Prince Alfred Old Collegians the leading division one side, according to Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries
A rival coach has sung the praises of a division one club, labelling it as the team to beat as three sides sit at the top of the ladder. Here are round five match reports from every Adelaide Footy League division.
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Three sides are locked at the top of the division one Adelaide Footy League ladder but a rival coach thinks 2016 premiers Prince Alfred Old Collegians is the team to beat this season.
Payneham Norwood Union and St Peter’s Old Collegians will have something to say about that after both securing wins on Saturday to move to 4-1, alongside the Old Reds.
Here are Messenger Community News’ match reports from every A-grade division after round five:
DIVISION ONE
Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries says Prince Alfred Old Collegians is the team to beat in division one after a strong defensive effort from the Old Reds proved too much at Park Nine last Saturday.
The top-placed PAOC won 11.16 (82) to 4.3 (27), dominating play around the ground to lead 2.6 to 0.2, 4.9 to 2.2 and 5.15 to 12.3 at the changes.
Jeffries said there were no excuses after his side was held goalless in the first and third quarters.
“They were too good and were in control for most of the day,” Jeffries said.
“They will be the team to beat.
“We are a mid-table team and were a bit disappointing.
“But their foot skills were too good and were elite.’’
Best for the Old Reds were Crows development-listed player Hamish Latchford, Will Dalwood and Hayden Jolly.
Drew Clayfield kicked three goals.
The Saints had solid games from a trifecta of Toms – Carter, Edwards and Anderson.
PAOC is 4-1 this season and ahead of Payneham Norwood Union and St Peter’s Old Collegians on percentage.
SPOC held out a spirited Tea Tree Gully at Caterer Oval, 10.9 (69) to 8.11 (59), to continue its strong return to the top tier.
The Saints were best served by Nick McGill, Hamish Gitsham and James McLeay (five goals).
Luke Mitchell kicked three goals.
Payneham Norwood Union continued to stake its claim as a contender when it dispatched Brighton at home.
The second-placed Falcons led at each change to win 16.10 (106) to 5.6 (36).
Matthew Nye, Pierce Seymour and Anthony Giannini played well, while Alex Forster (five goals), Liam Davis (four goals) and Nick Jolly (four goals) were dangerous in attack.
Luke Bonfiglio, Sam Kennedy and Jay Boyle were best for Brighton.
Powerhouse Rostrevor Old Collegians remained a win behind the leading pack but showed its class under pressure to edge out bogey side Port District at Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
Trailing 10.7 to 8.3 at three-quarter time, ROC hit the scoreboard in the last quarter to win 14.6 (90) to 12.11 (83).
The game fluctuated in the first half and the hosts led 7.1 to 6.5 at half-time.
The Magpies were the only side to beat minor premiers ROC twice in 2018.
Rostrevor playing coach Will O’Malley said both teams deserved credit for the game.
“They were on top, we were on top and then they were,” O’Malley said.
“Both teams played really well.
“Our boys were fantastic in the end to kick the last two goals to just win.
“We were happy to win that. It was really important the way the competition is.’’
Persistence paid off for Henley as it rallied late last Saturday to break through for its first win of season – against Adelaide University at home.
Trailing 6.8 to 3.15 at the last change, the Sharks took the lead midway through the last quarter and held on to prevail 6.16 (52) to 6.11 (47).
Uni led a tight first half 4.4 to 3.8 and the Sharks looked to be under pressure with 0.7 in the third quarter before hitting back in the run home.
Henley coach Jarrad Parker was pleased to see his side on the right side of the ledger.
“That was a great reward for the players,’’ Parker said.
“We missed several easy set shots in the third which could have been costly but were able to get back in the last quarter.
“It was good to get the monkey off the back.
“A few of our senior midfielders really stood up.
“Hopefully that will jump-start our season.’’
Best for the Sharks included Brad Geddes, Corey Gray and Charlie Morrison.
Joel Harvey-Friel, in his second game, kicked three goals.
DIVISION TWO
Sacred Heart Old Collegians’ excellent start to the division two season continued when it beat old rival Seaton Ramblers at Pedlar Reserve.
SHOC won 13.12 (90) to 9.12 (66) to keep hold of second spot with four wins.
The rivalry between the teams dates to 1993 when SHOC upset the Rams to win that year’s flag.
