Rostrevor Old Collegians sneak into finals after beating Bombers with six-goal haul to Michael Coad
From outside the five to a finals berth — Rostrevor Old Collegians proved it is not done yet with the help of an ex-Sturt SANFL player. CHECK out the wash-up from the weekend’s Adelaide Footy League games in our match wraps.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
He’s 36 years old but former Gold Coast Sun and Sturt SANFL player Michael Coad led from the front with six goals in Rostrevor Old Collegians huge win over Brighton in the division one final minor round.
ROC’s victory helped it snatch a top-five spot and a finals berth, while Port District will miss the major round.
Read The Messenger’s match wraps of Adelaide Footy League here:
DIVISION ONE
Rostrevor Old Collegians has earned a finals berth after thrashing Brighton by 89 points in the last minor round away on Saturday.
ROC entered the game in sixth spot and needing a win to sneak into the finals.
The Bombers, meanwhile, sat second having only lost two games all year.
But Rostrevor Old Collegians proved it deserved to play finals with its 17.19 (121) to 4.8 (32) victory.
Former old Coast AFL and Sturt SANFL player Michael Coad showed no signs of slowing down as the 36-year-old booted a game-high six goals for ROC.
Patrick Dawson chipped in with four majors.
ROC coach Will O’Malley said the side knew it was good enough to beat the Bombers.
“It was a good win,” O’Malley said.
“We were really confident if we played the way we knew we could we would win the game.
“We put four quarters together for the first time all year and showed what we could do, which was good.
“Coad was fantastic.
“He’s getting better with age and he’s still going really well.
“He is in pretty good form for us, playing as a deep forward, it’s pretty handy for us.”
O’Malley said ROC’s list was now in a healthy position after having a few players return from injuries and was confident of going deep into the finals series.
“When we dropped a couple of games that we thought we shouldn’t have there was always some concern about not making finals,” O’Malley said.
“But we have a full squad to choose from now.
“We played with a lot of high-intensity pressure on the weekend and we were able to create turnovers and capitalise.
“If we bring that pressure again I think we will be competitive with any team come finals.”
Jay Boyle (two majors), Harrison Boyle and Shane Harvey battled hard for the hosts.
Brighton finished fifth and will play ROC in the elimination final this weekend.
ROC’s win coupled with a loss to Port District in its match against Prince Alfred Old Collegians pushed the Magpies into sixth place.
Port will not play finals after its 15.10 (100) to 9.8 (62) loss to PAOC away.
The Magpies held a 21-point lead at the main break but were held to just one point in the third term as the hosts slammed on 5.4 to break the game open and take the lead.
Port failed to work itself back into the game and PAOC claimed the win and third place.
Jake Pitt starred for the Old Reds, booting seven goals, while Will Dalwood and Ben O’Donohue finished with two each.
James Batty led the way for Port with four majors, while Zac Hawkins and Jack Gaffney were also strong.
St Peter’s Old Collegians sewed up top spot and a rest in the first week of the finals after beating Unley Jets 21.13 (139) to 4.11 (35) at Kingswood Oval.
The visitors had too much strength for the Jets, with Jock Mcleay kicking six goals and ex-Brisbane AFL player Jesse O’Brien booting three.
James O’Sullivan and Damon Arnold battled hard for the hosts who finished second-bottom with a 2-7 record.
Goodwood Saints ended Payneham Norwood Union’s slim hopes of making the finals and defending its premiership after beating the Falcons 14.9 (93) to 6.11 (47).
Nick Favretto led the way for the Saints at Payneham Oval, finishing with three majors, while Max Thring, Anthony Dempsey and Nick Burgess booted two each.
Dylan Auciello, Patrick Sanzo and Jack O’Leary worked hard for PNU.
Adelaide University ended its 2020 campaign with a victory, while keeping last year’s division two premier Athelstone winless for the year.
The Blacks, who finished eighth, triumphed 15.17 (107) to 3.9 (27) at Max Amber Sportsfield.
Ben Edwards booted seven goals to finish as the competition’s leading goal kicker with 34 goals — four ahead of Port District’s James Batty.
Maris Olekalns added three goals for the visitors, while Ben Adams was named as the Blacks’ best-on-ground after another dominate display.
Alex Davies, Sam Cooke and Luke Rander were the Raggies’ best.
THIS WEEK
Elimination final
■ Rostrevor Old Collegians v Brighton at Campbelltown Memorial Oval
Qualifying final
■ Goodwood Saints v Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Goodwood Oval
■ St Peter’s Old Collegians — bye
DIVISION TWO
Sacred Heart Old Collegians produced a stunning three quarters to sew up its place in the major round, crushing arch rival PHOS Camden away on Saturday.
