One-Percenters: Glenunga wins back-to-back premierships, division one and two medals plus more
RAMS charging up the divisions, Dolphins’ grand final glory, division one and two medallists plus more in this week’s Adelaide Footy League wrap – One-Percenters.
- Premiership glory eases pain of nasty injury
- A week after stroke, coach celebrates fairytale flag
- Darcy’s century more than just a number
- Something in the water at Adelaide Footy League’s Rams
WELCOME to One-Percenters – a wrap of some of the quirky talking points from across the Adelaide Footy League.
Each edition we will bring several titbits – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.
If you have heard about something quirky, email us your suggestions or photos to matthew.turner1@news.com.au.
As we enter the final two weeks of season 2018 grand final glory and association medallists are among the things that have caught our eye:
RAMS BACK-TO-BACK
Glenunga has announced its intention to become a force in the top tiers of the Adelaide Footy League in emphatic fashion after winning back-to-back flags.
The Rams’ 14-point win over Gepps Cross on Saturday in their first year in division four confirmed promotion to the third tier at the first attempt.
Coach Brian Leys said the club now had belief and expectation that it can compete well in the big games and on the big stages.
A proud Leys said the 9.13 (67) to 6.7 (43) victory in Saturday’s grand final at Alberton Oval was part of an exciting journey the club was on.
Despite the scores being close at the breaks, it always looked to have the answers and played the perfect game against Gepps’ key playmakers.
For Glenunga, it made it two flags in a row after winning the division five title last year against Pooraka.
Leys, who is contracted to coach next season, said the players had responded well.
“They played a good brand of football (today) and had been playing well before that too,” Leys said.
“It is wonderful to watch the journey the players are on. I ask a lot of the players and they keep responding.”
Guy Ward starred for the Rams to win the best on ground medal, while Aaron Manning, Alex Haren and Harry Prosser (three goals) were also among their side’s best.
FANTASTIC ‘FINS
CBC Old Collegians created club history last Saturday when its A and B grade teams won premierships on the same day.
The A grade capped off an outstanding season when it crushed Woodville South in the division five decider, 20.6 (126) to 8.8 (56).
The division five reserves beat Hope Valley 6.15 (51) to 3.11 (29).
Dolphins football director Paul Wadsworth said it was an outstanding effort from both sides.
“This is a fantastic moment for the club,” Wadsworth said.
“It is something we have been trying to build at the club for some time.
“To have both teams win on the same day and create club history is special.
“We have been up and down the grades but hopefully we can build again in division four next season.”
The club’s last A grade flag was in 2004 in division five.
Best for the Dolphins included Rhys Woods, Matthew Raymond – who kicked five goals and earned the best-on-ground medal – and Matthew Partington.
The A grade team was coached by Cail Harris.
In case you missed it, Marion and Scotch Old Collegians both won their respective division seven and three grand finals in incredible circumstances. Full stories below:
FULL STORY: MARION COMPLETES FAIRYTALE FLAG
FULL STORY: SCOTCH ENDS 21-YEAR PREMIERSHIP DROUGHT
SUPER SHEEDY
Athelstone stalwart Justin Sheedy has strengthened his claim as one of the club’s all-time greats as he became its first Keith Sims OAM Medallist on Monday night.
Sheedy, who has been a constant fixture in the Raggies’ rise from division three to the top tier, won the division one best and fairest medal with 26 votes across a stellar season.
The midfielder finished eight votes clear of Tea Tree Gully’s 2015 medallist Alex McKay and Goodwood’s Tom Barry, who both tallied 18.
It is Sheedy’s first league medal in the competition, he previously came runner-up for the division three award in 2016.
Sheedy’s feat was made even more impressive by the fact Athelstone won just six games all season, resulting in relegation from division one.
The 230-game player has been at the Raggies since 2006 and has won the club’s A grade best and fairest a remarkable seven times, including the past three successive seasons.
Sheedy will likely add an eight club champion award this year to cap an fantastic individual campaign.
O’BRIEN EYEING PERFECT SEASON
Former Brisbane Lion Jesse O’Brien’s first season at St Peter’s Old Collegians has continued in perfect fashion as he took home the FA Bloch Medal on Monday night.
O’Brien’s stellar performances in the Saints’ engine room netted him 19 votes to oust Daniel Caire (Unley Mercedes) and Brayden De Prinse (Broadview) in a nailbiting division two count.
O’Brien’s win continues a long history of success for SPOC in the division two medal.
Bill Botten won a trio of division two medals in 1982, 83 and 85 playing at Saints, along with Neil Cross (1995), Jon Ker (1994), John McLean (1962), Gregory Leon and Andy Hay (1960 – joint winners) and William Hay (1947).
SPOC and O’Brien will be going for the second tier premiership and an unbeaten season when they take on Brighton this Saturday.
The 27-year-old played 17 games for the Lions from 2010-2013 before he was delisted and returned home to SA to play for North Adelaide.
O’Brien joined SPOC in the off-season from Hills Football League club Onkaparinga Valley.
Division three and below plus all reserves and C grade medallists were announced last week.
WOLVES IN BIG DANCE, ROC IN BIG DANGER
Tea Tree Gully took a big step towards winning its first division one Adelaide Footy League premiership after beating Rostrevor Old Collegians to earn direct entry into the grand final.
The Wolves became the first team to make it through to the grand final after a 10.16 (76) to 9.4 (58) victory over ROC in their semi-final at Daly Oval last Saturday.
Tea Tree Gully began well to lead 3.2 to 1.2 at quarter-time but ROC hit back to lead 5.4 to 4.6 at half-time.
ROC converted better in the third for a 9.4 to 7.9 buffer at the last change before the Wolves kept them scoreless in the final quarter.
Tea Tree Gully coach Justin Maschotta was thrilled with his side’s effort.
“I thought we controlled the game for all bar about 15 or 20 minutes,” Maschotta said.
“This is what we play for and I thought we prepared really well. It comes down to execution. We grounded out the win and had winners everywhere. Our back six were great.”
Dylan Schoenmakers (three goals), Blake Penney and Alex McKay starred for the Wolves, while Troy Menzel kicked four goals.
ROC will now take on Payneham Norwood Union at Daly Oval this Saturday for the right to battle Tea Tree Gully in the decider in a fortnight.
The Falcons appear to have hit form at the right time after they finished strongly to win their semi-final over Goodwood last Saturday 12.12 (84) to 7.9 (51).