Adelaide Footy League round 11 match reports: Port District, Goodwood draw in division one
“30cm to the right we might have won”: A remarkable turnaround has been spoiled by the finest of margins in a division one Adelaide Footy League draw.
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The top five spots are beginning to take shape in each of the Adelaide Footy League’s seven tiers after another fascinating round of action on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round 11:
DIVISION ONE
A big week of soul searching has produced a swift response from Port District but it was not enough as the Magpies played out a stalemate with Goodwood Saints on Saturday.
Coming off a 140-point thumping the week before, District had opportunities to win in the dying minutes before scored finished locked at 8.9 (57) apiece at Largs Reserve.
Port coach Simon Maddern said he was rapt with the way his side responded from the devastating loss.
“It had been a big week for us because we came off a horrible performance the week before against Prince Alfred,” Maddern said.
“We were down late and had to find something to kick another goal and we did that with a few minutes to go. Then it was real tense.”
Goodwood trailed by four points at the last change but charged home and hit the front in the final term.
Louis Sharrad then kicked goal for the Magpies to level it up with only a few minutes remaining.
But the key moment came with less than a minute left when Trent Heffernan was through on an open goal.
Heffernan scuffed the shot, which hit the point post and didn’t register a score.
“Had that been 30cm to the right we might have won,” Maddern said.
“It would have been nice to win of course but probably more importantly we got back to playing good football again.
“I think we all took responsibility for it (the loss to PAOC), coaches players alike.
“We realised that performance wasn’t good enough, went about addressing it and stripped it back to some simple things.”
Goodwood coach Luke Donaldson felt a draw was a “fitting result” for both teams.
“You feel for players on a day like that because I think both teams’ application, physicality and intent was outstanding,” Donaldson said.
“We were obviously desperate for the win but had to take a draw in the end.
“It just shows again how tight this division is … you just can’t make a mistake.”
Kuiam Gibuma – in just his third A grade game – was outstanding for Port District alongside Sharrad (three goals), Tom Carter and Jack Gaffney.
Nick Favretto and Jack Carter led the way for the Saints.
Goodwood’s slip meant second-placed Payneham Norwood Union pulled half a game clear – a buffer which could prove crucial in the battle for finals spots – after it took care of Unley Mercedes.
The Falcons were jumped by the Jets, who led 4.2 to 3.4 at the first break, but were able to steady then pull away in the second half to win 16.19 (115) to 8.10 (58) at Payneham Oval.
PNU coach Jace Bode said his side was far from perfect.
“We addressed a number of things at quarter time and the boys were good from then on,” Bode said.
“I think we need to be consistent with our mindset coming into each game.”
Star forward Liam Davis was a handful for the visitors’ defence as he booted five goals.
Lachlan Webb had his best game for the season in a standout performance for the Falcons while Dylan Pippett (three goals) and Matthew Nye were also handy.
Jacob Earl, Alistair Salt and Luke Heaslip (four majors) fought well for Unley Mercedes.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians comfortably took care of arch rival St Peter’s Old Collegians for the second time this season, winning by 57 points at Caterer Oval.
Both sides were inaccurate in trying conditions but the ladder-leading Old Reds showed little mercy for their bitter enemies as they kept SPOC to its lowest score of the season and saluted 10.19 (79) to 2.10 (22).
Mackenzie Slee and Jack Trengove led the way for PAOC.
Tea Tree Gully snared yet another crucial win on the road when it went to Brighton and beat the Bombers 9.11 (65) to 6.6 (42).
Dylan Schoenmakers booted five goals in a best on ground performance for the Wolves, who have recorded three of their four wins this season away from home.
Five sides – SPOC, TTG, Port District, Brighton and Adelaide University – are separated by just two points in a logjam from fifth to ninth place on the ladder.
It was one-way traffic at Campbelltown Memorial Oval as Rostrevor Old Collegians faced few obstacles in a 68-point triumph over Uni.
ROC’s 15.12 (102) to 4.10 (34) victory moved it just one win behind third-ranked Goodwood.
DIVISION TWO
The best and worst of Broadview has been on display in the past two weeks.
Last round the sixth-placed Tigers were handed an 84-point blow by seventh-ranked Salisbury North.
But on Saturday, they responded to spring a big surprise on second side Old Ignatians to record a bolt from the blue 19.9 (123) to 10.9 (69) win at home.
