Athelstone makes Adelaide Footy League statement, Golden Grove wins a close one, Andrew Ainger’s 7 helps Flinders Park to victory
ATHELSTONE’S statement to the competition, a close game at Harper’s Field in division three, Gaza’s win along with the introduction of new teams to the Adelaide FL made the start divisions 2-7 interesting.
ATHELSTONE made a statement to last year’s division three premiers Pembroke while a close game at Harper’s Field in division three, along with the introduction of two new teams to the Adelaide Football League made Saturday’s start to the season (for divisions 2-7 anyway) interesting. Read on for a wrap of the action.
DIVISION 2
Gaza v Old Scotch OC
GAZA already faces a potential division two amateur football blockbuster against Athelstone when the sides meet on Saturday at Max Amber Sportsfield.
The Eagles won a tough Adelaide Football League slog at Klemzig against Scotch Old Collegians by 22 points, 11.15 (81) to 8.11 (59), while Athelstone won its season opener against Pembroke Old Scholars by 113 points.
Gaza coach Andrew Jarman said his side stood up well to hold out Scotch OC.
“The first game is always the hardest,’’ Jarman said.
“You never know what is going to happen. It was a bit of a dogfight. Our third quarter we stepped it up but Scotch didn’t go away.
“The pressure was very good.’’
Lions new coach Kym Cobb, said the side battled well but would take time to adapt to a new game plan.
“There are a lot of kids willing to learn,’’ Cobb said.
“But I knew when I took on the job there was a lot of work to be done.
“Our first half was very solid but about 20 minutes all up probably cost us.
“But we have a young list and there were some good signs.’’
Best for Scotch OC were Mark Bourne (three goals), vice-captain Jonathon Lagonik
(two goals) and Thomas Isaksson.
Debutant Jackson Lock played a fine game before he was injured.
Scotch OC hosts PHOS Camden on Saturday.
Unley Mercedes Jets v PHOS Camden
UNLEY Mercedes Jets battled strongly in the second half but was still no match for PHOS Camden at Camden.
The Jets lost 20.10 (130) to 12.9 (81) after trailing by nine goals early in
the match.
PHOS coach Simon Quinn said there were some promising signs from the Phantoms.
“It was a good first-up win but I thought the Jets were pretty good after we had a big
early lead,’’ Quinn said.
“They pegged us back in the second and third quarters but we finished well which was pleasing. We kept them at arm’s length.’’
Aaron Bergsma (four goals) led the way for PHOS while recruit Harrison Cumming
and Joshua Bayliss were solid.
Sam Underwood (five goals) and Hamish Gordon were strong in attack.
Ben McConnell, Oscar Munn and Nicholas Wark were best for the Jets which are home to Henley on Saturday.
Athelstone v Pembroke OS
ATHELSTONE wasted little time settling into amateur football’s division two competition when it crushed Pembroke Old Scholars at Max Amber Sportsfield on Saturday.
The Raggies, runners-up to Pembroke in last season’s division three grand final, won 23.12 (150) to 5.7 (37).
Aaron Stewart led the way for the Raggies with six goals, while Jack Mozuras (four goals) and Josh Schinella also played well.
Athelstone is home again on Saturday to Gaza.
The Kings trailed by 53 points at half-time but fell away in the second half with Matt Falzon,
Luke Davey and Alex Holbrook among Pembroke’s best.
The Kings are away to Broadview this Saturday.
Old Ignatians v Henley
Old Ignatians found scoring hard against demoted Henley in their division two match at Henley, Iggies falling 12.14 (86) to 5.4 (34).
Best for Henley were Denis Redden (four goals), Travis Lane and Brad Geddes.
Jeremy Johncock kicked three goals. Henley is away to Unley Mercedes Jets on Saturday.
Will Abbott, Edward Shaw and Lawrence Comazzetto were Iggies’ best.
Broadview v Sacred Heart
BROADVIEW was no match for Sacred Heart Old Collegians in their division two match at Sacred Heart.