SHOC coach Stephen Kay said his side was developing a strong game.
“To know that we can play well and win against strong opposition will give the players a lot of confidence,’’ Kay said.
“It is so important to start the season well, as in some years we have been chasing our tail a bit after a slow start to the season.’’
Best for SHOC were Tristan Carcuro, who kicked six goals and had a hand in at least five others, Patrick McCarthy and Douglas Proud.
Wilson Otto kicked three goals.
Unley Mercedes remained a game clear in top spot by thumping Gaza at Kingswood Oval.
The Eagles kicked the first two goals in the opening two minutes of the match before the Jets took control to run out comfortable 26.14 (170) to 12.7 (79) winners.
Forward Anthony Skara, who crossed to Unley from Goodwood in the off-season, booted eight goals in a best-on-ground display.
Midfielder Daniel Caire, key forward Jack Holliday and Mitch Minns (four goals) all had solid outings.
The Jets’ mettle will be tested in the coming weeks with a home fixture against Athelstone this Saturday before a road trip to Salisbury North the following week.
The Hawks’ ability to put the clamps on PHOS Camden’s key forwards played a big part in their home win last Saturday.
Salisbury North triumphed 9.13 (67) to 2.10 (22) on the back of a 5.2 to 1.2 third quarter.
Hawks coach Joe Hay said his side was becoming more consistent.
“It was a really good response to the previous week where we weren’t in it,” Hay said.
“We try to be a side that is hard to score against and we were that.
“Both sides probably didn’t think they got reward for their efforts earlier but we were able to get a bit in the third.
“We really respect them (PHOS) and to keep them to that score was very good.
“But good sides do that week after week.’’
Best for the Hawks were Paul Dreimann, Jamie Solly and Callum Hay.
Nick Pape and Matthew Sharpe kicked two goals each.
Salisbury North is away to Gaza on Saturday.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Athelstone 14.15 (99) d Modbury 6.7 (43) at Max Amber Sportsfield
■ Broadview 13.7 (85) d Scotch OC 9.13 (67) at Broadview Oval
DIVISION THREE
Glenunga and Old Ignatians meet at Karen Rolton Oval this Saturday in a top-of-the-table division three clash.
The unbeaten Rams have conquered all before them so far after gaining promotion in 2018 and will look to take another scalp in demoted side Iggies.
Glenunga made it five consecutive wins to begin the season, edging past Golden Grove 13.7 (85) to 10.15 (75) at Webb Oval.
The Rams started hot and held a 37-point half-time lead before the Kookaburras surged back into the contest by holding the hosts scoreless in the third quarter and kicking 3.4.
Golden Grove kicked inaccurately as Glenunga held firm.
Old Ignatians heaped more pain on winless bottom side Gepps Cross in a 20.21 (141) to 10.5 (65) thumping at Duncan Fraser Reserve.
Iggies, which moved to a 4-1 record, were led by Mathew Brunoli, Brad Jones and Bryant Crowley.
Former South Adelaide utility Patrick Kerin booted five goals.
Flinders Park and Plympton could not be separated as they played out a 13.11 (89) apiece draw at Plympton.
Jay Hansen and Daniel Blythe (four goals) impressed for the Reds.
Tom Clarke was best for the Bulldogs.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Portland 14.17 (101) d Morphettville 14.11 (95) at Kellett Reserve
■ North Haven 16.7 (103) d Westminster OS 7.10 (52) at Glandore Oval
DIVISION FOUR
A strong start and better finish were the catalysts for Pembroke Old Scholars as it made it three wins in a row with a 59-point division four victory over Kilburn at Haslam Oval on Saturday.
The Kings booted 7.2 to 0.1 in the first term to skip out to a 43-point lead.
The Chics then hit back in the second and third quarters to get within three goals at the final change.
But Pembroke broke away again with a phenomenal 8.6 to 2.2 fourth term to triumph 19.15 (129) to 10.10 (70).
Jake Webster and Jaiden Pengelly booted five goals each for the Kings, while Jack Greeny and Harrison George (three goals) both had strong outings.
Scott Galbraith battled hard for Kilburn.
SMOSH West Lakes handed Mitcham its first loss of the season in thrilling circumstances as veteran Cohen Mattner kicked a goal after the siren to win the match.
The Lions led by 11 points at the last change but the Hawks fought back to hit the front in the dying minutes.
