Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: Hearts beating strong in division one

A 2023 Adelaide Footy League semi-finalist has gained valuable experience from last season and currently sits among the competition’s top sides after a spectacular start to the year. That and more in this week’s 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 three.

HEARTS BEATING STRONG IN DIVISION ONE

Sacred Heart OC looks set to launch a strong finals run this year after tallying an 8-2 record from its first 10 games of the division one season.

The club, which lost to Tea Tree Gully during last season’s semi-finals, notched an impressive result against the Gullies away from home last Saturday, leaving with a 15.12 (102) to 5.14 (44) win.

Hearts currently sit in second on the ladder with an 8-2 record, below a 10-0 Glenunga, and look set to challenge deep into September.

Star utility and playing-coach Alex Cailotto said he was pleased with his side’s efforts so far this year.

“We’re definitely happy with where we sit on the ladder but also from a whole club perspective,” Cailotto said.

“We’ve got a one club philosophy and we’ve got four teams which are continuing to improve and get numbers to training.

“Footy clubs are often measured by wins and losses but a strong culture can keep you in good stead regardless.”

Sacred Heart OC star Alex Cailotto in action during last year's final against TTG. Picture: In Flight Sports

Cailotto has starred in the ruck and up front for his side yet again this season but has been supported by a number of other names including Seb Kerrish, Clayton Symonds, Cam Rankin, Brad Noble, Tom McDermott, Ethan Moore and Henry McAuliffe.

While SHOC still has a relatively young list, Cailotto believed the continuity the side had built had been integral to the form of his team.

“We’ve gained good experience and we’ve been able to build some consistency and continuity over the past couple years.

“Our core group is still young in age but it has been together for around three years which helps with on-field performances.

“We’ve also been able to bring in some new guys whether that is from other clubs or from our B Grade and even C Grade teams which is really pleasing.

“The continuity, effort and commitment of the players has been really impressive.”

Cam Rankin has been a standout for SHOC this year. Picture: Dean Martin

Hearts have lost just two games this year – one to Port District and one to Glenunga – and look set to go far at the pointy end of the season.

Cailotto believed his side still had room for improvement however, and remained level-headed about the competitiveness of the division one competition.

“The game against Tea Tree Gully was a really tough affair but we were good enough to get the win and I think that has probably been reflective through the season where we could’ve easily lost a couple and haven’t, which probably shows a bit of growth,” he said.

“We’re happy with where we are but the division is very, very competitive – a lot of the lower teams can beat the top teams at the moment, it’s all very close.

“We’re excited about the season and we think with the age profile of our club at the moment we can be a sustainable division one outfit.

“We know that is not easy to do but we should be aspiring to stay in the division for a long time.”

GOALKICKERS GALORE

A number of Adelaide Footy League stars have booted a huge number of majors already this season and rank among the top goalkickers in the state so far.

A total of 10 AdFL players currently rank among the top 10 spots for goals kicked – Daniel Weetra (Para Hills), Shawn Mansell (Eastern Park), Chris Knapp (Eastern Park), Josh Rosenthal (Fitzroy), James Ellis (Fitzroy), Trevor Rigney (OSB Lonsdale), Brandon Rigney (Ingle Farm), James Gameau (Salisbury), Jake Martin (Houghton Districts) and Ben Haren (Lockleys).

Weetra leads the state with a whopping 86 goals just 10 games into the season, while Mansell, Knapp, Rosenthal and Ellis all boast impressive totals in division six.

Weetra could make the 100-mark within the next two weeks if he remains on his current pace, while Mansell, Knapp and Rosenthal could all follow shortly after.