Adelaide Footy League match reports round ten: Prince Alfred OC thumps Port District
Prince Alfred OC’s scoring power is unmatched this season – see the stats behind the domination plus read match reports from every Adelaide Footy League division here.
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A 140-point statement, a crucial upset and several tight tussles shook up the Adelaide Footy League’s top flight even further on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round 10:
DIVISION ONE
A revitalised and evenly-spread forward line is the key to Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ outstanding attacking performances this season, according to coach Craig Pitt.
The Old Reds notched their second biggest score of the campaign as they took an understrength Port District to the cleaners in a 140-point thumping on Saturday.
The division one ladder leaders piled on 22.19 (151) to the Magpies’ disappointing 1.5 (11) at Park 9.
Their biggest total this campaign came in a 182-22 demolition of Adelaide University in round four.
Pitt said a retooled front six was behind the Old Reds’ improvement from an average of 84.9 points per game in 2020 to 105.1 this campaign.
The playing coach, who remains on the sidelines with a broken jaw, said his brother Jake’s five-game absence due to an ankle injury also strangely enough contributed to the increase.
“In previous years we’ve heavily relied on Jake up there and he’s missed most of the year,” Pitt said.
“So in a way that’s probably been good because it’s meant a lot of other guys have had to step up and kick goals.
“Having a guy like Tyson Brazel come to the club – he’s been great – and Riley Robinson played forward on the weekend and was really good as well.
“Tommy Bartlett’s been around a while but he’s starting to kick a few more goals now as well.
“We’ve got some guys who can really go through the forward line now, which is a pleasure to have.”
On Saturday, PAOC made seven changes going into the match but the line-up was spot on as it kept District scoreless in the first half and opened up a 70-point lead at the main break.
Cameron Giles starred in the ruck and around the ground for the Old Reds, continuing his terrific campaign.
Star man Jack Trengove and Mitch Wicks were also influential.
They were two of four Old Reds to kick three goals each alongside Jake Pitt and Lachie McNamara.
Port District coach Simon Maddern named just two players in his best – Tom Carter and Jack Gaffney – while Gavin Shephard kicked the Magpies’ solitary goal.
PAOC now turns its attention to a clash against fierce rival St Peter’s Old Collegians this Saturday.
Pitt said his side would not be taking Saints likely, despite their recent struggles.
“It’s almost like a Showdown-type game – it doesn’t matter where both sides are sitting on the ladder it’s always a grudge match no matter what,” he said.
SPOC lost its second successive match on Saturday, this time a 39-point defeat to the rising Adelaide University.
The eighth-placed Blacks had all the answers at home as they piled on 7.2 to 1.2 in the first quarter to set up a 13.8 (86) to 7.5 (47) triumph.
They have now won three straight and are just one win behind fifth-ranked SPOC, which has been forced to call upon its depth with key leaders out through injury and suspension.
Ben Adams starred for Uni alongside Frane Babic, Ryan Marini (two goals) and Mitch Marini (three).
Goodwood Saints got back on the winners list but once again showed signs of its fragility in a come from behind four-point win over Brighton.
The reigning premiers trailed by five points at the last change but did enough to prevail 5.12 (42) to 4.14 (38) in a dour affair at Goodwood Oval.
The Bombers meanwhile have now lost their past three games by a goal or less.
Payneham Norwood Union outfought Tea Tree Gully in another low-scoring affair at Pertaringa Oval.
The Falcons managed to do what was required to run out 8.14 (62) to 5.15 (45) winners and hold onto second spot.
At Kingswood Oval, ruckman James Butterworth led the way as Rostrevor Old Collegians took care of Unley Mercedes by 37 points.
Butterworth and Patrick Dawson (four goals) were the key movers as the third-ranked ROC downed the bottom-placed Jets, 14.16 (100) to 10.3 (63)
DIVISION TWO
The battle for the double chance is heating up in division two after Old Ignatians climbed into second place with a dominant 50-point triumph over Henley.
Iggies, PHOS Camden (third) and Sacred Heart Old Collegians (fourth) are now all locked on seven wins and three losses as they fight for the coveted top three spots.
All three are two victories behind ladder leader Glenunga.
On Saturday, Old Ignatians piled the pressure on a lacklustre Henley in a 17.9 (111) to 9.7 (61) defeat at Karen Rolton Oval.
The margin was just eight points the difference at the main break in favour of Iggies before they put the Sharks to the sword, kicking 11.2 to 4.2 in the second half.
Jack Manson’s strong season continued as he booted three goals and was named the hosts’ best alongside Sam Boots and Lawrence Comazzetto.
Jake Cook and Ethan Miller fought well for Henley.
SHOC made it five wins in a row with a crucial victory over PHOS Camden at Sacred Heart Middle School.
Hearts had to hold off a fourth-quarter fightback by the Phantoms to win 13.9 (87) to 12.7 (79).
Bradley Noble starred for SHOC while Henry McAuliffe and Oscar Lovelock booted three majors each.
Out of form Broadview was dealt another strong blow, this time at the hands of Salisbury North.
The Hawks were far too strong at home as they smashed the Tigers 19.14 (128) to 7.2 (44).
Broadview has just one win in its past six matches – including three straight losses by an average of 64 points – while Salisbury North has three wins from its last four.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Glenunga 7.9 (51) d Seaton Ramblers 2.16 (28) at Webb Oval
■ Athelstone 7.16 (58) d Scotch OC 6.9 (45) at Max Amber Sportsfield
DIVISION THREE
CBC Old Collegians has caused one of the upsets of the division three season, stunning ladder leader North Haven on Saturday.
The ninth-placed Dolphins were not given much of a chance heading into the clash at home against the high-flying Magpies.
