Adelaide Footy League One-Percenters: North Haven ready to challenge Sacred Heart OC after Athelstone upset

An Adelaide Footy League dark horse has the chance to earn an unlikely promotion to the league’s top division for the first time in its history. 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 something quirky or interesting in the Adelaide Footy League, email your suggestions or photos to [e-mail]

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

MAGPIES FLYING FOR FLAG

Just a year after winning the division three premiership and promotion to division two, North Haven will have the chance to enter division one when it takes on top side Sacred Heart Old Collegians in the preliminary final this Saturday.

The Magpies put together a solid minor round to finish fourth on the ladder but have since surprised in finals, knocking off Henley at home and then winning a major upset over Athelstone away over the weekend.

It was an inspired comeback last Saturday, the side trailing the Raggies by 26 points at the final break but holding the hosts to a single behind in the final term to achieve an unlikely win.

North Haven celebrates its division three flag last year. the club is now two wins away from achieving the same feat in division two. Picture: North Haven Football Club

“We’re really confident in the work we’ve done on our fitness levels and we saw it pay dividends again on Saturday,” playing-coach Ryan McInerney said.

“We were super efficient with the ball in the last term as well and we consistently hit our targets up front.

“We’re really proud of the effort we put forward, we never gave in and now we have a chance to play a grand final.”

While North Haven remains the underdog in a game against the league leaders at Richmond Oval, the Magpies beat SHOC just a month ago in round 15, coming back from three kicks down to emerge victorious by a single point.

North Haven captain Mark Rowe has been a star in 2022 and continues to lead the Magpies toward an unlikely promotion to division one. Picture: North Haven Football Club

With the whole team firing, including star players Tom Sandercock, Jamie Solly and captain Mark Rowe, McInerney said the group was confident it could achieve yet another upset result.

“As a club we really rate Sacred Heart, they’ve been the best team across the season and we’re looking forward to taking it to them again and giving it a crack,” he said.

“We’re under no illusions about the challenge we face but we’ve always been confident in the ability of the boys and that won’t change.”

Star Magpies forward Tom Sandercock has been in season-best form during finals. Picture: Mason Parker

North Haven would earn promotion to division one for the first time in its history if it were to win the preliminary final, an achievement McInerney did not think would be much of a possibility at the start of the year.

“I think initially we definitely surprised ourselves with how well we competed coming up from division three but we’re now starting to click at just the right time,” he said.

“We’re definitely aware of the significance of possibly getting to the top division but right now we need to focus on the task at hand and then try to win a premiership if we get to that final week.”

The Magpies take on Sacred Heart OC at Richmond Oval from 2.15pm on Saturday.

ONE-POINT THRILLERS IN FINALS

Two games were decided by a single point during what was a thrilling weekend of finals footy in the Adelaide Footy League.

Division four side Hope Valley ousted Pooraka 74-73 in its home first semi-final, while an on fire Lockleys team nearly went down to Hectorville at home in the division five second semi-final, winning 76-75.

The Bulls charged back against Hope Valley but the Demons held firm for the final five minutes, defending an endless onslaught of inside 50s by the visitors.

Lockleys star Ben Haren after kicking 100 goals this season. Haren came up big for the Demons in their close win over Hectorville. Picture: Lockleys Football Club

Lockleys trailed by four points against Hectorville during the final break at Lockleys Oval but managed to boot two goals to one in the last term to escape with a win and book a spot in the grand final.

The Hounds – major underdogs heading into the game – looked winners for much of the final quarter but heroics from star Demons forward Ben Haren saw the hosts achieve the narrow win.

Pooraka had its season ended in the devastating loss, while Hectorville will play Gepps Cross in the division five preliminary final on Saturday.