Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: Morphettville Park set for post-bye turnaround

After two years of dominance, an Adelaide Footy League club finds itself in a relegation battle, but a turnaround is coming. 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 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 about something interesting in the Adelaide Footy League, email us your suggestions or photos to [e-mail]

Here is what caught our eye as the first half of the season wrapped up:

ROOS IN RELEGATION BATTLE?

Just half a season after winning the division four premiership, Morphettville Park sees itself sitting eighth in division three and equal on points with the two bottom sides – CBC OC and Scotch OC.

Despite losing premiership players such as star Corey Gregson, the club headed into the season with high expectations after recruiting North Adelaide ruck/utility Alex Barns to join his brother, forward Chris Barns.

However, the Roos have been unable to string consecutive wins together thus far.

After defeating Westminster Old Scholars 113-94 behind eight Ed Doak goals in round eight, the side went down to Flinders Park 95-28 over the weekend.

Doak said it had been hard to find consistency.

Star Morphettville Park forward Ed Doak believed his side was on track for a turnaround this season. Picture: Dean Martin

“It’s definitely been a challenge,” Doak said.

“We lost a few players after last year and it’s been a process to integrate the Barns boys as well as some other young guys we have coming through.

“We’ve played some good footy but it’s just about trying to find that consistency especially against the better sides.”

The club has been without the Barns brothers through the last few weeks, with both suffering injury.

This has impacted the Roos’ influence both in the ruck and up front and has seen the side’s midfield and defence fall under consistent pressure.

Doak said welcoming the two stars back after the bye would be a big boost.

“Having them out is a big blow and it will be great to have them back but it hasn’t been the sole reason we’re losing,” Doak said.

“I think once we can get them back though and get some continuity going within the group with personnel we’re going to turn things around.”

Former North Adelaide champion Alex Barns is set for return soon-after this weekend’s bye. Picture: SARAH REED

The Roos have only won one game since its win over Edwardstown in round two but have shown strong footy in stretches throughout the season.

Their performance against Westminster OS in round eight showed what they were capable of, with a full four-quarter effort in all areas sealing the win.

Doak believed the team still had what it took to make finals.

“Our goal is still to push for finals footy. We’ve shown we can play footy at the required level but we need to do it for four quarters,” he said.

“There are a lot of strong teams in division three but if we can stick with it and continue to leave it all on the field each week I think we could get there.”

RACE TO 100 CONTINUES

The season is at its halfway point and a handful of forwards continue to dominate their respective divisions on the road to 100 goals.

Walkerville’s Adam Proud still leads the way with 52 goals in nine games, the star forward adding three more against Plympton on the weekend.

He is chased by Greenacres’ Matt Gibson on 51 goals, Modbury’s Liam Verity, who sits on 49 goals after nine games, as well as Eastern Park’s Shawn Mansell with 48 goals and Pembroke Old Scholars’ Alex Forster who has 45 goals after a big eight-goal-haul against Pooraka.

Lockleys star Ben Haren is also now in touch after a huge 10-goal performance against Elizabeth.

He too sits on 45 majors.

Who will finish this season with more goals? Vote in our poll.