Payneham Norwood Union flag defence in tact after beating Prince Alfred Old Collegians
After a shaky start, Payneham Norwood Union has kick-started its title defence with a huge win in the grand final rematch. Check out all the action from round six of the Adelaide Footy League.
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The top tier reigning premiers recorded a statement victory in the grand final rematch, while narrow wins and heart-stopping games were on display in division two.
Read The Messenger’s round six Adelaide Footy League match wraps:
DIVISION ONE
Reigning division one premier Payneham Norwood Union sent the message that its tilt at another title is well and truly alive with a dominant 68-point win over Prince Alfred Old Collegians on Saturday.
On a day where the Old Reds would have hoped to take back some pride in the grand final rematch, the Falcons’ 16.6 (102) to 4.10 (34) victory reopened old wounds for the visitors at Payneham Oval.
PNU was electric going forward and put the stranglehold on PAOC in defence in a 12.1 to 1.3 first-half demolition.
Star defender Dylan Auciello returned to the Falcons line up from a shoulder injury for the first time since round one and did not miss a beat, dominating the back half.
The hosts lost three of the first four matches but now sit fifth on the ladder with a 3-3 win-loss record.
Falcons coach Jace Bode was pleased to take the big scalp of the previously 1-4 Old Reds.
“Hopefully we’ve turned the corner and continue to play good footy,” Bode said.
“Having Auciello back is massive for us.
“He’s such a good interceptor of the ball while still taking a key forward, which allows Tyler Brimacombe to shutdown deep and Chase (Bower) and I can play off a little bit more.
“Payneham has always been a good defensive team but we really showed in on Saturday.”
Liam Davis and James Neale kicked four goals each for the Falcons while Matthew Nye played an influential role.
Injuries have been a constant across all division one clubs and the Reds were no exception, missing the likes of Jack Trengove and Ben O’Donohue on Saturday.
PNU had their own troubles with Strato Agorastos and Kahlin Santillo off at quarter time through injury and Davis sitting for the final term as he continues to manage a troublesome hamstring.
Star midfielder Kristian Roocke was also absent on Saturday.
The Falcons have a bye this weekend due to the split round and Bode expected up to eight inclusions into the A and B grade for the following week against St Peter’s Old Collegians.
“We’ve had to make do with the side we’ve had for the first six weeks because of injuries, but now we’ve got the look we want,” he said.
“SPOC will be a really good test for our defence.
“Their tall forwards are obviously their strength, but if we can lock them down and our midfield can continue to win it at the source, then we should be a big chance.”
Brighton’s blistering undefeated start to the season came to a screeching halt as it went down by 41 points at home to Goodwood.
The Bombers, celebrating the official opening of their new Brighton Oval clubrooms, trailed the Saints by 10, 20 and 53 points at the breaks before losing 16.6 (102) to 8.13 (61).
Frazer Goodes and Jacob Hughes both kicked four goals and led the way for Goodwood, which has stormed back into contention with three-straight wins.
Adelaide University shook off a 25-point quarter time deficit to storm back and defeat a sliding Rostrevor Old Collegians 14.16 (100) to 10.11 (71) at Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
The Blacks took their second victory of the season and condemned ROC to back-to-back losses, thanks to the strong work of Mitchell Marini, Maris Olekalns and Ben Adams.
A wayward SPOC gave winless cellar dweller Athelstone a sniff but eventually steadied to beat the Raggies 8.21 (69) to 8.4 (52) at Max Amber Sportsfield.
Port District also struggle to hit the target early as it booted 1.7 in the opening term against Unley Mercedes at Kingswood Oval.
The Magpies’ class prevailed in the end, winning 14.21 (105) to 9.10 (64).
DIVISION TWO
Broadview overcame a slow start to beat Sacred Heart Old Collegians by three points in a thriller at home on Saturday.
The Tigers were down by 19 points at the main break and then five at three-quarter time before storming home to prevail 10.12 (72) to 10.9 (69).
Tom Rogers, Jadyn Ryan and Nathan Foale starred for Broadview.
Cooper Brinkworth, Oscar Lovelock, Shaun Tapp and Patrick McCarthy battled hard for SHOC.
The Tigers remain third on the ladder, while SHOC sit fifth with three minor rounds remaining.
Old Ignatians also triumphed in a close encounter with PHOS Camden at Karen Rolton Oval.
The eventual winners trailed by 21 points at half-time before fighting back to take a five-point lead at the final change.
Iggies then managed to hold on despite the visitors outscoring them in the final quarter – just – with 2.3 compared to the hosts’ 2.2.
Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots said it was a nerve-racking last couple of minutes but he was proud his side got over the line.
“We didn’t start that well but to be 3-3 now is very important,” Boots said.
“Those last couple of minutes were very close.
“PHOS had it in their front half in the last minute and a bit so they had a chance to score.
“They came back from being 33 points down at one point so it was great.”
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Seaton Ramblers 10.16 (76) d Scotch Old Collegians 9.10 (64) at Pedlar Reserve
■ Tea Tree Gully 23.17 (155) d Salisbury North 4.10 (34) at Pertaringa Oval
■ Henley 14.11 (95) d Glenunga 13.14 (92) at Webb Oval
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove’s latest presentation of why it is the team to beat in division three was an emphatic one as it went 5-0 with a powerful win over CBC Old Collegians on Saturday.
