Adelaide Footy League match reports round six 2021: Port District defeats Unley Mercedes
It was heartbreak on one side and happiness on the other as two Adelaide Footy League sides were separated by just one point on Saturday. Read all the match reports here.
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Tight finishes were the order of the day in the Adelaide Footy League with several matches decided by less than a goal across the divisions on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from all the round six matches.
DIVISION ONE
Delight and despair – depending on which side you fell – were abound after a one-point division one thriller at Largs Reserve on Saturday.
In a clash which could be crucial in the context of both clubs’ seasons, Port District came from behind to edge Unley Mercedes in gripping fashion.
The result breathed life back into the Magpies’ season, while the winless Jets were left to rue what could have been after letting a rare opportunity for victory to slip through their fingers.
Jack Holliday looked to have placed Unley Mercedes in line for victory when his fourth-quarter goal put the Jets 11 points up.
But District, which had hung in the contest all day, were not done yet and returned serve through James Batty to bring it back within a goal.
The Jets added another point to put a draw very much on the cards, before Gavin Shephard kicked his fourth of the day to level the scores.
Batty kicked point from a tough set shot with a minute remaining to seal the win.
Unley Mercedes coach Adam Jeffries said he was “absolutely gutted” following the loss.
“More so gutted for the players and gutted for Mike Khabbaz in his 200th,” Jeffries said.
“Yesterday was a real chance to put it all together … we thought were a red-hot chance and to be honest we blew it late.
“They just played that last six minutes better than us.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Jeffries was pleased with the Jets’ progression in his first year in charge.
“Bar the Adelaide Uni game, our footy has been really good,” he said.
“The scoreboard hasn’t always shown the results.
“Hopefully that win isn’t too far away.”
On Saturday, Crows SANFL-listed utility Jack Lewis booted four majors for the Jets while young midfielder Riley Faehrmann impressed and Damon Arnold was strong on return from injury.
Shephard’s four-goal display was the standout for the Magpies, along with Benjamin Goold and Daniel Passaniti.
The win means District is just one win out of the top five.
At Goodwood Oval, the game billed as match of the round did not disappoint as the Saints handed Prince Alfred Old Collegians its first loss of the season in a terrific contest.
Goodwood led the tight affair almost all day before prevailing 13.7 (85) to 11.12 (78).
The Old Reds were dealt a major blow, along with the loss, with playing coach Craig Pitt copping a knee to the face and suffering a potential broken jaw.
Brighton pulled itself into fourth place by securing a third-straight victory with a win over St Peter’s Old Collegians at home.
Brett Irons (three goals) starred as the Bombers proved too strong for the visitors, triumphing 10.7 (67) to 7.8 (50).
Injury-ravaged Payneham Norwood Union hung in against Rostrevor Old Collegians for as long as it could before going down 12.12 (84) to 7.6 (48) at Payneham Oval.
Recruit Jake Veide and Lewis McCormack (two goals) were best for ROC.
Tea Tree Gully made it two wins on the bounce by defeating Adelaide University 16.7 (103) to 10.15 (75) at Pertaringa Oval.
The Wolves opened up a 16-point led at quarter time and held the Blacks at arm’s length from then on.
Brodie Latham starred with six goals for the hosts, who travel to face PAOC next round.
DIVISION TWO
A clash of high importance at the bottom of division two took place at Scotch College on Saturday with the hosts beaten up by Seaton Ramblers.
Scotch Old Collegians lost the battle of two winless sides by 52 points and appears to have a serious fight on its hands to avoid relegation.
The Ramblers trailed by three points at the first break but turned the screw in the second term, keeping Scotch scoreless and booting 4.5 themselves in a crucial period.
The 12.20 (92) to 5.10 (40) victory keeps Seaton’s hopes alive of lifting itself away from the bottom two and towards the finals spots.
Brett Harland booted five goals for the Ramblers while Luke Guy and Liam Vasey put in standout performances.
Scotch meanwhile has lost all six of its opening matches.
PHOS Camden’s five-game winning run came to an end when it could not match Henley in a 19-point loss on the road.
The visitors could not buy a goal in the first half at Henley Memorial Oval, booting 0.7 to the Sharks’ 6.7.
A five-goal second half brought the Phantoms back into the contest but Henley showed its class to hold on and win 9.11 (65) to 6.10 (46).
It was a much needed win for the Sharks, who drew with Broadview last round and lost to Glenunga the week before.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Glenunga 8.8 (56) d Broadview 4.7 (31) at Broadview Oval
■ Old Ignatians 9.20 (74) d Salisbury North 7.11 (53) at Karen Rolton Oval
■ Sacred Heart OC 16.10 (106) d Athelstone 8.9 (57) at Sacred Heart Middle School
DIVISION THREE
North Haven put on a defensive clinic as it made a statement in division three with a strong win over Flinders Park.
The Magpies moved equal second on the ladder – alongside the Reds – by handing them their first defeat of the season in the 12.8 (80 to 6.8 (44) result at Largs North Reserve.
They held Flinders Park goalless in the first and third quarters, restricting them to just two goals up until three quarter time.
Down the other end, star recruit Jack Foster had no trouble scoring as he kicked five goals to take his tally for the season to 28.
Kyran Dixon and Alexander Stidiford also had stellar games for the Magpies.