Mattner marked in the right pocket and the siren blew as he went back to take his kick.
He kicked truly after calls for touched on the line from the Mitcham players were waved off by the umpires.
SMOSH won 12.9 (81) to 10.18 (78) to move equal top with the Hawks at 4-1 but behind on percentage.
Walkerville made a statement by travelling to Mortlock Park and smashing Colonel Light Gardens, 17.14 (116) to 7.11 (53).
Adam Proud booted five goals for the Cats, while Luke Westbury kicked four.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Edwardstown 13.13 (91) d Woodville South 12.13 (85) at Edwardstown Oval
■ CBC Old Collegians 13.14 (92) d Pooraka 7.9 (51) at Lindblom Park
DIVISION FIVE
Kenilworth answered another big question when it proved too strong for Pulteney in their top-of-the table division five game at St Marys last Saturday.
The Kookaburras broke clear in the last quarter to win 11.12 (78) to 5.6 (36) after trailing 5.3 to 4.6 at half-time and leading 6.9 to 5.6 at the last change.
Kenilworth grabbed top place and remained unbeaten while handing the Navy Blues their first loss for the season.
Lachlan Richter, Blake Moore and Neil Vea Vea were among the Kookaburras’ best.
Andrew Liverton kicked three goals.
Smithfield outmuscled Trinity Old Scholars by four points in a dour contest at Trinity College.
The Panthers triumphed 6.9 (45) to 6.5 (41) to take their third victory of the season and hold fifth spot on the ladder.
Dempsey Kelly was best for Smithfield and Trinity’s Jace O’Hara impressed in a losing side.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Eastern Park 21.13 (139) d Blackfriars OS 7.8 (50) at Dwight Reserve
■ Lockleys 25.16 (166) d Rosewater 11.11 (77) at Lockleys Oval
■ Hope Valley 10.11 (71) d Salisbury 3.5 (23) at Salisbury Oval
DIVISION SIX
Para Hills sent an ominous warning to its division six rivals by piling 12 goals in the first quarter against Fitzroy on the way to a 73-point belting at the Paddocks on Saturday.
The win made it three in a row for the resurgent Big Reds, who kicked 12.2 to 2.5 in the opening term before running out 23.12 (150) to 11.11 (77) victors.
Para Hills is fourth on the ladder but faces a big test against undefeated second side Elizabeth at Argana Park this Saturday.
West Croydon is also unbeaten so far after an 18.13 (121) to 5.6 (36) demolition of Ingle Farm at Fawk Reserve.
Luke Woodcock booted six goals.
O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale continues to struggle to match teams in the sixth tier, going down 23.21 (151) to 5.1 (31) at home despite a solid opening half (8.7 to 5.0).
Best for the Lions included Shaun Morris, Daniel Goodwin and Trevor Rigney (two goals).
OTHER RESULTS
■ Brahma Lodge 11.7 (73) d Marion 6.4 (40) at Brahma Lodge Oval
■ Bye – Elizabeth
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres backed up its drought-breaking win from a week ago by making it two in a row with a low-scoring away triumph over Mitchell Park.
The Dragons, who went 659 days between victories before prevailing against Mawson Lakes last week, succeeded 6.13 (49) to 6.5 (41) over the Lions at Mitchell Park Oval.
Houghton Districts moved from fifth to third on the division seven ladder by overcoming Flinders University 11.11 (77) 4.11 (35) at Flinders University.
The Crabs led 2.5 to 1.0 at quarter-time but the Raiders’ accurate kicking edged them in front at the main break and they pulled away in the second half.
Caleb Sawyer kicked four goals for Houghton to make it three consecutive matches with four or more majors.
Zac Matthews was best for Flinders.
OTHER RESULTS
■ Central United 9.8 (62) d Adelaide Lutheran 8.8 (56) at South Parklands
■ St Paul’s OS 16.11 (107) d Mawson Lakes 9.9 (63) at St Paul’s College
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
■ SMOSH West Lakes 3.17 (35) d Mount Lofty 1.2 (8) at Heathfield Oval
■ Salisbury 5.6 (36) d Angle Vale 3.4 (22) at Salisbury Oval
■ Adelaide University 18.18 (126) d Christies Beach 0.0 (0) at University Oval
■ Bye – Morphettville Park
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