Adelaide Footy League match reports round nine: ROC defeats SPOC in division one
A big milestone has been crowned in an important contest between division one finals hopefuls. Read match reports from every Adelaide Footy League division.
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The first half of the Adelaide Footy League season is complete and many coaches will be breathing a sigh of relief at the prospect of the long weekend bye.
On Saturday, there were big milestones, tight finishes and standout performances across the competition’s seven men’s A grade tiers.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round nine:
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians co-coach Will O’Malley says the “huge honour” of playing 200 games in the red and black was made even sweeter by a crucial 18-point win over St Peter’s Old Collegians on Saturday.
ROC rose to the occasion in a hard-fought battle, kicking the first five goals of the game on its way to a 10.14 (74) to 8.8 (56) victory at Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
O’Malley said pulling on the guernsey each week meant a lot to him.
The playing coach has won two top flight premierships and a division one best and fairest among a string of accolades since making his debut for the club in 2008.
“I’m very proud to play for the club, it’s very important to me and obviously just really happy that we got the win,” O’Malley said.
“I spoke about it during the week, it’s nice to be able to look back on it with a win
“It’s a huge honour to play 200 games for the club and hopefully there’s a few more to come.”
In a battle between third and fifth on the ladder, ROC jumped the visitors to take a 5.5 to 0.1 lead into the first break.
SPOC finally registered a major eight minutes into the second term through Jock McLeay, who kicked another two unanswered and went on to boot his side’s first five of the match.
McLeay, who ended the day with six, was not able to drag his team over the line however as ROC found crucial answers in the final term to take the win.
Both coaches expressed relief about the upcoming bye this weekend.
SPOC mentor Geoff Riddle hoped to get some key players back and take a more settled line-up into the second half of the season.
“It was pretty disappointing to give themselves that headstart … you just can’t give a team like ROC and advantage like that on their home deck,” Riddle said.
“The bye is definitely coming at a good time.
“We’re playing quite a lot of young kids at the moment due to unavailability due to injury and suspension.”
Payneham Norwood Union sent another message that it is the real deal this season by going to reigning premier Goodwood and winning by 47 points.
The Falcons, who stormed home to beat ladder leader Prince Alfred Old Collegians last week, had too much firepower for the Saints and prevailed 16.9 (105) to 8.10 (58).
It moved them second and ahead of Goodwood on percentage.
Todd Panoho, Anthony Wilson (four goals) and Max Hodges had strong days out for PNU.
The Saints have now lost two of their past three matches in a slump in form, with the sole win coming by just four points.
Prince Alfred OC suffered a late charge from the opposition for the second straight week but this time was able to hold on against Brighton.
The Old Reds led by 31 points going into the final term before the Bombers slotted four straight goals and held the hosts to just one point at Park 9.
But PAOC hung on to run out 10.8 (68) to 9.10 (64) victors.
Adelaide University notched back-to-back wins for the first time this season by overcoming an in form Port District by one point at University Oval.
A 5.2 to 2.5 third term put the Blacks in a strong position to ride out the last quarter and triumph 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63).
Tea Tree Gully cemented its spot in the mix for finals by getting past Unley Mercedes 12.19 (91) to 9.9 (63) at Kingswood Oval.
Dylan Schoenmakers kicked four goals for the seventh-placed Wolves in a best on ground performance.
DIVISION TWO
Salisbury North’s finals aspirations have a heartbeat after it revived its season with a stirring 23-point defeat of Henley at home on Saturday.
In a result with big implications for both sides, the Hawks saw off several challenges from the Sharks to record a valuable 14.9 (93) to 11.4 (70) win.
It was Salisbury North’s third triumph for the season and lifted it to seventh place and two victories behind Henley in the finals positions.
The Hawks led almost all day but were not able to shake off the persistent visitors until a 4.3 to 2.0 final term.
Jake Russo, Joshua Calyun and Callum Hay led the way for the hosts.
Tim Broadbent battled hard for Henley, while Jackson Smith booted four majors.
It was the Sharks’ second successive defeat and they have now failed to win on three of their past five attempts.
The return of Will Abbott to Old Ignatians is beginning to show its effect after the former Norwood midfielder playing a strong hand again on Saturday.
Iggies made light work of Scotch Old Collegians in a 15.14 (104) to 7.7 (49) triumph with Abbott among his side’s most influential, kicking three goals.
The star onballer – winner of the FA Bloch Medal in 2017 for division two’s best and fairest – has now been in Old Ignatians’ best players in three of the past five matches.
Kieren Reynolds and Bradley Jones helped lead the charge for Iggies, who are third on the ladder.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ PHOS Camden 12.7 (79) d Seaton Ramblers 9.12 (66) at Pedlar Reserve
■ Sacred Heart Old Collegians 15.8 (98) d Broadview 7.8 (50) at Sacred Heart Middle School
■ Glenunga 13.8 (86) d Athelstone 10.7 (67) at Webb Oval
DIVISION THREE
CBC Old Collegians kept its hopes of avoiding relegation alive after it downed Plympton in a crucial bottom half of the ladder clash at the East Parklands.
The Dolphins’ 18-point victory – only their second of the season following a win against lowly Portland in round five – stopped a three-game unbeaten run by the Bulldogs.
It left CBC OC in ninth place on the ladder, two points behind both Plympton and Westminster Old Scholars.
The hosts led by seven points at the main break before pushing the margin out to 20 at the main break and going on to win 12.9 (81) to 9.9 (63).
Daniel Aplin and Taylor Sarunic were influential for the Dolphins.
Flinders Park’s high from a thrilling victory last round was quickly soured after it slipped up against Gaza on Saturday.
