Liam Davis and Alex Forster kick 14 goals for Payneham Norwood Union against Adelaide University
A pair of Norwood premiership forwards have put on a clinic in the Adelaide Footy League, booting all but one of their side’s goals in a 73-point win.
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They are both SANFL premiership players and have been lauded as one of the Adelaide Footy League’s most fearsome forward line duos.
The Payneham Norwood Union combination of former Norwood players Liam Davis and Alex Forster starred on Saturday, booting all but one of the Falcons’ goals in a big win.
Plus the rest of division one’s top sides respond and a pair of division two heavyweights cannot be separated out north in Messenger Community News’ round seven match reports.
DIVISION ONE
SANFL premiership forwards Liam Davis and Alex Forster showed just how much firepower Payneham Norwood Union has in an ominous display on Saturday.
The former Redlegs booted 14 of the Falcons’ 15 goals between them in a 15.13 (103) to 4.6 (30) belting of Adelaide University at Payneham Oval.
Forster was the chief destroyer as the ex-Fremantle Docker kicked nine and Davis slotted five.
Athanasi Agorastos added the other major, while Nick Jolly and Matthew Nye also played well for the Falcons.
Davis leads the division one goalkicking leaderboard with 30 for the season and Forster’s big bag moves him up to second on 27.
The next closest player is Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Heath Commane with 20.
The hosts kept the Blacks to just 1.5 after quarter-time.
Payneham, now a major contender in the top tier, is second with five wins and appears to have the depth to feature at the business end of the season.
Uni’s better players included Ethan Moore, Simon Sharkey and Nick Cottrell (three goals).
Rostrevor Old Collegians wasted little time correcting the wrongs from the previous week’s loss by overpowering Goodwood Saints at Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
Stunned by its round six defeat to Brighton, ROC was on the job against the Saints to storm home 16.13 (109) to 4.7 (31).
Leading 3.4 to 0.1 at quarter-time the home side was miserly in the second quarter to sit 9.6 to 0.2 clear at the long break.
ROC coach Will O’Malley said his side was switched on from the start.
“We needed a response and we got it,” O’Malley said.
“We enjoy playing home and we have a good record here but this was more about the way we responded and played.
“We had 21 contributors which makes a big difference. We need to string together a few wins now.’’
Daniel McCallum, Kieran Holland and Anthony McCarthy were among the best for ROC, while Patrick Dawson and Commane kicked four goals each.
Brighton endured another tough lesson on what was needed to compete against the big guns when it was well beaten by St Peter’s Old Collegians at Caterer Oval.
In the clash between last season’s division two grand finalists, the Bombers went down 14.12 (96) to 8.8 (56) after losing the 2018 decider.
A dominant second half against Tea Tree Gully proved the turning point for Port District’s hefty victory.
The teams were locked in an arm-wrestle in the first half with Port up by five points but it broke clear to grab victory 14.14 (98) to 7.9 (51) and sit fifth on the ladder.
District coach Simon Maddern said the team’s work rate continued to impress.
“Our lads played well, handling the slippery conditions extremely well, especially after half-time,’’ Maddern said.
“We played some terrific team football and put them under a lot of pressure.
“It was a great day for the club. We actually introduced a new team into the C3 competition as well and they won. As a club that made it four wins from four games.’’
Mathew Weistra, Gavin Shephard and Zac Hawkins were among Port’s best, while James Batty kicked five goals.
Meanwhile, a rock-solid defence and ability to maintain pressure proved the keys to Prince Alfred Old Collegians taking the points against Henley.
The Old Reds jumped to the top of the ladder with their 10.16 (76) to 4.8 (32) success after leading at the breaks, 4.2 to 1.2, 5.5 to 3.4 and 8.10 to 4.5.
PAOC coach Brett Backwell said his side’s ability to shut down the Sharks played a big part in the result.
“It was a close first half but I thought we controlled play for most of the day, even though the second was a bit of a scrap,” Backwell said.
“They (Henley) had a crack but we just did enough at the right times.
“Now we have to keep winning to give us a bit of separation from some of the other sides.’’
Backwell even saw the funny side of things in the last quarter when PAOC ruckman Charlie Riggs grabbed his own clearance from the middle and kicked a pinpoint ball forward. Unfortunately, he went the wrong way and a Henley player marked and goaled.
Best for the Old Reds were Will Dalwood, Tom Humphries and Mitchell Wicks.
