Adelaide Footy League round 15/16: Old Ignatians upset St Peter’s Old Collegians to keep finals hopes alive
A division one Adelaide Footy League club kept its finals hopes alive with its first win in five games through a high-pressure upset performance. Full match reports for every division.
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Division one of the Adelaide Footy League returned to action to play out round 15, while divisions two to seven completed round 16 in what was an entertaining weekend of footy.
There were big wins, upsets and thrilling finishes as teams fought to stay alive or take finals spots in their divisions.
Here are The Messenger’s match reports for every division.
DIVISION ONE
Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots was thrilled with his side’s performance in a must-win game against St Peter’s Old Collegians at home in round 15 of the division one season.
Iggies pulled out to a 51-23 lead at the main break and held off SPOC in the second half to see out the win, remaining just four points out of the finals with three games remaining.
“I was just so proud of the players. It was great reward for their effort and the way they went about it in the lead up,” Boots said.
“We’ve obviously had a really tough month and to get a response like that against a strong team was fantastic.”
The hosts dominated the contest throughout the four quarters, with captain Will Abbott again leading the way for his side.
Iggies’ inside advantage led to clean and efficient ball use around the ground and endless opportunities for forwards to hit the scoreboard.
“We exerted some great pressure around the contest and definitely shifted the ball well, and guys like Will Abbott – who was enormous for us – and Brad Jones stood up,” Boots said.
“We had 11 goalkickers all up which is huge and I guess shows how effective we can be when we get on top like that.”
Boots’ team will take on Rostrevor Old Collegians this weekend in another must-win as it remains in frame for a finals berth.
“We’re simply focused on each week as it comes,” Boots said.
“It’s an enormous game but every game this year has been enormous, which is a credit to the division.
“Rostrevor had a really good win so we’ll need to be ready to go.”
ROC topped an in-form Payneham Norwood Union away from home, winning 5.9 (39) to 11.9 (75) after a dominant first term.
The visitors led 8-36 at the first break and never looked back, with Ryan Lumn and Tim Baccanello both producing strong performances on the ball and behind play.
Nick Murphy was also a standout with six goals.
ROC still remains ninth but is level on points with Old Ignatians.
Glenunga scored a huge victory over Goodwood Saints away from home, the Rams shooting ball into the top five with a 10.9 (69) to 12.11 (83) victory.
The visitors maintained suffocating defensive structure for the full four quarters and pulled away on the scoreboard in the third term, kicking five goals to two to lead 42-70 at the final break and set up an important win.
Beau Schwarze was dominant off half-back for Glenunga, booting two goals, while Michael McMahon was an important presence up front.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians moved to third spot with a big 15.15 (105) to 10.8 (68) win over Tea Tree Gully.
The Old Reds pulled away in the second and third terms, controlling the middle and dominating the air up front.
Mitch Larsson, Hayden Jolly and Jack Trengove were all standouts for the hosts, while Tom Bartlett booted four goals.
Port District went two points clear on top, defeating Brighton 9.16 (70) to 9.8 (62) in an arm wrestle at Largs Reserve.
The Bombers took a 24-47 lead into halftime after a strong display in the middle and off half-back through Jarman Sigal and Otis Carthy, but the Magpies kicked six goals to two in the second half to storm home with the win.
Cooper Gaffney’s impact was important off of half-back for Port in its comeback, while every one of Tom Gray’s four goals was needed.
DIVISION TWO
Salisbury North guaranteed safety from relegation in an unlikely 6.17 (53) to 8.7 (55) away win over finals contender Henley.
The Hawks were held goalless by the Sharks in the second half but that still wasn’t enough for the hosts to come back from a 24-52 halftime deficit.
The visitors remained resilient in the contest but only managed a single behind in the fourth, while the hosts would be ruing a 2.4 final term.
Steve Wellington was a standout for the visitors in the first half, dominating on the ball and winning a number of clearances.
Adelaide Uni jumped out of the relegation zone with a 10.11 (71) to 9.13 (67) win over Broadview at home – one of the season’s biggest upsets.
The Blacks got off to a fast start to lead 27-9 at the first break but were held to a goal in the second quarter, with the Tigers taking a one-goal lead into halftime.
Uni responded behind star mid Eddie Sims however, taking over in the contest and locking Broadview in their attacking half to hold them to just two behinds in the term and take a 19-point lead into the final quarter.
The Tigers booted four goals in the final term but it would not be enough as the Blacks held tough to win by four points.
The loss took Adelaide Uni to eighth on the ladder, while Broadview dropped to second after Sacred Heart OC’s win.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Sacred Heart OC 10.19 (79) d Athelstone 2.7 (19)
- PHOS Camden 12.9 (81) d North Haven 11.5 (71)
- Unley Mercedes Jets 8.19 (67) d Gaza 7.5 (47)
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove moved to 16-0 on the season with a dominant 4.8 (32) to 19.15 (129) win over Morphettville Park at Kellett Reserve.
The Kookaburras held the Roos to just two majors in the first two quarters while booting 13 of their own to lead by 67 points at halftime and set up the big win.
Wyatt Patterson was in season-best form, booting eight goals for the visitors, while Josh Ingram and captain Cam Shenton were dominant around the ground.
