Payneham Norwood Union defeats Goodwood Saints in Adelaide Footy League preliminary final

A tense 10-point win and a 12-goal thumping – division one’s two preliminary finals could not have been more different. See the Adelaide Footy League match reports.

A shot at a second division one flag in three years beckons for Payneham Norwood Union after a stifling preliminary final performance.

The Falcons blunted Goodwood Saints, keeping the reigning premier to one goal in the second half on the way to a 10-point triumph at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.

A rematch of the 2019 grand final now awaits against Prince Alfred Old Collegians after it thumped rival St Peter’s OC in their preliminary final.

PNU trailed by 14 point at the main break but controlled the contest throughout the second half to record a 7.12 (54) to 6.8 (44) victory.

Falcons players Patrick Levicki and Nick Jolly embrace after the final siren. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A “relieved and proud” Falcons coach Jace Bode said his side’s talented, experienced campaigners stood up when it mattered.

“With a really experienced group we knew at the right place and the right time that they’re in this team for a reason and all of them showed at different stages why,” Bode said.

“I thought the effort, particularly after quarter time, was exceptional.

“To win two quarters into the breeze says a lot of character about the group. It was gutsy.”

Goodwood shot out of the blocks with the first two goals of the game through Levi Elms before PNU slowly worked its way on top in the middle and back into the contest.

And while the Falcons did not fully capitalise on their second half opportunities, they dictated the majority of the match through the domination of ruckman Sam Baulderstone and hard work of their inside midfielders.

PNU’s Sam Baulderstone kicks away. The ruckman was a dominant force for the Falcons in the middle. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Defender Dylan Auciello repelled countless Saints attacks while Kristian Roocke and Athanasi Agorastos popped up with two crucial goals each.

Goodwood coach Luke Donaldson said his side was not at its best in the sudden death final.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the boys’ effort over the last two years I’ve been coaching,” Donaldson said.

“I just feel for them, they’re the ones who put in the work and have been extraordinary in their application. Unfortunately today we were beaten by a side who was better than us on the day.”

OLD REDS RUN RIOT

Minor premier Prince Alfred Old Collegians will come into next week’s grand final after thumping old enemy St Peter’s Old Collegians by 74 points on Saturday.

The Old Reds ran riot at Richmond Oval in the 18.18 (126) to 8.4 (52) domination.

Winning the toss and kicking with the breeze, PAOC booted seven goals to one in the opening term and never let SPOC back into the contest.

A chance at revenge for the 2019 grand final defeat to PNU now awaits.

A Grade win by 12 goals in #Pez150 and we’re through to the granny!!!

Posted by Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club on Saturday, September 4, 2021

Old Reds playing coach Craig Pitt said his side’s pressure and persistence paid off to swarm SPOC from start to finish.

“We’ve always had a bit of belief in our group that we weren’t top for no reason, so we just had to continue to stick to what we’ve been doing well all year and trust the result would take care of itself,” Pitt said.

“We had a lot of contributors today, nobody really stood out because it was a really even performance.”

SPOC coach Geoff Riddle said they were beaten by a much better team.

“They controlled us from the start and we just couldn’t get our way back into the game,” Riddle said.

“The boys are obviously pretty disappointed. It’s a long year. They don’t deserve to fall out of finals the way we did and by such a big margin, but footy is a cruel game sometimes.”

Bryce Woolard, Hayden Jolly, Cameron Giles were among PAOC’s long list of contributors while Jock McLeay booted six goals in a strong individual performance for SPOC.