Brighton Bombers defeat SPOC in top of the ladder division one Adelaide Footy League match
Brighton has taken the Adelaide Footy League’s division one by storm but the Bombers coach says they are not ahead of themselves just yet. Check out all the action in match reports from round five.
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Five straight wins including the scalps of 2019 finals sides Payneham Norwood Union, Prince Alfred Old Collegians and now St Peter’s Old Collegians has Brighton on the path to Adelaide Footy League glory.
But the Bombers are keeping a lid on it for now, according to their coach.
Check out all the reports and results from round five of the competition.
DIVISION ONE
Brighton coach Joel Tucker believes his Bombers will not get too far ahead of themselves, despite the undefeated surprise packet claiming another significant scalp in division one on Saturday.
The Bombers travelled to Caterer Oval for a top of the table clash against St Peter’s Old Collegians and came away with an impressive 27-point victory.
A 6.2 to 0.0 first term was the catalyst in the 17.10 (112) to 12.13 (85) win – Brighton’s fifth-straight of the season.
“We’re on a bit of a roll at the moment,” Tucker said.
“I don’t think any team in the division would have expected to be undefeated after five rounds and sitting top, it’s a pretty tight comp.
“We had a pretty clear mindset that we were going to improve on last year … we’ve certainly put the work in to be in this position though.
“We’re pretty good with not getting too far ahead of ourselves and we don’t take anything for granted.”
Coming off a 20-point win over Prince Alfred Old Collegians in round four, Brighton continued their hot form with a lightening fast start against SPOC.
The Bombers controlled the midfield and rebounded well off half-back through the likes of best-on-ground Ben Tate.
On-ballers Nigel Osborn, Jacob Carger and Harrison Boyle were also impressive, as was young ruckman Mitchell Wakefield.
It was too much to handle for SPOC, which has now lost its past two matches following a 3-0 start to the season.
Goodwood will hope to be the first side to knock off the Bombers when the two sides clash this Saturday at Brighton Oval.
The Saints, who began the campaign with three straight defeats, made it back-to-back victories last Saturday when they kicked poorly but managed to beat Rostrevor Old Collegians.
Goodwood coach Luke Donaldson said the 8.20 (68) to 7.7 (49) win showed the Saints had turned a corner in the past two games.
“I probably thought it would click a little bit quicker, but it probably took three or four weeks for the guys to get used to playing together and understanding the brand we want them to play,” Donaldson said.
“In division one anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
“Like a lot of sides, we’re confident if we can put four quarters together we can take it up to anyone.”
Playing his 150th game for Goodwood, small forward Jacob Hughes made the most of his milestone day with four goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Jordan Turner also celebrated 200 games for the Saints.
Reigning premier Payneham Norwood Union kept its finals hopes alive by dispatching Unley Mercedes 15.17 (107) to 6.9 (45) at Kingswood Oval.
Dangerous forward Strato Agorastos had a day out with six goals for the Falcons.
Both sides are locked on two wins alongside Goodwood, one victory outside the top five.
Adelaide University triumphed for the first time this season by overcoming Port District away at Largs Reserve.
The Blacks were scoreless in the first quarter but then worked their way back into the contest and held the wayward Magpies goalless in the second half to win in 10.9 (69) to 5.13 (43).
Prince Alfred Old Collegians showed no mercy when it beat bottom side Athelstone by 67 points at home.
The Raggies were two points behind at the first change before the Old Reds piled on 8.2 to 0.1 in the second quarter and went on to win 20.15 (135) to 10.8 (68).
DIVISION TWO
Salisbury North playing coach Joe Hay says claiming victory in the battle of division two’s winless sides against Glenunga on Saturday is a “relief”.
A nine-goal masterclass from Steven Wellington drove the Hawks to finally securing their first victory of the season, a 16.9 (105) to 10.15 (75) triumph at home.
Salisbury North had its heart broken in a two-point defeat to Henley the round before and Hay said his group was beginning to mesh.
