Adelaide Footy League match reports: SPOC thrashes ROC in division one clash
It was a “line in the sand” moment and St Peter’s Old Collegians has risen to the occasion to dominate a division one Adelaide Footy League stalwart.
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A pair of big defeats towards the top of the top flight ladder headline an important round of Adelaide Footy League action as the pointy end of the season has arrived.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division round 16:
DIVISION ONE
St Peter’s Old Collegians is brimming with confidence after thrashing Rostrevor Old Collegians in a “line in the sand” moment, according to coach Geoff Riddle.
With a top four spot on the line, Saints stepped up to the plate and handed ROC one of its biggest losses in recent memory in the 21.12 (138) to 4.7 (31) defeat at Caterer Oval.
SPOC knocked Rostrevor off fourth spot with the win and is in the box seat to stay there ahead of finals with a game in hand over its rivals.
“ROC has sort of bullied us around the ball the last two-and-a-half years and we’d just had enough of it,” Riddle said.
“It was a line in the sand moment for us that we weren’t going to get bullied by them anymore.
“We dominated the clearances and inside 50s, put them under pressure and that’s what ended up getting us the points.”
With plenty of service coming from the midfield, the one-two punch of Jock McLeay and Jonathan Read delivered again for SPOC as the Rostrevor defence struggled to cope under relentless pressure.
McLeay booted nine majors in a powerful display on highly-rated full-back Sam Jonas while Read added three.
The pair combined for 11 in their previous game.
James Hargreaves and Lachlan De Cesare were also in terrific touch.
SPOC takes on second-ranked Payneham Norwood Union this Saturday in another crucial clash.
“We don’t fear Payneham at all,” Riddle said.
“We beat them out there in 2019 and we match up pretty well against them, so we go there full of confidence.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’ve got to win every single game and the rest will take care of itself.”
While confidence is high at SPOC, ROC coach Will O’Malley said his side is in desperate need of some.
“I still think we have a talented side but we’re not playing our best footy that’s for sure,” O’Malley said.
“We’ve got to remain positive, we’ve still got a chance to play finals
“I think the most important thing is to just get some confidence back in the group.”
Goodwood sent an ominous message it could very well repeat its late season heroics of 2020 after going to Payneham Oval and downing the Falcons by 49 points.
And it could be a telling sign of what is to come after the minor rounds, with the two sides likely to meet in a preliminary final.
A tight first half was blown open after the main break as the Saints went on to comfortably win 12.15 (87) 4.14 (38).
Ruckman Tom Carter led the way for Goodwood alongside midfielders Ben Macreadie and Nick Favretto.
Adelaide University faced the tough task of travelling to Port District in desperate need of a win to stave off relegation and prevailed.
The Blacks looked to be running out of gas when their 43-point half-time lead evaporated late in the contest.
But, on the back of Stefan Jankewicz and Jack Keynes, Uni held on to claim a crucial 11.9 (75) to 10.9 (69) victory.
It moved the ninth-placed Blacks equal with eighth side Brighton. Both are one point behind Port District.
The Bombers were no match for top team Prince Alfred Old Collegians in their clash at Brighton Oval.
PAOC took an expected 19.12 (126) to 7.3 (45) victory.
Sixth-placed Tea Tree Gully remains in the hunt for a top four spot after it beat wooden spooner Unley Mercedes 19.17 (131) to 8.9 (57) at Pertaringa Oval.
Brothers Dylan and Chad Schoenmakers combined in starring performances for the Wolves.
DIVISION TWO
Athelstone has come within a kick of stealing a surprise win, which could have secured its safety in division two.
The Raggies – attempting to avoid relegation for the second year in succession – fell agonisingly short in a 7.15 (57) to 7.11 (53) defeat against minor premier Glenunga.
Goals to Aaron Stewart and Daniel Cluse in the dying minutes put the hosts in position to snatch victory, before time expired to the hand them the heartbreaking loss.
Athelstone, eighth, is just one win ahead of both Seaton Ramblers and Scotch Old Collegians in the battle to avoid the drop to division three.
The Raggies finished bottom of the top flight last year and elected to go down to the second tier.