But they came out of the blocks quickly, opening up a 25-point half-time lead before going on to win 8.14 (62) to North Haven’s wayward 2.11 (23).
Jonty Rutai, Will McPherson and Matt Raymond led the way for the Dolphins.
It was CBC OC’s second straight victory and drew it level with eighth-placed Plympton on three wins in the relegation battle.
Modbury moved into the top five and signalled its intention to cause some havoc in the back end of the season with a resounding victory over Edwardstown at home.
The Hawks had their way with the disappointing Towns, who have just one win in their past six outings, triumphing 17.8 (11) to 5.8 (38).
Chris Tidswell was influential for Modbury while Bradley Vassal, Liam Verity and Daniel Kaipara booted three each in an even spread of goal kickers.
The Hawks face a big test next week when they travel to face second-placed Flinders Park.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Westminster OS 12.9 (81) d Plympton 11.3 (69) at Glandore Oval
■ Golden Grove 17.16 (118) d Gaza 14.5 (89) at Harpers Field
■ Flinders Park 26.16 (172) d Portland 1.4 (10) at Port Reserve
DIVISION FOUR
Mitcham enhanced its credentials as a genuine threat in the fourth tier by knocking off a premiership contender for the second straight week.
The Hawks led almost all day as they handed reigning premier Walkerville its second defeat for the season in a 11.12 (78) to 10.7 (67) result at Price Memorial Oval.
It comes after their shock seven-point win over Pembroke Old Scholars in round nine.
On Saturday, Stewart Lawson had his best game for the season to lead Mitcham alongside, Harrison Pride and Sam Clark.
Sean Kuerschner was solid in defeat for the Cats and Paul Spilios slotted three goals.
It was the Chris Barns show at Ledger Reserve as Morphettville Park belted Woodville South by 88 points.
Ex-North Adelaide man Barns bagged 10 goals in a best on ground performance for the dominant Roos, who kept hold of third place but are only behind the top two on percentage.
Young gun Kye Dean, former Geelong forward Cory Gregson and Nick Hankin provided ample support.
Woodville South meanwhile remained ninth on the ladder.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke OS 19.13 (127) d Kilburn 4.6 (30) at Blair Athol Reserve
■ Hope Valley 15.15 (105) d Gepps Cross 4.8 (32) at Hope Valley Oval
■ SMOSH West Lakes 13.10 (88) d Pulteney 10.5 (65) at West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Eastern Park has ticked a major box in its march towards a deep finals run by going to St Mary’s and taking care of Kenilworth.
It was just the Demons’ second win on the road this season – the first coming against lowly West Croydon in round nine – and their sixth in total.
The 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58) victory also meant they kept hold of second place on the ladder, with Lockleys and Colonel Light Gardens just half a game behind.
Kenilworth however dropped a win behind that pack with the result.
All sides are chasing ladder leader Pooraka however and the Bulls asserted their dominance on Saturday with a staggering 166-point thumping of West Croydon at Fawk Reserve.
The Hawks stood no chance as the likes of Luke Buckby (eight goals), Matt Rankine and Rhys Kalic ran riot for the visitors in the 32.15 (207) to 6.5 (41) win.
Pooraka had 10 different multiple goal kickers on the day.
The Bulls hold a 7-2 win-loss record, half a game ahead of Eastern Park.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Colonel Light Gardens 17.19 (121) d Fitzroy 7.4 (46) at Fitzroy Sports Club
■ Lockleys 13.22 (100) d Hectorville 8.6 (54) at Lockleys Oval
■ Salisbury – bye
DIVISION SIX
Ingle Farm showed a strong sign its season may finally be clicking into gear by holding off a fast-finishing Rosewater by one point at Rowe Park on Saturday.
The visitors kicked the last three goals of the match but the Farmers had just enough to edge out a 13.7 (85) to 11.18 (84) victory.
Ingle Farm has now won two of its past three and moved into fifth spot on the ladder, despite holding a 3-6 record.
Aidan McAleer, Devin Payne (five goals) and Norman Wombat were best for the hosts.
Hugh Johnson-Schroeder booted five majors for Rosewater, two of them coming in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
At Argana Park, it was another week, another win for Elizabeth as it notched its ninth successive victory.
The ladder-leading Eagles led at every change and saluted 17.12 (114) to 11.5 (71) over an improving Para Hills.
Daniel Weetra kicked seven goals for the Big Reds, who are in eighth place.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Blackfriars OS 22.9 (141) d Mawson Lakes 5.6 (36) at Mawson Lakes Oval
■ St Paul’s OS 13.7 (85) d Marion 9.7 (61) at Thebarton Oval
■ Trinity OS – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Mitchell Park moved into fourth spot on the division seven ladder by bringing Hackham back down to earth in a 66-point demolition at home.
The Hawks, who notched their first win since joining the league last time out, stood no chance as Adam Halime bagged nine goals to lead the Lions to a convincing 17.16 (118) to 7.10 (52) victory.
Halime had plenty of help from the likes of Brandon Walczak and Angus Mugg, while
Jeremy Cross battled hard for Hackham.
Mitchell Park’s win put it ahead of Houghton Districts, which suffered a 19.18 (132) to 10.12 (72) defeat away to Adelaide Lutheran on Saturday.
In an important battle in the context of the middle of the table, the sixth-placed Dogs slammed on eight goals to one in the opening term before extending their lead to 95 points at the main break.
Lutheran then took the foot off the gas and the Raiders made the scoreboard look somewhat respectable in an improved second half.
Rowan Miegel booted six majors in a standout performance for the Dogs.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Brahma Lodge 12.13 (85) d Greenacrs 10.8 (68) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Central United 18.17 (125) d OSB Lonsdale 1.3 (9) at Lonsdale Oval
■ Flinders University – bye
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