SHOC trailedby four goals in the first quarter but lifted to prevail 19.20 (134) to 7.8 (50).
The victory put it into a qualifying final while the Phantoms missed out on finals action, finishing sixth.
SHOC coach Stephen Kay was proud of his players’ ability to find a way back into the match after a tough start.
“Our early indicators were that our figures, inside 50s, contested ball and clearances were OK,” Kay said.
“We also had to focus on the process and not worry about the other possible outcomes going on with other games.
“The resilience of our players was great and to find a way forward after that first quarter was a very good effort.
“I think our use of the ball and pressure really lifted after quarter time.
“I thought our defence again was very solid but our attack was terrific too and we were able to hit the scoreboard well.”
Best for SHOC included Oscar Lovelock (five goals), Christian Vince and Nick Forster. Lachy Button kicked five majors, while Sam Michael chipped in with three.
For PHOS, celebrating the day with a tribute to past premiership players, Sam Inglis, Nick Ramsey and Declan Grant played well.
Picture: Dean Martin
Henley made sure of a home qualifying final when it proved too strong for Broadview, winning 11.9 (75) to 6.12 (48) at home.
Corey Gray, Lachlan Varricchio and Cody Egel stood tall for the Sharks.
Cool Anyang, Jack Fergus and Domenic Pratico battled well for Broadview.
Old Ignatians, desperate for a percentage booster against bottom team Glenunga, got exactly that with a whopping 32.20 (212) to 6.11 (47) victory away.
It hurled Old Iggies from outside the top five to fourth place and a home elimination final against Broadview.
Jared Centenera, Brad Jones (four majors) and Cameron McPherson (five goals) were best for the winners.
Patrick Kerin and Cameron Ortlepp kicked four goals each.
Best for the Rams included Dylan Smith, Mark Quinn and Brett Simpson.
Seaton Ramblers finished its season with a gritty triumph against Salisbury North away, 11.10 (76) to 10.13 (73).
Tommy-Lee Russo, Bryan Leahy and Luke Guy led the Rams well, while Tyler Carroll kicked three goals.
Dion Lawlor, Anthony Hellebaut and Travis McIntyre played fine games for the Hawks.
THIS WEEK
Qualifying final
■ Henley v Sacred Heart Old Collegians at Henley Grange Memorial Oval
Elimination final
■ Old Ignatians v Broadview at Karen Rolton Oval
DIVISION THREE
Flinders Park made a huge statement when it beat Edwardstown in its elimination final on Saturday.
The Reds were way too strong, beating the Towns 20.22 (142) to 4.10 (34) at home.
Scores were locked at 16 apiece at quarter-time before the hosts stormed away, booting 6.7 while holding the visitors to no score in the second term.
The Reds then held the Towns to just two points in the third quarter and then 1.4 in the final stanza.
Nathan Caruso starred up forward with three majors and he was given plenty of support from James Schwarz, Jay Hansen (two goals) and Cameron Bosman (two goals).
Ryan Phillips was Edwardstowns’ multiple goal kicker with two, while Lachlan Evans and Toby Case battled hard.
North Haven also enjoyed a strong win, beating Modbury in their qualifying final at home.
The Magpies prevailed 15.12 (102) to 10.11 (71).
Josh Smithson was stoldi up forward with five goals.
Christopher Lipson and Jake Williams were also in North Haven’s best.
Tim Davey, Daniel Kaipara and Jack Grieger stood tall for Modbury.
Golden Grove had the bye in the first week of the finals after finishing the minor round top.
THIS WEEK
Semi-final one
■ Modbury v Flinders Park at Modbury
Semi-final two
■ Golden Grove v North Haven at Harpers Field
DIVISION FOUR
Hope Valley blew away Mitcham with an eight-goal third quarter to help set up a 14.14 (98) to 12.11 (83) win in the qualifying final at Mitcham.
The Demons led by 20 points in the first quarter, seven points at the long break and 25 points at the last change before holding on.
Josh Hand, Eddy O’Connor and Machok Garang led the way for Hope Valley, while statewide leading goalkicker Matthew Min kicked four goals.
Simon Tucker, Lachlan Hall and Sam Clark were the leading lights for the Hawks.
Walkerville proved too strong at home for Morphettville Park in the elimination final, cruising in 13.12 (90) to 6.11 (47).
Tom Sinclair (four goals), Brady Zwar and Sam Marner stood tall, while Ryan Madden kicked three goals.
Byron Murphy, Dane Thompson and Brett Moriarty were solid for the Roos.
THIS WEEK
Second semi-final
■ Pembroke Old Scholars v Hope Valley at Haslam Oval
First semi-final
■ Mitcham v Walkerville at Mitcham Oval
DIVISION FIVE
A nine-goal haul from Luke Wilson helped Kenilworth to a 20.8 (128) to 10.13 (73) victory against Colonel Light Gardens in their qualifying final.
