Shoes, Saints record wins, battle for top spot heats up

Noarlunga’s undefeated season is almost a reality with just four games left to win.

Gordon Armstrong

3 min read

July 29, 2019 - 11:58AM

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Action from the SFL clash between Noarlunga and Morphett Vale on Saturday. The Shoes claimed a 61-point win. Picture: Supplied, Noarlunga Football Club

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The battle for top spot in the Southern Football League is heating up with Christies Beach both recording big wins at the weekend.

The second-placed Saints are now just two victories behind the first-ranked Shoes, who maintain their undefeated tag.

All that plus more in our round 14 match wraps.

NOARLUNGA 15.8 (98) MORPHETT VALE 5.7 (37)

Noarlunga won comfortably against Morphett Vale at home but had to work hard to finish with its 15.8 (98) to 5.7 (37) victory.

The Shoes jumped to a strong start with a 5.1 to 1.1 opening term but the Emus put some pressure on after that to stem the flow.

Nick Mott dominated with five goals, while Sam Hamilton and Tom Mott provided plenty of spark for the Shoes.

Tom Caudle booted three goals.

Noarlunga has won all 13 matches so far this season and sits top with a healthy percentage of 76.05.

Daniel Bode, Liam Corrie and Jack Barter battled hard for the Emus.

Noarlunga's Tom Caudle kicks a goal during his side’s clash with Morphett Vale on Saturday. Picture: Supplied, Noarlunga Football Club

CHRISTIES BEACH 10.12 (72) PORT NOARLUNGA 9.8 (62)

Christies Beach retained the infamous sock trophy after a torrid battle in its traditional Southern Football League clash against Port Noarlunga at Bice Oval last Saturday.

But in a controversial development Christies’ coach Neil Reeve said the sock had now been rebadged, so to speak, as the Rhys Mundy Cup, after one of the Saints’ current players.

“I must stress Rhys has taken it upon himself to rename it after himself,’’ Reeve said.

“Since the game Rhys has not let the trophy, cup, sock, whatever, out of his sight.

“I think Rhys thinks that someone from Port is going to come along and pinch it.

“It probably goes back a long way where Rhys grew up with a lot of his mates who played with Porties.

“Anyway we were happy to get the win although I thought Port were better for most of the day.

“We were lucky, in some ways, but we will take it.’’

The Saints stood tall to prevail 10.12 (72) to 9.8 (62).

Josiah Sheppard, Patrick Jolly, Jarryd McCormack and Adam Britten were the Saints best.

Blake Carter continued his stellar form, booting four goals, while Nathan Stock and Mundy (two goals) also featured in attack.

The Cockledivers had plenty of stars with Jake Veide, Rhys McKay and Stephen Conlan leading the way.

Blake Carter, in action when he played for Morphett Vale. Carter has been one of the Saints’ best this season since switching to Christies Beach. Picture: Stephen Laffer

HAPPY VALLEY 14.11 (95) COVE 11.7 (73)

Happy Valley took charge in its clash with Cove, prevailing 14.11 (95) to 11.7 (73) away.

Nick Frisby-Smith, Scott Rademacher and Lee Davis played well.

Corey Tugwell and Michael Parker kicked three goals each for the Vikings.

Best for the Cobras included Alex O’Shaughnessy, Alex Shaw and Ryan Need (four goals).

Happy Valley sits sixth with a 4-8 record, while Cove is eighth having only triumphed in one out of its 11 matches this season.

There are four minor rounds remaining and neither the Vikings or Cobras can make the finals.

REYNELLA 17.8 (110) ALDINGA 10.8 (68)

Reynella’s depth and ability to find a goal when needed proved handy in its Southern Football League win against Aldinga at Aldinga last Saturday.

Dylan Roser led the way for the Wineflies who triumphed 17.8 (110) to 10.8 (68).

Bailey Marshman and Nick Dixon (three goals) were solid, while Callan Semple proved the best forward on the ground with five majors.

Best for the Sharks included Luke Watson, Shane Comer and Eliot Schneider.

Bryan Sienes kicked three goals.

GORDO’S GRILL

■ What a fantastic effort by three players with Southern Football League and local links in making this year’s AFLW all-Australian under-18 team.

Madi Newman (West Adelaide), Teah Charlton (Christies Beach, South Adelaide) and Montana McKinnon (Morphettville Park, South Adelaide) made the cut after great efforts at the this month’s national championships.

The red and black colours run through the Newman family – Madi’s dad, Steve, was a superstar from days gone by as a 300-gamer with the Emus.

■ Well done to Reynella’s Damon Arnold on his selection in the SA Country team which lost to Western Australia 13.5 (83) to 11.8 (74) in Perth last Saturday.

Damon was the only player from the Southern District zone to make the team.

Big things ahead for the young gun, we think.

■ A big thumbs up to one of the warriors of the SFL in Jason Farrier on his 250th A grade game for Reynella last Saturday.

Farrier, who has retired and come back more times than John Farnham, continues to leave his mark on the game – particularly among the Tribe FM callers who have tagged Farrier the mighty Fazzerlati (or similar).