Adelaide Footy League match reports round four: Rostrevor Old Collegians upset Tea Tree Gully
An underdog stunned the competition’s in-form club while arch rivals met in a scrappy clash. Read all division reports from round four of the Adelaide Footy League.
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Round four of the Adelaide Footy League season is complete and clubs will be catching their breath after an intense and scrappy weekend of play.
There were upsets, milestones, clashes of rivals and tight performances on Saturday across the competition’s seven men’s A grade divisions.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round four:
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians coach Ben Watkins was excited by his side’s “remarkable” comeback win over Tea Tree Gully away from home on Saturday.
Gullies had been on an early season tear heading into the matchup and led by 20 points at half-time, but ROC managed to hold their opposition to two goals in the final two terms and boot eight to win 9.10 (64) to 12.13 (85).
“We’re really happy, it was just a fantastic win,” Watkins said.
“Glenunga was just too good and well-organised for us a week ago and we worked on some things for Tea Tree Gully so it was a great response from the guys.”
While Gullies had the upper hand for the first half, the young ROC side was able to find inspiration in leaders like Will O’Malley, Nick Murphy (five goals), Matt Dnistriansky, Tim Baccanello and Hayden Swanbury.
Watkins was pleased with his team’s resilience.
“We were without Lewis McCormack and Will Mead but to have someone like Will O’Malley back was big for us and everyone else stepped up as well,” he said.
“Some guys led the way but it was a collective effort from everyone which is great to see.
“The way we fought back and got the contested ball advantage was pleasing and our back six played really well, holding a deep forwardline like that in the second half of the game.”
While Rostrevor has experienced an inconsistent start of the season, Watkins said there was high positivity among the group.
“It’s a really different team this year but we’re happy and optimistic about where we’re going,” he said.
“We want to play finals but we understand we have a lot of kids at the moment and it’s also going to be about teaching them and finding consistency with time.”
St Peters OC continued its strong start to the season with a win in a scrap against arch rivals Prince Alfred OC, 8.5 (53) to 12.15 (87).
Saints got off to a fast start at Prince Alfred College Oval in what was a low-scoring affair, leading 15-31 after the first two terms.
While the Old Reds got back into the contest during the third term through Mitch Wicks and Lucas Schultz, the visitors were able to regain control and stay on top, eventually storming home in the forth.
Jock McLeay was in top form for Saints, booting six goals and setting up multiple others.
Goodwood premier Josh Slape capped off his 200th game in style as the Saints overran Port District in the final term of their Indigenous Round clash to win 15.9 (99) to 11.10 (76).
The hosts only scored two behinds in the first term but managed to stay with Port in the contest and only trailed by 11 points at the main break.
A Nick Burgess masterclass then helped Goodwood to the lead early in the fourth term – the target man booting five majors to make his side comfortable winners.
Old Ignatians’ good form continued away from home against Payneham Norwood Union, putting together a four-quarter display to win 6.11 (47) to 11.12 (78).
Will Abbott again starred for Iggies as the team charged for a surprise win, leading around the ground all day and kicking three goals.
The win makes two in a row for the club as it finds its feet in division one.
Glenunga also recorded its second straight win, defeating Brighton 12.11 (83) to 7.7 (49).
The Rams led the Bombers all day, with Michael McMahon at his best.
McMahon had four majors and also provided a strong link between his team’s dominant middle and its forwardline.
DIVISION TWO
Unley Mercedes recorded its first win of the 2022 season with a 15.11 (101) to 11.9 (75) victory over Salisbury North at Kingswood Oval.
The Hawks had the ascendancy in the first quarter but would rue shoddy goal kicking, with the quarter-time score reading 5.0 to 5.4
The Jets flew from then on, kicking eight goals to Salisbury North’s six to run away with the win.
Nick Wark had four and was best on ground for the home team.
North Haven held on to top spot on the ladder with an away win against Henley.
While the Magpies led throughout, the Sharks had their opportunities to stay in the game, but inaccuracy in front of goal led to a final score of 10.16 (76) to 15.8 (98).
Nic Azzollini was best on ground for North Haven, while Jamie Solly booted four goals.
Broadview toughed out a 5.15 (45) to 5.9 (39) win over Athelstone in a scrap, with Xavier Gotch again leading the way for his side.
The in-form signing was at the top of his game, dominating out of the middle and giving his forwards first use as the Tigers clawed a win.
OTHER RESULTS:
- PHOS Camden 25.11 (161) d Gaza 8.10 (58)
- Sacred Heart OC 16.11 (107) d Adelaide University 3.8 (26)
DIVISION THREE
Scotch Old Collegians pulled off an upset against Morphettville Park, clinging to a 10.11 (71) to 9.13 (67) victory – the club’s first of the season.
