Prince Alfred Old Collegians, Payneham Norwood Union assure season turnaround after slow start in division one

Last year they played off for the premiership, this season they’re battling it out at the bottom of the Adelaide Footy League ladder but they aren’t panicking yet.

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.

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Here is what caught our attention in round six of 2022:

EARLY SEASON STRUGGLES

After playing off in last season’s division one grand final, Prince Alfred Old Collegians and Payneham Norwood Union sit ninth and 10th on the ladder.

While the standings of both clubs may come as a surprise, PNU coach Jeremy Cini and PAOC coach Craig Pitt said it wasn’t a cause for concern just yet.

The Falcons – who lost players after last season’s ultimate game but added Ben Sawford and Brad McKenzie – only have one win so far, against Prince Alfred OC, and will face a test against Rostrevor OC away from home on Saturday.

“I’ll be playing my 42nd player this weekend, which shows it’s been hard to get any continuity going – we’ve been through about two teams,” Cini said.

Picture Mason Parker

“We’ve had some injuries, Cam Milne got concussed and will miss an extended period, and Lachy Matthias has been playing for Glenelg, so we’re doing a lot of chopping and changing.”

Cini said that while the club had been showing signs of improvement recently, a win this weekend would be significant in a hunt for another grand final challenge.

“I’m seeing progression and development but at this point we need results as well,” he said.

“We’re not panicking yet, we’ve got three games coming up which are winnable and I think any club can win on any given day in this division.

Prince Alfred OC coach Craig Pitt also said the early season had presented challenges with rotation and personnel.

Prince Alfred OC coach Craig Pitt (right)with star player Jack Trengove (left). Pitt believed his side was progressing in recent weeks. Picture: Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club

“We’ve had a lot of changes to personnel and have had to rotate a bit, which has led to some inconsistency,” Pitt said.

“It’s not quite time to be concerned, I’d love to have won a few more games but with how tight the comp is we’re really only two wins away from being back in the top five, which is where we want to be around the middle of the season.”

The Old Reds were completely dominant last season, winning the flag after a terrific year.

While the club retained star Jack Trengove and also added former Glenelg captain Chris Curran, Pitt said it has also focused on bringing through youth.

Josh Garrels battles against Old Ignatians earlier this season. Picture: Morgan Sette

“Our last game we had 11 guys under 21, which is great but it’s going to come with inconsistency as well,” he said.

“We’re not far away, with two wins now we’re on the right track and if we can string a couple more together we’ll be in a decent spot.”

Pitt’s side will take on Tea Tree Gully away from home on Saturday.

“It will be a great challenge for us, it’s a hard fixture to win but if we can grab the points it’ll be a big boost,” Pitt said.

VERITY PUTS DEFENDERS ON NOTICE

Last week we touched on star Walkerville forward Adam Proud’s hot start to the season, but another forward propelled up the goal kicking statistics over the weekend.

Modbury’s Liam Verity kicked a massive bag of 10 in a two-goal win over Westminster Old Scholars on Saturday, and it wasn’t his first double-digit tally this season.

The star forward left North Adelaide for Modbury in the offseason and looks to be one of the best signings so far this year.

Verity was far too strong and crafty around goal for the visiting Westminster on Saturday, causing major issues for opposition defenders in each quarter.

His first 10-goal-haul came in round two this season against Scotch OC, which was a week after his bag of five against CBC OC in round one.

Verity has three best on ground performances and now sits on 34 goals after six games.

Walkerville’s Proud has 41 goals, with both forwards looking likely to come close to a 100-goal season.

GOALS AND MARKS OF THE WEEK

The Adelaide Footy League has again partnered up with The Advertiser and Messenger 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 and 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.