Goodwood Saints edge past St Peter’s Old Collegians to earn division one grand final berth
A month ago, the Saints were seventh and looked out of the finals race. Now they are set to contest their first flag decider since 2015. SEE who else has made grand finals in our Adelaide Footy League match wraps.
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It’s been five years since Goodwood Saints contested and then won a top tier flag.
Now the Saints will finally get another chance after beating St Peter’s Old Collegians in their qualifying final.
See The Messenger’s Adelaide Footy League match wraps here.
DIVISION ONE
Goodwood Saints is through to its first grand final since 2015 after beating St Peter’s Old Collegians at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.
The Saints led by just one point at three-quarter time in the qualifying final but managed to prevail 9.18 (72) to 9.11 (65).
Beating SPOC, which finished the minor round top, caps a tremendous turn around for the Saints.
Just a month ago in round five they were sitting seventh, lacked confidence and loomed as a very slim chance of even earning a major round berth.
Coach Luke Donaldson said the loss to Port District in round three was the wake-up call his side needed and, from then on, its form improved as it began to play as a team.
“We got a real lesson from Port District at home ad I think that certainly was a turning point for the playing and coaching group,” Donaldson said.
“We as a coaching group changed the way we played in that first three weeks and in conjunction with the players, we built a game plan that suits our team and suits winning finals football.
“In the last five years we haven’t won a final as a footy club at an A grade level so there’s a lot of guys who have a burning desire to play in a grand final and win a grand final.
“I think it’s also really special for all our supporters and our volunteers around the footy club who put in enormous time.
“Some have been doing it for 30-plus years so it’s a great reward for them as well.”
In the clash against SPOC, the Saints got out to a 25-point lead at half-time before their margin was pulled back at three-quarter time.
Nick Burgess and Angus Clarke starred up-forward for the winners with two goals.
They were given plenty of support from Oliver Johnson and Jack Carter.
“It’s very exciting for the footy club and it’s something all three teams have worked really hard for before shutdown and during the ISO shutdown we all experienced (due to COVID),” Donaldson said.
“We clearly started well and we were able to hit the scoreboard with scoreboard pressure in the first half.
“I think we had a few lapses in the third quarter just around the footy which allowed them to get a bit of ascendancy in the middle.
“They probably got a few too many easy uncontested possessions inside 50 that resulted in goals.
“That was something we looked to tighten up at three-quarter time and I think our guys were fantastic in that last quarter to put pressure on them and control the territory.”
James Hargreaves, Matthew Claughton and Toby Schulz battled hard for SPOC.
St Peter’s Old Collegians will now take on Rostrevor Old Collegians in a preliminary final at Thebarton Oval this Saturday.
ROC beat Prince Alfred Old Collegians to their knockout semi-final, 9.15 (69) to 7.5 (47) at University Oval.
Paul Fantasia was ROC’s multiple goal kicker with two, while Dylan Reinbrecht was named best-on-ground for the winners.
Tom Brinsley and ex-Sturt SANFL premiership star Jack Stephens battled hard for PAOC.
DIVISION TWO
Tea Tree Gully’s stunning first quarter was the key behind its win against Sacred Heart Old Collegians in the semi-final at Pertaringa Oval on Saturday.
The hosts’ 17.15 (117) to 11.9 (75) victory means the Wolves will now play the winner of the preliminary final between SHOC and Henley in the flag decider on October 3.
Tea Tree Gully piled on 8.2 compared to SHOC’s 0.1 in the opening term and held its ground to prevail.
SHOC coach Stephen Kay said there were no excuses for his side but he was happy with the way the team fought out the game.
“We were outclassed early, full credit to Tea Tree Gully they were switched on and ready to go,” Kay said.
“We were pretty disappointed with the way we started and were second to the ball but pleased to fight the game out.
“This week we get a chance again against Henley who will be a formidable opponent.
“We hope to be able to use the middle school as an advantage but really were are just pleased to play anyone anywhere.”
Tea Tree Gully, which has a bye this Saturday, was best served by Blake Penney, Ryan Spittle (four goals) and Jack Astbury.
Cooper Brinkworth, Doug Proud and Lachlan Button kept the visitors moving, while Patrick McCarty and Cameron Rankin kicked three goals each for SHOC.
Henley also used its home ground to advantage when it proved far too strong for Old Ignatians in their semi-final, triumphing 14.10 (94) to 7.5 (47).
