Biggest surprises of the Adelaide Footy League season so far for every division
From dramatic finishes to breakout individual performances, the Adelaide Footy League season has been thrilling. We look at the biggest surprises of 2022.
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Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap of the talking points from the round in the Adelaide Footy League.
Each edition we will bring you titbits from the weekend – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts, inspiring stories or quirky moments.
If you have something you’d like to share from the Adelaide Footy League, email us your suggestions, photos or videos to daniel.renfrey@news.com.au
After what was a weekend which had it all from game-winning goals on the siren to shock results, we’ve listed the biggest surprises of the season so far for each division.
DIVISION ONE – DROP FROM THE TOP
Payneham Norwood Union’s struggles in 2022 have been well-documented, but the club remaining at the bottom of division one with under half the season remaining is one of the competition’s biggest surprises.
The Falcons had challenges with player retention after losing to Prince Alfred Old Collegians in last season’s grand final, and have seen star recruit Ben Sawford face an extended stint on the sidelines, but performances have still left much to be desired.
A 29-point loss to Goodwood at home added insult to injury over the weekend, the club now six points below eighth spot Tea Tree Gully and facing an uphill battle to escape relegation.
“We’ve been doing a lot of chopping and changing with injuries and players like Lachy Matthias being in and out of SANFL,” coach Jeremy Cini said.
“It’s not quite time to be too concerned, I’d love to have won a few more games but the comp has been tight – anyone can beat anyone on their day.”
The form of Nick Favretto, and Harrison Viney up front has been a small boost for the Falcons, who will need a win against Brighton at home this Saturday.
DIVISION TWO – HAWKS COME FROM THE CLOUDS
Division two has been filled with entertaining outcomes so far this season, but it would be hard to ignore Salisbury North midfielder Travis McIntyre’s winning goal over heavily favoured Athelstone on the weekend.
The third placed Raggies had just come off strong wins against PHOS Camden and Adelaide Uni when the relegation zoned Hawks visited Blair Athol Reserve, but it would be the visitors who would celebrate.
Down 24 points at the final break, Salisbury North launched a courageous comeback in the fourth, ending with a dramatic Travis McIntyre winner on the siren to complete what was one of the biggest upsets this season.
The kick also took the Hawks out of the relegation zone on percentage.
“The win was pivotal for us having lost the last two games by a point,” McIntyre said.
“The next two months for us are huge … we can definitely stay up – on our day I believe we can beat anyone.”
DIVISION THREE – TOWNS’ TIME?
Heading into season 2022, much of the division three chatter revolved around Golden Grove, Morphettville Park and Flinders Park.
SANFL stars Lewis Johnston and Cam Shenton joined the Kookaburras, North Adelaide champion Alex Barns signed with the Roos and Tom and Nic Schwarz arrived at the Reds.
While Golden Grove remains undefeated, Edwardstown and its signings of Aaron Anderson, Josh Schiller and Jake Harrap has also taken the competition by storm.
Towns finished sixth in the division in 2021, and while some were expecting a finals appearance for the club this year, the club would know be thinking about its chances of competing for a flag.
“It’s always been my intention to give back to the footy club and help them be more successful,” Anderson said of returning back to his junior club.
It looks like the talented midfielder could have the chance to do just that come September.
DIVISION FOUR – ADAM PROUD OF BIG YEAR
The form of second place Plympton after being relegated has been unexpected, but Walkerville forward Adam Proud remains the story of the division four season.
Proud had a strong 2021 for the cats, booting 66 goals in 13 games, but his 2022 season has been significantly better.
The dominant target-man has kicked 60 goals in 11 games so far this year and has been among Walkerville’s best in six of his appearances.
Proud’s performances have been a significant factor in the club’s top three positioning in the final two months of season 2022.
“I had a relatively big preseason, I like trying to go as hard as possible at trainings and I pride myself on my work rate so I think it’s a bit to do with that,” Proud said.
“I’m really comfortable on the field with the boys and I’ve got guys like Nick Gillard and Jack McKenzie drawing defenders away to give me one-on-one opportunities.
“We’ve had a lot of team success through that so as long as we can keep working as a team up front we’ll be successful.”
DIVISION FIVE – LOCKLEYS LOOK THE GOODS
It finished fifth in division five last season, but at 10-1 and on top in 2022, Lockleys has well and truly announced itself to the competition.
The Demons’ one loss came in round one to second spot Hectorville, but since then they’ve been unstoppable, consistently blowing teams out by margins of 60-100 points.
Vice captain Ben Haren has been in brilliant form up front, kicking 52 goals in his nine games, and has made his side a flag favourite.
DIVISION SIX – RAMS READY FOR FINALS PUSH
Trinity Old Scholars currently sits undefeated and atop division six after a 13-3 finish last season, but the rise of the Marion Rams was unexpected heading into 2022.
The club finished outside of the finals picture in 2021, but a strong 8-2 start currently has it in second place and looking like a contender for promotion, if not the 2022 premiership.
Patrick Anthony O’Dea has single handedly won games for the Rams with 33 goals in 10 games, while William Cavallo has also been influential on the ball and up front for his team.
A round 13 matchup with Trinity OS would be marked down on Marion’s calendar, and could be a precursor of what’s to come at season’s end.
DIVISION SEVEN – GIBSON FLYING FOR DRAGONS
Greenacres’ Matt Gibson has put together his best season for the club in three years, leading the Dragons to an 11-0 record and leading the league in goalkicking.
The versatile forward has 63 goals in 11 games, three more than Walkerville’s Adam Proud, and doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon.
Gibson had a big bag of 11 majors against Flinders in round nine after tallying a combined 16 against Mitchell Park and OSB Lonsdale.
“It’s been about maintaining my fitness, training hard and just getting my body right for hopefully a good finals run,” Gibson said of his improvement.
“There’s a better synergy with the guys too – they’ll look for me when I’m in some form and we’ve got some guys who can bring the ball to ground up front now too, which works to my advantage.”
With another eight majors piled on against Houghton Districts last week, next opponent Adelaide Lutheran would be pondering how to stop Gibson in its upcoming top of the ladder clash.
RIGNEY RISES AGAIN
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale’s Trevor Rigney has done it again, rising high for a simply spectacular mark over the weekend.
One of local SA footy’s icons, and greatest goalkickers, Rigney flew against Mitchell Park on Saturday to take what could be one of the best marks of the year.
The talented journeyman has made a habit of taking huge hangers and Saturday’s big grab was no exception.
“I’ve had to rely on my athleticism and aerial ability up front because I lack the size some others have,” Rigney said.
It’s worked wonders for the electric goalkicker – he has over 1,000 goals across local footy.
Rigney has already been nominated for mark of the week multiple times in 2022, but unfortunately missed out this week as his mark was not filmed.
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