Kilburn makes second straight Adelaide Footy League grand final, earns promotion

Kilburn has earned promotion to division three of the Adelaide Footy League and is just one win from achieving back-to-back premierships, 10 years after facing extinction.

Kilburn was staring down the barrel after one of the biggest defeats in Adelaide Footy League history 10 years ago, but a decade on the club sits just one win away from back-to-back premierships.

The Chics were on the brink of extinction in 2014 when they lost to Pembroke OS by a then record margin of 437-1 in division three and would undergo a lengthy rebuild through the support of volunteers, sponsors, players, members and the wider community, culminating in an upset div five grand final win over Gepps Cross in 2023 – the club’s centenary year.

The Chics have continued their rise in dominant fashion this season under new coach Stephen Couzner, who replaced Matty Whelan, defeating div four leader Plympton on Saturday to make the big dance and earn promotion back to division three for the first time since 2015.

Kilburn players celebrate their 2023 division five premiership. Picture: Kilburn Football Club

“We’re all very happy,” Couzner said of the achievement.

“You often dream about jumping two divisions in two years as a club and to do it is a great feeling.

“I was at other clubs seeing what was happening at Kilburn in the past and to do what they’ve done in the last 10 years, and especially the last couple years, takes a lot of hard work and it’s a credit to everyone involved.”

The Chics started the 2024 season on fire in division four, winning their first eight games before falling to Plympton away from home.

The side, led by star players such as midfielders Jayden Davison, Scott Galbraith and Brayden Lauder, forwards Corey Solly, Anthony Wilson and Dom Barilla, and defender Alex Brackstone, used that momentum to finish in the top three and earn a double chance.

Jayden Davison has starred for Kilburn this season. Picture: Carly Grant Photography

A first qualifying final against second spot Westminster OS away from home proved to be a tough challenge for the Chics but they dug deep to overcome the Dragons in the dying minutes and win by five points.

They then topped Plympton 79-66 away from home in the second qualifying final, remarkably booting 5.6 (36) to 1.0 (6) in the opening term through tough and hard footy in the contest and slick ball movement.

“Midfield is where our strength is and I think we got on top in there early and managed to take some chances in front of goal through that work,” Couzner said.

“We play a hard and tough brand which suits finals, that’s the Kilburn way.

“The side is stacked with a lot of experienced guys who have played a lot of finals and we don’t accept anything other than an uncompromising brand of finals footy.”

Kilburn coach Stephen Couzner believes his side can go all the way this year. Picture: Tom Huntley

Kilburn will now have an extra week off as they await the winner of a highly anticipated preliminary final between Plympton and Westminster OS.

Couzner said the club was confident it could win a second consecutive flag.

“It would be massive for the club to be able to go back-to-back and we think we have a group which is capable of doing it,” he said.

“The success is mostly player and committee driven and it has been a privilege for me to be part of it.

“We know both clubs (Westminster OS and Plympton) will be tough so we need to play our very best footy and hopefully it’s good enough to go all the way.

“We’re going to take the week off as an opportunity to get some volume in and make sure we’re ready to go.”