Drew Clayfield kicked three goals.
DIVISION TWO
In the second-tier match of the round, Salisbury North and Unley Mercedes Jets could not be separated when their heavyweight clash came to a halt in a draw at Salisbury North on Saturday.
But Hawks coach Joe Hay said he and the players treated the result more like a loss – although conceding a match point was better than nothing.
Salisbury North finished on 11.3 (69) to 10.9 (69) after leading 9.2 to 4.7 at the last change.
With rain bucketing down in a fluctuating last quarter, the home side trailed by five points, regained the lead before the Jets scored a point.
Players from both sides fell to the ground when the siren sounded with scores level.
The result meant Unley walked away unbeaten, while the Hawks were one win away in second place.
Hay said his side had chances to close out the game.
“That was one we let slip we feel,’’ Hay said.
“We weren’t able to shut it down when we needed to clog it up. Our third quarter was excellent but we also had a few chances in the last quarter.’’
Jake Russo, Jordon Boyle and Bradyn Lehmann were among the leading lights for the Hawks, while Matthew Sharpe and Jamie Solly kicked three goals each.
Sharpe goaled midway through the last quarter to help his side reclaim the lead.
It came after the Jets kicked six of the first seven goals after the last change to storm into the lead.
Mitch Duval was best for Unley.
Modbury backed up its first win of the season in round six with a second victory over a wayward Sacred Heart Old Collegians at home on Saturday.
The Hawks were more adept in tricky conditions to triumph 11.8 (74) to 5.12 (42).
Seaton Ramblers suffered a surprise loss to Gaza in their game at Pedlar Reserve. The fifth-placed Rams went down to the ninth-ranked Eagles 12.19 (91) to 11.15 (81) after trailing by 28 points at three-quarter time.
Former Woodville-West Torrens defender Todd Culley and Jack Jarrett shone for Gaza while Ben Beioley kicked four goals.
Luke Rochester, Scott Priestley and Bradyn Wild were among the best for the Rams.
OTHER RESULTS
■ PHOS Camden 10.7 (67) d Broadview 9.9 (63) at Broadview Oval
■ Athelstone 13.12 (90) d Scotch OC 8.7 (55) at Max Amber Sportsfield
DIVISION THREE
It took until the seventh attempt but Gepps Cross finally won its first game of the division three season when it accounted for Morphettville Park at home.
The Rams led all day and kicked poorly at goal, but still tasted success 9.19 (73) to 8.5 (53).
Thomas Robinson impressed for Gepps as he booted three goals, while Matthew Sawilski and Ben Rawlings were strong.
The Rams remain bottom of the ladder but are only sitting below ninth-ranked Morphettville Park on percentage.
Top side Old Ignatians also had a bad case of innacuracy in the winter conditions as it lost 7.9 (51) to 3.16 (34) away to Flinders Park.
Iggies did not kick a goal until the 21-minute mark of the third quarter when Sam Boots finally put one through the big sticks after 15 consecutive behinds.
The Reds, led by Lachlan Fairall, chipped away all day to triumph in the dour contest for their second successive victory.
North Haven’s rise as a force in division three continued when it beat Glenunga at Webb Oval after trailing by 17 points at quarter time.
Stefan Cochrane starred as the Magpies accounted for the Rams 15.14 (104) to 11.12 (78) to move to second on the ladder.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Golden Grove 12.10 (82) d Plympton 10.13 (73) at Plympton Oval
■ Westminster OS 12.8 (80) d Portland 11.13 (79) at Glandore Oval
DIVISION FOUR
Woodville South’s rise up the fourth-tier ladder continued when it upset Mitcham at Price Memorial Oval on Saturday.
The Cats have won three of their past four matches to shoot up to third spot after gaining promotion from division five.
Their latest victory was a close-run encounter as Patrick Binnion and Kyle Hanel led the charge to overcome the Hawks 11.12 (78) to 9.14 (68).
Mitcham dropped from third to six with the loss and do not look like the same outfit which won four games in a row to begin the season.
Pooraka chalked up its second victory when it overpowered Walkerville at home, running out eventual winners, 17.15 (117) to 9.8 (62).
Michael Baker starred with five goals for the Bulls.
Pooraka is ninth on the ladder and will be eyeing another victory when it travels to Blair Athol Reserve this Saturday to tackle Kilburn – the side directly above the Bulls on the ladder.
