Goodwood Saints pip Port District to finals spot in the Adelaide Footy League’s division one
A pair of close contests decided by less than a goal have seen one team leap into the top five and another fall out in a stunning final round of the Adelaide Footy League’s top flight. Plus finals kick off for divisions two to six in match reports from across the competition.
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It came down to the final few minutes in two fixtures and it was Goodwood Saints which came up trumps in the Adelaide Footy League’s division one to steal a finals spot from Port District.
Plus several teams got off to hot starts as the major round kicked off in divisions two to six and a seventh tier side booked its first ever grand final appearance in match reports from across the competition.
DIVISION ONE
Just three points across two separate matches was all it took for one club’s season of hard work to come undone and for another to take full advantage.
In a stunning final round of division one, Goodwood Saints charged late to beat Prince Alfred Old Collegians by a point at home after trailing the entire match.
But the Saints were still relying on Port District to lose to Rostrevor Old Collegians to steal a spot in the top five.
Celebrations were restrained until news filtered through from Largs Reserve of the Magpies’ two point loss.
Goodwood coach Adam Jeffries was ecstatic with the result.
In an absorbing finish Tom Edwards went forward for Goodwood and goaled with less than two minutes to play as the Saints won 10.8 (68) to 10.7 (67).
“I said last week this comp is nuts and I’ll say it for two weeks in a row. It’s nutso,’’ Jeffries said.
“When we were so far down before half-time we didn’t really bother getting scores from the other ground and checking social media. We were a bit flat.
“But when we got closer I thought we might win this. When we won we still didn’t know if we could celebrate and then we heard the other game’s result and everyone went crazy.”
Goodwood will now take on St Peter’s Old Collegians in an elimination final at Caterer Oval this Saturday.
PAOC was top of the ladder with two rounds to play but finished third after back-to-back losses to finish the season.
The Old Reds will take on ROC away in the qualifying final with Payneham Norwood Union winning the minor premiership.
For Port District, which dropped from fourth to sixth in the final round, the 10.7 (67) to 8.17 (65) defeat to ROC was a tough one to swallow.
Magpies coach Simon Maddern said it was hard to realise the season had gone.
“To be so close to a home final is one thing, but to miss finals altogether is completely shattering for the players and the club,’’ Maddern said.
“Unfortunately only winning eight games for the season is not good enough and doesn’t warrant finals football.
“We lost seven games by 13 points or less so I guess that’s what has cost us in the end.’’
District last missed the major round in 2016, when it also finished sixth.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Payneham Norwood Union 17.4 (106) d Brighton Bombers 9.15 (69) at Brighton Oval
■ St Peter’s Old Collegians 18.12 (120) d Tea Tree Gully 6.9 (45) at Pertaringa Oval
■ Adelaide University 11.10 (76) d Henley 10.8 (68) at University Oval
DIVISION TWO
Sacred Heart Old Collegians will host Salisbury North in Saturday’s division two first semi-final after going under to Athelstone at home in the qualifying final, 8.9 (67) to 6.7 (43).
The hosts led 3.5 to 0.0, 4.6 to 4.3 and 5.6 to 5.3 at the changes.
SHOC coach Steve Kay said both sides kept the pressure on.
“It probably wasn’t the greatest spectacle but that is finals footy,’’ Kay said.
“There were two good defensive teams out there and they (Raggies) probably had the edge.
“This week against Salisbury North will be a challenge.
“They are well coached and we know their best is as good as anyone. We are confident of bouncing back.’’
Ben Moroney (three goals), Thomas Carroll and Patrick McCarthy were solid for SHOC.
Aaron Stewart, Henry Stevens and Nathan Surman were among the key playmakers for the Raggies, who will meet Unley Mercedes in the second semi-final.
PHOS Camden was bundled out of the elimination final when it proved no match for Salisbury North away from home, 18.8 (116) to 6.7 (43).
The Hawks set up their victory when they led 9.6 to 3.3 at half-time before clearing out to score 18.8 (116) to 6.7 (43).
Joshua Richardson, Jake Russo and Matthew Sharpe (three goals) led the charge while Jamie Solly (five goals) and Jake Wagner (four goals) were solid in attack.
DIVISION THREE
Old Ignatians strangled the life out of Flinders Park in a fiery division three qualifying final at Karen Rolton Oval on Saturday.
Iggies kicked poorly but held the Reds to just 2.5 across the first three quarters on their way to a 9.15 (69) to 5.7 (37) victory.
They will now take on minor premier Glenunga at Webb Oval in the second semi-final.
Iggies have defeated the Rams in both of the sides’ meetings in the minor rounds.
