forward Paul McInerney was again a handful up front.
Top side Lockleys won its 17th game of the season to head into its break this week in deadly form, defeating Elizabeth 13.14 (92) to 9.11 (65) away from home.
A six goal to three third quarter set up the win, with star forward Ben Haren booting three goals to take his final minor season total to 104.
The Demons are undoubtedly the team to beat in division five finals this season, having lost only one game for the year so far.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Kilburn 16.7 (103) d Eastern Park 11.13 (79)
- Gepps Cross 5.10 (40) d Hectorville 5.8 (38)
- Blackfriars OS 17.3 (105) d Salisbury 7.10 (52)
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars remained undefeated in the minor round with a 21.21 (147) to 9.6 (60) victory over West Croydon at home.
The Lions burst out of the gate and never looked back, dominating inside and giving forward Dom Barilla (four goals) multiple opportunities to hit the scoreboard.
The hosts led by 34 points at halftime and added six goals to one in the third term to seal the win.
Barilla was best on ground for his side, setting up multiple goals for his teammates on top of his own.
Marion stayed second with a big 21.17 (143) to 3.4 (22) win over bottom side Para Hills at home.
The Rams held their visitors to just one goal through the first three terms, completely dominating the centre clearances and locking the ball in their forward half.
Patrick Anthony O’Dea was best on ground with an eight goal performance, while Brodie Johns was also influential on and behind the ball.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Central United 20.11 (131) d Brahma Lodge 8.8 (56)
- Rosewater 15.11 (101 d Fitzroy 8.3 (51)
DIVISION SEVEN
Division seven’s qualifying and elimination finals were played out on Saturday, with Adelaide Lutheran advancing to the second semi-final against Greenacres this week and Flinders Uni eliminating Hackham to set up a meeting with Houghton Districts in the first semi-final.
Adelaide Lutheran held the Raiders to just three behinds in the opening term and never looked back at Rowe Park – the game relocated due to the condition of the Houghton Districts playing surface.
Kyle Slattery was a standout on the ball for Lutheran, while star forward Rowan Miegel kicked three majors.
Flinders Uni led by 16 points at the final break against Hackham and showed strong resilience to hold off a home team run in the fourth quarter to win 5.11 (41) to 5.6 (36).
Cooper Henshaw was a standout for Flinders, going hard at the contest and providing an assured presence on and behind the ball.
Nick Rantanen was also integral, kicking two important goals, including one late, to seal the win for his side.
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