Brighton Bombers beat St Peter’s Old Collegians in A grade for the first time in more than 50 years
Brighton has not only broken a drought stretching back to 1965, it has lit the fuse for one of the tightest top five battles in recent memory. Adelaide Footy League reports for every division.
- Banned club to make a case for return to footy
- Season over as four teams relegated
- SPOC snaps four-game losing streak
Four sides – Port District, Brighton, St Peter’s Old Collegians and Goodwood – are locked on seven wins in division one fighting for the last two finals spots.
They all play each other this Saturday in a blockbuster, season-defining round of the Adelaide Footy League.
And it is the Bombers who look likely to blow up the top tier race after a massive victory on Saturday.
Plus more in The Messenger’smatch reports from every Adelaide Footy League division.
DIVISION ONE
History was made at Brighton Oval on Saturday when Brighton recorded its first win against St Peter’s Old Collegians in A grade competition.
The victory also pushed the Bombers into the Adelaide Footy League division one top five for the first time this season.
Matches between Brighton and SPOC have been spasmodic since the sides first clashed in 1965, with the Bombers undergoing different identities and competing in other competitions along the way.
But Brighton added a chapter to its history books by crushing the Saints, 19.16 (124) to 8.8 (56) after leading 7.1 to 3.2, 10.8 to 4.4 and 12.11 to 5.7 at the changes.
From the first bounce the home side was like a dog not content with one bone but wanting more to squeeze the life out of SPOC’s key playmakers.
Brighton coach Joel Tucker said Saturday’s game was his side’s best since entering the league three seasons ago.
“In the context of the quality of the opposition, the importance of the game and style of game we played I would say that was the best we have played,’’ Tucker said.
“I think we got our match ups right and really everyone did their job. The boys are hungry and want to play finals.”
Patrick Gabb starred in the ruck, while Sam Kennedy and Jay Boyle provided strong support. Jack Juniper and Brody Trembath led the attack with four goals each, while John McPherson chipped in with three majors.
Jesse O’Brien, Thomas Matsouliadis and Ryan Obst battled well for the Saints.
Four sides – Port District, Brighton, SPOC and Goodwood – are locked on seven wins in division one from fourth to seventh and all play each other this Saturday in a season-defining round.
The Magpies will host the Bombers at Largs Reserve and Goodwood travel to take on St Peter’s.
Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries conceded his side is not up to the top division one teams but says grabbing a low-end finals’ berth is still on the cards.
Celebrating the club’s heritage round which paid tribute to the histories of Goodwood and St Raphael’s football clubs, there was little joy on the field last Saturday as the side lost to Rostrevor Old Collegians at home, 13.8 (86) to 7.10 (52).
Jeffries said there was no point making excuses for his team.
“They (ROC) were simply too good and were more efficient with their ball use,’’ Jeffries said.
“We tried our guts out but we are a mid-table team at the moment. We don’t have the potency but we are still a chance for the finals and have a massive game away against St Peter’s Old Collegians.”
Nicholas Burgess again starred for the Saints, while Thomas Barry, Lou Whitelock and ruckman Tom Carter were solid.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Prince Alfred OC 14.13 (97) d Henley 5.9 (39) at Henley Memorial Oval
■ Port District 18.14 (122) d Tea Tree Gully 5.7 (37) at Largs Reserve
■ Payneham NU 17.11 (113) d Adelaide University 6.7 (43) at University Oval
DIVISION TWO
Not only has Scotch Old Collegians won five games on the trot, it has been the undisputed surprise packet in the second half of the division two season.
The resurgence continued on Saturday as it stunned third-ranked Athelstone by 72 points at home.
Scotch was a goal ahead at the first break before blowing the Raggies away in the next three quarters for the 21.13 (139) to 9.13 (67) victory.
Ash Johnson starred up forward with six goals and former Glenelg ruckman Warwick McGinty dominated the contest and also slotted two majors.
Scotch wore an indigenous guernsey for the match, designed by Rickelle Peris.
A combination of players returning from injury and higher ranks has sparked Scotch’s swift upturn in form.
It is a mathematical chance to surge into fifth place but, two wins back from Seaton Ramblers plus percentage with two rounds remaining, it would be a huge task.
Athelstone meanwhile will be searching for answers after the big loss, particularly given it knocked off ladder leader Unley Mercedes the previous week.
PHOS Camden breathed a sigh of relief in division two when it held out Broadview, 16.6 (102) to 15.9 (9) at Camden Oval on Saturday after leading by 40 points at half-time.
Nick Ramsey, Orry Cross and Hamish Gordon (three goals) led the way with Matthew Rowe kicking four goals.
The Phantoms must beat Modbury away this Saturday to stay in the hunt for finals.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians did enough at home to defeat Modbury, 9.9 (63) to 4.4 (28) with Harrison Kitschke, Pat McCarthy and Peter Spurling among the best.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Unley Mercedes 14.12 (96) d Salisbury North 13.10 (88) at Kingswood Oval
■ Sacred Heart OC 9.9 (63) d Modbury 4.4 (28) at Thebarton Oval
DIVISION THREE
Old Ignatians made a big statement and put a dent in Flinders Park’s premiership aspirations in the process with a 94-point thumping on Saturday.
Iggies are making their charge in division three, with the 18.21 (129) to 5.5 (35) hiding of the Reds at Karen Rolton Oval backing up last week’s win over ladder leader Glenunga.
Lawrence Comazzetto, Sam Boots and Connor O’Brien were influential for second-placed Old Ignatians while Samuel Janetzki bagged five goals.
