Athelstone wins first A grade grand final in 23 years after beating Unley Mercedes Jets
The Raggies last tasted A grade success in 1996 but the drought is finally over after they triumphed in the division two grand final on Saturday. CHECK OUT ALL THE SCORES.
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Athelstone has claimed its first A grade premiership in more than 20 years after beating Unley Mercedes Jets by 31 points in the division two grand final at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.
The Raggies were staring down an 18-point deficit midway through the third term but booted eight unanswered goals to secure the 14.8 (92) to 9.7 (61) victory.
It had been a long time between drinks for Athelstone, which lost grand finals in 2017 (division two) and 2016 (division three) but last claimed an A grade flag in 1996.
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Raggies coach Jade Sheedy was proud of his players and said the triumph meant so much to the club.
“This is a dream for this footy club, they haven’t won one in 23 years,” Sheedy said.
“Just to see the joy on the supporters’ faces, I’m proud for them, all the volunteers and the playing group – they are a terrific bunch of kids to coach.
“We came off two really hard finals, we are really fit and we play on a big oval so I had confidence in the group and they had confidence in themselves.”
Sheedy was not sure if he would coach again next season and just wanted to “soak up today”.
Tristan Binder, who finished the match with four goals, was the star for Athelstone.
He took a huge mark before booting goal late in the third quarter to swing the momentum and put the Raggies just three points behind.
A strong piece of play from the next centre bounce was capped by a mark inside 50 from Justin Sheedy and his major gave Athelstone a one-point advantage.
That advantage was soon stretched to a seven-point lead as Binder goaled again, slotting Athelstone’s fourth, unanswered major.
Ruckman Luke Rander continued the momentum with an incredible goal from the boundary line seven and a half minutes into the final term before James Davies put the icing on the cake with a major minutes before the final siren.
Athelstone’s Aaron Stewart won the best-on-ground medal.
The Jets played a strong, hard and fast brand of football to lead for the first half.
But they lost two players – Simon Munn and Nick Stewart – to a hamstring and shoulder injuries respectively and those left on the field struggled with the hot, sunny conditions.
For Unley, it was yet another grand final heartbreak, having lost back-to-back A grade flags in division three (2014) and then division two (2015).
Jets coach Kane Stewart was disappointed and conceded the Raggies were more desperate for the win.
“They outworked us and were a bit more hungry in the second half,” Stewart said.
“We had a few injuries in the second half and lost some rotations on a hot day but full credit to Athelstone, they were too good on the day.
“Today didn’t go our way but we stick together as a group and build on what we’ve done this year.”
Unley did, however, taste some premiership success on Saturday after its C2 team beat Modbury in their flag decider before the division two reserves triumphed over Sacred Heart Old Collegians.
Athelstone will return to division one after being relegated to the second tier after ending 2018 bottom.
Unley will also feature in the top tier in next season, returning after a one-year stint in 2016.
OTHER RESULTS:
OTR DIVISION 1
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Payneham Norwood Union 19.9 (123) d Rostrevor Old Collegians 14.11 (95).
Goals — Payneham NU: A Forster 5 L Davis 5 P Lowe 2 C Milne 2 M Nye P Sanzo K Santillo B Ancell J Giannini.
Rostrevor OC: L Manuel 3 H Commane 3 T Dematteis 2 J Jordan P Fantasia D Mccallum C Holm M Coad P Dawson.
Best — Payneham NU: L Davis A Giannini C Milne J Giannini M Haynes. Rostrevor OC: P Fantasia T Dematteis L Manuel C Holm D Mccallum J Jordan.
OTR DIVISION 1 RESERVES
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Henley 11.9 (75) d Goodwood Saints 8.7 (55)
Goals — Henley: M Ahmatt-Lovett 4 J Harvey-Friel 3 J Hambly 2 N Pierson B Carey. Goodwood Saints: H Clarke 4 M Crump 3 W Clarke.
Best — Henley: J Harvey-Friel R O’loughlin M Ahmatt-Lovett L Gray M Cullen. Goodwood Saints: D Trussell T Longden M Crump H Clarke S Laube.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE DIVISION 2
GRAND FINAL
Athelstone 14.8 (92)d Unley Mercedes Jets 9.7 (61)
Goals — Athelstone: T Binder 4 J Davies 2 D Sangermano J Sheedy C Radetti D Cluse K Durdin A Stewart K NUrton L Rander. Unley Mercedes Jets: J Holliday 3 B Harris 2 J O’sullivan M Minns A Skara D Caire.
Best — Athelstone: A Stewart D Sangermano J Schinella T Binder D Cluse. Unley Mercedes Jets: M Duval M Minns L Mcentee R Faehrmann B Harris D Caire.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE DIV 2 RES
GRAND FINAL
Unley Mercedes Jets 10.16 (76) d Sacred Heart OC 2.8 (20)
Goals — Unley Mercedes Jets: J Einarson 3 M Withers 2 D Duval 2 A Penfold A Clothier H Gill. Sacred Heart OC: L Paparella 2.
