Adelaide Footy League round 15 match reports: Prince Alfred Old Collegians defeats Payneham Norwood Union
It was billed as a grand final preview but an Adelaide Footy League top of the ladder clash ended in smiles for the premiership favourites – in more ways than one.
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Some sides were rusty but others were resounding in victory as the Adelaide Footy League returned to action on Saturday.
The three-week hiatus from games produced plenty of intriguing results as the home and away season entered the final stretch.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from round 15:
DIVISION ONE
Prince Alfred Old Collegians playing coach Craig Pitt says the Old Reds’ 10-goal thumping of Payneham Norwood Union will benefit his side in more ways than one.
Not only did PAOC take a huge step towards sewing up the minor premiership, the convincing victory also broke a losing run stretching back to the 2019 grand final.
The Old Reds shot out of the blocks and responded well to a third quarter Falcons resurgence to record a 18.11 (119) to 8.6 (54) win in first versus second clash at Park 9.
Pitt said the dominant performance was made even more pleasing given PAOC was one of four top flight sides which had a 28-day break between games due the split round and Covid shutdown.
“We got a great start and that really set us up for the day, so very happy with the win and very proud the boys did what they did after having a month off,” Pitt said.
“It was the first time we’ve beaten them since losing that 2019 grand final and I think a win like that can play a big role in things and ticking that off and saying ‘yeah we can do this now’.
“I assume we’ll meet them in finals again and hopefully it will be another great battle.”
The Old Reds jumped out to a four-goal lead at the first break and extended it to 50 points by half-time.
PNU fought back in the third term – playing the type of footy which has propelled it to second spot – to reduce the margin to 27 at the last change.
But PAOC had more answers up its sleeve to hold the Falcons to one behind in the final term.
Cam Giles picked up where he left off with another starring performance against PNU ruckman Sam Baulderstone, while Hayden Jolly and Tom Brinsley were also strong for the Old Reds.
Falcons coach Jace Bode said the performance was “just not good enough”.
“That’s as bad as we’ve been,” Bode said.
“The first half, we just looked scratchy, looked like we hadn’t touched the footy in two weeks and were fumbly.
“Their pressure was good and they executed really well, scored off turnover scored off stoppage.
“We know our best is clearly going to be able to match it but we need to be able to produce it for much longer than we did Saturday.”
At University Oval, a goalless first quarter signified the scoring struggles of Adelaide University and Brighton in a battle with significant implications for the bottom half of the ladder.
But it was the Bombers who found their feet quicker after the first break to take home an 8.12 (60) to 4.16 (40) win.
Brighton moved a game clear of the ninth-placed Blacks, who face a tough run home in their fight to avoid relegation.
Port District stormed back in a huge second half to produce the upset of the round away to Rostrevor Old Collegians.
After trailing the hosts by two goals at the main break, the Magpies kicked 9.7 to 6.5 on their way to a 13.9 (87) to 12.11 (83) victory.
Trent Heffernan, Gavin Shephard and Louis Sharrad were again the standouts for the resolute visitors.
The result gave Port valuable breathing room from the drop zone in seventh spot and also shook up the finals race.
It was fourth-placed ROC’s second straight defeat and its fourth loss at home this year.
Rostrevor plays its final three games on the road.
Tea Tree Gully gave Goodwood plenty of trouble in the first half of their clash at Goodwood Oval before the hosts powered home to win 17.17 (119) to 9.7 (67).
The Saints’ 11-goal to four second half was led by Nick Favretto and four majors each from Will Clarke and Nick Burgess.
SPOC kept itself well and truly in the hunt for finals action by thumping bottom side Unley Mercedes at Kingswood Oval.
With some key players back thanks to the break, Saints had little troubles getting past the Jets in the 14.16 (100) to 4.10 (34) triumph.
Jonathan Read went forward with terrific effect to kick six goals alongside Jock McLeay’s five.
DIVISION TWO
Glenunga’s stunning rise from bottom of the ladder a year ago to top off the tree is now complete after securing the minor premiership on Saturday.
