One-Percenters: ROC finally loses, Trinity Old Scholars record broken, plus other Adelaide Footy League titbits
Rostrevor Old Collegians finally loses, Trinity Old Scholars record broken and more in this week’s Adelaide Footy League wrap
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WELCOME to One-Percenters — a wrap of some of the quirky talking points from across the Adelaide Footy League.
Each edition we will bring you eight or so 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:
ROC ROLLED
We may have a new contender for the division one premiership after Port District’s 19-point home victory over previously unbeaten Rostrevor Old Collegians.
The Magpies stunned the reigning premiers with an eight-goal last quarter to inflict the first loss for ROC since round 16 last season
Port won 13.9 (87) to 10.8 (68) after leading 3.3 to 0.4 at quarter-time but trailing 9.8 to 5.8 at the last change.
District coach Simon Maddern said it was an inspiring win for his team, which moved to a 4-3 record and fourth spot.
ROC is still top with a 6-1 record, ahead of Tea Tree Gully, which has five wins, one loss and a draw.
“Our boys just didn’t want to give it up,” Maddern said.
“It was an outstanding effort and gives us real belief going into Athelstone this week.”
After facing the Raggies on Saturday, Port takes on Henley before a tantalising clash against Tea Tree Gully.
J ack Foster (four goals) and Trent Heffernan (two goals) were best for the Magpies.
ROC coach Adrian Rocco would not be shirking the responsibility of defeat, but we have to take some blame after talking the side up in an article last week.
Rostrevor will be heavily favoured to bounce back against cellar-dweller Modbury on Saturday.
OLD MATES WON’T JOIN NEW BOYS
O’SULLIVAN Beach Lonsdale and Marion are reaping the rewards of moving from the Southern Football League to the amateurs’ division seven this year.
The Lions and the Rams, who were perennial strugglers in the SFL, battled it out in a top-of-the-table clash at Sturt Oval on Saturday and O’Sullivan Beach prevailed by 16 points.
But don’t expect to see any of their former SFL rivals switching to the Adelaide Footy League anytime soon.
Presidents at the bottom three southern clubs Morphett Vale, Aldinga and Happy Valley say they will resist temptation to jump ship despite enduring difficult starts to their campaigns.
Aldinga won its first game of the season on Saturday, Morphett Vale has suffered heavy losses in all six matches and Happy Valley has a 2-5 record.
WELCOME BACK COTTER
The highest goal haul of the round was Trinity Old Scholars’ Alex Cotter with 14 – a club A-grade record.
Cotter could have had even more but kicked three behinds between his 12th and 13th majors.
His strong performance in front of the big sticks helped the Lions to a 24.18 (162) to 7.4 (46) victory over Greenacres at home.
Trinity Old Scholars is second on the ladder and coach Stephen Couzner is hoping Cotter kicks another bag in the top-of-the-table clash with Rosewater away this Saturday.
“It’s an impressive stat, 14.6,” Couzner said.
“He probably could’ve had a few more to be quite honest – he handballed a few off (and) he could’ve easily kicked 18.
“He was up the ground a bit – he doesn’t sit at home in full-forward.
“We are starting to play some good footy again.
“If he can continue his good form, it would be beautiful and I don’t think we will have too much trouble against Rosewater.”
RIVALRY RE-IGNITED
One of the southwestern suburbs’ biggest rivalries was reignited for the first time in almost 30 years as Plympton and Morphettville Park squared off in division three.
The two clubs, separated by less than 3km, last played in the Southern Football League in 1989 but the front bar at the Morphett Arms Hotel has long been divided between Bulldogs and Roos.
Morphettville Park led in a close all day before prevailing 15.15 (105) to 14.10 (94).
Former Western Bulldogs and Glenelg defender Christian Howard booted three goals for the Roos.
Plympton and Morphettville Park moved to the SFL in 1987 after the Southern Metropolitan Football League folded.
The Bulldogs proceeded to win three premierships in a row in the SFL’s division one before shifting to the South Australian Football Association, which also disbanded, in 1990.
Plympton joined the amateur league in 1996, while Morphettville Park came to the competition last year and was promotion from division four at the end of 2017.
A number of SFL sides moving to the Adelaide Footy League has reignited a few old rivalries, including Brighton and Sacred Heart Old Collegians earlier this season.
ALL LEVEL AT CAMDEN
Another local derby finished all square as division two clubs PHOS Camden and Brighton drew, 50 points apiece, at Camden Oval.
The Phantoms will be ruing a sluggish start.
They were goalless for the entire first half and only managed seven behinds.
PHOS found its way back into the match, kicking 6.14 to the Bombers’ 7.8, but both sides missed opportunities to win.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Unley Mercedes marked the 100th anniversary of its home ground, Kingswood Oval, on Saturday with a crucial win over Old Ignatians in division two.
The oval, now known as Jet Park, was opened on May 25, 1918.
The Jets trailed by 20 points at the main break but found their touch in the second half and triumphed 15.13 (103) to 12.15 (87).
Small forward Luke Heaslip booted six goals for Unley Mercedes and former South Adelaide utility Patrick Kerin was in good touch for the visitors with five of his own.
The Jets have won four of their past five matches after a slow start to the season.
SEATON STAMPS CREDENTIALS
Seaton is becoming the team to beat in division three after its 35-point victory over Westminster Old Scholars in their top-of-the-table clash at Pedlar Reserve.
The Ramblers’ 16.14 (110) to 11.9 (75) triumph was their third in a row and ensured they maintained top spot, moving a win clear of the Dragons.
Seaton now has a 7-1 record and boasts an average winning margin of 42.5 points.
The Ramblers have only claimed one A-grade flag – in 1973.
They take on eighth-placed Plympton away this Saturday.
LAST TEAM STANDING
Who will be the last remaining undefeated side in the Adelaide Footy League?
Narrowing the criteria to just the A-grade divisions, only three teams have yet to lose.
St Peter’s Old Collegians (division two), Rosewater (division six) and O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale (division seven) all sit 8-0.
The latter two defeated second-placed sides at the weekend.
LOST RAMS WAYWARD IN DEFEAT
Gepps Cross only has its failure to kick straight to blame for a nine-point loss against Pooraka in division four.
The Rams, who lost 12.11 (83) to 9.20 (74), could only muster 0.9 in the first term before ending the game with 9.20 and six more scoring shots than the Bulls.
It was Gepps Cross’s fourth loss in a row, leaving it seventh with a 3-5 record.
Jarrad Clark-Rantasa and Andrew Tanner booted two majors apiece for the Rams.
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