Port District defeats Brighton Bombers in division one Adelaide Footy League round 17 clash
One side secured its top flight status for next year while another’s still hangs in the balance after a tense Adelaide Footy League contest on Saturday.
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Only one round remains for the majority of the Adelaide Footy Leagues divisions and there is plenty on the line.
There were permutations for top four spots and relegation battles following crucial clashes across all seven tiers of the competition on Saturday.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division for round 17:
DIVISION ONE
Port District has secured its division one status for another season while Brighton’s hangs in the balance after a tense contest at Brighton Oval on Saturday.
A dour and scrappy game resulted in a crucial 11-point win to the Magpies, who shored up seventh spot with the win.
And while the 9.9 (63) to 8.4 (52) defeat at home was disappointing for Brighton, it was not a death sentence.
The eighth-placed Bombers are level on six wins with ninth side Adelaide University but have a game in hand and significantly better percentage.
Brighton coach Brett Backwell said the defeat was the story of the club’s year.
“Most of our losses have been in close contests – I think yesterday was maybe our sixth loss by under two goals for the year – so we’re around the mark,” Backwell said.
“We’re really young so this year’s been mainly about developing and having a look at what the club has got.
“As a coach and a club we get marked on wins and losses but, from an internal point of view, it’s been really exciting and the development we’ve put into the players this year has been outstanding.”
However Backwell said it was time to convert those close defeats into wins.
“Ideally you want to stay up and that’s our goal is to stay in division one and compete and really set a launching pad for 2022,” he said.
“And to do that we need to win some games of footy.
“We have at least one more opportunity, maybe two depending on what happens with the last split round.”
Port District coach Simon Maddern was impressed by how his side fought to the final siren in the taxing contest.
“We’d put some pressure on ourselves with some poor performances recently to put ourselves in a precarious position,” Maddern said.
“But it was nice to get the win and make sure we’re definitely going to stay up.
“We had so many injuries and sore boys as the game went on, they just had to keep going and were pretty brave all the way to the end.”
The Magpies led at every change but could never extend their lead much beyond two goals in the tight affair.
It was District’s leaders in the form of Trent Heffernan, Levi Proude and Louis Sharrad who led the way to the key win.
Will Rivers went forward to kick four goals for the Bombers, alongside strong performances from youngster Blake McDonnell and defender Otis Carthy.
Tea Tree Gully condemned Rostrevor Old Collegians to its fourth straight defeat in a crucial clash for fourth position.
The Wolves jumped into the finals places following a gritty 11.7 (73) to 6.16 (52) victory at Pertaringa Oval.
They are now a win ahead of ROC and fifth-placed St Peter’s Old Collegians, though the latter has a game in hand.
Sixth-ranked Rostrevor – a grand finalist last year – could now miss the division one finals for the first time since the 2012 season.
Payneham Norwood Union got back on track, snapping its two-game losing run with a 17-point win over SPOC.
The Falcons were inaccurate but effective in the 9.18 (72) to 8.7 (55) victory at Payneham Oval.
Adelaide University’s bid to avoid the drop hit a roadblock when it was thumped by 111 points away to Goodwood Saints.
The hosts – third on the ladder – kicked 14 goals in a dominant second half to prevail 21.24 (150) to 5.9 (39).
Veteran forward Tom Bartlett booted nine majors as Prince Alfred Old Collegians continued its terrific form heading into finals by taking care of Unley Mercedes.
The Old Reds machine was running as smoothly as ever in the 21.10 (136) to 6.6 (42) victory at Park 9.
Former Sturt man Bartlett’s bag of nine was the standout alongside four majors from Tyson Brazel and a big performance from Lochie Charlton.
DIVISION TWO
Scotch Old Collegians has moved off the bottom of the ladder and out of the relegation zone following a commanding defeat of Seaton Ramblers.
In a clash between ninth and 10th with significant ramifications, the Lions jumped out to a four-goal lead at the first break and were ruthless on their way to a 19.22 (136) to 8.9 (57) win.
Ex-SANFL veterans Warwick McGinty and Peter Rolfe led the way for Scotch in starring performances.
The Lions looked destined for relegation when they held a 1-8 win-loss record at the turn of the season but have won four of their eight games since.
