Adelaide Footy League match reports round 18/finals: Old Ignatians upset Port District by two point to stay up
A div one underdog completed a huge upset to avoid the drop and seal the relegation of a former powerhouse for the first time in 11 years. Full Adelaide Footy League 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.
Another cracking weekend of Adelaide Footy League competition is over, with division one completing its minor round and divisions two to seven competing in finals footy.
There were upsets, big wins and spectacular individual performances as relegation spots, finals spots and grand final spots were sealed.
Here are The Messenger’s full match reports for every division:
DIVISION ONE
Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots was proud of his side’s efforts against top side Port District on Saturday, the visitors coming back from 19 points down at halftime to achieve a nailbiting 9.11 (65) to 9.9 (63) win and narrowly escape relegation to division two, instead sealing Rostrevor OC’s first drop in 11 years.
Iggies recollected themselves at halftime and rallied behind the assured play of Ed Shaw, Connor Bristow, star ruckman Brayden De Prinse and forward Will Ferrari (three goals) to take a slender lead into the final break.
The visitors then extended their lead to two kicks at the start of the fourth but were pegged back late in the quarter by a Sam Gray-inspired Magpies side.
With just seconds left, Port District won the centre clearance and entered its attacking 50, but Old Ignatians was dramatically saved by the siren with the ball in the air.
“It was a sweet feeling when the siren went,” Boots said.
“We were able to settle a bit and gain some momentum, especially in the middle, in that third term, which put us in a good spot to try and get the win in the fourth quarter.
“It was definitely a nailbiting game but we were obviously extremely happy with the result and staying in the division for next season.”
Iggies had experienced an inconsistent second half of their first ever season in the top division and sat in ninth position after losing to Rostrevor Old Collegians and Glenunga in its previous two outings.
However, with an upset of the division’s top side and a Rostrevor OC loss to Goodwood, Boots said the inconsistencies were instantly forgotten.
“It’s definitely been a tough back half of the year and we were just hoping to take every game as it came,” he said.
“The way we managed to come together after a couple losses and end the season like that, it was simply terrific and I’m very proud of the guys.”
While the team was disappointed to not be playing finals like its round 18 rival, Boots said the win would allow the club to set up for a stronger 2023 season.
“Port District has had a fantastic season – they’re a great club and we wish them all the best for finals.
“It’s a bit of a shame we can’t be there as well but staying up in the division is tremendous for the footy club in our first year in div one.
“This now gives us a platform, as well as good knowledge and experience going into next year, which we hope will be an even stronger campaign.”
ROC fought back in the third term against Goodwood Saints, turning a 34-11 deficit into a 43-31 deficit by the final break, but it was too little too late as a Tom Carter-led Goodwood side responded in the final term to seal the win and second spot.
Nick Favretto was again among the Saints’ best, while James Lakin’s two goals led his side’s goalkickers.
Glenunga secured third spot and a double chance in finals with an impressive 10.9 (69) to 7.9 (51) win over Prince Alfred Old Collegians at home.
Arguably the division’s best defensive side, the Rams suffocated Princes’ play moving forward, holding the visitors to four goals in the first three terms and just seven goals for the game.
Tom Condon was again a handful up front with three majors, while Darcy Mitchell added to what had been a fantastic month behind the ball for his side.
St Peter’s OC leapfrogged Prince Alfred OC into fourth spot with a 12.12 (84) to 3.9 (27) win over Payneham Norwood Union.
Holding the Falcons to just five points through the first half to lead 44-5 at the main break, Saints immediately took control of the game and set up a convincing result.
Jock McLeay was at his best up front with four goals for SPOC, while captain Jesse O’Brien also chipped in with three.
Tea Tree Gully came back from 13 points down to Brighton at three-quarter-time to win by two points in a thrilling affair at Brighton Oval, the visitors leaving 13.7 (85) to 12.11 (83) victors in Alex McKay’s final game as playing-coach.
The Bombers had the upper hand through the first three terms with stars Otis Carthy, Hudson Laycock and Hayden Kernahan all playing a role, but Gullies held firm and took control of the centre in the final term.
Tyler Martin, Tyson Breden and Will Cansdell (two goals) were all standouts for TTG, while Brodie Latham and Ryan Spittle combined for six majors up front.
The result saw Gullies hold on to sixth position, while Brighton finished in seventh – both clubs missing finals.
DIVISION TWO
Broadview kicked its finals campaign off with a convincing 11.6 (82) to 6.6 (42) win over Athelstone at home, setting up a second semi-final meeting with Sacred Heart Old Collegians this Saturday.
The Raggies only trailed by four points at halftime with stars Chris Lodovici and Daniel Cluse standing tall for the visitors, but the Tigers responded by holding them to just two goals through the entire second half.
Jesse White was a standout for Broadview, using his strong air-work and distribution to set up fellow forwards, while Xavier Gotch was a dominant presence through the middle.
North Haven knocked Henley out of finals with a 11.11 (77) to 5.15 (45) win at home, holding the Sharks to one goal through the first two terms.
The Magpies defensive set up was impenetrable from the first bounce, with home team guns like Chris Lipson, Matt Searcy and Brett Pederson competing hard at the contest and providing security behind the ball.