It was a show of strength by the attack-minded Kookaburras at the East Parklands with Ben Bamford booting seven goals and Michael Walters adding four in the 21.12 (138) to 8.7 (55) victory.
The Dolphins trailed by 15 points at the first change before Golden Grove put its foot down in a seven-goal to three second quarter.
A game clear on top of the ladder, the Kookaburras face Edwardstown (third), Modbury (second) and North Haven (fourth) in a mouth-watering run the next three rounds.
The Towns did just enough on Saturday to grab their fourth win of the season and stay in touch with the ladder leaders, defeating Gaza 12.11 (83) to 12.9 (81) at home.
Former Fremantle and Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce was among the best with William Gutsche.
Rhett Davis (three goals), Josh Holliday and Lachlan Evans (two) were the hosts’ best avenues to goal.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Flinders Park 10.9 (69) d North Haven 8.16 (64) at Largs North Reserve
■ Modbury 13.15 (93) d Plympton 10.6 (66) at Modbury Sports Reserve
■ Westminster OS – bye
DIVISION FOUR
Pembroke Old Scholars prevailed by one point for the third time this season in a thrilling home win over Gepps Cross.
The Kings, who have proven themselves to be the rulers of the fourth quarter, trailed by 16 points at the final change but kicked 4.3 to 1.4 to steal the win.
The 14.13 (97) to 14.12 (96) victory was Pembroke’s sixth of the season, maintaining their undefeated record and two-win lead on top of the division four ladder.
Nick Worrall booted three goals and was the Kings’ best while Ricky Smith had a top game for the Rams.
Mitcham also recorded a narrow victory in its game against Walkerville at Thomas Farms Oval on Saturday.
The Hawks prevailed 9.5 (59) to 7.9 (51).
The hosts got out to a 16-point advantage at three-quarter time but the Cats battled hard to reduce the margin in that final quarter before just falling short.
Daniel Cross was best-on-ground for the Hawks, finishing the match with four majors.
Bailey Cantlon was also strong.
Jonty Inglis kicked three goals for Walkerville and Sean Kuerschner battled hard.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Kilburn 4.6 (30) lost to Morphettville Park 7.10 (52) at Blair Athol Reserve
■ Hope Valley 27.17 (179) d Pulteney 6.3 (39) at Hope Valley Oval
■ SMOSH West Lakes 17.10 (112) d Woodville South 10.10 (70) at West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
Colonel Light Gardens is sitting in second spot on the division five ladder following a strong win over Eastern Park at Dwight Reserve on Saturday.
Scores were locked at 41 apiece at half-time before the Lions broke away in the third term to lead by 11 points.
The visitors booted 4.4 in the last term, while holding the hosts to 2.6 and taking home the victory.
Colonel Light Gardens’ Lee Mallyon finished the match with four goals and Nick Patterson slotted through three majors.
Ben McMullen was the top goal kicker for Eastern Park with three.
Lockleys remains undefeated after beating Salisbury at home on Saturday.
The Demons recorded more than double the Magpies’ shots on goal but inaccuracy plagued them and they triumphed 9.19 (73) to 7.3 (45).
Luke Detullio and Hayden Martinello were best for the hosts, while Jack Schuurmans
played well for the visitors.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Fitzroy 19.13 (127) d Rosewater 10.10 (70) at Fitzroy Sports Club
■ Smithfield 18.10 (118) d Pooraka 3.10 (28) at Smithfield Oval
■ West Croydon 15.14 (104) lost to Kenilworth 20.19 (139) at Fawk Reserve
DIVISION SIX
Mawson Lakes could not buy a goal for the first three quarters of its clash with Para Hills at home on Saturday and it led to the Saints going down by 82 points.
Para Hills held the hosts goalless until the final quarter and claimed a 17.10 (112) to 2.18 (30).
The match was all but over at three-quarter time as the hosts only recorded 11 points, while the visitors had 14.7 to its name.
Daniel Weetra kicked five goals for Para Hills and Lynton Power was named best-on-ground.
Ben Turley and Tom Hendry booted the hosts only two majors for the match.
Nathan Hart also worked hard.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Houghton Districts 10.7 (67) lost to Trinity Old Scholars 16.9 (105) at Houghton Memorial Oval
■ St Paul’s Old Scholars 7.8 (50) lost to Blackfriars Old Scholars 11.15 (81) at St Paul’s
■ Marion 8.11 (59) lost to Hectorville 12.17 (89) at Sturt Oval
■ Elizabeth d Ingle Farm (the Bulldogs forfeited due to a COVID-19 scare)
DIVISION SEVEN
O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale prevailed in an absolutely nail-biting match away against Flinders University on Saturday.
The Lions were behind by two points at half-time, before wrestling back to momentum to lead by four at the final break.
An inaccurate Flinders Uni side fought back hard in the final quarter but kicked nine points and just two goals, leadings to the visitors claiming a 11.6 (72) to 9.17 (71) triumph.
Trevor Rigney was the star for the Lions, kicking a whopping nine goals.
Adam Rigney also played well.
Steven Webster booted a team-high three majors for the Crabs, while Joel Williamson was also a standout.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Central United 4.5 (29) lost to Mitchell Park 22.17 (149) at Mofflin Reserve
■ Adelaide Lutheran 10.13 (73) d Brahma Lodge 6.9 (45)