Flagstaff Hill set to play in Southern Football League qualifying final after thrashing Christies Beach
A competition powerhouse has sent a message ahead of the finals in a battle of two of the Southern Football League’s top dogs. Plus an Emu stalwart is farewelled and a wrap of all the SFL action.
- Cockledivers great becomes new games record holder
- Former footy powerhouse fighting for survival
- Morphett Vale scrapes over the line in thriller
Flagstaff Hill and Port Noarlunga will take winning form into their clash at Flagstaff Oval this Saturday to end the Southern Football League’s minor round, while Morphett Vale has ended its season on a high.
The Falcons have locked in a qualifying final and Port is set to feature in an elimination final, so it will be interesting to see if both sides keep a few tricks up their sleeves.
Here are our match wraps from the penultimate round:
CHRISTIES BEACH 10.8 (68) FLAGSTAFF HILL 19.11 (125)
The Falcons showed their class when they accounted for Christies Beach at Bice Oval last Saturday.
Flagstaff Hill and Christies are now, however, almost certain to meet again in a qualifying final on August 31.
Ben Rossi, Brad Patterson and Sam Smith led the way for the Falcons in their 19.11 (125) to 10.8 (68) victory against the Saints.
Debutant Miles Sumner (six goals) and Daniel Webb (five majors) also played well.
Flagstaff Hill coach Darren Vanzetta said there was still tinkering that needed to be done with his team ahead of the finals.
“Trying to get the best line up is what we coaches have to do,’’ Vanzetta said.
“Our defence was very stingy against Christies and keeping high pressure was our aim.
“Our mindset was finetuning our motor.
“We tend to pick teams that will match up well on their opponents in the next game.
“Some selections are going to be a massive headache with a lot of players available but that’s what happens when players come back from injuries.”
Jamie Dunn (two goals), Josiah Sheppard and Nathan Stock battled well for the Saints.
When Flagstaff Hill and Port Noarlunga met in round nine, Flaggies won at the Port by 46 points.
COVE 11.9 (75) PORT NOARLUNGA 21.15 (141)
Port Noarlunga took little time to take charge of its against Cove away last Saturday, prevailing 21.15 (141) to 11.9 (75).
Port, destined to meet Reynella in an elimination final in less than two weeks, had good players everywhere.
Nathan Hedger booted six goals, Dylan Williams finished with four majors, while former South Adelaide player Jake Veide and Philip Brown also starred.
Dean Hancock, Ryan Need (five goals) and Ben Charlesworth battled hard for the Cobras.
ALDINGA 8.5 (53) MORPHETT VALE 7.21 (63)
Morphett Vale’s goalkicking radar was astray but it still had enough to hold on against Aldinga at Aldinga.
Bodie Sowter, Braydan Hartwig and Shane Hill led the way as the Emus saluted 7.21 (63) to 8.5 (53).
The Emus led 5.14 to 3.2 at half- time and 5.17 to 6.5 at the final break.
Bryan Sienes, Luke Watson and Corey Mathewson battled well for the Sharks.
Morphett Vale, with the bye in the final minor round, finished sixth with five wins.
REYNELLA 9.7 (61) HAPPY VALLEY 10.9 (69)
Happy Valley’s improved form continued when it held out Reynella away, winning 10.9 (69) to 9.7 (61).
The Vikings found themselves 10 points behind at quarter-time but rallied to lead at every other change, including when the final siren sounded.
Justin Schurgott, Nick Frisby-Smith and Scott Rademacher enjoyed top games, for the Valley.
Steven Farrelly, Bailey Marhsman and Ryan Mahony (two goals) played well for the Wineflies.
Reynella is likely to end the minor round fifth. while Happy Valley is set to finish sixth or seventh.
THIS WEEK
Round 18, Saturday August 24:
■ Flagstaff Hill v Port Noarlunga
■ Happy Valley v Aldinga
■ Noarlunga v Christies Beach
■ Cove v Reynella
■ Morphett Vale – bye
FAREWELL TO AN EMU GREAT
The Southern football fraternity is mourning the passing of a club stalwart, much-loved character and one of the long-term movers and shakers of the Morphett Vale Football Club and Southern Football League in Merv Mules.
He was 82.
Merv, or Granma Mules as he was known to many, served the Emus in various capacities since 1973 as runner, goal umpire, team manager, secretary, treasurer and no doubt one of the association’s most vocal time keepers.
Rarely seen out of his trademark and red and black colours Merv was well known for providing constructive criticism.
New coaches were all told when they first arrived at the club that “somewhere along the line, Granma will tell you what to do.’’
Merv’s legend has grown over the years. Folklore has it that he let a quarter run too long while timekeeping, or another time requesting a glass of port after being bowled over by a player in the goalsquare when he was a goal umpire. Such was Merv’s status that the Emus named their coaches’ box after him in 2017.
Merv’s service will be held on Thursday, August 22, at 12.30pm at the Heysen Chapel, Centennial Park, Pasadena.
