Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: Edwardstown confident of Golden Grove upset after defeating Flinders Park

Fresh off a preliminary final upset, an Adelaide Footy League underdog remains confident as it faces an undefeated flag rival in Saturday’s grand final. That and more in One-Percenters.

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

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

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Here is what caught our attention during the weekend’s finals action:

TOWNS TARGETING GF UPSET

Coming from fourth on the ladder, Edwardstown won itself promotion to division two over the weekend with an 18.5 (113) to 6.17 (53) upset thumping of Flinders Park in the division three preliminary final.

Towns have had to do it the hard way this season, defeating Westminster OS 74-47 in the elimination final and then ousting an in-form Modbury side 88-50 in the first semi-final at Modbury Oval.

The club will face its biggest challenge of its season this Saturday however, taking on major favourite Golden Grove in the grand final at Elizabeth Oval.

Edwardstown coach Damian Salievic instructs his troops at three-quarter time of the preliminary final. Picture: Edwardstown Football Club

While the Kookaburras – who are coming off an extra week’s rest – remain undefeated, Towns coach Damian Salievic believed his side had clicked at just the right time.

“The performance against Flinders Park was our most complete performance of the year in every area,” Salievic said.

“We’re firing on all cylinders right now and I think the elimination final win against Westminster really set us up for a very successful finals run.”

All of Edwardstown’s big names are in hot form, with former West Adelaide champions Josh Schiller and Aaron Anderson dominating through the middle and up front.

Veteran forward George Cornish has also found his touch, booting five majors against Flinders Park on Saturday to lead all goalkickers on the day.

Edwardstown’s George Cornish attempts a mark up front. The gun forward booted five majors against Flinders Park on Saturday. Picture: Mark Brake

“It’s good to see the big guns fire but we’re just in some really good form as a team,” Salievic said.

“All our players have hit some fantastic form and we’re going to need that again this weekend against a very strong outfit.”

Edwardstown has not come close to defeating Golden Grove this season, losing its round six matchup with the Kookaburras 131-38 and its round 15 affair 114-51.

While Salievic admitted his opponent – stacked with talented guns like Lewis Johnston, Cam Shenton, Joel Horskin and division best and fairest Jake Pitman – had been the benchmark, he believed his side could give them a run for their money.

Former West Adelaide gun Aaron Anderson has been in season-best form for Edwardstown. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We’re definitely a chance – you don’t get this far in a finals series if you don’t have that important belief all through your ranks,” he said.

“The whole club is on a high after the weekend, with the reserves and the U17s also making their grand finals and earning promotion, which shows we’re in a really good spot moving forward.

“In saying that, a premiership would mean everything to us and we’re going to give it all we’ve got come Saturday.”

Edwardstown will take on Golden Grove from 2.30pm at X Convenience Oval (Elizabeth Oval).

UNBEATEN DRAGONS ON THE RISE

Greenacres completed a major achievement on Saturday, winning the division seven premiership and remaining undefeated through season 2022.

The Dragons flew out of the gate against Adelaide Lutheran, kicking 7.1 in the first half and going on to boot five goals to two in the final term to win 14.6 (90) to 9.10 (64).

The achievement marks a momentous occasion for the club, which has turned its culture around in the hopes of rising through the ranks in the coming years.

Greenacres celebrates its division seven flag after going undefeated in season 2022. Picture: Greenacres Football Club

“There’s been a really great culture created here and I think that’s now bearing fruit on the field,” star forward Matt Gibson – who booted three on Saturday – said of the Dragons’ turnaround.

“The club is constantly improving in all areas and the way we’ve recruited and set ourselves up I think we can have a lot of success in the coming years.”

Greenacres will move up to division six next season along with Adelaide Lutheran, replacing Para Hills and Ingle Farm who will move down.