Adelaide Footy League match reports round one 2021: Goodwood Saints defeats Brighton Bombers
It needed to show “something special” and the reigning premier has done just that in a thrilling round one victory. Read match reports for every Adelaide Footy League division.
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Thrilling finishes, upsets and big blowouts have headlined the opening round of the Adelaide Footy League season on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from all the round one action.
DIVISION ONE
Goodwood Saints coach Luke Donaldson said there is “something special” in his side after it produced when it mattered most in a thrilling round one encounter with Brighton on Saturday.
The division one reigning premiers needed to rise after the Bombers – kicking with the wind – hit the front with time running out in the final term.
Goodwood kicked three-straight goals to record a stirring 12-point win at Brighton Oval.
Donaldson said the 11.6 (72) to 9.6 (60) victory was unlike any he had been a part of.
“I said to our boys I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a team – coaching or playing – where we’ve been able to come from a goal down against that sort of breeze and win,” Donaldson said.
“I thought the resilience and the resolve showed there’s something special amongst the playing group.”
In a heavily-contested arm wrestle, Goodwood held a 14-point advantage going into the final term but were always susceptible to a Brighton comeback due to the hosts kicking with a strong breeze coming home.
And the Bombers made use of it.
Two long-range efforts from recruit Brett Irons and another by Shane Harvey drew Brighton level before Beau McRae put the home side in front 14 minutes into the quarter.
But Tom Anderson, playing his 150th game for the Saints, pulled something out of nothing when his soccer off the deck took a favourable bounce through the goals bring his side back.
Veteran Anthony Dempsey then kicked back-to-back majors to put Goodwood in front and ice the match.
Nicholas Homburg was excellent for the Saints on debut while ruckman Tyrin Book battled hard all day for the Bombers.
St Peter’s Old Collegians has geared up for a mouth-watering clash with its arch rivals after securing a gritty win to start the division one season.
Last year’s minor premiers were handed a challenged by Adelaide University but kicked away in the final term to take a 19-point victory at Caterer Oval.
SPOC will now face old nemesis Prince Alfred Old Collegians this Saturday on the PAC main oval.
Coach Geoff Riddle said it would be a big occasion for both clubs.
“The boys are pretty excited, we always get up and about to play our traditional rivals, especially on their main oval,” Riddle said.
“We’re really happy it’s early on in the season because both sides are going to be fairly full strength so it’s going to be a cracker of a game.”
Uni gave SPOC plenty to think about early as with its forward surges creating plenty of headaches and the Blacks went into the final term four points in front.
But the hosts’ class prevailed as they held the visitors scoreless and kicked 3.5 themselves to seal the match.
Centre half-forward Hugo Fahlbusch-Moore kicked three goals for SPOC to be named its best on the day.
Riddle’s side will face a PAOC outfit which looks in top form to begin the season.
The Old Reds kicked poorly but made light work of Port District in a 9.20 (74) to 3.6 (24) win at Largs Reserve.
Newly-promoted Tea Tree Gully produced the shock of the round when it got over Payneham Norwood Union in a nail-biter at Payneham Oval.
Trailing by three goals at the last break, the Wolves showed they are not in the top flight to make up the numbers by storming home to win 10.8 (68) to 8.14 (62).
Falcons forward Strato Agorastos will rue a dropped mark inside50 with just seconds remaining, which would have set up a shot on goal to draw the match.
Ruckman Blake Penney, Peter Persinos (three goals) and Cameron Sandercock were the main contributors for TTG.
Defender Dylan Auciello was at his usual best for the Falcons, while new recruit Alex Scali kicked three majors.
Rostrevor Old Collegians overpowered Unley Mercedes at Campbelltown Memorial Oval, 11.13 (79) to 2.6 (18).
The Jets appeared in the contest early with scores 2.3 to 1.3 at the first change before the hosts took full control and kicked away.
William Mead, who returned from West Adelaide during the off-season was the leading man for ROC along with ex-South Adelaide skipper Nicholas Murphy (four goals).
Young midfielder Oliver Cheesman, ruckman Jack Holliday and recruit Jackson Cole battled hard for Unley Mercedes.
DIVISION TWO
Athelstone has secured its first win in almost 600 days in a positive return to division two against Scotch Old Collegians.
A powerful second-half performance drove the Raggies to the comfortable 11.10 (76) to 5.9 (39) victory at Scotch College.
It was their first win since the drought-breaking division two grand final triumph in 2016 – 575 days ago.
Athelstone only led by seven points at the main break but went up a gear after half-time, booting 7.4 to Scotch’s 2.4 in a strong display.
“After the year we had last year ... to turn it around like we have was the best possible start for the club that’s for sure,” Raggies coach Chris Radetti said.
“The numbers are just getting better and better each week and the group is really starting to build.”
Sam Tarca and Aaron Stewart were in fine form for the Raggies while Brian Gill, Angus Ralph and Stephan Monda recorded three goals each.
Ex-South Adelaide midfielder Scott Taylor battled hard for the hosts.
Henley showed it has the grit required to shoot for silverware this season after it out fought fellow contenders Old Ignatians in a tight affair.
Iggies led by two points going into the final term before the Sharks, led by Patrick Sinor and Thomas Pillion, prevailed 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65).
Lawrence Comazzetto and ex-Broadview ruckman Brayden De Prinse (two goals) were solid for Old Ignatians.
At Pedlar Reserve, Glenunga looked a different beast as it easily accounted for hosts Seaton Ramblers 15.13 (103) to 6.9 (45).
The Rams, who went winless last season, were held goalless in the opening quarter but fired back with a 7.4 to 0.1 second term to set up victory.
