Andrew Jarman and Sam Jacobs set to clash for first time in Southern Football League
A South Australian footy icon has a battling club vying for finals after it suffered a winless season in 2022, but can they overcome one of local football’s top teams on Saturday?
Local Sport
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An SA footy great has helped a local club transition from a winless side in 2022 to a finals contender in 2023, but will meet his biggest challenge yet this Saturday.
Andrew Jarman’s Port Noarlunga side moved to fourth on the Southern Football League ladder last round with a 14.11 (95) to 10.4 (64) win over Christies Beach, but will face former Crow Sam Jacobs and Flagstaff Hill this weekend in the first meeting between the two big names since joining the league in the pre-season.
The Falcons – coached by Dual Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood – currently sit top of the SFL ladder with an unbeaten 6-0 record, but Jarman was confident his side could challenge what could be one of local SA footy’s strongest teams.
“We’re not just looking to rock up and make the numbers,” Jarman said.
“They’re the benchmark – if we want to compete for a top spot for finals we need to try and match it with teams like Flagstaff Hill.
“We want to get our respect back as a footy club and a strong performance would go a long way.”
It has been a dramatic turnaround for Port Noarlunga, the club responding with significant intent after playing through the entire 2022 SFL A Grade season without a single win, signing Jarman as coach and a host of new players.
The Cockledivers added local guns such as Strathalbyn’s Tom Redden, Ellinbank midfielder Nathanial Paredes, Willaston forward Oliver Petrahilos and Mount Compass mid Tom Dix, the current captain.
While the club had a win and two losses after its first three games, a recent run of three straight victories now has the players thinking about a possible finals berth.
“Even though we lost a couple after I think that first win against Aldinga this year really brought that sense of relief and joy the club had been looking for and was the start we needed this season,” Jarman said.
“The last month has been really positive because we’ve started to find some momentum as a group – it’s a new group and that always takes some time but we’ve been really impressed with the progress and the buy-in.
“The club and everyone has been unbelievable, there’s been a lot of change so far and I’m really proud of how we’ve gone about it.”
While the past month of form has been a highlight so far this season, a win for Jarman against great mate Jacobs and Flagstaff Hill could propel the club to new heights.
Jarman said he had plans to lock down the Mail Medal favourite and league leading goalkicker.
“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve for big Sauce.
“I haven’t spoken with him all week, he’s not too happy with me.
“We’ve got a young ruck in Darren Walters and for him to be able to go up against one of the greats of South Australia is going to be fantastic.
“We know we’ve got a lot of work to do this year but if the players really want it on Saturday I think we’ll make a game of it.”
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