Christies Beach jumps to second on Southern Football League ladder with big win over Aldinga
Christies Beach lost to Noarlunga four weeks ago but the Saints moved to second spot following a 96-point victory over Aldinga on Saturday. Will we see a Christies Beach v Noarlunga grand final?
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- No feet, no worries for Aldinga Sharks youngster
Christies Beach is quietly going about its business this Southern Football League season, moving up to second place with a strong victory over Aldinga, while Noarlunga remains undefeated after a triumph over Port Noarlunga in the local derby.
All that plus more in Messenger Community News’ round 12 SFL wrap.
CHRISTIES BEACH 19.17 (131)
ALDINGA 5.5 (35)
Christies Beach is sitting second in the Southern Football League and is a near certainty to grab a double chance for the finals.
But like most top sides they have a key go-to player in attack.
For the Saints it is Blake Carter.
Carter, a former Emu, is leading the SFL goalkicking table with 63 goals from 12 games.
He has kicked goals in 11 of those games with his only miss against Flagstaff Hill when his side was well beaten.
But his smallest tally in any game, apart from his blank against the Falcons, has been four goals with his highest bag of 12 against Aldinga earlier in the season.
Carter’s most recent haul came against Aldinga last Saturday.
The forward booted six goals to help the Saints beat the Sharks 19.17 (131) to 5.5 (35) at Aldinga.
Christies Beach president Paul Crate said Carter had been an excellent
inclusion to the side.
“We only had him part time last season after being with South (Adelaide) but we have had him full time this season,’’ Daly said.
“He has given the team a real target and rarely wastes a chance.’’
Nathan Stock was also solid for the Saints, finishing the match with four goals.
Luke Watson, Nyaningu Tom and Eliot Schneider played well for the hosts.
MORPHETT VALE 15.17 (107)
COVE 4.6 (30)
Morphett Vale bounced back from its one-point loss against Reynella when it proved too strong for Cove at Morphett Vale.
Daniel Earl and Bodie Sowter led the way for the Emus in their 15.17 (107) to 4.6 (30) win.
Tyron Bennetts and Jaxon Williams kicked three goals each.
Cove’s better players included Alex O’Shaughnessy, Alex Marra and Shannon Houweling.
FLAGSTAFF HILL 13.15 (93)
REYNELLA 7.7 (49)
One solid quarter was enough for Flagstaff Hill to put away Reynella in their clash at Reynella Oval last Saturday.
The Falcons showed their class with a 13.15 (93) to 7.7 (49) win.
But it was the team’s second quarter, in which it kicked of 5.3 to 0.1, that gave it the edge.
Mackenzie Short (three goals), Ben Rossi and Sam Tharaldsen played well for the third-placed Falcons.
Sam Smith also chipped in with a goal for the Falcons.
Damon Arnold is enjoying a stellar season with Reynella.
His efforts played a big part in his side’s strong showing for most of the day.
Nick Dixon and Ben Lockettt provided solid support for the fifth-ranked Wineflies.
NOARLUNGA 14.11 (95)
PORT NOARLUNGA 9.9 (63)
A big second term was also the catalyst behind Noarlunga’s triumph against Port Noarlunga at home.
Port showed plenty of grit but the Shoes had firepower to score 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63).
Terry Milera, Nick Mott (four goals) and Sam Hamilton featured highly for the Shoes.
Reece Martell was also solid. booting three goals.
Ryan Kelly, Luke Irving and Nick Steele battled well for the Cockledivers.
GORDO’S GRILL
■ The top five for the A grade finals looks just about set.
Reynella is likely to hold fifth place.
The side’s one-point win against Morphett Vale a fortnight ago was likely to have quashed the Emus’ hopes of scraping into the major round.
■ The Southern Football League has a competition-wide bye this weekend as the SA Country Championships take place in Port Pirie, featuring the southern suburb’s men and women’s teams.
Finals will be played at about 1pm on the Sunday at adjoining ovals for both competitions. Fans of the Adelaide and Port Adelaide SANFL teams also can watch their battle on Saturday at Pirie’s Memorial Oval at 2.40pm.
The southern team was not known at press-time but was sure to have a strong contingent of SFL players.
■ I’m not sure if there were players missing but there was quite an odd score in the under-13 clash between Flagstaff Hill and Reynella last Saturday.
The top-placed Falcons held the Wineflies, second, scoreless with a 12.15 (87) to 0.0 result. Flagstaff Hill enjoyed a commanding victory earlier in the season against the young Wineflies, winning 12.10 (82) to 1.1 (7).
Interestingly Reynella has lost just the two games for a percentage of 73.41.
The Falcons, meanwhile, have a solid percentage of 94.29.
Round 13 (Saturday July 20):
■ Flagstaff Hill v Morphett Vale
■ Happy Valley v Noarlunga
■ Port Noarlunga v Aldinga
■ Reynella v Christies Beach
■ Cove – bye