Henley had many top players with Liam Martin, Charlie Morrison and James Lean (four goals) showing the way, while Lawrence Comazzetto, Isaac Ryan and Luke Washer battled well for Old Ignatians.
SHOC meets Henley in the preliminary final this Saturday at Sacred Heart Middle School.
The winner plays Tea Tree Gully at Norwood Oval on October 3.
DIVISION THREE
Flinders Park will battle Golden Grove in the third tier flag decider this Saturday after the Reds upset North Haven in their preliminary final at Largs North Reserve on Saturday.
The Reds ended the minor round fourth, while the Magpies finished second.
But the visitors proved too strong at the weekend, beating the hosts 18.13 (121) to 10.13 (73).
Daniel Blythe led the way for Flinders Park with four majors, while Chad Comitogianni and Jackson McCann added three goals each.
James Schwarz and Anthony Laudato were also strong for the Reds.
The Magpies held a six-point lead at the main change before the Reds booted 9.2, while holding the hosts to just 1.2.
Veteran Tom Lipson worked hard for the Magpies and finished the match with three goals.
Jake Williams, Matthew Reed and Ross Merrett were also solid for North Haven.
Golden Grove had a bye at the weekend after finishing top and beating North Haven in the qualifying final the week prior.
The grand final between Golden Grove and Flinders Park will be hosted at Norwood Oval this Saturday from 2.30pm.
DIVISION FOUR
Pembroke produced the shock of the season when it crashed out in straight sets, losing to Walkerville in the preliminary final at home on Saturday.
The hosts went through the minor round unbeaten before losing to Hope Valley in the semi-final last week and then falling to the Cats 17.13 (115) to 13.10 (98).
Walkerville finished fourth on the ladder and its upset win against the Kings was a stunning effort.
Sean Kuerschner was outstanding for the Cats with five goals.
He was given plenty of support from Brady Zwar and Tim Woolford.
Ben Walker was also solid, booting three majors.
Pembroke also had top games from the ever-reliable Charles Canny, while Alex Forster kicked six goals.
Oliver Harms also battled to keep his side in the game.
Walkerville takes on Hope Valley in the grand final at Woodville Oval on Saturday.
DIVISION FIVE
Kenilworth had too much firepower for Colonel Light Gardens as it cruised home to win the preliminary final and set up a battle with Lockleys for the flag.
The Kookaburras triumphed 14.21 (105) to 7.7 (49) after building a handy lead at half-time.
The Lions worked hard to get themselves back into the match during the third quarter but were no match for the stronger home team.
Jordan Wilson-King contributed his fine form to be Kenilworth’s best, while Lachlan Richter and Myles Krakouer also starred.
Myles Crump and Trent Grosser kicked three goals each.
Emmett Wood (four goals), James Conlon and Josh Dawkins played well for Colonel Light Gardens.
Lockleys and Kenilworth meet in the grand final on Saturday at Richmond Oval.
DIVISION SIX
St Pauls Old Scholars earned another crack at Hectorville when it outlasted Blackfriars Old Scholars in a gritty preliminary final at home on Saturday.
The hosts triumphed 5.17 (47) to 4.15 (39).
Blackfriars led a tough first half 4.6 to 2.8 but failed to kick a goal after half-time as the Saints booted 2.6 to three points in the last quarter to claim the victory and earn a grand final berth,
Anthony Alesiani, Jo Adamo and Apech Deng were strong for St Paul’s.
Patrick Harmer, Loui Loprete and Matt Brincat battled well for the Hounds.
Brincat finished the season with an incredible record of making his team’s best players in all nine minor round games and the three finals the team played.
The Hectorville v St Pauls Old Scholars grand final will be played at St Marys (Simonds Park) on Saturday.
DIVISION SEVEN
Adelaide Lutheran is through to the seventh tier flag decider after beating Flinders University at the South Parklands on Saturday.
Lutheran’s first half proved the difference in the match and resulted in a 17.10 (112) to 11.13 (79 victory.
The Crabs outscored the Bulldogs in the second half but the deficit was too great to haul in.
Adelaide Lutheran’s best included Rowan Miegel (three goals), Jack Davies and Tim Kidney. Jacob Stollznow and Patrick Baker also added three majors each.
Adam Vonow, Camron Hankinson and Dennis McEvoy finished their seasons strongly for Flinders, while James McDowell ended the match with four goals.
Brahma Lodge takes on Adelaide Lutheran in the grand final at Mitcham Oval this Saturday.