And the Rams did it in plenty of style, downing PHOS Camden by 54 points in a top of the table clash at Webb Oval.
The Phantoms – the only side to have beaten Glenunga this season – were no match for the hosts this time around in the 13.10 (88) to 4.10 (34) defeat.
PHOS was held to just 2.8 in the first three quarters in a stout defensive display by the Rams.
At the other end, three-time Ken Farmer Medallist (four goals), Michael McMahon (three) and Lincoln Bennett (three) made the visitors pay on the scoreboard.
Glenunga is now four wins clear of both the Phantoms and Sacred Heart Old Collegians (second).
The division two relegation battle took yet another turn after Seaton Ramblers upset Broadview in a tight contest at Pedlar Reserve.
Less than a kick separated the sides at each break before the Rams kicked 5.2 to 3.2 in the final term to record a 15.7 (97) to 12.10 (82) victory.
Seaton lifted itself off the bottom of the ladder with the win and moved Scotch Old Collegians to last on percentage.
Both sides trail eighth-placed Athelstone by a win.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Old Ignatians 17.11 (113) d Athelstone 11.5 (71) at Max Amber Sportsfield
■ Sacred Heart OC 12.14 (86) d Henley 5.15 (45) at Sacred Heart Middle School
■ Salisbury North 14.18 (102) d Scotch OC 11.9 (75) at Salisbury North Oval
DIVISION THREE
CBC Old Collegians has come from behind to claim victory over Westminster Old Scholars and continue its terrific surge up the division three ladder.
Since the turn of the season the Dolphins, who held a 2-7 win-loss record after nine rounds, have won four of their past six games.
The run has taken them three games clear of the drop zone and another win against ninth-ranked Plympton in round 16 would seal their position safe from relegation.
On Saturday, CBCOC gave up an 11-point half-time lead to trail by a goal going into the final term at the East Parklands.
But with the game on the line Dolphins rose to the occasion and ran out 17.12 (114) to 13.3 (81) victors.
Samuel Madigan, Daniel Aplin and Aaron Marchioro (four goals) starred for the hosts.
Tom Tape and James Paprotny were solid for the Dragons, who are just one win ahead of Plympton on the ladder and will be hoping for a CBCOC win this week.
Golden Grove showed its two straight defeats before the Covid break were just a slip after it recorded an emphatic 51-point triumph against fellow premiership hopeful Flinders Park.
The Kookaburras, second, were rarely challenged in the 17.13 (115) to 10.4 (64) victory at Harpers Field.
They moved a win ahead of the third-ranked Reds but still trail ladder leader North Haven.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Gaza 12.14 (86) d Edwardstown 7.16 (58) at Klemzig Oval
■ Modbury 16.7 (103) d Plympton 6.2 (38) at Modbury Sports Reserve
■ North Haven 33.21 (219) d Portland 6.1 (37) at Port Reserve
DIVISION FOUR
Woodville South has snapped a five-game losing streak to inject life back into its bid to avoid relegation from the fourth tier.
The ninth-placed Cats’ encounter with eighth side Pulteney had plenty riding on it with both sides desperate to avoid joining Kilburn in the bottom two come season’s end.
But it was the hosts who came out on top, taking an 11.5 (71) to 8.9 (57) victory at Ledger Reserve.
Woodville South moved level with the Navy Blues on four wins, however Pulteney has a comfortably superior percentage.
The Cats needed to muster plenty of grit, trailing by seven points at the main break, and found it in the likes of Vlad Zecevic, Ramah Ahmed and Patrick Binnion.
Dalton Tucker and Damian Hill (four goals) battled hard for Pulteney.
Woodville South travels to cellar dweller Kilburn next and a win will be a mist if it is to confirm its status in division four for 2022.
Seventh-ranked Gepps Cross is the other side in the relegation battle – a win ahead of the chasing pair – and almost claimed a crucial victory itself on Saturday.
The Rams led Morphettville Park at three quarter time and appeared on for a famous triumph before the second-placed side showed its class in the final term.
