Adelaide Footy League match reports round four 2021: Goodwood defeats ROC in grand final rematch
A gripping grand final rematch and a 160-point belting have headlined an action-packed weekend in the Adelaide Footy League. Read all the match reports here.
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An unseasonably warm autumn Saturday produced plenty of hot on-field action in the Adelaide Footy League with a string of intriguing results.
They included a gripping grand final rematch and a 160-point belting headlining the clashes in division one.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from all the round four matches.
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians co-coach Will O’Malley says the division one stalwarts are not panicking yet after slipping to a second successive loss on Saturday.
On a day which could have brought retribution for ROC, the grand final rematch went much the same way of last season’s decider with Goodwood running out 14-point winners.
The 14.13 (97) to 12.11 (83) result at Goodwood Oval moved the Saints to a 3-1 win-loss record, ahead Rostrevor on 2-2.
ROC fell to ladder leaders Prince Alfred Old Collegians in round three and next face Tea Tree Gully at home this Saturday.
O’Malley said the clash against the Wolves had become a must win game, or his side could risk beginning to lose touch with a top three spot.
“Putting four quarters together is probably our only issue at the moment,” O’Malley said.
“We’re not too worried but we will definitely need to be back at our best this weekend
“That’s a must win game for us now, we need to get back in front of the ledger.”
On Saturday, the Saints jumped the sluggish visitors and leapt out to a five-goal lead at the first break.
But it did not last long as gun onballer Luke Manuel booted three goals in the second quarter to inspire a comeback, which brought ROC within a kick at the main break.
It was back-and-forth from then on as neither side presented the opposition with easy opportunities.
A big second-half from Goodwood’s Jacob Hughes (three goals) was one of few differences between the teams as the Saints managed to hold on.
Nick Burgess also booted three majors for the hosts while Reece Slape was impressive winning plenty of ball in the back half.
Manuel was back to his best form as ROC’s leading player.
Recruits Jake Veide and Cam De Visser – both ex-South Adelaide – made their debuts for the club and slotted straight in with solid performances.
Queensland recruit Tyson Brazel has starred for Prince Alfred Old Collegians as it put Adelaide University to the sword in a 160-point belting at Park 9.
The Old Reds’ thumping 27.20 (182) to 3.4 (22) victory was easily the largest margin in the notoriously tight division one so far this season.
An impressive seven majors from Brazel, a PAC old scholar who returned to SA this year, and a 10-goal to one third quarter set up the emphatic result.
It will be back to the drawing board for Ben Watkins and the Blacks, who would have come into the game in high spirits after claiming their first win the week before.
Payneham Norwood Union was another side to show its ruthless edge on Saturday with the Falcons convincingly beating Port District at home, 18.9 (117) to 6.9 (45)
Nick Jolly was PNU’s best for the second week in-a-row, this time after being thrown into the ruck following an injury to big man Sam Baulderstone.
Unley Mercedes came the closest it has yet to breaking its duck for the season but could not finish the job against Brighton in a 13-point defeat at Kingswood Oval.
The Bombers led by 15, 26 and 21 points at the first three breaks before the Jets came at them hard in the final term.
But Brighton, on the back of the in-form Harrison Boyle, held firm to win 11.15 (81) to 11.2 (68).
St Peter’s Old Collegians required similar fourth-quarter heroics to take the points in its clash against Tea Tree Gully at Pertaringa Oval.
SPOC led the wayward Wolves by just 11 points going into the last term but managed to pull away, winning 14.12 (96) to 8.17 (65).
DIVISION TWO
Only two teams remain undefeated in the second tier after a statement victory by Glenunga over early-season favourites Henley on Saturday.
A clinical 6.3 to 1.3 second term was the catalyst for the Rams as they ran out comfortable winners, 13.11 (89) to 7.9 (51) at Webb Oval.
Zachary Smith and Nick Wundke starred for the hosts, while Michael Wundke booted four goals in his second match of the season.
Jack Calabro and Patrick Sinor battled hard for the Sharks.
The division’s big improver, PHOS Camden, is the other side yet to lose a game after it took care of Athelstone by 23 points at Camden Oval.
The victory came despite a horror performance in front of goal.
The Phantoms dominated play but kicked poorly, still managing to prevail 9.20 (74) to 7.9 (51).
Henry Papatolis continued his early-season purple patch for PHOS and was named best on ground.
Last season’s defeated grand finalist Sacred Heart Old Collegians was able to steady its shaky ship when it showed plenty of heart by travelling to Salisbury North and taking a four-point win.
SHOC trailed by 16 points going into the final term but, led by Douglas Proud and young forward Darcy Le Cornu (five goals), stormed home to prevail 15.9 (99) to 13.17 (95).
Hearts are now 2-2 on the season while the Hawks are battling away on one win.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Old Ignatians 16.15 (111) d Seaton Ramblers 10.7 (67) at Karen Rolton Oval
■ Broadview 12.15 (87) d Scotch OC 8.10 (58) at Scotch College
DIVISION THREE
The season is shaping up nicely for Edwardstown after it claimed a fourth-straight win for the season in a comfortable victory over local rival Plympton.
Towns are equal top of the ladder with eight points alongside fellow undefeated sides Flinders Park and Golden Grove and are now just one victory short of last season’s total of five.
On Saturday, 258-game ex-AFL midfielder Danyle Pearce showed he still has it at 35 years of age with a stellar performance to lead the way for Edwardstown in the 16.15 (111) to 11.8 (74) win.
Harry Parker and George Cornish finished off their side’s good work with three goals each.
The Bulldogs are yet to win a game this season, along with CBC Old Collegians and lowly Portland.