The Tigers struggled to score and was blitzed 19.13 (127) to 4.6 (30).
Sean Baker, Brodie Pearce and Jack White were among the Tigers’ best.
Broadview is home to Pembroke Old Scholars on Saturday.
DIVISION 3
GOLDEN GROVE came back from behind to hit the front but survived a late rally from PORTLAND to win their season opener at Harpers Field on Saturday.
The Kookaburras cleared out early in the last quarter but were forced to work hard
to hold their lead to win 14.11 (95) to 14.8 (92).
The first half saw Portland hold a near five-goal advantage but Golden Grove worked back into the game to set up its win. Recruit Shane Walker was best for Golden Grove, while ruckman Chris Hannah and swingman Josh Ingram were among the best for the Kookaburras who are
away to Brighton on Saturday.
The Thunder, down from division two last season, were left with one less player in the first half following an injury to key position player Alex Bradley (ribs).
Portland football director Steve Gilmore said the side still had chances to win.
“Overall it was disappointing to let the game slip,’’ Gilmore said.
“It was close all day but it was there for us to win. Bradley’s injury hurt us but we aren’t sure if he will be okay for this week.’’
Former South Adelaide and Eagles player Andrew Ainger was the star of the day for
FLINDERS PARK in its home win against SMOSH WEST LAKES.
The Reds won 15.11
(101) to 9.7 (61) with Ainger best on ground with seven goals. Alex Gillespie was best for the
Lions.
SEATON was a comfortable winner against PLYMPTON in their Division Three
game at Pedlar Reserve. Luke Rochester was best in his side’s 16.11 (107) to 9.7 (61) win
with Brett Harland kicking four goals.
WALKERVILLE battled well at home but found new club to the league, BRIGHTON, which crossed from the Southern Football League, too good in their division three clash.
The Cats lost 14.19 (103) to 11.16 (72) with Thomas Daly, Andrew Law and Lachlan Warner among their best.
MITCHAM could not match WESTMINSTER OLD COLLEGIANS in their division three match at
Thomas Farms Oval, going down 17.10 (112) to 12.9 (81).
Simon Tucker was best for the Hawks.
Mitcham is home to Flinders Park on Saturday.
DIVISION 4
HECTORVILLE lost a thriller to COLONEL LIGHT GARDENS in division four, 11.8 (74) to 11.7 (73).
Daniel Francis was best.
Luke Wilson’s four goals led the way for KILBURN in its 35-point win against EASTERN PARK at home while GEPPS CROSS beat SALISBURY 13.10 (88) to 9.9 (63) at home with Jack Wood starring.
SMITHFIELD battled hard but found EDWARDSTOWN too strong at Edwardstown, going down 13.13 (91) to 9.9 (63).
NORTH HAVEN welcomed new club to amateur football, MORPHETTVILLE PARK, by beating it by 23 points at home. The Magpies saw good games from David Bird, Chris Lipson (three goals) and Ross Merrett in their 15.8 (98) to 11.9 (75) win. North Haven is away to Salisbury this Saturday.
DIVISION 5
GLENUNGA had the answers for KENILWORTH in their division five match at St Marys
Park.
In a tight finish the Rams took charge to win 11.12 (78) to 10.4 (64) with Dylan Smith
best.
POORAKA kicked off its campaign on a winning note when it proved too strong for GREENACRES to win away 20.17 (137) to 14.7 (91).
Frank Timpano, Dylan Hurst and Chris Adams played well for the Bulls.
HOPE VALLEY beat WOODVILLE SOUTH away by 30 points
ROSEWATER’S return to the Adelaide Football League competition following a
club suspension last season saw a loss at home to Blackfriars Old Scholars.
The Bulldogs went down 12.19 (91) to 9.11 (65) with Joal Downing best for his side. Shaun Jacobsen kicked four goals.
For scores and best players from ALL divisions, click here