Former Geelong forward Cory Gregson was best on ground for the Roos, who saluted 18.13 (121) to 15.6 (96) at Kellett Reserve.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke OS 12.5 (77) d Hope Valley 8.10 (58) at Hope Valley Oval
■ Mitcham 12.13 (85) d Kilburn 11.9 (75) at Price Memorial Oval
■ Walkerville 8.9 (57) d SMOSH WL 6.13 (49) at West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Nick Patterson has inspired Colonel Light Gardens to a crushing win over Eastern Park in a top of the table battle in division five.
The Lions’ spearhead was unstoppable, booting 11 goals as his side recorded a 17.15 (117) to 5.12 (42) demolition of the Demons at Mortlock Park on Saturday.
CLG burst out of the blocks with a 7.1 to 2.1 opening term and could not be reeled in by the visitors, who managed just one goal in the second half.
Louis Preston and ruckman James Conlon led the way for the Lions alongside the dominant Patterson.
CLG moved a win clear at the summit of the ladder with the victory and could all but wrap up the minor premiership next weekend when they travel to Lindblom Park to face Pooraka and another first versus second clash in as many weeks.
The Bulls kept in touch with the ladder leaders by claiming a percentage-boosting win over a hapless Fitzroy.
Pooraka piled on 28.12 (180) to 4.3 (27) against the winless Lions at Fitzroy Sports Club.
Wade Matthews kicked six goals for the Bulls while Luke Buckby added five.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Salisbury 18.17 (125) d West Croydon 8.5 (53) at Fawk Reserve
■ Kenilworth 11.8 (74) d Hectorville 10.7 (67) at St Mary’s
■ Lockleys – bye
DIVISION SIX
Para Hills produced a huge final quarter when it mattered most to defeat Mawson Lakes in a match with big relegation implications.
Leading by one point at the last change, the Big Reds slammed on eight goals to one to finish the game and record a 15.11 (101) to 7.12 (54) victory at Mawson Lakes Oval.
The win lifted Para Hills to sixth place – a win clear of the drop zone in division six – and ahead of seventh-placed Rosewater on percentage
Joel Melican and Cooper Underwood starred for the Big Reds on Saturday while
Steven Willment (five goals) and Daniel Weetra (four) proved a handful for the Mawson Lakes defenders.
The bottom-placed Saints sit three wins plus percentage away from safety and will be relegated to division seven.
Blackfriars Old Scholars confirmed its finals berth by overcoming wayward kicking and a resilient Marion outfit at St Dominic’s Oval.
The fourth-ranked Hounds prevailed 9.18 (72) to 7.8 (50) against the fifth-placed Rams, locking the former into a top four finish.
Dylan Richardson and Matthew Brincat were prolific for the victorious BOS.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Elizabeth 27.15 (177) d Rosewater 6.2 (38) at Eric Sutton Oval
■ Trinity OS 16.18 (114) d Ingle Farm 7.2 (44) at Rowe Park
■ St Paul’s OS – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
A five-goal haul from Jordan Mandemaker has driven Mitchell Park to a crucial victory in the race for finals in division seven.
The Lions had their way with Flinders University in a 17.7 (109) to 7.9 (51) win at Mitchell Park Oval, which propelled them into fourth spot on the ladder.
It also landed a significant blow to the seventh-placed Crabs’ hopes of making the major round.
Mandemaker was the star for the Lions with his five majors alongside strong performances from Brandon Walczak and Jay Butler-Chaseling.
Mitchell Park is above fifth side Houghton Districts by percentage after the Raiders recording a 103-point thumping away at bottom team O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale.
The visitors piled on 11 goals to two in the first half on their way to a convincing 20.13 (133) to 4.6 (30) triumph over the 1-12 Lions.
Riley Babiak and Dylan Brooks booted four majors each to lead a strong spread of Raiders goal kickers while Aidan Pitt also had a productive day out.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Brahma Lodge 15.13 (103) d Adelaide Lutheran 9.13 (67) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Central United 18.10 (118) d Hackham 6.7 (43) at Hackham Oval
■ Greenacres – bye
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