Big forward Daniel Nobes helps Christies Beach record an inspiring come-from-behind victory
They trailed by six goals at three-quarter time but Christies Beach pulled off a miracle win against Noarlunga. Read up on all the action from the Southern Football League’s opening round.
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It was a long wait but the Southern Football League finally got underway on Saturday and the opening round did not disappoint.
Spearhead forward Daniel Nobes could not have scripted his return to Christies Beach any better, helping the Saints make history with their biggest comeback win, while Flagstaff Hill’s quest for a fifth-straight flag got off to a perfect start.
Read our SFL match wraps here:
CHRISTIES BEACH 17.7 (109)
NOARLUNGA 17.6 (108)
Christies Beach produced a miracle start to the season with a one-point win against Noarlunga at Noarlunga on Saturday.
The Saints went into the final term trailing by six goals but spearhead forward Daniel Nobes was awarded a 50m penalty and slotted through a goal with seven seconds remaining.
It helped Christies to a thrilling 17.7 (109) to 17.6 (108) win.
Nobes, who returned to Christies Beach after a few seasons with Waikerie in the Riverland Football League, finished the game with four majors and was the matchwinner for the visitors.
The club believes it is its biggest comeback win and the victory also ended a 10-game losing streak against the Shoes.
Saints coach Darren Mason, a 300-gamer at the club as a player, said his debut in the coach’s hot seat was full of anxiety.
“We weren’t going too well at three-quarter time and a few of our players, including Nobesy, weren’t happy with their games,’’ Mason said.
“So we threw it around, had our best players go where the ball was and we lifted.
“But we never lost belief. We pumped it up.
“To come from behind like that against a side like Noarlunga makes us believe what we can do.’’
Michael Mazey, Jacob Crate and Clayton Mesecke also fired under pressure for the Saints.
Jarrad Liebelt, Nicholas Robertson and Victor Robertson (three goals) played well for Noarlunga, which originally pulled out of the revamped campaign before opting back in.
FLAGSTAFF HILL 12.8 (80)
REYNELLA 4.2 (26)
Flagstaff Hill’s quest for a fifth-straight flag got off to a perfect start after the Falcons prevailed against Reynella by 54-points.
It was coach Russell Veenvliet’s first game at the helm and his players made the day one to remember with a 12.8 (80) to 4.2 (26) victory at Reynella.
The Falcons held the hosts scoreless in the third term, while booting 4.2 to set up the win.
Daniel Butcher finished the match with four goals for Flagstaff Hill, while David Kearsley and Michael Shearer also starred.
Reynella managed to kick 1.1 in the third quarter but the Falcons had well and truly sealed the match.
Josh Frisby (two) was Reynella’s multiple goal kicker, while Matthew Fox also worked hard for the Wineflies.
HAPPY VALLEY 13.11 (89)
PORT NOARLUNGA 6.11 (47)
Happy Valley produced a strong last quarter to claim a round one win against Port Noarlunga.
The Vikings led by just 14 points at three-quarter time but slammed home five goals while holding the Cockledivers to just four points in the final term to take a 13.11 (89) to 6.11 (47) victory.
Former South Adelaide junior Tate Coleman, Damon Birbeck and Nick Frisby-Smith dominated, while Connor Sampson, Jesse Vaughan and Josh Mewburn battled for the Cockledivers.
Happy Valley coach Guy Ridgway said securing a win in the opening round would be good for his players’ confidence.
But Ridgway said his side still had plenty to work on.
“It’s good to get the season underway with a win,” Ridgway said.
“Winning builds confidence in the team and you need that moving forward.
“We’ve still got things to get work on.
“Our consistency throughout the whole game is the main thing we will be working on.
“We had a bit of a lapse in one of the quarters where we sort of let them get back into the game.
‘But to our boys’ credit they overcame it and obviously finished the game off.”
COVE 12.5 (77)
MORPHETT VALE 13.11 (89)
Morphett Vale edged Cove at Cove in a fluctuating game, the Emus taking the points 13.11 (89) to 12.5 (77). Scott Carpenter (three goals), Michael Smith and Jack Langdon battled well for Morphett Vale, while longtime star Michael Galley, Alex Marra and Brad Young (four goals) were among the better players for the Cobras.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, July 18
■ Cove v Port Noarlunga
■ Flagstaff Hill v Happy Valley
■ Reynella v Christies Beach
■ Morphett Vale v Noarlunga