Adelaide Footy League match reports round one: PNU defeats Prince Alfred OC in division one

Revenge was exacted in round one of the Adelaide Footy League, with last year’s runner-up defeating the reigning premier. We recap games from every division.

The first round of the Adelaide Footy League season is complete and many fans will be satisfied after an entertaining weekend of play.

The opening round of the season saw multiple headline matchups and a host of big-name recruits make debuts for their clubs.

Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round one.

DIVISION ONE

A dominant first quarter display was the catalyst behind Payneham Norwood Union’s vengeful win over Prince Alfred Old Collegians in a 2021 division one grand final rematch on Saturday.

The Falcons kicked four goals to none in the first 20 minutes of the game before the Old Reds opened their account with two late majors in the term.

While the visitors mounted a comeback in the fourth, PNU held on to claim a 9.7 (61) to 8.7 (55) victory.

New Falcons coach Jeremy Cini was thrilled with his team’s round one performance.

PAOC’s Hayden Jolly kicks forward. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Any given year it’s good to win round one and the start we had to the game was really pleasing,” Cini said.

“They probably didn’t expect us to defend the way we did and it was really to see that forward pressure from our side paying dividends.”

New PNU signings Brad McKenzie, Ben Sawford and Harry Viney – who scored four majors – were all influential in the side’s statement win.

Cini said the performance from Viney was particularly encouraging.

“PAOC have guys like Trengove and Jolly but with McKenzie and Sawford in our midfield, we’re going to be good enough where we don’t need to tag and we saw that in the game,” Cini said.

“Harry was excellent for us too. It was just really good to see him have a game where he could enjoy his footy. His shackles are off now.”

Brighton recorded the upset of the round in division one by defeating Goodwood at home 11.8 (74) to 8.16 (64).

Former Sturt premiership forward Jake Sutcliffe was dominant for SPOC on the weekend. Picture: Stephen Laffer

New recruit Hayden Kernahan was impressive for the Bombers across the ground as his side held the inaccurate Saints at bay.

Sam Gray led by example for Port District on debut as the Magpies flew past Glenunga in an easy 10.5 (65) to 3.3 (21) win.

The matchup was never close as Gray, Daniel Passaniti and Dale Pearce (three goals) took over.

Old Ignatians took the fight to Tea Tree Gully away from home but fell short by three goals – 15.8 (98) to 12.8 (80).

Returning playing-coach Alex McKay starred for TTG, hitting the contest hard and booting three majors.

St Peter’s Old Collegians made a statement in its opening game, smashing Rostrevor OC 24.14 (158) to 11.7 (73)

Star recruit Jake Sutcliffe dominated up front, kicking an accurate 5.1 for the day.

DIVISION TWO

A reinvigorated Broadview team took out a 7.17 (59) to 9.7 (61) win away from home against Sacred Heart OC in one of the matchups of the round.

New recruits Nick Liddle and Xavier Gotch were inspirational around the park for the Tigers, while Jared Petrenko managed to get on the scoreboard for an all-important goal.

Nick Liddle impressed for the Tigers away from home. Picture: Dean Martin

Alex Cailotto was a positive in the ruck and up front for SHOC, but despite holding the Tigers goalless for the last two quarters, his side could not grab a win.

Gaza pulled off a dramatic win against Henley to get its season rolling on Saturday, holding on late to record an 11.10 (76) to 12.6 (78) victory away from home.

The Eagles got off to a fast start and managed to quell the inevitable comeback from the Sharks at their home venue to come away victorious.

Ben Nason led the way on the scoreboard with three goals for Gaza.

North Haven kicked its division two campaign off in style with a convincing 17.13 (115) to 9.11 (65) win over Unley Mercedes.

Scott Thompson’s men saw positive signs early but were unable to stop the Magpie onslaught, the home side completely dominant in the middle of the park.

The hosts had eight separate goal scorers, Jamie Solly’s four leading the way.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Athelstone 18.10 (118) d Adelaide Uni 6.9 (45)
• PHOS Camden 14.9 (93) d Salisbury North 8.10 (580)
  

DIVISION THREE

Golden Grove confirmed preseason whispers of its projected 2022 dominance over the weekend, thrashing Scotch OC 20.16 (136) to 6.5 (41) at home.

Despite a neck-and-neck start to the game, the Kookaburras kicked away in a huge second half.

Star forward Lewis Johnston could have had a remarkable debut if not for inaccuracy, the big man kicking 5.4 up front for the hosts.

Cam Shenton, Tom Robinson and Blake Heargreaves were also instrumental in their first appearances.

