Adelaide Footy League mid-season predictions for all seven divisions from Messenger sport reporters
COMPETITION for finals spots and premierships is heating up across the Adelaide Footy League’s seven divisions at the halfway point of the season. See our writers’ predictions here.
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COMPETITION for finals spots and premierships is heating up across the Adelaide Footy League’s seven divisions at the halfway point of the season.
Messenger Community News sports reporters Gordon Armstrong, Patrick Keam and Matt Turner have assessed each division’s premiership favourites, finals contenders and relegation fodder as we approach crunch time for all clubs.
DIVISION ONE
Reigning premier Rostrevor Old Collegians has started the season 5-0 and looks a decent chance to defend its crown as Daniel McCallum, Will O’Malley and Heath Commane (36 goals) all fire.
Tea Tree Gully (6-1-1) appears to be the biggest challenger but do not discount last season’s runner up Payneham Norwood Union (4-4), which has won four of its past five games.
Winless Modbury, which would have been demoted last season if not for indiscretions by Salisbury North, and new boys Athelstone (2-6) could be in trouble of being relegated.
But Prince Alfred Old Collegians (3-5) is flirting with danger and close to the drop zone.
Our predictions:
Top five: Rostrevor OC, Tea Tree Gully, Payneham NU, Port District, Adelaide University
Grand final: Rostrevor OC v Tea Tree Gully
Premier: Rostrevor OC
Bottom two: Athelstone, Modbury
DIVISION TWO
St Peter’s Old Collegians has bounced back from being relegated to begin the second-tier campaign with a 9-0 record.
PHOS Camden (7-1-1) is not far behind, while Broadview (6-3) and Brighton (5-3-1) are also in the premiership and top-three mix.
Unley Mercedes (5-4) and Salisbury North (5-4) will likely battle it out for the final spot in the five.
The in-form Jets have won five of their past six games.
Gaza (2-7) is ninth, but we expect the Eagles to lift in the second half of the season.
Old Ignatians (2-7) are just out of the relegation zone on percentage, while Golden Grove (0-9) is in serious need of a few victories if it wants to survive the drop.
Top five: St Peter’s OC, Broadview, PHOS Camden, Brighton, Unley Mercedes
Grand final: St Peter’s OC v PHOS Camden
Premier: St Peter’s OC
Bottom two: Old Ignatians, Golden Grove
DIVISION THREE
Seaton Ramblers could be back on the way to top-tier football it is used to after a dominant start to the division three season.
The Rams have been a perennial division one and two team in recent years and should be in the thick of the premiership mix thanks to their 8-1 start.
Scotch Old Collegians (5-4) has had a sluggish opening to the season but its key recruits, such as ex-South Adelaide duo Peter Rolfe and Roland Ah Chee, are starting to find their feet.
Westminster Old Scholars (7-2) and North Haven (7-2) are also contenders.
Pembroke (0-9) is yet to win a game and will find it very tough to get out of the bottom two, while Walkerville (1-8) and Plympton (3-6) are also in the relegation mix.
Top five: Seaton Ramblers, Scotch OC, Westminster OC, North Haven, Morphettville Park
Premier: Seaton Ramblers
Grand final: Seaton Ramblers v Scotch OC
Bottom two: Walkerville, Pembroke
DIVISION FOUR
Rising two divisions in two seasons is no mean feat but Glenunga may be set for back-to-back promotions.
It is tight in the spots below the 8-1 Rams.
Colonel Light Gardens (6-3) and Mitcham (5-4) are well placed for a crack at a double chance, while a whopping five teams — Gepps Cross, Kilburn, Edwardstown, SMOSH West Lakes and Pooraka — have 4-5 records.
It means just two wins separate second and eighth on the ladder.
Salisbury is bottom with a 1-8 start to the year and look likely relegation candidates but the ninth spot on the ladder is a tough one to pick.
As it stands, Eastern Park, which was stripped of seven premiership points after a player’s suspension, sits ninth on three points.
But the Demons have a 5-4 record and could easily bridge the gap between themselves and their rivals.
Top five: Glenunga, Mitcham, Kilburn, Colonel Light Gardens, Gepps Cross
Premier: Glenunga
G rand final:Glenunga v Kilburn
Bottom two: SMOSH West Lakes, Salisbury
DIVISION FIVE
Kenilworth lost its opening two matches but has been on a rampage ever since, winning five straight to firm as serious premiership contenders.
The Kookaburras (7-2) and Lockleys (7-2) are hot on the heels of ladder leader CBC Old Collegians (8-1).
The battle for the remaining two top-five spots will be fought between Pulteney (6-3), Blackfriars Old Scholars (6-3) and Woodville South (5-4).
Woodville South beat Blackfriars last round to stay in the finals mix.
Hectorville (1-8), Ingle Farm (1-8), Smithfield (2-7) and Hope Valley (2-7) are in the thick of possibly the most intriguing relegation battle of any division.
Top five: CBCOC, Kenilworth, Pulteney, Lockleys, Blackfriars OS
Premier: Kenilworth
Grand final: CBCOC v Kenilworth
Bottom two: Hectorville, Ingle Farm
DIVISION SIX
Only a brave man would tip against 9-0 Rosewater for the division six flag.
The Bulldogs have rarely been challenged on their way to a unblemished record to sit three wins clear of Salisbury West (6-3) and Trinity Old Scholars (6-3).
West Croydon (7-2) has more wins than the Tigers and Trinity but fewer points (11 compared to 12) after losing three premiership points because of an indiscretion.
Greenacres, bottom and winless with a percentage of just 15.64, will need a minor miracle to avoid being relegated.
Unless it can turn things around quickly, Adelaide Lutheran (1-8) is likely to join the Dragons.
Top five: Rosewater, West Croydon, Salisbury West, Trinity OS, Para Hills
Premier: Rosewater
Grand final: Rosewater v West Croydon
Bottom two: Adelaide Lutheran, Greenacres
DIVISION SEVEN
Will O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale or Marion win an Adelaide Footy League flag in their first season since switching from the Southern Football League?
Both sides have taken to division seven like ducks to water — the Lions (9-0) are unbeaten and top, while the Rams (6-3) are in second spot.
St Paul’s Old Scholars, Mawson Lakes and Houghton Districts all have 6-3 records too.
Flinders University (0-9) and Mitchell Park (1-8) appear likely to finish in the bottom two unless they can overtake Golden Grove (2-7).
Houghton Districts (4-5) and Central United (5-4) are still in the thick of the finals race.
Top five: OSB/Lonsdale, Marion, Mawson Lakes, St Paul’s OS, Houghton Districts
Premier: OSB/Lonsdale
Grand final: OSB/Lonsdale v Marion
Bottom two: Mitchell Park, Flinders University
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