Muddy Camden Oval deemed too dangerous for junior matches after driver tears it up
Junior footballers were not able to take to the ground on Sunday after a driver did doughnuts and ripped up an already muddy oval. Plus more in the One-Percenters Adelaide Footy League wrap.
- Reds come out on top in milestone clash of old collegians
- ‘Emotional’ Crabs win first game in two years
- Deja vu as shot to win on siren misses … again
Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap of some of the quirky talking points from the round in the Adelaide Footy League.
Each edition we will bring you eight or so titbits from the latest weekend – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.
If you have heard about something quirky in the Adelaide Footy League, email us your suggestions or photos to matthew.turner1@news.com.au
MUDDY MESS PROMPTS CANCELLATIONS
Junior football games were cancelled after an already muddy Camden Oval was torn up by a driver who had some fun in their car at the ground on Saturday night.
PHOS Camden and Athelstone slugged out a dour division two match earlier that day before club officials arrived on Sunday morning to find doughnuts on the oval.
It led to the Phantoms’ full slate of junior fixtures having to be canned.
The club posted on its juniors Facebook page: “Due to a car vandalising the oval and the extremely dangerous conditions of the remainder of the oval, all home games have been called off.”
PHOS is due to take on Gaza at the ground this Saturday.
The Phantoms lost to the Raggies last Saturday, 6.1 (37) to 3.4 (22), in a game where key PHOS midfielder Matt Jacquier suffered a broken leg in the third term.
An ambulance was unable to reach him for 30 minutes due to the state of the oval.
By the end of the division two match, Athelstone’s white away strips resembled the hessian bags the club wore in its early days, leading to the Raggies nickname.
Athelstone football director Stephen Brown said it was some of the worst conditions he has seen in footy.
“Before the C grade there was a bit of a downpour and the ground was basically underwater,” Brown said.
“Then it started hailing before the B grade.
“By the end of the day it was very hard to actually tell who had the footy.
“The only ways you could work it out is which direction they went when they got the ball or trying to pick the running styles of some of our guys.
“Other than that, you basically didn’t know which team was in possession.
“Justin Sheedy, who’s played more footy than anyone in the team, said it was the toughest day of footy he’s ever had.
“The team manager is still washing the guernseys I think.”
WET WINTER SETS IN
Winter hit with its full force on Saturday as wet and windy conditions well and truly set in.
It was one of those mornings local footballers wake up and might question how much they wanted to play before fronting up and slogging it out in the cold.
Here are some of our best shots from Saturday’s action.
HAWKS WITH A SPECIAL WIN
Clashes between division four rivals Mitcham and Colonel Light Gardens are always special, not only because the two clubs are separated by just two kilometres.
Each time the Hawks and Lions meet they play for the Ray Murray/John Ellis Shield, named after legends from each club who both died of heart attacks.
Murray (Mitcham) suffered his on the training track and Ellis (CLG) while going for a walk.
On Saturday, the Hawks triumphed 11.11 (77) to 7.6 (48) at Mortlock Park to retain the shield and defeat the Lions for the second time this season.
EAGLE LANDS AT DOLPHIN COVE
Woodville-West Torrens goalsneak Jake Johansen has spent the past two games playing in division four.
Johansen, who had previously featured for Port Adelaide and Glenelg, lined up for CBC Old Collegians in its past two games – first in an eight-point victory against Kilburn at home before an 81-point win against Pembroke away.
Johansen is a CBC old scholar, having attended the college before switching to Henley High.
His two brothers Brad and Luke Johansen also play for the Dolphins.
It was unknown if Johansen would play league football again this year.
“He spoke to the coach a couple of weeks ago and asked for a bit of personal leave,” Eagles football manager Matt Goldsworthy said.
“As part of that, while he was taking a break, he wanted to have a kick with his brothers at CBC.
“I think the coach is catching up with him in the next couple of weeks to see how he’s tracking.
“We still hope he is a chance to return but his wellbeing is a priority and if he needs to step away for the rest of the year, then that will be the case.
“He hasn’t ruled out coming back but he’s just taking some time for himself to sort a few things out.”
Johansen last lined up with Woodville-West Torrens in its 60-point triumph against West Adelaide at home on June 15, amassing 27 possessions and kicking 2.1.
He has booted eight goals in nine league games with the Eagles this season.
CBC Old Collegians coach Cail Harris said the club was delighted to have Johansen but was also happy if the 174cm forward chose to return to the SANFL.
GOALKICKING AT TRAINING THIS WEEK
Conditions across the city were tough on Saturday but no team had as much trouble in front of goal as Salisbury North.
The Hawks kicked an abysmal 2.17 (29) to lose in division two to Modbury, which booted 14.6 (90).
Wet, windy weather would almost certainly played a part in the poor kicking.
Only Jamie Solly and Ben Wiles slotted majors for the Hawks.
Brahma Lodge’s C6 outfit was not far behind Salisbury North as it sprayed shots all over its home ground against Ingle Farm.
The Tigers had eight more scoring shots than the Bulldogs but fell 3.17 (35) to 10.2 (62).
Other woefully inaccurate sides on Saturday were Elizabeth (9.21 in C6), Athelstone (1.8 in division two reserves) and Pembroke Old Scholars (1.12 in C4).
Hopefully those sides can kick straighter in better weather this weekend.
ROOS HOP OVER TO PORTLAND
Portland will enjoy a touch of North Melbourne flavour this Saturday when it hosts a sportsman’s night.
Kangaroos legend and AFL games record holder Brent Harvey (432 matches), ex-North Melbourne defender turned Sturt coach Nathan Grima and their former teammate Lindsay Thomas, now with the Thunder, will swap yarns from about 7.30pm.
Thomas is expected to play with the Thunder this Saturday after missing games through work, family commitments and injury.
He has kicked 22 goals from six matches after joining Portland during the off-season.