One-Percenters: Pembroke Old Scholars break winning drought in Adelaide Footy League
IT TOOK more than 400 days but a battling division three club has finally tasted victory for the first time since May 2017, plus more in this week’s Adelaide Footy League wrap, One-Percenters.
- Former Crow handed life ban from Adelaide Footy League
- Is this Adelaide footy’s longest injury list?
- Third club in same division docked premiership points
- Mid-season flag predictions for every division
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.
Here are some of the things that caught our eye at the weekend as teams enter the home stretch of season 2018:
KINGS OFF THE MARK
It was a long time between drinks – 428 days and 25 losses to be exact – but Pembroke Old Scholars finally experienced a victory on Saturday.
The Kings overcame a 24-point halftime deficit to beat Portland 10.15 (78) to 10.8 (68) in their division three clash at Haslam Oval.
Pembroke, which was relegated from division two at the end of last season, had not tasted victory since May 25 last year, when it beat Unley Mercedes by 31 points at home.
Kings coach Tim Hart said players belted out the team song in the change rooms after the game.
“No one forgot the words,” Hart laughed.
“It’s a simple tune, more like the Richmond theme song, which has been getting a bit of play the past two years.
“It was just a great feeling.
“When you’ve lost that many games from all sorts of different positions, you start to think ‘it’s just not meant to be’.
“But to our great credit, we dug pretty deep and got a win.”
Hart said the result was made even more memorable because Kings skipper Charles Canny was celebrating his 150th match.
“He’s been a great player of our club, so that was pretty special,” he said.
Former Power-listed ruckman Mitch Curnow was named best for the Kings, while Tom Evans booted five goals.
Pembroke won the division three premiership in 2016 and was promoted to division two.
But the Kings won only three matches in the second tier last season on their way to collecting the wooden spoon.
“Not only are we struggling in terms of ability, but we’ve had so many injuries and players unavailable for various reasons (this year),” Hart said.
“One guy who has been enormous for us and gets 30-odd touches this week, Jake Webster, missed his only game for the year (with work).
“But for once, the others all picked up the load.”
MITCHELL MAKES IT 100
Darren Mitchell finally notched up his 100th goal for Hope Valley in the club’s huge C5 home win over CBC Old Collegians on Saturday.
As reported in last week’s One-Percenters, the 33-year-old forward was on 98 majors after kicking a massive 18.8 when the Demons beat Ingle Farm.
He brought up the 100-goal milestone with eight majors in his side’s 24.10 (154) to 3.7 (25) victory against CBC.
It is the second time Mitchell has reached the ton in a season.
He booted 113 goals for Hills Football League side Bridgewater-Callington in 2016.
“It’s a good personal achievement,” Mitchell told One-Percenters.
“But I really can’t do it unless my teammates get the ball to me first.
“Half the credit goes to them.
“The ball gets delivered to me on a silver platter, so it’s quite easy to mark it.”
Mitchell’s eight-goal haul capped a massive day for the Demons, who were celebrating a few milestones.
Fellow C5 player Scott Dykstra notched his 300th game, teammate Mark Nicholas reached his 50th and division five reserves player Ben Tonkin lined up forhis 100th.
“It was a big day,” Mitchell said.
“We had a few beers in the change rooms after and celebrated.”
SIMPSON BAGS 11
Broadview’s Brett Simpson was not only best on ground for his side on Saturday, he outscored the opposition.
The full-forward kicked more than half the Tigers’ goals in their 20.13 (133) to 10.3 (63) division two thrashing of Old Ignatians at Hunter Park on Saturday.
Simpson finished with 11.1, increasing his season tally to 35 majors.
He is now seven behind leading goalkicker Jock McLeay from St Peter’s Old Collegians.
Broadview coach Sean Jackson hoped for another big bag from Simpson against Golden Grove this Saturday.
“Brett’s game was exceptional and he didn’t look like missing each time he had a shot,” Jackson said.
“The coach will be very happy if he kicks another 10 each week from now on.
“He is a beautiful shot for goal.
“He’s had a very strong, consistent year, but that was by far his best return.”
Broadview sits second on the second-tier ladder with three minor rounds remaining.