Simon Yiannicou fought hard for Flinders Park, which has fallen from second to fifth on the ladder in the past fortnight.
Lindsay Thomas’ scorching hot streak for Portland continued as he kicked seven goals for the second week in a row as the Thunder defeated Westminster Old Scholars 19.12 (126) to 16.8 (104).
The former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne forward was well backed up by ex-Glenelg goalsneak Ian Milera, who added six majors of his own.
The pair are forming one of the most dangerous forward partnerships in the league.
But the sixth-ranked Thunder are up against it to make finals, two wins back from Flinders Park with two rounds to play.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Golden Grove 25.17 (167) d Plympton 11.4 (70) at Harpers Field
■ Morphettville Park 13.14 (92) d Gepps Cross 9.12 (66) at Kellett Reserve
■ Glenunga 13.15 (93) d North Haven 11.7 (73) at Largs North Reserve
DIVISION FOUR
Four sides are fighting for two finals spots in division four ahead with two matches remaining.
Woodville South, Mitcham, Walkerville and Kilburn are ranked fourth to seventh successively with the Cats just one win ahead of the chasing trio.
On Saturday, the Chics’ bid to remain in the top five were dealt a blow when they were rocked by Edwardstown in an 86-point smashing at home.
The 24.11 (155) to 10.9 (69) defeat meant Kilburn dropped to sixth.
Josh Holliday booted 12 goals in an outstanding performance for Edwardstown, which well and truly returned to form after three straight losses in its previous outings.
At the East Parklands the top of the table clash between SMOSH West Lakes and CBC Old Collegians did not disappoint as the ladder-leading Lions grabbed a two-point win.
SMOSH opened up a five-goal lead at half-time and led by 18 points at the last change.
The Dolphins charged back in the final term but the Lions were able to steady and a late goal gave them a 13.6 (84) to 12.10 (82) victory.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke OS 11.17 (83) d Colonel Light Gardens 7.11 (53) at Haslam Oval
■ Woodville South 11.17 (83) d Mitcham 10.10 (70) at Ledger Oval
■ Walkerville 20.9 (129) d Pooraka 16.6 (102) at Walkerville Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Eastern Park barrelled home with a nine-goal to one fourth quarter against Lockleys but fell seven points short in a thrilling contest of two Demons sides at Lockleys Oval on Saturday.
The big clash between fourth and fifth in division five got off to a tight start with scores level at the first break.
Lockleys broke away in the second and opened up a 42-point lead at the main break, which was extended to 56 at the last change.
Eastern Park came home with a wet sail in a 9.3 to 1.2 final term but it was not enough, as the match finished 18.10 (118) to 17.9 (111) in favour of the hosts.
The win gave Lockleys a two-point ladder advantage.
Hope Valley piled on the goals and sunk Trinity Old Scholars further into relegation trouble at Hope Valley Oval.
Jayke Hellmanns booted five majors in the Demons’ 20.12 (145) to 6.3 (39) victory.
Hope Valley remain second on the ladder while Trinity is ninth and one win adrift of eighth-placed Rosewater.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Kenilworth 16.18 (114) d Rosewater 9.3 (57) at Eric Sutton Oval
■ Pulteney 17.22 (124) d Smithfield 12.11 (83) at Morgan Oval
■ Salisbury 21.23 (149) d Blackfriars OS 5.14 (44) at St Dominic’s Oval
DIVISION SIX
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale must have thought it had finally grabbed its chance to secure its first victory in division six this season, before falling short once again on Saturday.
The already relegated Lions went down 11.13 (81) to 10.8 (68) away to Ingle Farm but were right in the match all day, trailing 5.5 to 4.1, 6.8 to 6.4 and 8.12 to 8.6 at the changes.
Clinton Calyun, Brad McIlvar and Richard Hore battled well for OSB Lonsdale, which has not won a match in its first season in the sixth tier.
Ryan Knowles was best for the Bulldogs, who are fifth on the ladder.
Elizabeth appears to be hitting form at the right time after registering its third successive win with a 15.13 (103) to 10.5 (65) victory over Brahma Lodge at Argana Park.
Brayden Abbott and Aaron Tom had strong days for the third-placed Eagles.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ West Croydon 14.9 (93) d Fitzroy 6.7 (43) at Fitzroy Sports Club
■ Hectorville 15.15 (105) d Marion 6.8 (44) at Sturt Oval
■ Bye – Para Hills
DIVISION SEVEN
Undefeated division seven power St Paul’s Old Scholars came the closest to defeat that it has all season on Saturday.
The Saints were wayward but the juggernaut rolled on and recorded its 16th straight win this campaign with a 8.19 (67) to 6.5 (41) victory over Mawson Lakes away.
The 25-point margin, down from an average of 70 each victory, was SPOS’ smallest of the season.
Jordan Wurfel, Joseph Adamo and Lucio Malatesta continued their outstanding years in the yellow and black to be the Saints’ best on the day.
Nicholas Morasca kicked two goals.
SPOS now has just one match remaining to complete an undefeated home-and-away season when it travels to Houghton Districts to take on the second-placed Raiders on Saturday.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Houghton Districts 13.10 (88) d Adelaide Lutheran 10.10 (70) at Houghton Memorial Oval
■ Greenacres 18.19 (127) d Mitchell Park 9.5 (59) at Mitchell Park Oval
■ Central United 15.16 (106) d Flinders University 11.7 (73) at Mofflin Reserve