The Kookaburras led a tight first half 7.3 to 4.9 but opened the game up in the second, particularly with 8.1 to 3.1 in the last quarter.
Wilson, Sam Scott and Nicholas Chesser were the standouts for Kenilworth.
Alex Brown, Bryce Smith and Sam George battled for the Lions.
Smith brilliant with seven goals.
Salisbury left nothing to chance by crushing Pooraka in the elimination final at Salisbury. Jumping to a flyer with 5.4 to 0.2 in the first quarter, the Magpies soared to take the match 16.11 (107) to 4.6 (30).
Scoring dried up for both sides in the second and third quarters but Salisbury released the shackles to pile on 7.3 to 1.1 in the last term.
Michael Keenihan, Aeddan Hull and Jack Matthews (four goals) were solid, while Brad Horjus kicked three majors.
Steven Zolnowski, James Chakiris and Daniel Wyles (three goals) worked hard for Pooraka, with Michael Baker chipping in with three goals.
THIS WEEK
Second semi-final
■ Lockleys v Kenilworth at Lockleys Oval
First semi -final
■ Colonel Light Gardens v Salisbury
DIVISION SIX
St Pauls Old Scholars turned up the heat in the second half to run over the top of Blackfriars Old Scholars in the qualifying final at St Dominics Oval.
St Pauls held the edge in the first half to lead 8.6 to 5.4 but opened the game up in the second to prevail 16.11 (107) to 10.13 (73).
Riley Henriks, Thomas Schlicker (six goals) and Jo Adamo led the visitors in style.
Best for Blackfriars included Dylan Richardson, Dale Surway-Humphries and Matt Brincat. Antonio Scaffidi-Muta kicked four goals.
Trinity Old Scholars gradually took the edge in the last quarter against a gallant Marion at home to win their qualifying final, 15.9 (99) to 12.9 (81).
Trinity led 7.0 to 2.3 but the Rams stormed back to level the game at 8.4 at halftime.
The teams traded scores in the third and the hosts took a goal lad into the final break before holding on.
Ryan Clarke (five goals), Ryan Humphreys and Mark Williams starred, while Cooper Burt bagged four majors.
Marion’s better players included Michael Hoffman, Kaleb Wilden and Ryan Wade kicked four goals with support from Nathan Rohrlach (five majors).
THIS WEEK
Second semi-final
■ Hectorville v St Pauls Old Scholars at Thebarton Oval
First semi-final
■ Blackfriars Old Scholars v Trinity Old Scholars at St Dominics Oval
DIVISION SEVEN
Flinders University’s expected big win against bottom team Central United, combined with a loss to O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale to Brahma Lodge has given the Crabs a place in the finals.
The Crabs made short work of Central, especially in the second half to triumph 22.19 (151) to 7.7 (49).
The victory secured fourth place for Flinders University.
Alex Rendoulis, Toby Hawthorne and Steven Webster booted five goals each and were the prime movers for the winners.
Rory McMillan battled for United.
Adelaide Lutheran accounted for Mitchell Park, 12.10 (82) to 8.15 (63) away.
The result did not affect both sides with each set to play in the finals.
Daniel Matthews was best for Lutheran, while Jake Spencely led the way for the Lions.
OTHER RESULT:
■ Brahma Lodge 18.13 (121) d O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 11.11 (77) at Brahma Lodge
THIS WEEK
Second semi-final
■ Brahma Lodge v Adelaide Lutheran at Brahma Lodge
First semi-final
■ Mitchell Park v Flinders University at Mitchell Park
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
Payneham Norwood Union will take on SMOSH West Lakes in the women’s division one grand final this Saturday.
The Falcons prevailed in their preliminary final against Old Ignatians, 6.2 (38) to 4.8 (32) at Blair Athol Reserve on Saturday.
The match was tight for much of the day, with PNU losing by eight points at quarter-time, leading by three at the main break and then just one point at the final change.
Abbey Scheer was the star for the minor premier, booting five of the team’s six majors.
Gabrielle Salt (two goals) was solid for Old Iggies and she was given plenty of support from Alexis Mason and Ellen Lynch.
SMOSH West Lakes, which finished the minor round in second place, enjoyed a bye at the weekend after beating PNU in their semi final the week prior.
The flag decider is set up to be a cracking game after the Falcons beat the Lions in the minor round before SMOSH took the honours in the finals.
PNU were promoted to the top tier after winning the division two women’s grand final last year, beating Greenacres by a point.
SMOSH West Lakes, who is coached by eight-times Port Adelaide premiership star Greg Phillips, lost the 2019 division one flag decider to Adelaide University by two points.