Minor premier Noarlunga wins grand final berth
The Shoes’ unblemished Southern Football League campaign continues and the flag decider awaits them.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Magpies fly from country foes to state league friends
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Can anyone stop the Shoes?
That is the question that has again been posed after minor premier Noarlunga did a number on Flagstaff Hill in the second semi-final at home last Saturday.
Flaggies’ quest for a fourth consecutive flag isn’t over and they will play Christies Beach in the preliminary final this weekend.
NOARLUNGA 12.21 (93) FLAGSTAFF HILL 7.7 (49)
Noarlunga looked set for a tight battle when Flaggies matched its run and effort in the first quarter and parts of the second.
But the well broke in the second half as the Shoes bombarded the goal, albeit with wayward conversion in attack, to win 12.21 (93) to 7.7 (49).
Nathan Schulz, Danny Irvine and Bailey Snelling were best for the Shoes.
Victor Robertson (four goals) and Terry Milera (three majors) were dangerous in attack.
Noarlunga coach Barry Pilmore said he couldn’t ask any more of his team.
“They were great and really the whole squad (A and Bs) were excellent,” Pilmore said.
“I thought early Flaggies controlled play but we started to get more entries and were hard at the footy.
“There were a few players who missed out who we will look at but I wouldn’t think we will change too much.
“Our defence also was just great.
“It’s now move on and prepare for the next game.”
Noarlunga’s B grade also recorded a big victory against Christies Beach to progress to the grand final.
For the Shoes, the only question it could face is whether its stop-start run of games over the past six or seven weeks will have any impact on grand final day.
Brad Kirk, David Kearsley and Mitchell Fazekas worked hard for the Falcons.
Miles Sumner and Ryan Mountford were Flagstaff Hill’s multiple goalkickers with two majors each.
The Falcons are still in the hunt for their bid to claim four straight flags and will take on Christies Beach in the preliminary final this weekend.
Coach Darren Vanzetta said errors in the third quarter against the Shoes proved costly.
“We made some basic skill errors and against a side like Noarlunga they make you pay,” Vanzetta said.
“I think we gave away about 100m in penalties in the third quarter which resulted in at least a two or three goal turnaround.
“That really hurt.
“We had some good outcomes but not enough.”
Max Renfrey (pulled out before the game with gastro) and Chris Puiatti should return to Flagstaff Hill’s line-up for the prelim.
But Fazekas, who works in the mines, will miss next Saturday, although will be available if the team earns a grand final berth.
CHRISTIES BEACH 13.6 (84) PORT NOARLUNGA 9.13 (67)
Christies Beach’s poise and better conversion in attack were key factors in the side’s victory against Port Noarlunga in the first semi-final at Bice Oval on Sunday.
The Saints led at each change to prevail 13.6 (84) to 9.13 (67) and book a preliminary final berth against Flagstaff Hill.
The Saints were leading 6.5 to 3.5 at the long break before both sides hit the scoreboard in the third – Christies kicked five-straight majors to the Cockledivers’ 5.4.
Christies co-coach Neil Reeve said the side lifted when challenged and made better use of its chances.
“We got off to a good start and I thought we spread well,” Reeve said.
“It was tight early and then a bit of a shootout in the third but we held our nerve.
“We move on to Flaggies again, the third time we will have played them in six weeks.
“We feel we can match them.”
Best for the Saints included Josiah Sheppard, Ben Powell (four goals, first game in seven weeks) and Rhys Mundy.
Nathan Stock kicked three goals, while Blake Carter had plenty of the ball to finish with two majors and a handful of points.
Port’s better players included Jake Veide (three goals), Ryan Kelly (two majors) and Luke Irving.
The Saints will be making their first A-grade preliminary final since 1994 and
have four teams lining up in games this Saturday.
GORDO’S GRILL
■ The Southern Football League’s night of nights part two (seniors, September 16, juniors was September 9) will be soon here with the Mail Medal count and other presentations.
I am tipping we will see history made with Noarlunga’s Nick Mott in the hot seat to take home back-to-back medals.
Mott’s dad, Jerry Mott, also claimed two Mail Medals in a row (1989-90) meaning we could have the first father/son dual as back-to-back medallists.
Mott’s Shoes teammates Nathan Schulz, Tom Mott and Troy Johnson are likely to feature high up in the medal count.
Flagstaff Hills’ Brad Kirk, Christies Beach’s Aidan Coakley as well as Port Noarlunga’s Jake Veide and Daniel Trevena are also contenders for the medal.
■ In the SFLW medal count there looks to be a swag of contenders.
Aldinga, which is into the women’s grand final, could have Jasmine Smith and Sophia Flanagan-Sjoberg feature, while Reynella’s Rebecca Denyer and Zannah Loxton have been solid.
The Falcons'’ Soriah Moon and Cove’s Jaime Norup, Sam Franson and Lauren Kenny should also pick up a few votes.
■
■ Working in security can be a tough gig at times, checking on people and searching cars for bringing in dogs, booze and drugs etc.
There are even said to have been a few spectators who try to sneak in to SFL games without paying.
Most times there is no hassle.
But the attitude and approach of one official at Port Noarlunga last Saturday was, let’s say, unnecessary.
THIS WEEK:
Saturday, September 14
Old Noarlunga
Preliminary finals
■ A: Flagstaff Hill v Christies Beach
■ B: Christies Beach v Flagstaff Hill
■ Under-17s: Flagstaff Hill v Cove
■ Under-15s: Christies Beach v Noarlunga
■ Under-13s: Christies Beach v Reynella