But fortunately for them, both the Rams and Lions lost their respective matches on Saturday to keep the one-game buffer in tact with two rounds to play.
Finals is out of the equation for sixth-ranked Henley but that did not stop the Sharks from mustering some serious grit in a one-point nailbiter over Salisbury North.
The hosts trailed at every change before booting four goals to two in the final term to prevail 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84) at Henley Memorial Oval.
Sharks forward Thomas Pillion kicked what proved to be the winning point from a tight set shot with about two minutes to play.
Henley was officially knocked out of finals contention due to results elsewhere, despite the win.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Old Ignatians 12.13 (85) d Scotch Old Collegians 7.6 (48) at Price Memorial Oval
■ Broadview 15.7 (97) d Sacred Heart OC 5.8 (38) at Broadview Oval
■ PHOS Camden 12.11 (83) d Seaton Ramblers 7.10 (52) at Camden Oval
DIVISION THREE
Gaza is looming as a genuine threat in the race for the division three flag.
The in-form Eagles went to Flinders Park and knocked off the Reds to make it six straight wins and nine of their last 10.
In that time they’ve leapt from sixth on the ladder to third and are one game away from securing a finals berth.
On Saturday, the Eagles moved ahead of the Reds on percentage in a tightly contested 13.11 (89) to 12.9 (81) victory at Flinders Park.
It was despite a late charge from the hosts who, on the back of five goals from stalwart Daniel Blythe, worked their way back from 25 points down at the last change before falling short.
Damon Hill and Jackson Elmes (four majors) starred for Gaza.
A huge final term sprung Plympton’s season back into life as it bids to avoid relegation.
The Bulldogs trailed by two points heading into the fourth quarter against CBC Old Collegians before kicking 6.1 to 3.0 to propel them to a 12.3 (75) to 8.10 (58) triumph at home.
Plympton, ninth, pulled level with eighth-ranked Westminster Old Scholars on four wins.
Both sides play winless bottom side Portland in the final two rounds and relegation could very well be decided on percentage.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Edwardstown 29.15 (189) d Portland 9.4 (58) at Edwardstown Oval
■ Golden Grove 17.14 (116) d Westminster OS 12.12 (84) at Glandore Oval
■ North Haven 16.9 (105) d Modbury 13.7 (85) at Largs North Reserve
DIVISION FOUR
Hope Valley’s dream of returning to the division four decider for a second straight year remains a possibility after it upset Walkerville in the grand final rematch.
A special performance was needed and the Demons produced, turning the tables on the reigning premier to prevail 13.21 (99) to 11.6 (72) at Walkerville Oval.
Hope Valley – led by Ben Carabott, Jayke Hellmanns (three goals) and Josh Schilling – were in front all day against the third-placed Cats.
The Demons are fifth but trail fourth-ranked SMOSH West Lakes on percentage as the two battle to secure the last finals position.
For Walkerville, the defeat meant it fell a game behind second side Morphettville Park.
Kilburn has thrown a spanner in the works at the bottom end of the ladder by outplaying ninth-placed Woodville South in a 41-point win at Blair Athol Reserve.
In just the Chics’ second victory this campaign, Raymond Hedland and Rhys O’Keeffe kicked four goals each en route to a 14.10 (94) to 7.11 (53) triumph.
Kilburn can mathematically still avoid relegation, but would need to make up a two-win deficit and percentage in the final two rounds to avoid the drop.
However, the result did make things interesting for Woodville South and Pulteney.
The Cats’ unexpected defeat places the power back in the hands of the eight-placed Navy Blues, who are ahead on percentage.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke Old Scholars 16.14 (110) d Mitcham 8.6 (54) at Haslam Oval
■ Morphettville Park 16.17 (113) d Pulteney 8.5 (53) at Morgan Oval
■ SMOSH WL 20.15 (135) d Gepps Cross 9.15 (69) at Duncan Fraser Reserve
DIVISION FIVE
A punishing 40-goal thumping has helped Eastern Park keep a hold of fourth place in the extremely tight fight for finals in division five.