SMOSH West Lakes added another close win to its thrilling campaign when it withstood a late rally from Christian Brothers College OC to fall in 13.4 (82) to 10.17 (77).
The Lions led 11.4 to 4.12 at three-quarter time but dug deep to hold top place on the ladder. Keaton Thomas was among the best.
They have now had five games decided by less than 10 points and the biggest margin so far is a 25-point win in round three.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Edwardstown 14.14 (98) d Kilburn 12.11 (83) at Edwardstown Oval
■ Pembroke OS 14.11 (95) d Colonel Light Gardens 9.7 (61) at Mortlock Park
DIVISION FIVE
A three-way battled to avoid relegation in the fifth tier is forming with Trinity Old Scholars, Rosewater and Blackfriars Old Scholars all stuck on one win.
The trio is already two wins behind sixth and seventh sides Salisbury and Smithfield approaching the halfway mark of the season.
Trinity can hold its head high after making life difficult for contender Hope Valley, despite going down 10.6 (66) to 5.6 (36) at home on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Rosewater was the latest side to be given little chance to win by top team Kenilworth.
The unbeaten Kookaburras produced another workmanlike effort with a comprehensive victory at home against the Dogs, running out winners 20.18 (138) to 3.5 (23).
Kenilworth set up the match with a strong first half where it led 11.10 to 4.3 before stretching that to 16.13 to 2.5 at the last change.
Myles Krakouer (three goals), Blake Moore and Nathan Ryles were among the best, while Andrew Liverton kicked six goals to bring his tally to 33 majors after seven rounds.
Daniel Reardon starred for the Bulldogs.
Blackfriars OS copped a hiding from a resurgent Salisbury outfit at Salisbury Oval, going down 16.12 (108) to 6.7 (43).
It was the Magpies’ third win in their past five matches.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Eastern Park 25.14 (164) d Lockleys 14.12 (96) at Dwight Reserve
■ Pulteney 11.14 (80) d Smithfield 9.4 (58) at Smithfield Oval
DIVISION SIX
Fitzroy made a big statement at Fawk Reserve on Saturday as it went to West Croydon’s home and handed the Hawks their first defeat of 2019.
The Lions, who have struggled to 1-4 to begin the season, went on the offensive as Dean Miller booted eight goals to lead the visitors to a 13.11 (89) to 9.12 (66) win.
Phillip Kartinyeri and Peter Lindsay also impressed for Fitzroy.
Hectorville jumped from second to third with a percentage-boosting victory over Marion at Daly Oval.
The Hounds slammed on eight goals to one in the first term to open up a 41-point lead and never looked back, winning 16.6 (102) to 4.9 (33).
Young forward Jak Goudman-Glasson booted eight to continue his hot start to the season. Goudman-Glasson has kicked 33 goals in six matches, including a bag of seven and two hauls of six.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Elizabeth 12.15 (87) d Brahma Lodge 6.8 (44) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Ingle Farm 15.5 (95) d O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale 11.9 (75) at Lonsdale Oval
DIVISION SEVEN
St Paul’s Old Scholars’ bid to finally climb out of division seven looks more likely than ever as it looms as an unstoppable force this season.
Flinders University was its latest victim on Saturday as the Saints did it with ease away from home in the 21.11 (137) to 5.1 (31) triumph.
SPOS remains unbeaten and two wins clear on top of the table coming into this Saturday’s big clash at home to third-placed Central United.
Houghton Districts were too strong for Adelaide Lutheran to record its fourth-straight win in a tough contest at the South Parklands on Saturday.
Less than a goal separated the sides at every change before the Raiders held on to prevail 11.15 (81) to 10.16 (76).
Caleb Sawyer kicked four goals and Rory Hawke starred as Houghton strengthened its claim to grab a top three spot.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Mawson Lakes 16.13 (109) d Mitchell Park 9.5 (59) at Mawson Lakes Oval
■ Central United 8.14 (62) d Greenacres 9.6 (60) at Mofflin Reserve
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
■ Salisbury 4.4 (28) d Morphettville Pak 1.4 (10) at Salisbury Oval
■ Adelaide University 8.15 (63) d Angle Vale 3.1 (19) at Angle Vale
■ Mount Lofty 6.9 (45) d Christies Beach 4.1 (25) at Heathfield Oval
■ Bye - SMOSH West Lakes
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