One-Percenters: Tea Tree Gully win third straight while Central United, Rosewater let Anzac Day thriller slip

An Adelaide Footy League club is hopeful in its quest for a flag, plus an agonising Anzac Day draw. All that and more from around the grounds in One-Percenters.

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 latest weekend of play – they might be eye-catching results, performances, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.

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Here is what caught our attention in round three of the 2022 season:

GULLIES MAKE EARLY STATEMENT

This time last season Tea Tree Gully had a negative record and sat eighth on the division one ladder.

After last weekend, the Gullies remain the only undefeated side in the division – claiming three impressive scalps in Old Ignatians, Port District and St Peter’s OC.

The club missed finals last season but proved it would be a tough outfit to knock over this year when it defeated SPOC away from home on Saturday 89-112.

Returning playing-coach Alex McKay was thrilled with his team’s start and said the club felt similar to its 2018 premiership-winning season.

Alex McKay us back and better than ever with Tea Tree Gully and believed the club could rediscover the success of 2018. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“That was our first test away from home. We got off to a slow start but we held tough and managed to open up the floodgates in the second half,” McKay said.

“Our start has been very pleasing and the new structure and approach seem to be working … there’s definitely a similar feeling at the club as there was in 2018.”

Gullies have already faced multiple tests in 2022, including a close battle with Port District with multiple outs due to Covid.

McKay said battling adversity would be integral to a strong run this season.

“We’ve faced a lot of adversity with Covid – we had about eight guys out against Port but managed to get a win in that one,” he said.

Gullies celebrate after winning the 2018 division one flag. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We’ve been focusing on being better people and how you face uncomfortable situations in life and it’s translating on the field.”

McKay also believed the team had a strong nucleus together, but still had some improvements to make.

“We’ve got a good mix of experience and youth and there’s guys like Tyler West up front, Brodie Latham and Will Cansdell who have grown into mature players and are really performing,” McKay said.

“I believe we can go all the way this year but we need to take each week as it comes and we can definitely improve, especially defensively as a group.”

DOGS IN ANZAC DAY DRAW AFTER SET-SHOT SHOCK

Central United and Rosewater’s Anzac Day clash had it all, from the opening Anzac Day ceremony to tough contests, big goals and a drawn final score – 96-apiece.

However, it was a play just minutes from the final siren which was the talking point after the battle of the Bulldogs.

Home side Central United led by 22 points at half-time, but by the late stages of the fourth term Rosewater had managed to claw their way back level.

Rosewater's Shane Catterall lines up for a set-shot almost impossible to miss in the draw against Central United. Picture: DartfishTV

With just two minutes remaining, Rosewater’s Shane Catterall took a strong mark after some impressive play through the middle and lined up from short distance, directly in front to put his side up by a goal.

Instead of slotting home his third major though, Catterall unfortunately hooked his shot left and put the visitors up by a behind.

Central United managed to create a half-chance from the pocket in the final minute for a behind, and when the siren went the scores read 14.12 (96) to 14.12 (96).

While the draw was frustrating for both clubs, they managed to produce a tough and even contest fitting for an Anzac Day fixture.

COULD FOOTBALL FORTRESSES DETERMINE DIVISION ONE?

Only three clubs have managed an away win in the Adelaide Footy League’s top division thus far – Tea Tree Gully (over SPOC), Glenunga (over Rostrevor OC), and SPOC (over Glenunga).

In what seems set to be one of the most competitive top flight seasons in recent memory, the club which can maintain the biggest home ground advantage may come away with the silverware.

Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots said it would be a significant factor.

“Prior to last weekend’s games only one side had one away. It’s really even across the competition so far and I think we – along with everyone else – are really looking to establish a strong consistency at home,” he said.

“The trend may not continue but a lot of clubs are now very well-structured at home.

“We’re looking forward to our test against PNU away this weekend and I think winning away will come to taking the number of opportunities we can get.”

MARKS AND GOALS OF THE WEEK

The Adelaide Footy League has partnered up with The Advertiser and Messenger again this season to crown the best mark and best goal of 2022.

Each week you can find the top three 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.