The Roos were without Chris Barns and struggled in front of goal as a result, while a dominant Henry Vandenberg led the way for the home side on the ball.
Scotch also had eight separate goal kickers, with Max Bourne (two) and Jonathon Lagonik (two) leading the way.
Golden Grove continued its unbeaten start to the year with a dominant display against SMOSH West Lakes at St Michael’s College.
The Kookaburras led from the outset and used their control of the midfield to give their forwards countless scoring opportunities.
Joel Horskins, Jed Banwell, Connor Dodd, Lewis Johnston and Shane Walker all had multiple goals in the win.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Edwardstown 10.13 (73) d Flinders Park 8.5 (53)
- Westminster OS 25.16 (166) d CBC OC 10.8 (68)
- Modbury 15.12 (102) d Seaton Ramblers 6.11 (102)
DIVISION FOUR
Walkerville defeated Pembroke OS by 92 points in an incredible performance at home.
While some may have tipped the Cats to grab a win, nobody could have been prepared for the dominance which ensued.
The Kings were held to a single goal in the final two terms while the home side booted 12 to add to its main break lead of 22 points, eventually running out 21.22 (148) to 8.8 (56) winners.
Adam Proud put in yet another best on ground shift, kicking six goals to add to his season tally of 27.
Portland moved to fifth spot on the ladder, using an impressive fourth quarter display to beat Pooraka 13.11 (89) to 9.18 (72) at Port Reserve.
Trailing at three-quarter time, the home side put together a run of five goals to two in the final term.
Lindsay Thomas and Terrance Milera were again damaging, the star duo booting three goals each.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Woodville South 20.18 (138) d Mitcham 6.13 (49)
- Plympton 24.13 (157) d Pulteney 6.6 (42)
- Hope Valley 16.14 (110) d Kenilworth 5.7 (37)
DIVISION FIVE
Elizabeth defeated Hectorville by 21 points in a top of the ladder div five clash, using big third and fourth quarters to win 15.4 (94) to 11.7 (73).
Hectorville led early with a 22-14 advantage at quarter time, but the Eagles were able to steady thereafter, Jhye McConnell and Joel Foster leading by example in the contest.
Jarad Clinton was also a standout for the home side, kicking six goals in the win.
Lockleys smashed an undermanned Eastern Park 21.17 (143) to 6.8 (44) at home to hop them on the ladder, booting 10 goals to two in the first two quarters, and 11 to four in the final two.
Ben Haren was a force up front with 10 majors while Jonathan Bleby controlled the game on the inside and also added a goal.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Colonel Light Gardens 16.18 (114) d Blackfriars OS 8.7 (55)
- Kilburn 14.21 (105) d Salisbury 11.9 (75)
- Gepps Cross 20.14 (134) d St Pauls 8.10 (58)
DIVISION SIX
West Croydon moved up to fourth on the division six ladder with an upset win over Rosewater at Eric Sutton Reserve – 13.7 (85) to 14.10 (94).
Club champion Luke Woodcock was the star of the show for the Hawks, booting five goals on the day to reach a massive career milestone of 700.
Rosewater would be eager to record a win this week, dropping from the top of the ladder after a draw with Central United and the loss to West Croydon.
Central United took top spot after a big 7.11 (53) to 18.10 (118) win over a struggling Para Hills.
The Bulldogs booted five goals to one in the third term, and six to two in the fourth in a convincing display.
Jordan Perna-Hague had five goals, while Darrell McIntyre added four.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Ingle Farm 9.11 (65) d Brahma Lodge 7.17 (59)
- Trinity OS 13.8 (86) d Marion 9.7 (61)
DIVISION SEVEN
Hackham pulled off a thrilling one-point upset over Adelaide Lutheran at home, kicking three goals to two in the final term to win 6.10 (46) to 5.15 (45).
Adelaide Lutheran had more than enough chances to win the game, kicking four behinds in the fourth quarter.
Wade Francis was a standout for the Hawks, providing grit in the contest during what was a slugfest.
Greenacres turned a 20-point quarter-time deficit into a 15-point half-time lead during its 13.13 (91) to 15.15 (105) win over Houghton Districts away from home.
The Raiders would have been confident at the first break but a Scott Burnett masterclass ensured the Dragons would quickly gain the upper hand.
Burnett dominated around the ball and in front of goal, winning multiple aerial contests and booting three goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Flinders University 12.13 (85) d Mawson Lakes 10.4 (64)
- Mitchell Park 12.12 (84) d O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 6.11 (47)
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