The Reds were wasteful in front of goal and the Eagles swooped, winning 12.11 (83) to 8.16 (64) at Klemzig Oval.
North Adelaide product and former Collingwood VFL defender Stephen Tahana dominated for Gaza in his best performance for the season.
Jackson Elmes (five goals), Brayden Lauder and ex-Woodville West Torrens midfielder Scott Lewis were also prominent for the Eagles, who are fourth on the ladder.
The third-ranked Reds meanwhile fell a win behind leading sides North Haven and Golden Grove.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Golden Grove 18.13 (121) d Westminster Old Scholars 8.5 (53) at Harpers Field
■ North Haven 10.12 (72) d Modbury 8.15 (63) at Modbury Sports Reserve
■ Edwardstown 22.19 (151) d Portland 5.8 (38) at Port Reserve
DIVISION FOUR
Mitcham enhanced its finals credentials and landed a big blow on Pembroke Old Scholars by claiming a shock seven-point win.
The fourth-placed Hawks prevailed in a tense final term to beat the Kings, 10.6 (67) to 8.12 (60) at Price Memorial Oval.
Pembroke, which was on top of the ladder coming into the match, had little answer for a stingy Mitcham defence, which held it goalless in the first quarter before scores were 5.3 to 2.8 at half-time in favour of the hosts.
But the Kings were then able to roar back into the match and led by a point at the last change.
Mitcham mustered its strength and kicked 3.3 to 2.1 to close out the match and take a much-needed second successive victory.
The Hawks moved from sixth to fourth with the win while Pembroke slipped to second.
SMOSH West Lakes guns Adam Mahney and Cohen Mattner booted 12 goals between them as the Lions thumped Gepps Cross at home.
Mahney slotted seven and Matter added five in the commanding 20.14 (134) to 8.11 (59) win.
It snapped a two-game losing run for the Lions.
Gepps Cross meanwhile has now lost five of its past six matches.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Walkerville 18.12 (120) d Hope Valley 10.10 (70) at Hope Valley Oval
■ Morphettville Park 16.11 (107) d Pulteney 11.11 (77) at Kellett Reserve
■ Woodville South 25.14 (164) d Kilburn 8.8 (56) at Ledger Reserve
DIVISION FIVE
The unpredictable division five produce one of the shock results of the round with Colonel Light Gardens upsetting top side Pooraka by 60 points.
Heavily favoured going into the clash at Mortlock Park, the Bulls had no answers for the impressive Lions in the 21.9 (135) to 10.15 (75) result.
CLG led by six and 17 points at the first two breaks before slamming on eight goals to four in the third quarter, then five to one in the last.
Thomas Groutsch, Sam Vivian, Nicholas Patterson (six goals) and Adam Brugioni starred for the Lions, who are sixth on the ladder but one of four sides holding a 5-3 record.
One point ahead of those clubs on the ladder is Eastern Park, which took care of West Croydon by 37 points at Fawk Reserve.
The win and Pooraka’s loss meant the Demons pulled to one point behind the Bulls on the ladder.
Anthony Burgoyne kicked six majors in a starring role for the visitors while Lionel Wilson battled hard for West Croydon.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Lockleys 25.15 (165) d Fitzroy 5.8 (38) at Fitzroy Sports Club
■ Salisbury 10.14 (74) d Kenilworth 10.10 (70) at St Mary’s
■ Hectorville – bye
DIVISION SIX
St Paul’s Old Scholars made it four wins in a row by easily accounting for Rosewater in a 56-point domination at Eric Sutton Oval
The Saints held the Dogs goalless in the opening term and did not look back, saluting 16.8 (104) to the hosts’ wasteful 6.12 (48).
Anthony Alesiani was in fine form for SPOS along with Nicholas Morasca, who booted five goals.
Daniel Reardon – in his 105th match – battled hard for the Dogs.
They remain in sixth spot following the loss while the Saints are second and just one win behind undefeated top side Elizabeth.
Trinity Old Scholars cemented its spot in the top five by piling on the goals against a struggling Mawson Lakes.
Bailey Puvogel (nine goals) and Domenico Barilla (five) had days out as the visitors put together a huge 23.20 (158) to 6.5 (41) victory at Mawson Lakes Oval.
Third-ranked TOS now has a 6-2 win-loss record on the season.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Blackfriars Old Scholars 15.18 (108) d Para Hills 6.11 (47) at St Dominic’s Oval
■ Elizabeth 16.7 (103) d Marion 6.7 (43) at Argana Park
■ Ingle Farm – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Hackham has finally broken its Adelaide Footy League duck by registering its first victory since joining the competition.
A 10-goal masterclass from Shane Stevens was the key as the Hawks recorded a 14.9 (93) to 7.11 (53) win over Flinders University at Hackham Oval.
The Crabs were held goalless in the third quarter in show of defensive strength by the hosts.
At the other end, Stevens was unstoppable on his way to the big bag while Luke Allan (two goals), Thomas Wilson and Logan Shaw were also impressive.
The win moved the Hawks off the bottom of the ladder to eighth place.
Hackham had been on a seven-game losing run since switching from the Southern Football League in the off-season.
Greenacres kept the pressure on ladder leader Central United by cruising to a comfortable win away at O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale.
With the Bulldogs on the bye, the Dragons moved equal top on seven wins with the 15.18 (108) to 9.9 (63) triumph.
Matthew Gibson was best on ground for Greenacres after a four-goal display.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Mitchell Park 12.14 (86) d Adelaide Lutheran 12.8 (80) at Mitchell Park Oval
■ Brahma Lodge 16.8 (104) d Houghton Districts 7.7 (49) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Central United – bye