Adelaide Footy League round 12 match reports: Rostrevor Old Collegians smashed by PAOC
A “totally outplayed” Adelaide Footy League powerhouse has slumped to its biggest defeat in more than five years. Read all the match reports from every division here.
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An out of the ordinary loss in the top flight and results with big finals implications in the lower tiers are the big results from round 12 of the Adelaide Footy League.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division:
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians co-coach Will O’Malley says his side’s 50-point failure against Prince Alfred Old Collegians is “one of the worst losses we’ve had for a long time”.
ROC slumped to its biggest defeat in more than five years as it was held to just one goal in the first three quarters at Park 9 on Saturday.
Ladder leaders PAOC set up expertly behind the ball and hurt the visitors going the other way to record a convincing 11.11 (77) to 3.9 (27).
O’Malley, who remained on the sidelines with a stress fracture in his foot, said ROC was “totally outplayed” for four quarters.
The defeat was the club’s biggest losing margin since a 64-point collapse to Tea Tree Gully in June, 2016.
“It was extremely disappointing,” O’Malley said.
“Probably one of the worst losses we’ve had for a long time.
“We thought we were pretty well prepared going in actually, but the boys didn’t execute on the day unfortunately.
“We couldn’t get any clean footy really, turned it over in bad positions and they set up really well behind the ball then punished us going the other way.”
O’Malley said fourth-placed ROC, which faces top three sides Goodwood Saints and Payneham Norwood Union the next two weeks, would not stew too long on the loss.
“We were really looking forward to these three weeks and it obviously hasn’t started well, but we’ve still got two opportunities to beat some good teams and get back up in that top three,” he said.
“We’re still confident we’re good enough.”
Prince Alfred’s win was its 10th of the season and maintained top spot on the ladder.
Old Reds playing coach Craig Pitt said he was surprised how well his side managed to open the game up.
“We class Rostrevor as one of the top teams so it was probably one of the better defensive performances we’ve had this year,” Pitt said.
“The position we’re in is obviously a great one to be in but the challenge for us is continuing to play our best week in, week out which isn’t easy.
“Winning comfortably brings its own challenges in that it’s easy to get complacent in what you’re doing and think that it’s just going to happen for you.”
ROC spurned opportunities in the first half but were still in the game with PAOC holding a 6.3 to 1.5 lead at the main break.
However the Old Reds’ repeat inside 50s began to tell as the visitors defence, which held up admirably most of the day, began to crumble under the weight of forward entries.
Oliver Clarke and captain Adam Perryman starred for PAOC while Tyson Brazel continued his strong maiden season at the club with three goals.
For ROC, Tullio DeMatteis was impressive on the wing and Sam Jonas battled hard in defence.
Tea Tree Gully moved into the top five and just one win behind Rostrevor with a 34-point home victory against Port District.
The Wolves held a six-point advantage at the main break before powering away to triumph 11.7 (73) to 5.9 (39) against the eighth-placed Magpies.
Matt Stent, Tyson Breden and Zac McKay – playing his 200th game for the club – were the damaging forces for TTG.
Unley Mercedes let a golden opportunity for its second win of the season slip away after it gave up a three quarter time lead to Adelaide University at Kingswood Oval.
The Jets were in front most of the day and held sway by 10 points going into the last, before the Blacks fired up to kick four goals to one and claim a 10.9 (69) to 8.9 (57) victory.
Uni’s win and Brighton’s loss to Payneham Norwood Union meant the Bombers slipped into the relegation zone.
The Falcons were too good after half-time as they prevailed 12.5 (77) to 5.8 (38) at home.
Brighton is one point behind eighth-places Port District and a win back from Uni in the battle to avoid the drop.
Goodwood did as expected and took care of St Peter’s Old Collegians in a 11.14 (80) to 4.9 (33) victory at Goodwood Oval.
It was SPOC’s fourth-straight defeat and meant it dropped out of the top five for the first time since round two.
DIVISION TWO
Glenunga has further tightened its stranglehold on division two by fending off another challenger in fourth-ranked Sacred Heart Old Collegians.
The red-hot Rams’ grip on top spot appears almost unbreakable as they recorded their 11th victory of the season, prevailing 7.10 (52) to 5.9 (39) at Webb Oval.
Four wins ahead of third-placed Old Ignatians with six matches remaining, Glenunga all but locked in a top three berth and the all-important double chance.