Best — Unley Mercedes Jets: T Rodger C Armiento D Duval M Khabbaz H Gill J OConnell. Sacred Heart OC: L Mill J Finckler R Clarke L Whitford B Richardson.
GUARDALL SECURITY DIVISION 3
GRAND FINAL
Glenunga 12.14 (86) d Old Ignatians 10.5 (65).
Goals — Glenunga: N Wundke 4 S Pollock 4 H Prosser 3 A Read. Old Ignatians: J Manson 2 M Brunoli S Janetzki W Ferrari D Mcneil D Mccabe P Kerin K Reynolds J Centenera.
Best — Glenunga: A Haren T Campbell J Wundke T Bielby N Wundke H Prosser. Old Ignatians: L Comazzetto E Shaw D Mcneil W Ferrari B Jones I Ryan.
GUARDALL SECURITY DIVISION 3 RES
GRAND FINAL
Flinders Park 7.7 (49) d Old Ignatians 4.8 (32).
Goals — Flinders Park: E Abbott 2 C Muirhead 2 M Smart 2 J Macro. Old Ignatians: A Valana B Lord A Horner T Scanlon.
Best — Flinders Park: M Smart J Stevens C Muirhead J Stott J Macro. Old Ignatians: X Owen-Thomas D Rossi A Horner Z Borlace B Owen-Thomas.
MORPHETTVILLE RACECOURSE DIV 4
GRAND FINAL
CBC Old Collegians 14.15 (99) d Edwardstown 11.7 (73).
Goals — CBC Old Collegians: S Madigan 2 B Johansen 2 J Johansen 2 J Greenbank 2 M Downie M Raymond A Watkins C Draper B Copping S Turner. Edwardstown: G Cornish 5 S Dean 2 A Parsons 2 B Roberts J Salt.
Best — CBC Old Collegians: J Johansen J Fielke L Matthias M Raymond C Draper T Sarunic. Edwardstown: G Cornish B Homburg M Jose B Roberts T Smelt.
MORPHETTVILLE RACECOURSE DIV 4 RES
GRAND FINAL
Mitcham 5.8 (38) d Walkerville 4.7 (31).
Goals — Mitcham: B Disher 3 K Peters S Webster. Walkerville: D Fromm 2 M May J Dean.
Best — Mitcham: J Wittervan B Disher L Robert L Foot K Peters. Walkerville: M Kelson M May B Griffiths B Jenke.
NINE NEWS DIVISION 5
GRAND FINAL
Hope Valley 10.1 (61) d Pulteney 6.12 (48).
Goals — Hope Valley: R Clapp 2 D Tanczos 2 D Williamson 2 J Hellmanns 2 J Dowling S Hunt. Pulteney: A Forbes 3 S Currie 2 D Tucker.
Best — Hope Valley: D Williamson S Pemble L Moore L Duggan L Williams. Pulteney: H Fitzpatrick R Brodie A Forbes J Fischer J Tripodi.
NINE NEWS DIVISION 5 RESERVES
GRAND FINAL
Salisbury 8.2 (50) d Lockleys 5.11 (41).
Goals — Salisbury: J Banwell 3 D Mills C Pryor N Shute T Evans C Bilney. Lockleys: T Mackenzie 2 M Fregona R Martin N Scala.
Best — Salisbury: J Mcpherson C Biddle S Hancock J Banwell L Sandercock T Rogers. Lockleys: J Foureur C Dickie J Rafanelli M Fregona P Rosshirt.
BALFOURS DIVISION 6
GRAND FINAL
Fitzroy 8.11 (59) d West Croydon 8.8 (56).
Goals — Fitzroy: D Miller 5 P Lindsay 2 K Garrett. West Croydon: T Harding 3 C Beaty 2 K O’toole 2 D Emery.
Best — Fitzroy: T Camp D Miller C Wheadon P Wootton M Dolley. West Croydon: T Harding N Symons L Walsh L Francis N Khan.
BALFOURS DIVISION 6 RESERVES
GRAND FINAL
Hectorville 8.6 (54) d Para Hills 4.5 (29).
Goals — Hectorville: C Young D Lombardi J Denton I Thomas J Eckermann M Balewaqa N Perera S Zappia. Para Hills: F Cirocco S Hanson M Grossmann N Laver.
Best — Hectorville: J Denton J Majewski B Murray J Eckermann M Potts. Para Hills: M Rowe S Charlton S Whitehead D Gates W Thach.
DIVISION C1
Preliminary Final
Adelaide University 6.8 (44) d Goodwood Saints 5.8 (38)
DIVISION C2
Grand Final
Unley Mercedes Jets 12.12 (84) d Modbury 8.5 (53)
DIVISION C3
Grand Final
Flinders Park 5.6 (36) d Golden Grove 4.7 (31)
DIVISION C4
Grand Final
Woodville South 12.4 (76) d Smosh West Lakes 6.5 (41)
DIVISION C5
Grand Final
Hope Valley 9.11 (65) d Pulteney 6.4 (40)
DIVISION C6
Grand Final
Adelaide Lutheran 9.6 (60) d Elizabeth 8.7 (55)