Three-time Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke played his first match for the club since joining last season and did not disappoint, booting four majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ PHOS Camden 10.9 (69) d Sacred Heart OC 8.9 (57) at Camden Oval
■ Broadview 10.11 (71) d Salisbury North 7.8 (50) at Broadview Oval
DIVISION THREE
Reigning division three premier Golden Grove has staged a phenomenal fightback to claim a three-point win over Gaza.
However the Eagles spurned a golden opportunity to knock off 2020’s top side in the opening round after they kicked poorly and gave up a 41-point quarter time lead at Klemzig Oval.
The Kookaburra’s prevailed 11.8 (74) to 9.17 (71) to defeat the much-improved hosts.
Led by gun recruit Woodville-West Torrens premiership midfielder Scott Lewis, Gaza jumped the visitors in the opening term to lead by seven goals at the first break.
Golden Grove was shell-shocked but gathered itself in the second term and chipped away at the deficit.
The ever-present Michael Walters and veteran half-back flanker Duane Schultz showed their experience and starred for the Kookaburras to bring home the tight victory.
Portland’s return to the competition was far from ideal as it was handed a 36-goal belting by a ruthless Flinders Park.
The Thunder, who chose to sit out last season, were no match for the dominant Reds in the 34.29 (233) to 2.2 (14) demolition.
Chad Comitogianni and Cameron Miller booted six goals each for Flinders Park while Jay Hansen played a leading role.
Modbury charged hard in the final minutes of its clash against Edwardstown at Edwardstown Oval – only for the hosts to hold firm and take a two-point win.
The Hawks had opportunities to win the match in the dying embers but did not take them, going down 14.5 (89) to 12.15 (87)
Towns forward George Cornish kicked four majors in a best on ground display.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ North Haven 22.16 (148) d CBC Old Collegians 8.8 (56) at Largs North Reserve
■ Westminster OS 14.11 (95) d Plympton 9.13 (67) at Plympton Oval
DIVISION FOUR
Walkerville picked up right where it left off last season with a statement victory at home over Mitcham on Saturday.
Last year’s minor premiers piled on seven goals to two in the first quarter and never looked back in the convincing 18.9 (117) to 8.16 (64) triumph at Walkerville Recreation Ground.
Wade Ryan kicked six majors to star for the Cats.
Former Sturt and Glenelg spearhead Matt Duldig turned back the clock with a seven-goal haul to lead Morphettville Park to a 115-point thumping of Woodville South.
The Roos ran riot at Kellett Reserve, never giving the Cats a sniff in the 26.15 (171) to 8.8 (56) result.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Gepps Cross 9.5 (59) d Hope Valley 8.8 (56) at Duncan Fraser Reserve
■ Pulteney 14.9 (93) d SMOSH West Lakes 11.11 (77) at Morgan Oval
■ Pembroke OS 19.4 (118) d Kilburn 11.7 (73) at Haslam Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Dwight Reserve was the stage for a thrilling division five contest as Kenilworth came from behind to snatch victory from Eastern Park.
Down by 19, 17 and 10 points at the breaks, the Kookaburras’ persistence paid off as they came away 11.17 (83) to 12.6 (78) victors.
Kenilworth star Jordan Wilson-King put in a typically impressive display and had plenty of assistance from Samuel Scott, James Siemering and Sam Ploenges, who was recruited from division one club Unley Mercedes in the off-season.
Veteran Chris Knapp led the way for the Demons.
In the battle of the premiers at Daly Oval, it was division six champions Hectorville which prevailed over fifth-tier holders Lockleys.
The Demons shot out to a two-goal lead at quarter time but from then it was all the hosts, as they held the visitors goalless the next two terms to set up a 12.6 (78) to 6.4 (40) win.
Jak Goudman-Glasson, who played just once for the Hounds in last season but booted 75 goals in 2019, starred with four majors.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pooraka 14.16 (100) d West Croydon 8.14 (62) at Lindblom Park
■ Colonel Light Gardens 11.14 (80) d Fitzroy 7.4 (46) at Mortlock Park
DIVISION SIX
Blackfriars Old Scholars showed why it will be a serious threat for the flag in the sixth tier this year with a 20-goal smashing of Mawson Lakes.
The margin was just eight points at the first break before the Hounds kicked 7.5 to 0.0 in the second term, laying the foundations for the dominant 23.18 (156) to 5.6 (36) win.
Blackfriars club champion Matthew Brincat was his usual influential self while Brock Honson and Dylan Richardson finished the good work of their teammates to record seven goals each.
Rosewater’s decision to drop down to division six appears to have been a positive after it made a strong start to the season.
The Bulldogs out-muscled Ingle Farm 11.9 (75) to 6.13 (49) at Eric Sutton Oval.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ St Paul’s OS 17.16 (118) d Marion 9.7 (61) at Sturt Oval
■ Elizabeth 15.12 (102) d Para Hills 7.5 (47) at The Paddocks
DIVISION SEVEN
Reigning division seven premiers Brahma Lodge prevailed over the returning Greenacres in an absolute shootout at Edward Smith Reserve.
Not much was known about the Dragons coming into the year, after choosing to sit out 2020, but they gave the Tigers plenty to think about all day.
Brahma’s class came to the fore as they took the points, 18.16 (124) to 18.10 (118).
Andrew Curyer was best on for the visitors while Ryan Comyns put in a strong performance for Greenacres.
Hackham will have learnt plenty from its first foray into the Adelaide Footy League after going down by 64 points to Mitchell Park.
The Lions dominated from the first bounce to win 12.13 (85) to 3.3 (21).
The Hawks, which crossed competitions from the Southern Football League, were held scoreless in the first term and managed just one goal up to three quarter time.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Central United 16.11 (107) d O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 9.5 (59) at Mofflin Reserve
■ Houghton Districts 8.11 (59) d Adelaide Lutheran 5.10 (40) at Greenwith Oval
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