Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: Broadview upsets Port District to kick-off season 2023

A new division one club fought through key departures and injuries to achieve the upset of round one. Get all the Adelaide Footy League’s talking points of the week in One-Percenters.

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, photos or videos to [e-mail]

Here is what caught our attention during round one of the season:

TIGERS TAME REIGNING PREMIER

A lot was said about Broadview’s slim chances in division one this season after last year’s division two premier lost star players Jared Petrenko and Jesse White, and that was before Lewis Saint and Rigby Barnes suffered season-ending injuries a week before round one.

But the Tigers came out with a defensive, high-pressure plan against Port District over the weekend and executed seamlessly to achieve one of the biggest upsets of round one, winning 9.10 (64) to 9.7 (61) at home.

Captain Jay O’Leary, young key Hamish Ralph and new ruck Chol Anyang all stepped up to the plate as the hosts applied maximum pressure to Port District’s ball users and cause multiple turnovers in a congested affair.

“Our pressure was definitely the most pleasing thing and was a big part of our game plan. I think we had something like 126 tackles in the end, which was huge,” Tigers coach Matt Burgess said.

“We knew if we forced them into turnover we’d be a massive chance and we executed that well.

Broadview, led by Jay O’Leary (front), surprised many on Saturday by defeating div one premier Port District. Picture: Matt Oborn

“It was a huge effort by the boys, the intensity was fantastic and the result now gives us a bit of belief that we can compete with the best in this division going forward.”

While his side lost two stars in the pre-season as well as current gun players in Barnes and Saint through injury, Burgess said he remained confident Broadview’s system and culture could keep them competitive in the Adelaide Footy League’s most closely contested division.

The weekend’s contest was reflective of this, with a number of role players coming in to the first team and executing at a high level.

“We’re such a team-first side and we have a lot of confidence in the group no matter who is out there playing for us.” Burgess said.

“We don’t treat guys who are coming in to the first team any different to our top players and I think that helps them to settle and really perform.”

Broadview will face another tough test this Saturday, taking on fellow 2022 division two grand finalist Sacred Heart OC away from home.

“We know they’re a very strong outfit – when you add a dual Magarey Medallist (Joel Cross) you’re going to be tough to beat,” Burgess said.

“We’re expecting a few of their guys will be bringing a lot of heat after the grand final last year but we need to put the past behind us and focus on what we can do to win the game.”

BENNETT BEST ON IN MILESTONE GAME

Glenunga’s Lincoln Bennett celebrated his 150th A Grade game for the club in style on Saturday, dominating through the middle and up front to win best on ground honours in the Rams’ 20.13 (133) to 5.7 (37) win over Brighton.

Lincoln Bennett in action for Glenunga. Picture: Max Stapleton

Bennett wreaked havoc from start to finish against the Bombers, booting a goal in each quarter to finish with four majors to go along with his countless contested possessions.

The performance was the perfect way for Bennett to celebrate his milestone game and helped the Rams to the top of the ladder after round one.

CHAMPIONS CLASH IN DIV TWO

Two of the Adelaide Footy League’s top midfielders put on a show in division two’s first round of the season.

Athelstone’s Mitch Grigg (dual Magarey Medallist) and PHOS Camden’s Henry Papatolis (dual FA Bloch Medallist) were at their brilliant best on Saturday as the Raggies topped the Phantoms 11.7 (73) to 6.12 (48).

Mitch Grigg (right) chases PHOS Camden's Henry Papatolis (middle). Picture: Dwayne Flight

Papatolis picked up where he left off in 2022 when he won the division’s medal for the second straight season, dominating through the middle and setting his forwards up with elite ball-use.

Grigg also impressed on the ball and up front in his highly-anticipated Athelstone debut, winning plenty of the footy and also hitting the scoreboard with an important major in the first quarter.

The round one clash could have been an early glimpse into the top two in this year’s medal count.

GOALS AND MARKS OF THE WEEK

The goals and marks of the week have been picked for round one and in conjunction with the Adelaide Footy League, we’re giving you the chance to vote for who you think is the standout in both categories.

Watch the videos and vote in our polls below.

Each week the votes will go towards the Adelaide Footy League’s awards for the mark and goal of the year.