Reynella’s James McEntee kicks 57 goals in eight SFL games

JAMES McEntee is proof prolific goalkickers remain in vogue in the Southern Football League after kicking 57 majors in just eight matches this season.

JAMES McEntee is proof prolific goalkickers remain in vogue in the Southern Football League.

The Reynella spearhead has booted a league-best 57 majors from eight matches this season.

As it stands, McEntee, 30, is on track to finish with about 135 goals and become the league’s eighth century goalkicker this past decade.

It is in stark contrast to the AFL and SANFL, in which only Lance Franklin (102 at Hawthorn in 2008) and Brant Chambers (106 at Sturt in 2007) have reached the milestone during that span.

McEntee, who played 40 league games for North Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens, says the SFL is enjoyable for forwards because teams employ old-school tactics.

“There’s no zones being played – it’s one-on-one football – so there’s a lot more opportunities for us to get on the end of a few,” he says.

Baden Taylor’s 159-goal haul for Morphett Vale in 1980 is the most in the SFL, according to league records dating back to 1971.

McEntee is eight goals clear of former Sturt and Glenelg player Luke Panozzo, who is now at Morphettville Park.

McEntee’s biggest haul so far this year was 11 against Happy Valley last month.

“By far this is the best season I’ve done,” he says.

“I’m fitter ... been able to mark the ball pretty well and the boys are finding me.”

Reynella lost last season’s grand final to Noarlunga when Waylon Johncock booted a goal after the siren.

The defeat still burns inside McEntee, who cites snaring a breakthrough senior premiership as a bigger priority than booting 100 goals for the first time.

Reynella is top of the ladder with an 8-0 record.

“A premiership is the number one goal and 100 goals would be the icing on the cake,” McEntee says.