Flagstaff Hill is primed for a clash against Noarlunga with the winner earning a grand final berth
Southern Football League fans will be treated to a blockbuster when the competition’s power clubs meet in the second semi-final this weekend.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Flagstaff Hill and Noarlunga have been arguably the best sides this season, so it’s fitting the battle will determine which team is the first through to the big dance.
The match signals the start of Noarlunga’s finals campaign after having the bye last weekend.
Flaggies, meanwhile, take consistent winning form into the clash, having played the past five weeks and triumphed each time.
FLAGSTAFF HILL 15.20 (110) CHRISTIES BEACH 7.8 (50)
In last Saturday’s qualifying final, Flagstaff Hill proved too strong for Christies Beach, prevailing, 15.20 (110) to 7.8 (50) at Aldinga Oval.
Casey Davies, Mark Hollis (two goals, 20 marks) and Ben Rossi (three majors) were best of Flaggies.
Flagstaff Hill coach Darren Vanzetta said his side did what it needed to do and was quickly focusing on this Saturday’s big challenge.
“The way we went about our footy against Christies paid off but now we will do our recovery and have a good look at Noarlunga’s likely line up,” Vanzetta said.
“They have so many key players on each line so we will need to get our match ups right.
“We didn’t get any injuries from last week and could have a couple of players in (Daniel) Butcher and (Mitchell) Fazekas available.’’
The Falcons led 7.10 to 4.3 at half-time and kept the defensive pressure up for the remainder of the match.
When the Shoes and Falcons met in the minor round, Noarlunga won by 52 points away on June 28 after triumphing by 62 points at home in round two.
Flagstaff Hill was held to low scores with just 6.5 and 4.2 in their games.
Both sides have multiple scoring options and it will be interesting if they show their hands this week with a strong chance they could meet again on grand final day.
Christies Beach, meanwhile, hopes to have hopes to have four players return from injury for its do-or-die clash with Port Noarlunga this weekend.
Leading goalkicker Blake Carter, star onballer Mathew Hodge, reliable Jamie Dunn and last year’s best and fairest Ben Powell are all likely to return from injury to take on the Cockledivers.
Saints co-coach Neil Reeve said he was confident his side could rebound after its 60-point loss to Flaggies.
“We will be going in with confidence,’’ Reeve said.
“Hopefully we can field a strong side and playing at home, on a big deck and having the extra day’s rest, will help.
“Our games against Porties are always tight and this should be similar.”
PORT NOARLUNGA 16.10 (106) REYNELLA 10.5 (65)
Port Noarlunga set up a first semi-final battle with arch rival Christies Beach
after overcoming Reynella in their SFL elimination final at the Port last Sunday.
The Cockledivers had too much firepower to take the match 16.9 (105) to 8.5 (53) with Dylan Williams starring for Port with six goals.
Daniel Trevena was also solid.
A six-goal second quarter to Port Noarlunga was a key factor to its victory.
Josh Frisby and Callan Semple kicked two goals each for the Wineflies.
Reynella stalwarts Adam Broadbent, who was second best in the side’s loss to Port in the elimination final, and evergreen Ryan Mahony announced their retirements after the match.
The club also farewelled coach Josh Vick after three years at the helm.
The former Cove, South Adelaide and SFL Mail Medallist has been promoted within the Department of Education from a teacher to a principal.
Meanwhile, Port Noarlunga coach Clint Howes will also have a bit of juggling on his hands as he hopes to have key player Rhys McKay back from a burst appendix suffered about two weeks ago.
Veteran Ciaran O’Hagan is another tipped to play, while a few players on the fringes could be a chance depending on injuries from the weekend.
“We will prep the best we can and be ready to go,” Howes said.
“They will have a few sore bodies, we will have a few sore bodies.
“But we will have a go.”
GORDO’S GRILL
■ It’s always interesting chatting to coaches about their philosophies and general thoughts on the game.
I’m not telling tales out of school but Flaggies coach Darren Vanzetta always has been known as a fine planner and one looking for a different angle.
One of those angles is using yoga to refresh his players’ minds and bodies as part of the club’s recovery program.
Vanzetta suggested I should try it but I reckon work colleagues think I nod off enough as it is.
■ It’s not an A grade final but good on Cove and Morphett Vale for having teams feature in the second week of lower-tier major round.
The Emus are into the B grade first semi-final and will take on Flagstaff Hill, while Cover’s under-17s are preparing to battle Christies Beach in the first semi-final.
■ We have said it before but how strong is Noarlunga’s scoring power?
The team has six players in the top 12 goalkickers with 27 majors or more.
Nick Mott (58 goals), Reece Martell (55), Terry Milera (37), Victor Robertson (34), Tom Caudle (33) and Troy Johnson (27) were right up there going into last weekend’s matches.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, September 7 (semi-final 2)
■ Noarlunga v Flagstaff Hill – Port Noarlunga Oval, 2.30pm
Sunday, September 8 (semi-final 1)
■ Christies Beach v Port Noarlunga – Christies Beach, 2.30pm