Matt Sharpe, Jamie Solly, Kyran Dixon and Tom Sandercock all had two goals apiece in a selfless forwardline display.
North Haven will face Athelstone away in the first semi-final.
DIVISION THREE
Flinders Park won a thriller over Modbury in division three’s qualifying final, edging an epic fourth quarter 16-15 to cling on to an 11.10 (76) to 10.13 (73) result at home.
Modbury’s Liam Verity was a standout up front for the visitors throughout the four quarters, leading well up the ground and taking big contested marks inside 50 on his way to five goals.
It was not enough for the Hawks however, with Reds captain James Schwarz in dominant form on the ball and Daniel Blythe (three goals) and Tom Schwarz (three goals) in reliable shape up front.
The Hosts managed to get out to a two-kick lead in the final term and hold off a late Modbury fight back to get the win and book a spot in the second semi against Golden Grove.
After almost a month-long ordeal to make this year’s finals series, Westminster Old Scholars went down to Edwardstown by five kicks, losing out in a 10.14 (74) to 7.5 (47) affair.
Towns held the Dragons to just three behinds in the opening term as they added on 3.4 (22) and never looked back, with star Josh Schiller in top form in the middle and Aaron Anderson a reliable asset in the contest.
Mitchell White and Jess Watchman kicked two goals each to lead the hosts up front.
Edwardstown will now face Modbury away in the first semi-final.
DIVISION FOUR
Plympton made a statement with a 14.11 (95) to 8.9 (57) win over Hope Valley in its home qualifying final.
Star ruckman Stuart Taverner produced a best on ground performance for the Dogs, serving perfectly into the path of his midfielders as well as coming up with big marks down the line.
Captain Brodie McLeod led the way on the ball and Jake Seadon and Zac Peake tallied three goals each as the hosts raced to an 85-41 lead and closed out the final term with ease.
The side will face Pembroke OS in the second semi-final this week.
Pooraka booted six goals to one in the opening term of its elimination final against Walkerville to set up a dominant 18.8 (116) to 8.9 (57) win.
Matt Rankine was at his best up front, working brilliantly at ground level and setting up teammates while adding four goals of his own.
An exciting matchup against Hope Valley in the first semi-final now looms for the Bulls.
DIVISION FIVE
Hectorville will meet Lockleys in the division five second semi after topping Gepps Cross 13.15 (93) to 7.10 (52) in the qualifying final.
The Hounds led by 22 points at the main break and booted eight goals to five in the second half to extend their winning margin, forward Lachlan Falco in solid form with a three-goal display.
Captain Jake Mazzone was also superb, dictating proceedings on the ball and hitting the scoreboard for two majors.
Cooper Schultz had a day out as his Colonel Light Gardens side breezed past Eastern Park 20.9 (129) to 8.5 (53) at home to eliminate the Demons.
The key forward led by example up front, taking towering marks and consistently splitting the middle in front of goal to record seven majors.
His side will take on Gepps Cross away from home for a spot in the preliminary final.
DIVISION SIX
Marion held off a valiant West Croydon outfit in the div six qualifying final, emerging 16.7 (103) to 13.15 (93) winners at home.
The Hawks would be ruing their inaccuracy in front of goal, the visitors unable to capitalise on first half momentum in the contest and build a lead heading into the latter stages of the game.
Rams forward Tim Stewart was contrastingly accurate for the hosts, booting seven goals in a best on ground display and playing a significant part in the final term.
The Rams will meet Trinity Old Scholars away from home in the second semi on Saturday.
Central United booted 6.4 to 1.3 in the opening term of its elimination final against Rosewater to lead 40-9 at the first break of its 12.13 (85) to 7.14 (56) victory.
Jamie Lane kicked a bag of five for the hosts, capitalising on the dominance of his side in the middle with Tom Porter and James Baine attacking the contest and distributing with high efficiency.
The Bulldogs have set up a first semi-final against West Croydon away from home and will need to be as efficient from the middle as they were over the weekend to make the preliminary final.
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres booked its spot in this season’s division seven grand final, comfortably defeating Adelaide Lutheran 20.8 (128) to 7.5 (47).
The Dragons kept their visitors to just two behinds in the first term and 2.1 in the second while booting 7.4 to open up a 46-15 halftime lead, never looking back as they piled on 13 more majors for a one-sided victory.
Vice captain Jack Mau was a standout in the middle for the hosts, while star forward Matt Gibson was also strong, booting six goals.
Houghton Districts will face Adelaide Lutheran for the third time in four weeks in this weekend’s preliminary final after narrowly defeating Flinders Uni 9.9 (63) to 8.8 (56).
The Raiders built a 61-36 three-quarter-time lead through the standout play of Cameron Schutz in the middle and Aidan Pitt (four goals) up front but Flinders Uni stormed back in the last term, kicking three goals and holding the hosts to just two behinds.
It was not enough though, Houghton Districts seeing out the threat and booking a spot in the preliminary final.
Adelaide Footy League club lands superstar signing for 2025
A local SA footy star and former SANFL captain and premiership player has joined an Adelaide Footy League club on the rise for season 2025.
Bartel’s best: Saints legend lists top teammates, opponents in stellar career
A Goodwood Saints legend has looked back on his career and picked his top opponents and teammates after being named as the top Adelaide Footy League player of the 21st Century.