SMOSH West Lakes produced a strong four-quarter display to hold off Chris Barns and Morphettville Park on Saturday, winning 13.11 (89) to 15.11 (101) at Kellett Reserve Oval.

Barns kicked 7.2 for the Roos but was not able to drag his team over the line.

The visitors capitalised on errors in the middle of the park throughout the matchup and were able to create enough distance on the scoreboard in the fourth to grab a victory.

Kyle Dalidowicz was impressive for his team and instrumental in creating opportunities up front against a sturdy Roos defence.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Flinders Park 12.15 (87) d Westminster OS 12.7 (79)
• Modbury 17.11 (113) d CBC OC 7.10 (46)
• Edwardstown 14.13 (97) d Seaton Ramblers 7.14 (56)

DIVISION FOUR

Goal-kicking machine Alex Forster picked up where he left off in 2021 in round one on Friday night, kicking six majors as Pembroke OS topped Hope Valley 9.21 (75) to 12.8 (80).

Hope Valley started on top but could not capitalise on the scoreboard, missing a host of opportunities.

Daniel Nobes was a standout for the home side in his debut, kicking three goals and creating for others, but it was not enough to get the win.

Pembroke OS star Alex Forster was at his best against Hope Valley on Friday night. Picture: Tom Huntley

Kings recruits Mark Evans (playing-coach), Max Thring and Alex Forster all dominated and hit the scoreboard as the visitors ran away with a win.

Lindsay Thomas was another big-name forward who starred in round one, scoring six goals as his Portland team cleared Pulteney by 57 points – 16.11 (107) to 7.8 (50).

The home team was on top from the outset, winning the contested ball and putting its strong forwardline in a position for success.

Terrance Milera was also influential, bagging three majors.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Pooraka 18.8 (116) d Woodville 10.11 (71)
• Plympton 11.10 (76) d Mitcham 18.8 (68)
• Walkerville 14.13 (97) d Kenilworth 18.9 (117)

DIVISION FIVE

Elizabeth defeated Blackfriars OS by five points in a dramatic division six preliminary final rematch on Saturday.

The Eagles, who went on to win division six in 2021, held firm at the back in the final term to prevent a Blackfriars upset after multiple goals by Jarad Clinton and Jamie Copperstone.

Andrew McWhirter was a standout for Blackfriars, as well as Giuseppe Vellotti, the two booting seven goals between them.

Gepps Cross showed it could be the club to beat in the division this year, with a 10.10 (70) to 20.12 (132) thumping of Kilburn away from home.

The Rams’ fluid and efficient ball movement through the middle of the park and off half-bac proved too much for the home side to handle, and the club’s game style shone through with 11 separate goal-kickers.

OTHER RESULTS:

• Hectorville 9.18 (72) d Lockleys 8.11 (59)
• Eastern Park 13.11 (89) d Colonel Light Gardens 10.15 (75)
• St Pauls OS 12.8 (80) d Salisbury 9.9 (63)

DIVISION SIX

West Croydon got its season off to the perfect start with a convincing 8.15 (63) to 16.12 (108) win over Central United away from home.

TJ Wanganeen led the way for the Hawks with four goals as his team gained control in the middle and provided him with consistent service.

Para Hills also began its campaign strongly, defeating Fitzroy by 24 points away – 12.7 (79) to 15.13 (103).

Daniel Weetra (four goals) was strong for the visitors, while Dean Miller (three goals) managed to have an impact for the hosts in an otherwise disappointing day.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Marion 13.12 (90) d Brahma Lodge 11.14 (80)
• Trinity OS 14.13 (97) d Ingle Farm 6.11 (47)
• Rosewater had the bye

DIVISION SEVEN

Greenacres showed it would be a force this season with a big 21.16 (142) to 8.5 (53) win over O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale in round one.

Thomas Tacano (eight goals) and Matthew Gibson (six goals) were on fire up front for the home team as they completely overwhelmed the visitors.

Matt Kemp was also positive around the ground for Greenacres.

Mitchell Park also got off to a brilliant start in 2022, upsetting Flinders University away from home by five points – 10.8 (68) to 11.7 (73).

It was a neck-and-neck matchup the whole way through, with Mitchell Park kicking away in the last and holding firm at the back to prevent the home team from grabbing the win.

OTHER RESULTS: 

• Hackham 10.8 (68) d Mawson Lakes 5.6 (36)
• Adelaide Lutheran 15.8 (98) d Houghton Districts 11.6 (72)