North Haven’s season ended in the division three elimination final when it was well beaten by Golden Grove at Largs North Reserve.
Mark Rowe, Ross Merrett (three goals) and Matt Davoren-Searcy were among the better players in the side’s 17.14 (116) to 8.16 (64) loss.
Sam Gunning booted six goals for the Kookaburras while Connor Dodd was influential.
The Magpies beat Golden Grove by 18 points at the same venue in the last minor round the previous week.
DIVISION FOUR
This current crop of CBC Old Collegians is quickly establishing itself as major round specialists after a one-sided qualifying final victory over Edwardstown at the East Parklands on Saturday.
The Dolphins progressed to the division four second semi-final against SMOSH West Lakes by belting the Towns 20.12 (132) to 7.4 (46).
CBCOC led by 14 points at the first change before turning the screws in a 7.2 to 1.0 second term and did not look back.
Chris Draper, Jared Greenbank and Jake Johansen dominated for the hosts.
A win against SMOSH at West Lakes Shore Oval this Saturday would put the Dolphins through to their second straight grand final appearance, following 2018’s division five premiership.
But the Lions will be confident, having beaten CBCOC twice in tight encounters in the minor rounds.
Ben Homburg was best for the Towns, who meet Walkerville in the first-semi final at home this Saturday.
Woodville South’s season ended when it was beaten by Walkerville in the elimination final.
The Cats fell 14.15 (99) to 11.8 (74) after leading 7.3 to 2.1 at quarter time and 9.3 to 7.7 at half-time.
DIVISION FIVE
It was a classic tough finals encounter as Hope Valley put in grinding performance to get past Pulteney in the fifth tier qualifying final on Saturday.
The heavily contested match, played at St Mary’s Park due to the higher-ranked Navy Blues’ home ground being unavailable, finished 5.13 (43) to 4.15 (39) in favour of the Demons.
They will return to the same venue this Saturday to take on Kenilworth for a spot in the grand final.
The margin did not extend beyond a goal at any of the breaks as both sides battled hard.
Lee Duggan was best for Hope Valley while Joshua Giddings did his best to try and drag Pulteney over the line.
The Navy Blues will take on Lockleys at Blair Athol Reserve in the first semi-final this Saturday.
The Demons progressed as they went to Salisbury Oval and knocked out the Magpies in the elimination final, 11.8 (74) to 6.11 (47).
Thomas Schild and Hayden Martinello starred for the Demons.
DIVISION SIX
In-form Hectorville will be eyeing an upset and a spot in the division six grand final after rolling Elizabeth in the qualifying final on Saturday.
The Hounds will now face minor premier West Croydon at Fawk Reserve.
A seven-goal to one first term set up a convincing 21.19 (145) to 7.4 (46) victory for Hectorville over Elizabeth at Daly Oval.
Luke Broadbent led the way for the dominant hosts as Jake Mazzone (five goals), Jak Goudman-Glasson (four) and Josh Denton (four) finished off their teammates’ good work.
It was also Denton’s first A grade match for the season after 13 reserves outings.
Elizabeth will now be licking its wounds ahead of this Saturday’s do-or-die first semi-final against Fitzroy at Argana Park.
Last Saturday, the Lions recorded an impressive win on the road as they beat Para Hills by 28 points in the elimination final at the Paddocks.
In a blistering first quarter, Fitzroy kicked 10.2 to the Big Reds’ 4.1 before being held goalless in the second term.
But the Lions bounced back with six majors after the break as they went on to triumph 17.9 (111) to 12.11 (83).
DIVISION SEVEN
Premierships aren’t given out until grand final day but you couldn’t fault St Paul’s Old Scholars for thinking they are a red hot chance in the seventh tier.
The undefeated Saints piled on a remarkable 8.4 to 0.1 in the first quarter of their home second semi-final against Houghton Districts on Saturday, going on to win 21.18 (144) to 4.2 (26).
It means SPOS will play in a grand final for the first time since its inception to the league in 2015 and have also gained its inaugural promotion.
The club is a separate entity to Mawson Lakes, which entered the league as St Paul’s Old Scholars before changing to its current name.
Last Saturday, the Saints ran riot on their home deck on the back of strong performances from Joe Adamo, Jordan Wurfel and Apech Deng.
They also shared the love up forward.
Jake Winters, Thomas Schlicker, Nicholas Morasca and Deng each booted three goals while Liam Davies, Thomas Ahern and Matt Pendlington all added two.
SPOS will play the winner of this Saturday’s preliminary final between Houghton Districts and Mawson Lakes at Houghton Oval.
Mawson Lakes edged out Adelaide Lutheran, 11.12 (78) to 7.15 (57) in their first semi-final.