Jackson said triumphing in the past few games was crucial because the Tigers had PHOS Camden (third) and Brighton (fourth) nipping at their heels.
“It was good to get a win against a side we only just beat (Old Ignatians) by a small margin the first round,” Jackson said.
“With three games to go, we are in a real battle with two other sides to finish in the top three.”
PULLING ON THE PINK
Salisbury West is set to turn pink this Saturday when it hosts Para Hills in division seven.
A huge day is on the cards at Salisbury Downs Oval, all in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Tigers will wear specially designed guernseys with a touch of pink, as well as pink socks for their crucial clashes against the Big Reds.
Salisbury West will also be holding its ladies day, sponsors day and past players day.
A-grade player Darrell McIntyre said the whole club was getting behind the player-driven initiative.
“It just one of those things that pretty much everyone gets affected by at some point,” McIntyre said.
“Us players wanted to have some fundraising involved and thought why not go the full way and get guernseys made as well.
“A sponsor, Earthly Delights Paving and Landscaping, came on board to help with the guernseys.
“Hopefully everyone can get around it and support the cause and watch some good games of footy as well.”
For more information about the days and how to support the Breast Cancer Foundation, head to Salisbury West’s Facebook page.
THEN THERE WERE FOUR
The top four of the women’s division one competition is set with one round remaining as Morphettville Park, Adelaide University, Salisbury and Christies Beach prepare to battle in the finals.
Fitzroy’s 7.13 (55) to 2.7 (19) loss against the Blacks on Sunday meant they, along with winless Port Adelaide, could not reach the major round.
Now it comes down to the all-important double chance for the remaining four sides.
Morphettville Park already has the minor premiership locked away but second spot is still up for grabs.
Christies Beach’s chances suffered a blow on Saturday night when it fell to Salisbury by 33 points on Saturday night.
The Saints dropped from second to fourth on the ladder following the 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) loss at Salisbury Oval, which moved the Magpies into third.
Uni’s victory over Fitzroy meant it leapt up to second.
The second-placed Blacks are in the box seat on 18 points, one ahead of the Salisbury and two clear of the Saints.
The Magpies have the best percentage of the trio.
In the final round of fixtures, Salisbury plays Fitzroy away this Saturday night, Christies takes on Morphettville Park at Bice Oval on Sunday and Uni is at Largs North Reserve to play strugglers Port Adelaide.
LAST TEAM STANDING
Come the middle of winter, many clubs begin scratching around for players to fill their C- grade sides and a few forfeits is inevitable.
In the league’s C5 division, where just fielding a side each week gives you a good chance of a win, we have seen more than the usual handful of abandoned matches.
Hectorville’s thirds have not played a match since round nine after forfeiting seven matches so far this season.
Once a side forfeits three matches in a season, the league has the discretion to impose a fine, suspend or withdraw the team from the competition.
The Hounds are not alone.
Kenilworth is teetering on the edge of the three-game threshold after forfeiting back-to-back matches last month.
It resulted in ladder leaders Hope Valley not playing for almost a month after being scheduled to play the Kookaburras in round 13 and Hectorville in round 14.
Both matches were abandoned.
Sixth-placed Adelaide Lutheran also forfeited for the first time on Saturday for its encounter against Lockleys.
PHANTOMS GHOST WIN
PHOS Camden faced a likely horror trip home before a huge comeback helped it snatch a victory against Golden Grove in their division two clash at Harpers Field last Saturday.
The Phantoms trailed by almost eight goals during the first half but enjoyed a brilliant second half to get over the ninth-ranked Kookaburras, 16.8 (104) to 12.11 (83).
The win helped PHOS maintain third place on the ladder.
A relieved Phantoms coach Simon Quinn said his side held tough in a trying contest.
“Golden Grove played really well and absolutely pantsed us in the first half,” Quinn said.
“There is no way they (Grove) deserve to be where they are, but, luckily for us, we were able
to change a few things at halftime and get back into the game.
“We managed to spin it around but we didn’t do ourselves any favours in the first half.”
PHOS Camden will now head into its battle with fourth-ranked Brighton away this Saturday brimming with confidence.
The Phantoms are one win and two points ahead of the Bombers.
They would be desperate for a victory to give them some breathing space with finals not too far away.