Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: North Haven’s epic win over Sacred Heart OC, and Alex Barns boots season-saving goal for Morphettville Park

A newly-promoted Adelaide Footy League Club achieved its best victory of the year in round 15, winning an upset in the dying seconds. Can it make a late push for a flag?

Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap of the talking points from the round in the Adelaide Footy League.

Each edition we will bring you tidbits from the last weekend – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.

If you know or have heard something quirky or interesting in the Adelaide Footy League, email your suggestions or photos to [e-mail]

Here is what caught our attention as divisions two to seven played out round 15:

HOBBLED ROO THE HERO IN EPIC WIN

Star Morphettville Park recruit Alex Barns has had a challenging 2022 season on the footy field, but a huge matchwinning performance on Saturday highlighted why the club picked up the North Adelaide premiership utility.

With just a minute remaining, the Roos trailed by four points at home to fellow relegation zone rivals Seaton Ramblers, and it looked like their season was all but over.

Enter Barns.

The big forward – hobbled by a chronic knee issue – had kicked 2.6 before outmuscling his opponent and grabbing hold of a last-ditch forward 50 entry.

Alex Barns takes a big mark before his season saving goal on Saturday. Picture: Dartfish TV

Alex Barns lines up for goal. Picture: Dartfish TV

The crowd held its breath as Barns went back on his mark, waltzed in and slotted through what would be the winning goal, with the siren sounding just seconds after.

With the 67-65 win, Morphettville Park moved out of the relegation zone and up to seventh on percentage.

“We would have had no chance of staying in the division if we lost that one, so the win was massive,” Barns said.

“It was a really spirited game on both sides, with both teams needing a win.

“We got the break when we needed it and it felt really good just to be able to play winning footy, and of course kicking the winner is always nice.”

Barns has struggled to stay in the lineup for the Roos this season, the ruck/forward experiencing prolonged trouble with his knees.

A premiership-winning utility with North Adelaide in the SANFL, Barns was picked up by his hometown club before the 2022 Adelaide Footy League season. Picture: Sarah Reed

His side has suffered as a result, and his effort on Saturday underlined that.

“It’s a chronic issue, it’s going to come good but not during the footy season,” Barns said.

“I’m barely moving sometimes and I had to get local anaesthetic on the weekend just to play the game.”

While he said he had enjoyed being back at his home club with brother and star teammate Chris, Barns also described what he believed had been one of his most frustrating seasons in footy.

“I’ve loved being around the club, being back home. From a footy sense though, it’s been a disaster,” he said.

Hampered by chronic knee issues, Barns has struggled to stay on the park for the Roos but is keen to bounce back in 2023. Picture: Morphettville Park Football Club

“It’s been really challenging physically and definitely such a frustrating year in terms of just not being able to play.

“I just need the offseason and I’ll be ok, I’ve just got to get there first.”

The club faces undefeated division leader Golden Grove this weekend, followed by fellow relegation battlers Westminster OS and then top two club Flinders Park in the final round of the year.

Barns was confident his team could stay in division despite the challenges to come.

“We’re pretty realistic about where we’re at – will give it a red hot crack against Golden Grove and Flinders Park but our chances of beating them probably aren’t too great,” Barns said.

“We’ve beaten Westminster this season though and if we can do that again in round 17 we’re going to give ourselves every chance of staying in the division and then attacking next year with a fully fit squad.”

MAGPIES FLY IN ONE-POINT THRILLER

Division two club North Haven bounced back from a loss to Athelstone in round 14 to achieve a remarkable one-point away win against division leaders Sacred Heart Old Collegians, keeping its chances of a top-three finish alive.

Led by star onballer and captain Mark Rowe, and playing-coach Ryan McInerney, the Magpies flew home in the final term to turn a two-goal deficit into a tied score before kicking the winning behind with only two minutes remaining.

To cap off the victory, young backman Leo Koch took a highlight mark deep in the defensive 50 as the siren sounded, sending the visiting fans into a frenzy.

North Haven playing-coach Ryan McInerney said the Magpies still had room for improvement in 2022. Picture: North Haven Football Club

“The result speaks for itself, it was a fantastic win,” McInerney said.

“We’ve been a bit up and down as of late but we’ve been putting in a lot of hard work behind the scenes so it was fantastic to get some reward for effort.”

The club won promotion from division three after a strong 2021, and has had a solid year so far in division two.

It sits four points away from a double finals chance with three games remaining against PHOS Camden, Salisbury North and Broadview.

Tom Sandercock has been a star up front for the Magpies. Picture: Mason Parker

“We had a really strong start to the year coming up a division and winning our first five games but we’ve had some different challenges throughout and probably aren’t catching any teams off guard at this point,” McInerney said.

“Some guys have gone away and looked at themselves in terms of the level they’re bringing at training and what they need to do to be competitive in this division, so we’re starting to improve again.

“We’re still a work in progress but I think with our leadership and experience we can hopefully finish top three or at least make finals, have a good run and push whoever we come up against.”

GOALS AND MARKS OF THE WEEK