Reigning premier Golden Grove handed North Haven its first loss and sent a strong message to the rest of the division in a 17.10 (112) to 9.9 (63) result at Harpers Field.
Connor Hillcoat, Jake Pitman and Thomas Tacono (four goals) dominated for the Kookaburras in the comfortable victory.
The Magpies next face a tough test away at Edwardstown in round five.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Modbury 38.20 (248) d Portland 3.4 (22) at Modbury Sports Reserve
■ Gaza 15.18 (108) d CBC OC 10.9 (69) at East Parklands
■ Flinders Park 13.16 (94) d Westminster OS 6.15 (63) at Glandore Oval
DIVISION FOUR
Kilburn is winless and languishing at the bottom of division four after a 75-point drubbing at the hands of Pulteney.
In a battle between last season’s two bottom sides, the Navy Blues showed they have made the biggest improvement of the pair in the resounding 20.18 (138) to 10.3 (63) win at Blair Athol Reserve.
Kilburn was never really in the hunt as Pulteney put on 6.3 to 1.1 in the opening term and did not look back.
Former South Adelaide man Dalton Tucker was a standout for the Navy Blues while Tyson Currie continued his strong start to the season with six goals.
For the Chics, Raymond Hedland booted six goals while ex-Carlton player Rhys O’Keeffe battled hard.
SMOSH West Lakes appears set for a tough season after a terrible second half led to it going down away to Hope Valley by 46 points.
The 1-3 Lions trailed by less than a goal at the main break before the hosts put the foot down in the third quarter to set up a 11.10 (76) to 3.12 (30) triumph.
Machok Garang was influential for the Demons.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke OS 16.14 (110) d Gepps Cross 8.11 (59) at Haslam Oval
■ Walkerville 19.16 (130) d Woodville South 11.10 (76) at Ledger Reserve
■ Morphettville Park 13.11 (89) d Mitcham 8.14 (62) at Price Memorial Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Salisbury is quickly making a name for itself as fourth-quarter specialists after another come-from-behind win on Saturday.
The Magpies, who are the only undefeated side in division four, came from 16 points down at the last break to win 13.14 (92) to 11.5 (71) away at Fitzroy.
It follows a one-point victory over Lockleys in round two where they also trailed at three quarter time.
The Magpies seven goal to one final term was set up by the good work of Mitchell Slater, Matthew Fleming and Matthew Shields.
Fitzroy meanwhile will be ruing the match as one that got away, with the Lions bottom of the ladder and winless after four rounds.
Reigning premier Lockleys defied the critics to claim its first victory of the season in a 15.17 (107) to 14.6 (90) triumph over highly-fancied Pooraka.
Liam Narcys (six goals) led the way as the Demons – wearing heritage guernseys – played significantly closer to the form which saw them take the flag last year.
Pooraka, which came off the bye, will need to regroup before travelling to play Colonel Light Gardens this Saturday.
The first draw of the season in A grade competition was recorded when Hectorville and Eastern Park were unable to be split at Daly Oval.
The Hounds blew a 18-point three quarter time lead after they were pegged back by the Demons with scores finishing level, 15.5 (95) to 14.11 (95).
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Kenilworth 21.14 (140) d West Croydon 11.11 (77) at St Mary’s
■ Colonel Light Gardens – bye
DIVISION SIX
A much-improved Elizabeth leads the pack in division six with four-straight wins after upsetting St Paul’s Old Scholars by 16 points a Thebarton Oval.
With the Saints playing their home games at league headquarters for the remainder of the season while construction takes place at the college, they would have been wishing for home-field advantage as the Eagles proved too good.
Joel Foster, Jarrod Upton and Benjamin Taylor were impressive for Elizabeth in the 10.6 (66) to 7.8 (50) win.
Blackfriars Old Scholars got back on track by heading to Rowe Park and dispatching Ingle Farm by 39 points.
The Hounds had lost their past two matches but it did not show as they powered away in the opening term and could not be pegged back, winning 18.15 (123) to 12.12 (84).
Veteran Matt Brincat once again starred for Blackfriars, while Ingle Farm’s Devin Payne’s seven goals a fantastic display in an otherwise tough day for the Bulldogs.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Mawson Lakes 14.10 (94) d Rosewater 10.13 (73) at Mawson Lakes Oval
■ Trinity OS 18.12 (120) d Para Hills 9.6 (60) at Trinity College Gawler
■ Marion – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Adelaide Lutheran flexed its offensive muscles to record a maiden win for the season in a 78-point belting of Flinders University.
The high-scoring Dogs piled on 12 goals to zero in a dominant third term before going on to salute 24.9 (153) to 11.9 (75) at South Parklands.
Chris Scholefield (five majors) and Thomas Kowald (four) did most of the damage up forward for the hosts while Isaac Nelson and Ashley Goodall were in fine form.
Patrick Newman battled hard for the Crabs, who are now 1-2.
Not one to be outdone easily, reigning premier Brahma Lodge did its best to match Lutheran’s big score with a thumping victory of its own over lowly Hackham.
The Tigers piled on 23.14 (152) to the Hawks’ 8.9 (57) in the one-sided affair at Brahma Lodge Oval.
It was just 11 points the difference at half-time in favour of the hosts but a 12-goal to zero third term quickly dispelled any ideas of a Lodge loss.
Hackham is yet to win a game since joining the competition from the Southern Football League.
The Hawks will need to work on their defensive shortcomings this week before a clash at home to Lutheran in round five.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Greenacres 15.19 (109) d Mitchell Park 9.9 (63) at Edward Smith Reserve
■ Central United 18.24 (132) d Houghton Districts 8.9 (57) at Greenwith Oval
■ O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale – bye
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