Broadview led at every change holding Iggies, who dropped to third with the loss, to their second-lowest score of the season.
Captain Jay O’Leary played a starring role for the hosts alongside Jacob Rillotta, Jake Hodby (three goals) and Kobi Russell (three).
Former Glenelg midfielder Dylan McNeil and ex-Broadview ruckman Brayden De Prinse were the silver linings for Iggies.
The win kept Broadview right in the hunt for the finals as they drew level with fifth-placed Henley.
The spiralling Sharks lost their fourth-straight match on Saturday when they were outmuscled by Athelstone at Max Amber Sportsfield.
Henley led 3.4 to 1.0 at the first change but the Raggies, back at home for the second of nine successive games in the back half, controlled the game from there to seal a 9.8 (62) to 6.4 (40) win.
The Sharks were second after seven rounds but are now at risk of dropping out of the five.
Athelstone meanwhile will be sniffing finals again after picking up two wins on the trot.
A frantic final term at Pedlar Reserve saw ninth-placed Seaton Ramblers upset Sacred Heart Old Collegians in a two-point thriller.
A low scoring first three quarters resulted with the Ramblers in front 5.4 to 3.10 at three quarter time before nine goals were kicked in the last.
The hosts were able to triumph 9.8 (62) to 8.12 (60).
Bradyn Wild and Isaac Brill were influential for Seaton while Brett Harland continued his strong season with four goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Glenunga 12.10 (82) d Scotch OC 10.7 (67) at Scotch College
■ PHOS Camden 8.7 (55) d Salisbury North 5.7 (37) at Camden Oval
DIVISION THREE
Edwardstown’s crumbling form is quickly becoming a genuine concern after it slumped to yet another loss, this time against the much-improved CBC Old Collegians.
The 14-point failure was the Towns’ sixth defeat in seven matches – a stark contrast to its 4-0 start to the season.
For the Dolphins however, the 10.9 (69) to 8.7 (55) win at Edwardstown Oval was their third straight.
It moved them one game clear on the relegation zone and two wins outside the top five.
Cracking the finals places may be a tough ask from here though given the recent performances of fifth-placed Modbury.
The Hawks, who took care of Edwardstown last week, claimed their biggest scalp of the season when they went to Flinders Park and beat the Reds by 21 points.
Sam Taylor and Kyle McNaughton were on song and Liam Verity booted four goals as Modbury got past the third-placed hosts, 12.11 (83) to 9.8 (62).
Jay Hansen and Dakota Nixon put in solid performances for Flinders Park.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Gaza 35.14 (224) d Portland 0.5 (5) at Klemzig Oval
■ North Haven 10.13 (73) d Westminster OS 5.3 (33) at Largs North Reserve
■ Golden Grove 18.11 (119) d Plympton 10.8 (68) at Plympton Oval
DIVISION FOUR
Playing coach Mitch Sandery bagged six goals as Hope Valley jumped up to fourth by downing Pulteney and landing a blow on the Navy Blues’ finals hopes in the process.
A storming seven-goal final term was the catalyst as the Demons went to Morgan Oval and prevailed by 28 points.
Scores were locked at 49 points apiece at three quarter time, before the visitors banged on 7.5 to the Navy Blues’ 3.1 to win 14.12 (96) to 9.14 (68).
Sandery was prolific as he led Hope Valley’s attack.
The playing coach had plenty of help from ruckman Machok Garang, Daniel Williamson and
Jayke Hellmanns (four goals).
The Demons moved into fourth ahead of Mitcham, with both sides one win clear inside the finals spots.
Pulteney meanwhile faces a testing finish to the season.
The Navy Blues are two games outside of the top five but also just one win clear of the relegation zone.
At the other end of the ladder, the tight three-way battle for the minor premiership is showing no signs of opening up with Pembroke Old Scholars, Walkerville and Morphettville Park all winning on Saturday.
Wade Ryan slotted seven goals and Adam Proud added six as the Cats bagged the biggest victory of the trio – a 24.19 (163) to 12.6 (78) triumph over winless Kilburn.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Gepps Cross 12.9 (81) d Mitcham 9.12 (66) at Duncan Fraser Reserve
■ Pembroke OS 14.7 (91) d Woodville South 5.7 (37) at Haslam Oval
■ Morphettville Park 14.16 (100) d SMOSH West Lakes 10.10 (70) at Kellett Reserve
DIVISION FIVE
It is arguably the competition’s most intriguing division and the fifth tier served up the goods once again on Saturday with three sides now locked together at the top of the ladder.
