One-Percenters: Salisbury North on a tear to start Adelaide Footy League division two season

A surging Adelaide Footy League club has its sights set on ending a four-year finals drought in season 2024 under the tutelage of a former SANFL captain. That and more in One-Percenters including marks and goals of the week.

Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap of the talking points from the round in the Adelaide Footy League.

Each edition we will bring you tidbits from the last weekend – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.

If you know or have heard something quirky or interesting in the Adelaide Footy League, email your suggestions, photos or videos to [e-mail]

Here is what caught our attention during round five.

HAWKS FLYING FOR FINALS

Salisbury North has set the target of ending its four-year finals drought in season 2024 and looks well on its way after an undefeated 5-0 start in division two.

The Hawks have been dominant so far under new playing-coach Luke Habel, who played 190 SANFL League games for Central District and also captained the club, recently defeating Edwardstown by 136 points away from home.

Bolstered by a number of new recruits including Habel and former Kapunda stars Joey and Cal Brown, the side has emerged as one of the division’s top forces in the early season.

“It stems from the foundations we laid in November or even early October last year. We got our leadership group together and our coaching staff and laid out our plan and had complete buy-in from the players,” Habel said.

“We want to be the best we can be as a team on and off the field and everyone has aligned themselves to a common goal of making finals.

“It’s about the culture. We’ve got an inclusive environment and we try to celebrate each person.

Former Central District captain and current Salisbury North coach Luke Habel. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We’ve got a great footy club and the group has been really fun to play with.”

Habel made the decision to join the Hawks after retiring from the SANFL at the end of last season.

He said he had been welcomed by the club and its members with open arms and was grateful for the help he had received in his new role as playing-coach.

“It’s been great, I love it,” Habel said.

“We’ve got so many people who are helping out, like midfield coach Joey Brown, B Grade coach Damien McBride, C Grade coach Jason Hiscock, Beau Green who helps out with all grades, and even players like Tyrrell Hocking and Jake Wagner who haven’t played yet due to injury but are staying involved.

“It’s just a really good environment.”

Habel said the club's resurgence started in the pre-season. Picture: Salisbury North Football Club

The togetherness off the field has translated to Salisbury North’s production on it, as seen during the club’s recent domination against Edwardstown.

Habel said he was thrilled with the team’s overall performance and believed it would be needed again when the Hawks clash with Goodwood this weekend.

“That was our first time playing four good quarters and everyone also made a contribution, which was great to see.

“We’ve been doing a lot of training around our pressure and togetherness and it’s definitely coming through – guys are laying tackles that result in goals and you see teammates making a b-line for the tackler to celebrate.

“We’ve been able to win in different ways as well which has been pleasing, but we’ve got another big test in Goodwood this week who are a really strong side so we’re going to have to be on it from the start.

“We’re under no illusions, we know we’re going to be coming up against some of the division’s best teams soon and we know we’ve got a fair bit of improvement left in us.”

TWO TEAMS, FOUR TONNES?

Fitzroy goal machine Josh Rosenthal. Picture: Aaron Burgess

A 100-goal forward does not come around very often but division six clubs Eastern Park and Fitzroy could very well have two each on their hands in season 2024.

After five rounds of footy, Fitzroy key forward Josh Rosenthal has tallied 53 majors, while partner in crime James Ellis has kicked 39.

Over at Eastern Park, midfield/forward utility Chris Knapp has booted 49, while key forward Shawn Mansell has 29 in just four appearances.

While a significant portion of the majors have come against Elizabeth, who should prove to be a tougher opponent later in the season, all four players are well on their way to the 100-mark and could create history if they each reach a tonne.

GOALS AND MARKS OF THE WEEK

The goals and marks of the week have been picked for the round and in conjunction with the Adelaide Footy League, we’re giving you the chance to vote for who you think is the standout in both categories.

Watch the videos and vote in our polls below.

Each week the votes will go towards the Adelaide Footy League’s awards for the mark and goal of the year.