One-Percenters: Flinders Park signs North Adelaide reserves Magarey Medallist Dakota Nixon
A division three challenger has unveiled a new recruit ahead of a huge top of the table clash this Saturday – plus more from around the Adelaide Footy League in One-Percenters.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap 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 patrick.keam@news.com.au
From the quirky to the inspirational, the weird, wonderful and everything in between here are the things which caught our eye in round six:
FROM ROOSTER TO RED
Division three contender Flinders Park has unveiled a new recruit ahead of a huge top of the table clash this Saturday.
North Adelaide midfielder Dakota Nixon – the winner of last year’s SANFL reserves Magarey Medal – has departed the Roosters and signed at the Reds.
The 22-year-old debuted and kicked a goal in the 10-point win over Edwardstown on Saturday.
And it is a timely addition for Flinders Park.
Not only will the second-placed Reds face top side Golden Grove in a rematch of last year’s grand final, the club is also holding a 10-year reunion of its 2011 premierships.
Coach Luke Ivens said fellow former Rooster James Schwarz helped draw Nixon across.
“It kind of fell in our laps I suppose,” Ivens said.
“He’s good mates one of our players James Schwarz and wasn’t getting a (league) game at North so came to play with his good mate.
“He played his first game on the weekend and was finding his feet a bit obviously with a different pace and completely different gamestyle.
“He’ll be a very handy inclusion.”
Nixon played in North’s league side in round one this season but spent the next four matches in the reserves, before making the switch to Flinders Park.
The Reds have been a force in the third tier, winning six of their seven matches so far.
The sole defeat came against third-placed North Haven and Ivens said his side would need to be at 100 per cent against the undefeated Kookaburras this Saturday.
“(The loss) was a bit of a wake-up call, we possibly got a bit complacent and it’s hard with a young team to keep them up when you’re tracking all right,” Ivens said.
“North Haven’s pressure was amazing and we couldn’t match it.
“Anything less than four good quarters won’t get us over the line against Golden Grove – they’re definitely the side to beat.”
DRAFT INTEREST
Could a third Scotch Old Collegians player find his way onto an AFL list?
Reports out of Melbourne suggest ex-Scotch talent Ash Johnson is drawing interest from Collingwood and Gold Coast ahead of next week’s mid-season draft.
The high-flying forward has been drawing plenty of attention at Sturt the past two seasons after spending 2018 and 2019 in the Adelaide Footy League.
Johnson is the half-brother of Crow Shane McAdam and cousin of Jy Farrar, who was picked by the Suns in the 2019 AFL draft.
All three played at Scotch before going onto SANFL level.
Johnson played a key role in the club’s 2018 flag, but broke his arm in the first half of the grand final before his teammates delivered his premiership medal to him in hospital.
The 23-year-old has impressed with the Double Blues, booting 3.2 last round against Central District and 4.1 in Sturt’s round five win over the Crows’ reserves.
MARKS AND GOALS OF THE WEEK
This season the Adelaide Footy League has partnered up with The Advertiser and Messenger to crown the best mark and best goal of 2021.
Each week you can find the top three of each from the round here in the One-Percenters column.
Vote in the poll for your favourite.
At the end of the year the top marks and goals will go in the running to be named the best of the season with an overall vote decided by you.
STILL STANDING
Just three A grade sides remain undefeated in the Adelaide Footy League going into round eight.
Glenunga (division two), Golden Grove (division three) and Elizabeth (division six) are yet to lose a game so far this season.
On Saturday, Walkerville was eliminated from that group when it suffered defeat at the hands of the much-improved Morphettville Park at Kellett Reserve.
Golden Grove was the biggest winner of the bunch with a commanding 125-point thrashing of CBC Old Collegians.
In a big day for the club, the Kookaburras were also celebrating their 25-year anniversary and wore heritage jumpers to mark the occasion.
It was not so simple for Glenunga, which just edged past Old Ignatians by three points to keep the winning run going.
Elizabeth had a bye but will return to action in division six with a home clash against Rosewater this Saturday.
Adelaide Footy League club lands superstar signing for 2025
A local SA footy star and former SANFL captain and premiership player has joined an Adelaide Footy League club on the rise for season 2025.
Bartel’s best: Saints legend lists top teammates, opponents in stellar career
A Goodwood Saints legend has looked back on his career and picked his top opponents and teammates after being named as the top Adelaide Footy League player of the 21st Century.