Kenilworth kicked a goal after the siren to score a stirring three-point win and bring Pooraka, which was first coming into the round, back to the pack.
Lachlan Richter and Trent Grosser were on song while Myles Crump bagged five goals as the Kookaburras won an 11.10 (76) to 10.13 (73) thriller at Lindblom Park.
At Salisbury Oval, Lockleys put itself equal top after it got over the Magpies by a goal in a 10.12 (72) to 9.12 (66) result.
The Demons trailed for the majority of the day and were behind by five points at the last change before outclassing their hosts in the dying stages.
Colonel Light Gardens is the third side in the top-place logjam and gave its percentage a boost by belting West Croydon 33.19 (217) to 9.13 (67).
Bryce Smith booted eight goals and Nick Patterson slotted seven as the Lions piled it on against the battling Hawks.
Fourth-placed Eastern Park sits just one point behind the leading back but has a game in hand after sitting out with the bye on Saturday.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Hectorville 15.11 (101) d Fitzroy 7.7 (49) at Daly Oval
■ Eastern Park – bye
DIVISION SIX
Unbeaten Elizabeth has fended off the closest threat yet to ending its superb run after it secured a heart-stopping four-point triumph over Blackfriars Old Scholars.
The 9-0 Eagles travelled to St Dominic’s Oval and made it 10 straight with a 14.8 (92) to 13.10 (88) victory.
It was the tightest margin the ladder leaders have experienced so far this season – the next closest was a 16-point win over fellow contender St Paul’s Old Scholars.
Elizabeth jumped out to a 22-point lead at quarter time after the Hounds failed to hit the scoreboard in the opening stanza.
The hosts worked their way back into the contest however, and through the good work of ruckman Matt Brincat and Francesco Marafioti were able to bring it back to a two-goal margin going into the last.
But the Eagles are unbeaten for a reason and showed their fortitude to hold on in the dying stages.
Joel Foster and Heath Hegarty had strong days out for Elizabeth.
Second-placed St Paul’s, whose only loss for the season came against the Eagles, continued to put the pressure on by taking care of Para Hills on the road.
The Saints had few troubles as they saluted 12.14 (86) to 7.6 (48) at the Paddocks.
SPOS will take on fourth-placed Blackfriars this Saturday.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Trinity OS 13.11 (89) d Rosewater 5.11 (41) at Eric Sutton Oval
■ Marion 18.12 (120) d Ingle Farm 5.15 (45) at Sturt Oval
■ Mawson Lakes – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
Central United stamped its authority as the team to beat in the seventh tier by dispatching northern rival Brahma Lodge to the tune of 42 points in a top of the table clash on Saturday.
The ladder-leading Dogs stormed home in a nine-goal to one second half to triumph 13.16 (94) to 7.10 (52) at Mofflin Reserve.
Brahma led by two goals at the main break but had no answers for the likes of Mark Garner, Leigh McCormack and Dean Steele as the hosts ran over the top.
Steele, Darrell McIntyre, Brayden Abbott and Peter Dempsey booted two majors each in an even attacking display.
The victory put a two game buffer between the sides and meant the Tigers dropped to third place, with Greenacres splitting the two in second spot.
Flinders University got back on track and piled more pressure on battling O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale in the process with a thumping 148-point win.
The Crabs’ third triumph of the season was also their biggest, turning the Lions inside out in the 28.18 (168) to 3.2 (20) beating.
Patrick Newman starred for Flinders with a six-goal bag while Lachlan Wilhem (five majors), John Mason (four) and Alex Bradley (three) were significant contributors.
OSB Lonsdale has now spent three straight weeks rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
The Lions host eighth-placed Hackham this Saturday in a match that could decide who is handed the wooden spoon in the nine team division.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Greenacres 14.13 (97) d Adelaide Lutheran 7.13 (55) at Edward Smith Reserve
■ Houghton Districts 13.20 (98) d Mitchell Park 9.7 (61) at Greenwith Oval
■ Hackham – bye
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