“It was a bit of a relief (to win),” Hay said.
“There was a bit of pressure going in and we tried to take that pressure off ourselves and just try and enjoy our footy.
“We’ve started to play better footy over the past two weeks and started to adjust to our structures a bit better.
“We’ve had 10 debutants this season so far in five rounds, so when you get that many first-gamers coming through it takes some time for everyone to get confident and on the same page.”
Midfielder Wellington was superb for the Hawks as he was thrown forward with devastating effect while Callum Hay and Bradly Hood both played strong games.
The Rams will be smarting however, after kicking 1.7 in the first quarter and missing a big opportunity to break their own duck.
At the other end of the table, undefeated ladder leader Henley stamped it’s authority with a blistering 137-point demolition of Scotch Old Collegians at home.
The Sharks piled on eight goals in each of the first three quarters and three in the last as they won 27.11 (173) to 4.12 (36).
Harris Jessen booted six majors and Thomas Pillion had five as part of eight multiple goal kickers for Henley.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Tea Tree Gully 17.10 (112) d PHOS Camden 11.20 (86) at Camden Oval
■ Seaton Ramblers 17.6 (108) d Broadview 11.10 (76) at Pedlar Reserve
■ Old Ignatians 14.7 (91) d Sacred Heart OC 11.12 (78) at Sacred Heart Middle School
DIVISION THREE
A Jack Holliday-inspired Edwardstown snapped a two-game losing streak in the third tier as it downed local rival Plympton by 31 points.
The two clubs, which are separated by less than 2km, could barley be split in the first half before the Towns powered away to win 17.11 (113) to 12.10 (82) at Plympton Oval.
Holliday booted seven majors and led the way for the Towns, who hold a 3-2 win-loss record after winning promotion to division three for this season.
Wilson Otto, Aaron Ferraro and Jack Donkersley (four goals) battled hard for the winless and ninth-placed Bulldogs.
Modbury handed fellow early-season contender North Haven its first loss of the campaign in a 14.7 (91) to 8.16 (64) defeat at Modbury Sports Reserve.
The Hawks were too clinical for the Magpies as Dylan McLean and Brayden Denmead put in terrific performances for the hosts.
North Haven hold second on the ladder by percentage over the Hawks, with both sides on three wins and one loss.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Flinders Park 13.13 (91) d Westminster OS 8.5 (53) at Flinders Park
■ Gaza 12.15 (87) d CBC OC 7.9 (51) at Klemzig Oval
■ Golden Grove – bye
DIVISION FOUR
Nail-biters were the order of the day in division four as two matches were decided by less than a point on Saturday.
Mitcham came from behind away from home to pip Kilburn while top side Pembroke Old Scholars left it late to just get past Woodville South.
At Blair Athol Reserve, the Hawks trailed the Chics by 21 points at the final change but stormed home with 4.4 to 1.0 in the fourth quarter and win 10.12 (72) to 10.11 (71).
Ned Kennett kicked the matchwinner for Pembroke in its 9.21 (75) to 11.8 (74) triumph over Woodville South at Ledger Oval.
With less than a minute remaining, Kennett was caught with a high tackle and converted the set shot to put the Kings in front.
Peter Miller then had a shot to win it after the siren for the Cats but his long bomb from 60m out proved too tough.
Victory over the undefeated Pembroke would have been a serious coup for Woodville, which holds a 1-4 record.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Morphettville Park 14.7 (91) d Gepps Cross 11.10 (76) at Kellett Reserve
■ SMOSH West Lakes 15.17 (107) d Pulteney 12.12 (84) at Morgan Oval
■ Walkerville 16.3 (99) d Hope Valley 10.10 (70) at Walkerville Recreation Ground
DIVISION FIVE
Colonel Light Gardens is enjoying life in the fifth tier after doubling its win tally from 2019 with a fourth victory of the season on Saturday.