Former Sturt man D’Arcy Mitchell played his best game in Rams colours and led the way in the win over SHOC alongside Justin Bonney, Lucas Tragakis and Zachary Smith.
Hearts found it difficult to penetrate the hosts’ defence, despite the best efforts of Shaun Tapp and Cooper Brinkworth, while Glenunga’s forwards did enough to grind out another win.
Ram Beau Schwarze was the game’s only multiple goal-kicker with two on the day.
Second-placed PHOS Camden will not give up in their pursuit of the ladder leaders however.
The Phantoms – two wins behind the Rams and the only side to beat them this season – went to Karen Rolton Oval and edged out Old Ignatians by five points on Saturday.
In a clash where frustrations boiled over at times, PHOS was more composed when it mattered to record an 8.13 (61) to 7.14 (56).
Henry Papatolis was named the Phantom’s best for the fourth time this campaign and received good help from the likes of Adam Scholz and Tom Unger.
Austin Murdoch battled hard for Iggies, who have now lost two on the bounce but remained in third spot.
Scotch Old Collegians kept its hopes of avoiding relegation alive by handing Henley it’s fifth-straight defeat.
Lions big man Max Marslen starred in a seven-goal best on ground display as they beat the fifth-placed Sharks 14.7 (91) to 8.12 (60) at Scotch College.
Scotch is a win behind ninth-placed Seaton Ramblers and two back from climbing out of the drop zone.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Broadview 9.12 (66) d Athelstone 8.10 (58) at Max Amber Sportsfield
■ Salisbury North 14.11 (95) d 12.8 (80) at Salisbury North Oval
DIVISION THREE
Gaza has kept itself in the race for the top three spots after it overcame Modbury in a crucial top-five clash at Modbury Sports Reserve.
In a contest between fourth and fifth on the ladder, the Eagles were defensively dominant in the fourth quarter to secure a 12.20 (92) to 10.7 (67) victory.
The visitors’ wayward kicking kept Modbury in the game and it was just one point the difference at the final change.
But the Eagles put the clamps on the Hawks and kept them to just a single behind in the fourth quarter while kicking 3.7 themselves.
Kosta Papachristos and Chris Draper were influential for Gaza while Ben Nason booted a goal in his first game in the blue and yellow since signing from Central District.
Chris Tidswell kicked three majors in a solid performance for the Hawks.
Michael Walters used Golden Grove’s turn against strugglers Portland to pile on the goals as he bagged 12 in a 164-point rout at Harpers Field.
The Kookaburras’ star was unstoppable as they triumphed 29.16 (190) to 4.2 (26) over the 0-12 Thunder.
He had ample help from Simon Furnell, Jake Pitman and Thomas Tacono (five goals).
Walters, who was best on ground in Golden Grove’s grand final win last year, now has 45 majors on the season, five behind division leader Jack Foster of North Haven.
Portland put up a fight in the first term and kicked 4.1 to the hosts’ 7.3, but could only manage one behind for the remainder of the match.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Flinders Park 10.13 (73) d CBC OC 9.11 (65) at East Parklands
■ North Haven 16.19 (115) d Plympton 12.8 (80) at Plympton Oval
■ Edwardstown 13.5 (83) d Westminster OS 9.4 (58) at Westminster School
DIVISION FOUR
Pembroke Old Scholars has toppled Walkerville in a top of the table battle to skip one win clear at the head of division four.
The Kings and reigning premier Cats came into the clash locked in a three-way tie for first spot with Morphettville Park.
But it was Pembroke which soaked up the pressure best to triumph 10.11 (71) to 7.5 (47) at Haslam Oval.
Kings star Alex Forster booted five goals and Izaak Twelftree dominated as the hosts led at every change.
It was a win made all the more important by the fact the Morphettville Park also dropped a game, going down to Hope Valley in a five-point thriller.
The Demons, who were grand finalists last season, showed they have what it takes to shake up the division four flag race by winning 11.11 (77) to 10.12 (72) at Hope Valley Oval.
It was their third win in succession and snapped Morphettville Park’s five game run.
Daniel Williamson and Machok Garang were once again among the leaders for Hope Valley.
Liam Mensforth kicked four goals to be the Roos’ standout performer.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Gepps Cross 19.16 (130) d Kilburn 9.5 (39) at Blair Athol Reserve
■ Mitcham 11.15 (81) d Pulteney 7.11 (53) at Price Memorial Oval
■ SMOSH West Lakes 18.11 (119) d Woodville South 6.11 (47) at West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
West Croydon has bounced back from back-to-back beltings to likely hand Fitzroy the wooden spoon – and potentially a winless season.