The Demons were ruthless, slamming on 44.14 (278) to West Croydon’s 4.5 (29) in a show of strength at Dwight Reserve.
The hosts had 26 goals to half-time, including a 17-goal second term, and did not let up in the 249-point win over the ninth-ranked Hawks.
It was the third time West Croydon has conceded more than 200 points this campaign.
Chris Knapp and Anthony Burgoyne both bagged 10 goals for the dominant Demons while Nathan McIver and James O’Loughlin were among a long list of strong contributors.
Eastern Park is just one point above fifth-placed Lockleys in the battle for the top four.
Only two wins separates first and sixth on the ladder with the three leading sides – Pooraka, Kenilworth and Colonel Light Gardens – split by percentage.
The Kookaburras kept themselves in the hunt for the minor premiership after they had just enough to get past Salisbury on the road.
The 12.9 (81) to 11.4 (70) victory came through starring roles from the likes of Nathan Ryles and Joel Whittlesea.
For Salisbury, the defeat put a solid dent in its finals aspirations.
The Magpies are one-and-a-half wins outside of the top four with two rounds to play.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pooraka 16.14 (110) d Colonel Light Gardens 7.9 (51) at Lindblom Park
■ Lockleys 24.17 (161) d Fitzroy 8.8 (56) at Lockleys Oval
■ Hectorville – bye
DIVISION SIX
A perfect home and away season is just one win away for all-conquering division six leaders Elizabeth.
The superbly dominant Eagles claimed their 15th-straight victory with a 95-point thumping of Marion on Saturday.
If they can overcome second-placed Trinity Old Scholars in round 17, they will end the minor rounds 16-0 with a bye to come in the final weekend.
On Saturday, a 10-goal to zero second quarter was the catalyst as the Eagles beat Marion 19.13 (127) to 4.8 (32) at Sturt Oval.
There was just two points in it at quarter time before Elizabeth kicked into gear, opened up a 65-point lead at the main break and did not look back.
The heavy defeat extinguished any faint hopes the Rams had of making a late run for fourth spot.
A wayward St Paul’s Old Scholars overcame some early jitters to get the job done over seventh side Rosewater.
An upset looked on the cards early when the Saints sprayed several opportunities and failed to register a goal in the first term to trail 0.7 to 2.1.
But the third-ranked team was always going to come and did, straightening up and saluting 14.18 (102) to 4.9 (33) at the final siren.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Blackfriars Old Scholars 17.12 (114) d Para Hills 12.5 (77) at The Paddocks
■ Trinity OS 24.12 (156) d 11.2 (68) at Trinity College Gawler
■ Ingle Farm – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Adelaide Lutheran launched itself into the box seat for finals, jumping from sixth to fourth on the ladder following a key win over Mitchell Park.
With a top four spot on the line at the South Parklands, it was the Dogs who came to play early as they jumped out to a four-goal lead at the first break.
The Lions managed to reel the hosts in briefly but could not contain Lutheran’s many avenues to goal down the stretch in the 16.12 (108) to 8.9 (57) result.
Crafty veteran David Hodges, Rowan Miegel and Sam Braidwood all booted four majors for the Dogs while Tom Kowald and Andrew Wilson starred further up the field.
Adam Halime kicked four goals in another strong outing for Mitchell Park.
The Lions, who relinquished fourth spot with the defeat, now face a tough task to beat Lutheran to the coveted last finals spot.
Both they and sixth-placed Houghton Districts are behind the Dogs on percentage but Lutheran has a game in hand.
Second-ranked Greenacres flexed its muscles in a 30-goal thumping of lowly O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale.
The Dragons piled on 33.28 (226) to the Lions’ 3.4 (22) in the heavily one-sided match at Edwards Smith Reserve.
Matthew Gibson (10 goals), Brandon Bruin (six) and Ben Bamford (five) were Greenacres’ chief destroyers up forward.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Flinders University 24.17 (161) d Hackham 8.4 (52) at Flinders Uni
■ Brahma Lodge 20.18 (138) d Houghton Districts 10.7 (67) at Greenwith Oval
■ Central United – bye
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