Scotch OC created distance between itself and SMOSH West Lakes in fifth position, defeating the latter 8.9 (57) to 4.5 (29) at home.
The hosts kept their visitors scoreless in the second term to lead by eight points at the main break, and again dominated the contest to keep SMOSH West Lakes to just one behind in the third term to lead by 21 and all but seal the win.
Playing-coach Jonathon Lagonik put together a standout performance through the middle, while Tom Fuss booted four goals up front.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Modbury 15.18 (108) d Flinders Park 9.13 (67)
- Westminster OS 13.11 (89) d Seaton Ramblers 11.13 (79)
- Edwardstown 20.17 (137) d CBC OC 5.4 (34)
DIVISION FOUR
Pooraka handed Plympton its first loss in seven games, defeating the Bulldogs 9.8 (62) to 8.10 (58) at Lindbolm Park.
The Bulls dominated the contest in the middle during the opening term and led 38-8 at the first break as a result, but the Bulldogs eventually fought their way back into the game.
The held Pooraka to one behind in the third term to trail by just eight points heading into the fourth.
Led by best on ground Sean Hee off half-forward, the Bulls kicked three in the last quarter to stave off a spirited Plympton comeback and grab a big win despite a late goal by the visitors.
Pooraka now moves up to fourth while Pembroke Old Scholars regain top spot over Plympton.
Portland led a second half comeback at home to draw Mitcham 14.10 (94) to 13.16 (94).
The hosts trailed by 23 points at the main break but an inspired performance from Ian Milera and Lindsay Thomas (four goals apiece) saw the side boot six goals to two in the third term to lead by two points.
The contest was neck-and-neck in the final quarter, with each side winning their fair share of clearances and hitting the scoreboard.
While Portland kicked an accurate 3.2 in the term, the Hawks were 2.4 in front of goal, with one of their points coming late, the game resulting in a draw.
Ian and Terrance Milera were the best for Portland, while onballer Harrison Pride was the best for Mitcham.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Hope Valley 19.13 (127) d Walkerville 8.12 (60)
- Pembroke OS 18.10 (118) d Kenilworth 11.6 (72)
- Woodville South 18.15 (123) d Pulteney 14.7 (91)
DIVISION FIVE
Salisbury’s relegation to division six was all but sealed by Gepps Cross, the Rams beating the Magpies 3.3 (21) to 25.14 (164) at Salisbury Oval.
The visitors kicked 9.8 to 2.2 through the first two terms to lead 14-62 at the main break and kept the foot on the accelerator in the final two quarters, booting16 goals to one.
Onballer Brayden White kicked two majors in a best on ground performance, while forward Graham Hampton added eight of his own.
Lockleys won its 15th game of the season in a dominant 12.7 (79) to 25.12 (162) performance against Blackfriars Old Scholars away from home.
The Demons were too strong in the contest in the opening term, giving their forwards first look to lead 56-9 at the first break and never looking back thereafter, kicking 16 goals to 10 through the remaining three terms.
Star forward Ben Haren was best on ground booted his third 10-goal-haul in as many games, taking his season tally to 93 with two games left.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Eastern Park 19.11 (125) d Elizabeth 13.7 (85)
- Hectorville 12.12 (84) d Colonel Light Gardens 7.10 (52)
- Kilburn 15.24 (114) d St Pauls OS 12.11 (83)
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars remained undefeated at 14-0 with a 29.14 (188) to 7.3 (45) win over Brahma Lodge at home.
The Lions held the Tigers to just two points in the opening term and two goals in the second term to lead 82-15 at halftime and never looked back.
Trinity star Dom Barilla was again best on ground for his side, booting nine goals in a strong performance while vice captain Cam Matters added six majors.
West Croydon remained in the top two with a 9.8 (62) to 15.12 (102) win against Fitzroy away from home.
The Hawks trailed by 17 points at the main break but lifted their intensity in the contest during the third term to dominate play and hold the Lions to just a point while adding five goals.
Six more goals were added by the away side in the final term to seal a strong win.
Trevor-John Wanganeen was the standout for West Croydon with six goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Marion 23.16 (154) d Ingle Farm 3.6 (24)
- Rosewater 21.12 (138) d Para Hills 10.13 (73)
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres remained undefeated at 16-0, defeating Adelaide Lutheran 9.5 (59) to 10.13 (73) away from home.
The Dragons trailed by 10 points at the first break but responded in the second term by holding the hosts scoreless and taking a 15 point advantage into the third quarter.
The hosts got back into the game in the third to draw scores level but Scott Burnett (two goals) and Matt Gibson (three goals) gave the Dragons the momentum and the win.
Midfielder Josh Addey was best on ground for Greenacres.
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale topped bottom side Mawson Lakes 11.20 (86) to 7.8 (50) and moved out of the relegation zone in the process.
The visitors led by 13 points at quarter-time but it was one-way traffic thereon from the Lions, the hosts dominating the middle and feeding their forwards for a strong victory.
Harrison Kaesler was best on ground for his work on the ball and his ability to hit the scoreboard, while Andrew Terry had three majors to lead all players.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Flinders University 11.12 (78) d Mitchell Par 7.8 (50)
- Houghton Districts 11.9 (75) d Hackham 9.9 (63)
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