Adelaide Footy League match reports round eight: St Peter’s Old Collegians beat Port District in top of the ladder clash

A div one Adelaide Footy League club claimed its best win of the season so far in a four-quarter effort against a flag contender. See every match report.

Round eight of the Adelaide Footy League is over as the season nears its halfway point.

There were big wins, close finishes and upset results across the league’s divisions in what was another thrilling week of footy.

Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division:

DIVISION ONE

St Peter’s Old Collegians coach Geoff Riddle was pleased with his team’s four-quarter performance in a tough away win over Port District on Saturday.

Saints had the upper hand in the contest from the opening bounce and booted five goals to one in the opening term to set themselves up for a 26-point win over the Magpies – 8.13 (61) to 15.7 (97).

The win was the third in a row for SPOC as it remained on top of the ladder, level with Goodwood.

“I was very happy with how they played,” Riddle said.

St Peter's Old Collegians coach Geoff Riddle was thrilled with his team’s performance against Port District. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“We’ve got a month away from home now and we knew it was important to get a win against a strong side to start us off, so the fact we were able to come out and execute for four quarters was really promising.”

While the visitors had a fast start, the Magpies managed to get themselves back into the game through the second and third terms, with Cooper and Jack Gaffney both providing a spark.

Saints were too good in the end however, overrunning the hosts in the fourth quarter.

“We pride ourselves on our fitness and aim to work harder than our opponent every game,” Riddle said.

“The fact the boys were able to stick with it showed a lot of resilience.”

Star forward Jake Sutcliffe booted seven goals, while Jock McLeay added four as the visitors’ forwardline overwhelmed the Port District defence.

Picture Mason Parker

Owen Hargreaves and Ed Allen were dominant on the ball and set up their forwards with scoring chances, while Toby Schulz was impressive across half-back.

“There was a complete effort from everyone, which is what you want to continue to see each week,” Riddle said.

“The fact we were able to remain switched on across the park meant they (Port District) couldn’t gain much momentum and that also kept the home crowd out of it.”

Goodwood added to its recent strong form by defeating Tea Tree Gully 21.11 (137) to 7.8 (50) at Goodwood Oval, the club’s fifth straight div one win.

A massive eight goal to two second quarter all but won the points for the Saints as they controlled proceedings from start to finish.

Nick Favretto and Oliver Johnson stood out for the home side, while Nic Burgess and Will Clarke each kicked five goals.

Prince Alfred Old Collegians won its second game in three weeks, defeating Brighton 13.7 (85) to 6.5 (41) at home despite a competitive start by the Bombers.

Hugo Kelly turned in another strong performance for the Old Reds on Saturday, kicking three against Brighton. Picture: Morgan Sette

The visitors only trailed by a point at quarter-time, but were unable to quell PAOC’s impact in the middle, conceding nine goals in the final three terms.

Chris Curran was outstanding for the Old Reds on the ball, winning countless contested possessions and moving the ball to the outside or to his forwards inside fifty.

Hugo Kelly kicked three goals to lead his side’s tally.

The win takes PAOC out of relegation while the Bombers now drop to ninth.

Glenunga got back to winning ways with an important away victory over Payneham Norwood Union.

The Rams led by 25 points at the main break after a strong five-goal second term and managed to maintain their ascendancy despite a late fight back by the Falcons.

Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots guided his team to an important win over ROC in round eight. Picture: Matt Loxton

Luke Holian provided stability for the visitors behind the ball, while Darcy Mitchell booted five majors.

An incredible second half comeback saw Old Ignatians top Rostrevor Old Collegians 12.16 (88) to 10.13 (73) and hold on to sixth spot on the ladder.

ROC was dominant early, with Dom Grant – who had five majors for the day – taking control up front and helping his side to a 20-point lead at halftime.

Iggies won the momentum in the third term however, kicking six majors to just two to lead by a point atnthe final break.

The hosts then held their opponent to just three behinds in the fourth quarter to win out by 15 points.

Paul Fantasia was a rock for the side, while Pat Dawson registered four important goals.

DIVISION TWO

Sacred Heart Old Collegians lost only its second game of the season in a major upset at home to a now 4-4 rival in PHOS Camden.

Phantoms led at every break of what was a neck-and-neck battle in tough conditions, kicking an important major late in the third and fourth quarters to take out an 8.9 (57) to 10.10 (70) win.

Taylor Angel and Seb Kerrish were effective with ball in hand for SHOC but it was Finn Betterman (two goals) and Jack Maguire (two goals) who led the visitors to an important victory.

Broadview Football Club

Broadview continued its impressive undefeated streak with a 12.4 (76) to 18.9 (117) win over Henley at Henley Memorial Oval.

Down four points at halftime, the Tigers kicked seven goals to two in the third term to set up their big win.

Xavier Gotch was again strong in the middle, while Nathan Gordon was a handful up front, slotting home six goals.

Third spot North Haven was also upset at home, going down to an equal-bottom Salisbury North 12.5 (77) to 13.8 (86) in the most surprising result of the round.

The visitors got the jump on the Magpies, dominating at the contest and applying strong forward pressure to lock the ball in their half, and led 73-38 at three-quarter-time.

A spirited comeback by the home side – who booted six goals to two in the final term – was not enough to erase the Hawks’ winning lead.

Steve Wellington was colossal for Salisbury North, kicking eight.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Adelaide Uni 16.12 (108) d Unley Mercedes Jets 9.10 (64)
• Athelstone 11.22 (88) d Gaza 4.6 (30)

DIVISION THREE

Morphettville Park achieved its first win since round two with a 17.11 (113) to 14.10 (94) performance against Westminster Old Scholars.