Coming off giving up more than 200 points in each of their past two games, the Hawks responded to come from behind in the final quarter and prevail 10.14 (74) to 8.13 (61) at Fitzroy Sports Club.
It was the bottom-placed Lions’s best chance of the season to break their duck – up against a side one spot above them and low on confidence – and they appeared to be on their way with a six-point lead at three quarter time.
But West Croydon rallied to kick 3.5 to 0.4 in the final term and take its second win of the campaign.
The first also came against Fitzroy in round three.
The Lions will be officially relegated if they lost to Keniloworth next Saturday.
Lockleys moved top of the ladder with its eighth win on the bounce, an emphatic 51-point touch up of Eastern Park.
In the battle of the two Demons at Lockleys Oval, it was the hosts who had their way as they piled on 6.4 to 1.3 in the first quarter to set up a 17.13 (115) to 9.10 (64) victory.
The reigning premiers are now 8-3 after starting the year with three straight defeats.
Pooraka’s bye allowed Lockleys to move a win clear in first place, but the Bulls have a game in hand and better percentage.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Salisbury 14.10 (94) d Hectorville 8.7 (55) at Daly Oval
■ Colonel Light Gardens 12.10 (82) d Kenilworth 9.14 (68) at St Mary’s
■ Pooraka – bye
DIVISION SIX
Blackfriars Old Scholars has shaken up the top end of the sixth tier by downing second side St Paul’s Old Scholars in a 41-point upset.
The fourth-ranked Hounds had their way with the Saints in the 10.18 (78) to 5.7 (37) victory at Thebarton Oval.
SPOS was held goalless in the first quarter – the second time that has happened this season – and by half-time BOS was able to open up a 30-point lead.
Star big man Matthew Brincat, Luke Murphy and Matthew Rivett (four goals) were among the relentless Hounds who kept the foot on the gas until the final siren.
Anthony Alesiani continued his purple patch of form to be named SPOS’ best player for the third week running and Liam Davies battled hard.
Blackfriars also pushed undefeated Elizabeth all the way last week in what was the high-flying Eagles’ closest margin of the season.
The Hounds’ recent form has kept them in the hunt for a top three berth but they will need to be almost flawless in the run home to make up the two win gap to third-placed Trinity Old Scholars, which has a game in hand.
For the Saints, the result would have come as a wake-up call.
Their second loss of the season has put them four points back from the ladder leading Eagles and they will face tough competition from TOS for second spot.
Trinity continued to rack up the wins by doing enough at home to defeat Marion 16.14 (110) to 12.6 (78).
The Rams, fifth, persisted but were not able to break a three to four goal buffer TOS held for much of the day.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Elizabeth 20.16 (136) d Mawson Lakes 6.5 (41) at Mawson Lakes Oval
■ Para Hills 9.5 (59) d Ingle Farm 5.11 (41) at Rowe Park
■ Rosewater – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale’s horror campaign sunk to its lowest point yet as it was handed a 70-point belting by fellow division seven battler Hackham on Saturday.
In a clash of two former Southern Football League rivals, the Lions were all but resigned to the wooden spoon as the Hawks piled on 18.22 (130) to their 9.6 (60).
It was OSB Lonsdale’s 10th defeat of the season and put them one win behind eighth-placed Hackham.
The Lions beat the Hawks in round three but have suffered an average losing margin of 76 points in all other matches.
It would be the Lions’ second wooden spoon in three seasons after claiming the unwanted prize in division six in 2019.
They finished second bottom of the seventh tier last year with four wins.
On Saturday, the Lions trailed by just five points at the first break before Hackham slammed on 6.6 to 1.2 in the second term before putting the game beyond doubt in the second half.
Robert O’Leary starred for the Hawks and Shane Stevens booted seven goals.
Zachary Goodwin battled hard for OSB Lonsdale.
Greenacres was forced to dig deep but did enough in the end to overcome a resilient Houghton Districts at Greenwith Oval.
The Raiders kept pace and trailed by just two points going into the final term before the second-ranked Dragons showed their class to run out 11.15 (81) to 8.9 (57) winners.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Brahma Lodge 13.12 (90) d Flinders University 7.10 (52) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Central United 18.13 (121) d Mitchell Park 12.6 (78) at Mitchell Park Oval
■ Adelaide Lutheran – bye
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