The Lions, who were relegated from division four last year after just two wins, had 43 scoring shots as they outgunned West Croydon by 49 points at Mortlock Park.
The 17.26 (128) to 12.7 (69) victory pushed Colonel Light Gardens to second on the ladder while the Hawks slipped from fifth to eighth spot.
Bryce Smith starred and Nick Patterson kicked five goals in standout performances for the hosts.
Smithfield also piled on a big score when it belted Fitzroy by 105 points at home.
Panthers pair Matthew Stewart and Luke Buckby each recorded a bag of five goals in the 24.11 (155) to 7.8 (50) drubbing.
The Lions are anchored to the bottom of the ladder and are yet to register a win after five rounds.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Lockleys 21.14 (140) d Rosewater 5.7 (37) at Eric Sutton Oval
■ Pooraka 14.10 (94) d Kenilworth 11.11 (77) at Lindblom Park
■ Salisbury 13.10 (88) d Eastern Park 11.12 (78) at Salisbury Oval
DIVISION SIX
Trinity Old Scholars showed its fortitude to hold strong in a tense final term and take victory against Blackfriars Old Scholars by five points at St Dominic’s Oval.
The visiting Lions jumped out to a 7.2 to 2.1 lead at quarter time but were clawed back by the Hounds, who trailed by just 11 points going into the final term.
But Trinity, on the back of Cameron Matters (four goals), Trent Eves and Glen Chamberlain, stood firm to take a 15.7 (97) to 14.8 (92) victory.
Club stalwart Matt Brincat was best for Blackfriars.
Hectorville sprayed shots wayward at will early against Houghton Districts on Saturday but used weight of numbers to put together a commanding 128-point win.
The first-placed Hounds prevailed 22.27 (159) to 4.7 (31) at Thebarton Oval.
Stewart Fincher starred for Hectorville and Zachary Stephenson booted six goals.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Mawson Lakes 19.8 (122) d Ingle Farm 14.11 (95) at Rowe Park
■ Elizabeth 13.3 (81) d St Paul’s OS 8.14 (62) at St Paul’s College
■ Marion 23.16 (154) d Para Hills 8.8 (56) at The Paddocks
DIVISION SEVEN
The gap between the top and bottom sides in the league’s lowest A-grade division appears to be a vast one following two significant score differentials on Saturday.
Ladder leader Brahma Lodge recorded a 125-point win over fifth-placed O’Sullivan Beach Londsale and third-ranked Flinders University thumped bottom team Central United by 117 points.
The Tigers, who are yet to lost this season, led the Lions by 13 points at quarter time but then steamrolled their hosts to triumph 26.14 (170) to 6.9 (45).
Flinders Uni played out a similar match, up by three points at the first change they then booted 21.14 to 4.2 after quarter time to run out 26.15 (171) to 8.6 (54) winners.
In the round’s other clash, Mitchell Park travelled to the South Parklands and defeated Adelaide Lutheran 12.12 (84) to 10.10 (70).
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
SMOSH West Lakes showed no mercy towards women’s division one opponent Angle Vale as it held the Owls scoreless and smashed them by 105 points on Saturday.
The Lions were relentless in the 15.15 (105) to 0.0 (0) defeat at West Lakes Shore Oval.
Evelyn Goldsmith, Poppy Waterford and Tayla Gordon (six goals) led the way for SMOSH, which holds second place on the ladder with four wins and one loss.
The Lions are pushing to keep pace with undefeated top side Payneham Norwood Union after the Falcons recorded a fifth-straight victory.
The hosts had it all their own way at Payneham Oval, downing Adelaide University 13.3 (81) to 3.4 (22).
Hannah Bebbington kicked three goals for the Falcons in a best-on-ground performance.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Morphettville Park 6.16 (52) d Golden Grove 1.1 (7) at Harpers Field
■ Old Ignatians 9.7 (61) d Salisbury 4.4 (28) at Park 25