A seven to one goal opening term was key to the outcome as the Roos – who were without both Alex and Chris Barns – managed to hold firm at the back for the remaining three terms.

Morphettville Park’s Edward Doak was huge for the Roos, booting eight. Picture: Dean Martin

Edward Doak was best on ground with eight goals for the hosts, while Nick Hankin distributed well and Brinley Duggan provided security in defence.

Golden Grove also extended its undefeated streak to eight with a huge 3.5 (23) to 19.11 (125) win over CBC OC away from home.

The Kookaburras led 20-14 at quarter-time and proceeded to hold their opponent to 1.1 for the remainder all while adding 16 majors to their tally.

The visitors had 11 separate goal kickers, Joel Horskins leading the way with four.

OTHER RESULTS:

• Modbury 19.16 (130) d SMOSH West Lakes 12.6 (78)
• Flinders Park 18.17 (125) d Seaton Ramblers 9.7 (61)
• Edwardstown 17.13 (115) d Scotch OC 9.6 (60)

DIVISION FOUR

Despite leading by 26 points at the final break, Hope Valley nearly dropped premiership points as it held off a valiant Plympton at home to win 13.10 (88) to 13.9 (87) in a thriller.

The hosts trailed by 11 points at the main break after a strong start by the Bulldogs, but turned the game on its head in the third term, kicking six goals to two behinds.

Plympton responded however, storming home behind midfielders Lachie Stoddard and Brodie McLeod, but the hosts managed to record two key behinds to win by a single point.

Daniel Nobes was again prolific up front for Hope Valley, booting six and taking his season tally to 35 in seven games.

Former South Adelaide talisman Daniel Nobes was potent up front for Hope Valley. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Pembroke Old Scholars remained top with an impressive 12.8 (80) to 17.14 (116) performance against Portland at Port Reserve.

Patrick Levicki was immense for the Kings in defence and rover Max Thring turned in a massive four-goal performance as their side used the momentum of a six goal to three second term to run away with the win.

Star forward Alex Forster was also instrumental, kicking yet another bag of five.

OTHER RESULTS:

• Kenilworth 21.14 (140) d Woodville South 8.10 (58)
• Pooraka 11.13 (79) d Mitcham 7.7 (49)
• Walkerville 17.13 (115) d Pulteney 16.8 (104)

DIVISION FIVE

Lockleys leapfrogged Hectorville back into top spot with its biggest win of the season so far – 3.5 (23) to 23.21 (159) against Salisbury away.

The Demons were on fire in the middle, winning every contest and employing a well-organised press up front to lock the Magpies in their defensive half.

They held the hosts scoreless in the second term while adding seven majors and did not look back.

Henry Johnson slotted eight goals in the affair.

Blackfriars Old Scholars coach Jarrad O’Riley (front, left) had his team back to winning ways against St Paul’s Old Scholars. Picture: Morgan Sette

Blackfriars Old Scholars won a key relegation matchup against St Paul’s Old Scholars at home – 15.10 (100) to 10.13 (73).

Brendan Dunn was inspirational on the ball for the hosts, going hard at the contest and disposing efficiently to his forward line.

Andrew McWhirter was the side’s top scorer with three goals.

The win puts Blackfriars OS above St Pauls OS and out of the relegation zone.

OTHER RESULTS:

• Elizabeth 15.9 (99) d Gepps Cross 11.5 (71)
• Hectorville 19.17 (131) d Eastern Park 7.6 (48)
• Kilburn 21.12 (138) d Colonel Light Gardens 13.5 (83)

DIVISION SIX

Marion remained in the top three with an important win over Rosewater at home, topping the Bulldogs 12.10 (82) to 8.8 (56).

The Rams responded to a slow first quarter to hold the visitors to a single point in the second while adding four goals.

While the Bulldogs came back to trail by just three behinds at the final break, the home team used a boisterous crowd to storm home by 26.

Adam Beaumont was big for the Rams, kicking three in a solid performance up front.

Brahma Lodge registered nine majors to two in the fourth quarter against Para Hills to cap off an outstanding 100-point away win, emerging 12.4 (76) to 26.20 victors.

The affair was one-sided from the first bounce, with Tiger midfielders Brodie Norman and Adam Shelly controlling the contest.

The away side’s ability to win the ball and quickly spread into the forward line resulted in six players scoring multiple majors, including Jack Cook (four) and Eric Hem-Mendes (four).

OTHER RESULTS:

• Trinity OS 12.11 (83) d Central United 6.7 (43)
• Fitzroy 14.15 (99) d Ingle Farm 11.3 (69)

DIVISION SEVEN

Greenacres made it eight wins in eight games with an 8.3 (51) to 24.8 (152) domination over O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale at Lonsdale Oval.

The Dragons produced a big nine goal to one first term to set up the win, overwhelming the Lions with their attack on the footy and efficiency in front of goal.

Matt Gibson had seven goals for the visitors, while Jack Mau added three.

Trevor Rigney was also impressive, kicking three majors in a side which struggled to create opportunities.

Houghton Districts booted six majors to one in a strong second quarter as it topped Adelaide Lutheran 10.11 (71) to 5.9 (39) at home.

The Raiders put their opponent to the sword in a solid display, controlling the game through its strong defence and efficient approach in the attack.

Kodi Sparks had four goals for the hosts and recorded his second best on ground performance of the year.

OTHER RESULTS:

• Hackham 21.15 (141) d Mawson Lakes 8.4 (52)
• Flinders Uni 12.17 (89) d Mitchell Park 7.8 (50)