However, Scotch holds only a slight percentage advantage over ninth-placed Athelstone.
The Raggies suffered their second four-point loss in succession when they went down at home to Sacred Heart Old Collegians, 9.12 (66) to 8.14 (62).
Athelstone, who lost by the same margin to ladder leader Glenunga the round prior, slipped to ninth place following the defeat.
They led by 15 points going into the fourth quarter but could not withstand a late charge from SHOC, which kicked 4.3 to the hosts’ 1.2 to finish the match.
Athelstone hosts Salisbury North in the final round while Scotch is at home to SHOC.
Seaton plays Henley and would need a percentage boosting win and both sides above it to lose if it is to avoid to drop.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Henley 8.14 (62) d PHOS Camden 8.3 (51) at Camden Oval
■ Salisbury North 16.9 (105) d Old Ignatians 11.8 (74) at Salisbury North Oval
■ Glenunga 17.7 (109) d Broadview 7.11 (53) at Webb Oval
DIVISION THREE
Flinders Park is at risk of seeing its season spiral out of control after suffering a 79-point thumping at the hands of North Haven – the Reds’ third straight defeat.
The top-placed Magpies were utterly dominant, having their way with the inaccurate hosts in the 21.14 (140) to 7.19 (61) victory at Flinders Park.
The Reds’ once solid top four spot is now under serious threat.
They have a one-win advantage over fifth-placed Modbury, but the Hawks hold a superior percentage.
Flinders Park travels to Edwardstown this Saturday while Modbury is away to Westminster Old Scholars.
For North Haven, star man Mark Rowe kicked six goals in a best on ground display and
Brett Pederson was also impressive as the Magpies showed they are in hot touch ahead of finals.
And it could be an ominous sign as North Haven would play Flinders Park in the preliminary final, should the Reds keep hold of fourth spot.
Plympton will need a monster total against Portland this week to avoid relegation.
The Bulldogs lost to Gaza, 13.11 (89) to 8.5 (53) at Klemzig Oval on Saturday.
While the win secured a finals spot for the Eagles, Plympton is now a win plus significant percentage behind eighth-ranked Westminster Old Scholars.
The Dragons thrashed Portland 33.19 (217) to 1.3 (9) on Saturday and the Dogs will need to do the same in round 18 to be any chance of staying in division three.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Modbury 15.5 (95) d CBC OC 10.10 (70) at Modbury Sports Reserve
■ Golden Grove 18.15 (123) d Edwardstown 10.10 (70) at Harpers Field
DIVISION FOUR
Division four is set for a grandstand finish when Woodville South and Gepps Cross play off this Saturday in a relegation decider on the final day of the home and away season.
The loser of the clash between the ninth-placed Cats and eighth-ranked Rams at Ledger Reserve is all but certain to be demoted and the winner safe for another season.
Both sides are locked on five wins.
Pulteney is also on the same amount of victories but has a superior percentage, meaning the only way the Navy Blues could be relegated would be losing their clash to Walkverville and a draw between Woodville South and Gepps Cross.
Last Saturday, Pulteney set aside recent turbulence to record its most crucial win of the season as it beat Gepps by nine points at Duncan Fraser Reserve.
The Navy Blues had a 26-point half-time lead evaporate as the Rams came back to lead by less than a kick going into the final term.
But Pulteney pulled through with a stout defensive display in the last to triumph 15.10 (100) to 13.13 (91).
The result would have come as unwelcome news to those at Woodville South.
The Cats upset Mitcham 12.13 (85) to 9.7 (61) at Price Memorial Oval and would have thought their chances of avoiding relegation had received a huge boost, until the Pulteney score came through on Saturday evening.
At Haslam Oval, there was euphoria when Pembroke Old Scholars’ Alex Forster kicked his 100th goal for the season.
But it would be short-lived as the Kings fell to SMOSH West Lakes in a 12.8 (80) to 8.11 (59) upset.
The result put the Lions in the box seat to claim fourth spot and a win against Kilburn in round 18 would seal their finals appearance.
Walkerville triumphed over Morphettville Park in a potential preliminary final preview.
The Cats were too good in the battle between second and third, winning 13.11 (89) to 8.9 (57) at Walkerville Recreation Ground.
