Golden Grove beats Flinders Park in Adelaide Footy League division three grand final
Golden Grove is the 2020 division three premier after triumphing over Flinders Park in the grand final. READ how the flag decider unfolded plus all the results from the division 4-7 grand finals here.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Named: The Adelaide Footy League division one Team of the Year
- Want more local footy? Sign up to our newsletter
Golden Grove has claimed its first A grade premiership in six years after beating Flinders Park by 30 points in the division three flag decider at Norwood Oval on Saturday.
The Kookaburras prevailed after a tight and heated tussle in the first half, 15.7 (97) to 10.7 (67).
It was their first flag decider victory since 2014 when they triumphed over Salisbury West in the division four grand final.
Golden Grove coach Eric Eric Kells said the players had worked hard for the past three years to become a formidable team.
Kells said the victory meant even more to him after his father, John Kells, died three weeks ago after a battle with cancer.
“I’m feeling a fair bit of emotion,” Kells said.
“A lot of hard work has gone into that.
“We’ve won, we’ve lost together and it’s built character.
“My dad passed away three weeks ago so that means a lot, just to make him proud, he followed me closely.
“The boys have been up for me the past couple of weeks, they’ve made by job a hell of a lot easier and it just shows what a great group they are.”
Kookaburras’ star forward Michael Walters, who ended the game with six majors, won the best-on-ground-medal.
“Michael actually dislocated his ankle in the first round and missed six games,” Kells said.
“He’s come back with a passion of wanting to play footy and wanting to do well.”
Golden Grove took a 20-point lead into half-time and looked to have all the momentum, kicking the first goal of the third stanza.
The Reds were relentless with their pressure and fought back hard.
They kicked the next three goals through James Schwarz and Jamie West and Luke Trenorden to reel in the margin to just three points.
But the minor premier had too much polish around the contest and settled with goals to Todd Sheppard and Tom Tacono.
Trenorden hit back again for the Reds, giving his side a sniff heading into three-quarter time eight points behind.
Golden Grove, however, rallied again, winning the centre clearances early in the final quarter and proved be much more clean when in possession.
Michael Walters and Brayden Shaw helped push Golden Grove’s lead out to 26 points with two quick majors in the final term before ex-Central District SANFL star Luke Barmby sealed the winner.
The Kookaburras were then able to hold the Reds goalless in the last quarter on their way to claiming the flag.
Flinders Park coach Luke Ivens was disappointed but said his side showed plenty of fight.
“I’ms very proud of my boys,” Ivens said.
“It was a tough start to the season but they’ve done an incredible job but we were beaten by a better team today.”
Golden Grove ended the minor round top with a 7-2 record.
The Kookaburras earned the right to contest the flag decider after beating North Haven by 15 points in the semi-final and then having a bye last Saturday.
Flinders Park, meanwhile, got to the grand final the hard way.
They finished the season fourth and beat Modbury in their semi-final before accounting for the Magpies in the preliminary final last weekend.
The win capped a strong day for the Kookaburras who claimed the division three reserves grand final with a kick for goal after the siren.
OTHER RESULTS:
Meanwhile, there were four other grand finals contested on Saturday, with two being decided by less than a goal.
Walkerville was too strong in the division four grand final, beating Hope Valley 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42) at Woodville Oval.
Scores were locked at 15 apiece at quarter-time before the Cats booted 6.3 while holding the Demons scoreless in the second quarter to set up the victory.
Luke Westbury was the star for the Cats up forward, booting four goals.
Division five minor premier Lockleys, meanwhile, prevailed in a heart-stopping flag decider against Kenilworth.
The Demons triumphed by one point, 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57) at Richmond Oval.
They were five points down late in the final quarter before Liam Narcys booted a goal in the dying minutes to steal the game.
Hectorville is the sixth tier premiers after proving too strong for St Paul’s Old Collegians, 8.9 (57) to 8.7 (55).
Luke Broadbent, Zach Stephenson and Jake Mazzone booted two majors each.
Brahma Lodge took out the seventh tier premiership, beating Adelaide Lutheran, 8.11 (59) to 6.8 (44) at Mitcham.