In another battle between top four sides, first-placed Golden Grove and fourth-ranked Edwardstown battled out a tight contest at Edwardstown Oval.
The Kookaburras were too strong, continuing their unbeaten run to prevail 11.9 (75) to 10.9 (69).
Towns led by 21 points at the main break but could not contain the visitors in the third quarter as they put on six goals to one.
Plympton put in a spirited performance to claim its first victory of the season – an 11-point upset over Gaza.
The Bulldogs were behind at the last change but were able to run over the top of the Eagles to win 12.19 (91) to 11.14 (80) at Plympton Oval.
Zac Peake starred for the hosts with six goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Westminster OS 29.18 (192) d Portland 3.6 (24) at Glandore Oval
■ Modbury 14.9 (93) d CBC OC 6.10 (46) at East Parklands
DIVISION FOUR
Three-time Magarey Medallist James Allan turned back the clock to lead Pembroke Old Scholars to victory in an enthralling match of Friday night footy at Norwood Oval.
The former North Adelaide and Redlegs midfielder kicked four goals in a best on ground performance as the Kings downed Morphettville Park, 11.7 (73) to 9.8 (62).
In a back-and-forth affair, Pembroke traded blows with the Roos before keeping them to just one point in the final term.
Allan was named best for the Kings along with Oliver Harms and Jack Green.
Aaron Rainey battled hard for Morphettville Park while veteran Matt Duldig booted three goals.
Mitcham needed a big last quarter to snap a two-game losing run and defeat Hope Valley at Price Memorial Oval.
A big third term from the Demons brought the margin to one point at the final change before the Hawks kicked 5.5 to 1.3 in the fourth to win 12.17 (89) to 9.8 (62).
The two sides are among four teams in the division with 3-3 win-loss records.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ SMOSH WL 18.10 (118) d Kilburn 7.5 (47) at Blair Athol Reserve
■ Gepps Cross 10.11 (71) d 10.6 (66) at Duncan Fraser Reserve
■ Walkerville 11.22 (88) d Pulteney 11.11 (77) at Walkerville Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Colonel Light Gardens has given its season a much-needed shot in the arm with a one-point come from behind triumph over Hectorville in the fifth tier.
Both sides came into the match needing a win with two victories each so far this campaign.
And it was the Hounds which looked most likely to take the points when they led by three goals going into the final term at Daly Oval.
The Lions required a hero and – after edging back into the contest – they got it when Adam Brugioni snapped truly to put the visitors in front.
The two sides added a behind each from then before the siren sounded with CLG 10.15 (75) to 11.8 (74) winners.
Jesse Boundy, Alex Kitson and Jock Van Kempen were the leading lights for the Lions, while Brugioni ended up with two goals.
For Hectorville, Jak Goudman-Glasson booted five majors to take his season total to 20.
There was another tight affair at Salisbury Oval where Pooraka edged out the Magpies by three points.
The 11.12 (78) to 11.9 (75) win returned the Bulls to the top of the ladder.
Salisbury however have lost two straight matches to slump to fourth place.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Eastern Park 21.18 (144) d Fitzroy 10.11 (71) at Dwight Reserve
■ Lockleys 13.17 (95) d West Croydon 10.15 (75) at Lockleys Oval
■ Kenilworth – bye
DIVISION SIX
Para Hills’ search for its first victory of the campaign continues after it was resigned to a fifth-straight defeat, this time at the hands of Rosewater.
The Big Reds have struggled to make an impact so far in division six and will be ruing a defensively weak second quarter at Eric Sutton Oval on Saturday.
Leading by eight points at the first change, Para Hills then allowed the Dogs to kick seven unanswered goals in the second quarter.
It was the catalyst as Rosewater went on to win 11.14 (80) to 7.10 (52).
The Big Reds will be hoping to break their duck in the next two rounds when they take on bottom five sides Marion and Mawson Lakes at home.
Undefeated Elizabeth claimed another scalp and handed Trinity Old Scholars its first loss for the year in a 14.14 (98) to 9.11 (65) result at Trinity College.
Jarad Clinton booted his third bag of six goals so far for the Eagles in a starring performance.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ St Paul’s OS 11.18 (84) d Ingle Farm 9.7 (61) at Rowe Park
■ Marion 9.10 (64) d Mawson Lakes 5.8 (38) at Sturt Oval
■ Blackfriars OS – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Reigning premier Brahma Lodge looks to be building back into form nicely following a third-straight win on Saturday.
Jack Scott kicked four goals in a standout performance as the Tigers battered O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale by 103 points at Brahma Lodge Oval.
The hosts had 23 more scoring shots and did not allow the Lions a sniff in the 20.12 (132) to 4.5 (29) victory.
Lodge now holds a 4-1 win-loss record while OSB Lonsdale is battling on 1-4.
Ladder leader Central United bounced back from its first loss of the season last round by smashing Adelaide Lutheran 17.10 (112) to 5.9 (39) at Mofflin Reserve.
The Units held their visitors to just one goal in the first half on their way to the commanding victory.
Peter Dempsey, Brayden Abbott and Austin Reeves led the way while Nicholas Lane battled hard for Lutheran in his first A grade match of the season.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Greenacres 13.13 (91) d Flinders University 5.7 (37) at Edward Smith Reserve
■ Houghton Districts 13.15 (93) d Hackham 8.9 (57) at Greenwith Oval
■ Mitchell Park – bye
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