DIVISION FIVE
Two weeks ago Colonel Light Gardens was a game clear on top of the ladder, now it is fifth and at serious risk of missing the finals.
It all makes for a huge final round in division five where the top six sides all play each other on the last day.
Defeat to Hectorville on Saturday made it back-to-back losses for the once high-flying Lions, who will now need to travel to Salisbury and win in round 18 to secure a spot in the top four.
CLG was disappointing at home, giving up a 16-point half-time advantage to the Hounds to lose 13.9 (87) to 9.11 (65).
The Lions, third-placed Lockleys and fourth side Kenilworth are only separated by percentage.
One point ahead in second is Eastern Park while Pooraka tops the table a further point in front.
The ladder leading Bulls gave their percentage a healthy boost by thumping a hapless Salisbury by 131-points at Lindblom Park on Saturday.
Luke Buckby kicked seven goals in the 23.19 (157) to 3.8 (36) thrashing.
In the final round the Bulls travel to Eastern Park, Lockleys hosts Kenilworth and CLG is away to Salisbury.
Only Pooraka is guaranteed a finals spot of the five sides, due to its realistically insurmountable percentage.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Lockleys 31.16 (202) d West Croydon 7.8 (50) at Fawk Reserve
■ Eastern Park 20.18 (138) d Fitzroy 3.8 (26) at Fitzroy Sports Club
■ Kenilworth – bye
DIVISION SIX
It’s official – the Elizabeth Football Club has put together a perfect home and away A grade season.
The 16-0 Eagles faced one of their toughest tests yet in the final round – at home to second-placed Trinity Old Scholars – but were up to the task once again to claim yet another victory.
The match was in the balance at the main break with the undefeated hosts a goal to the good, but from then on it was all Elizabeth as it piled on the score to win 19.13 (127) to 9.13 (67).
Jarrod Upton, Blake Mitchell and Kurtis Shaw (four goals) were the standouts for Elizabeth, which has a bye in the final round.
Rosewater secured its status in division six for another year by prevailing against Para Hills in a crucial clash for the battle to avoid the drop.
The Dogs booted 12 goals to the Big Reds’ seven after quarter time to seal a 14.10 (94) to 11.8 (74) triumph at The Paddocks.
They jumped a win clear of their opponents with the result and two games ahead of ninth-placed Ingle Farm.
Para Hills has two points and percentage advantage over the Farmers.
The Big Reds will be safe if they beat Marion in the final round, however if they lose, it could come down to percentage with Ingle Farm playing bottom side Mawson Lakes.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Mawson Lakes 15.12 (102) d Marion 13.20 (98) at Mawson Lakes Oval
■ St Paul’s OS 16.14 (110) d Ingle Farm 5.8 (38) at Thebarton Oval
■ Blackfriars OS – bye
DIVISION SEVEN
A late-season charge has solidified Adelaide Lutheran’s bid to snatch fourth spot in the seventh tier as it eyes another deep finals run.
Lutheran, which lost to Brahma Lodge in the grand final last year, made it four wins in five games after upsetting ladder leader Central United by 42 points at the South Parklands.
The hosts had a six-point lead at half-time before blowing the contest open in a nine-goal to three second half.
Veteran forward David Hodges booted three majors as Corey White and Andrew Wilson were influential in a strong performance by Lutheran.
Central United was in a fortunate position to afford the loss however, and remains one win clear of second placed Greenacres going into the final round.
Third-placed Brahma Lodge geared up for finals by finding form in an easy day out against struggling O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale.
The Tigers booted 10 goals in each of the third and fourth quarters on their way to a 32.19 (210) to 4.5 (29) belting at Lonsdale Oval.
Eric Hem-Mendes (seven majors), Jack Scott (six) and Tom Jenkins (four) were the chief destroyers up forward for Brahma.
OSB Lonsdale has won just once this campaign, conceding an average of 136 points per game in a dire season for the former Southern Football League club.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Greenacres 14.16 (100) d Flinders University 2.11 (23) at Flinders Uni Sporting Ground
■ Houghton Districts 18.13 (121) d Hackham 11.8 (74) at Hackham Oval
■ Mitchell Park – bye
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