Flinders Park coach Luke Ivens says the Reds ‘are hungry for success’ in the Adelaide Footy League’s division three
After years of close but not close enough – could 2021 be the year of the Reds? The club is “hungry for success” but a familiar opponent looks to be standing in the way.
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Undefeated Flinders Park is making no bones about what its goals are for this season after a scintillating start in division three, according to coach Luke Ivens.
After years of close but not close enough in division three, Ivens said the club was hungry for success in 2021.
The Reds have played finals in each of the last five campaigns but failed to win a flag or promotion on every occasion.
Ironically, their grand final appearance last year would normally have achieved the latter but promotion and relegation was frozen amid the COVID-impacted season.
Ivens, who made 193 SANFL appearances for North Adelaide, said the club did not shy away from its lofty ambitions for 2021.
“That’s what we’re playing for, getting that ultimate prize,” Ivens said.
“We want to go up to div two but getting over the line in a grand final is the big goal.
“When I came to Flinders Park last year it seemed like a club that had been around the mark but hadn’t quite been able to push up to the next division.
“Everyone is really hungry for success and I think we’ve got a club that belongs in the next division, so hopefully we can get there.”
In Ivens’ first campaign in charge last year the Reds started 0-3 before storming home to finish fourth after the minor rounds, then charge all the way through to the grand final.
But a strong Golden Grove side stood in their way and defeated Flinders Park by 30 points in the decider.
“We we’re pretty shattered – proud of our efforts getting there – but disappointing to fall short in the end,” Ivens said.
“I think they (Golden Grove) are definitely the barometer in the league.
“North Haven has come out looking really strong – I think those two sides are the ones to beat. And Edwardstown is looking dangerous too.”
Flinders Park, Golden Grove and the Towns have all begun the season with three straight wins.
The Reds sit top through percentage, boosted by a 219-point thrashing of lowly Portland in round one and a dominant 65-point victory over CBC Old Collegians in round three.
Their toughest tests are yet to come however, with North Haven, Edwardstown and a grand final rematch against Golden Grove looming the next three weeks.
Ivens said his said was far from getting complacent.
“It’s a lot better start than 0-3 like last year,” he said.
“We’ve got a young team so getting those early wins is really good for the confidence of those boys.
“We don’t want to get complacent, even if it looks good on the ladder.”
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