St Peter’s Old Collegians downs Goodwood and Prince Alfred wins through in division one finals
Which division one side is “on a mission”, which coach isn’t making any changes despite a loss and who will be back into the top flight next season? Find out in Adelaide Footy League reports from every finals match.
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It is the time of year where we separate the wheat from the chaff as the Adelaide Footy League finals approach the business end.
Grand finalists are already decided in one division, others have sealed promotion and a spot in the big dance while the top flight gets set for semi-finals this Saturday.
Check out The Messenger‘s match reports from across the league.
DIVISION ONE
St Peter’s Old Collegians coach Geoff Riddle says his side is on a mission and full of confidence going into this Saturday’s division one Adelaide Footy League first semi-final against Rostrevor Old Collegians away.
Last Saturday, SPOC finished over the top of Goodwood Saints at home in the elimination final, winning 13.7 (85) to 10.16 (76) after trailing by eight points with seven minutes to play.
Four quick goals sealed the deal for St Peter’s as Harry Hayward, Luke Mitchell (five majors) and James Duncan starred.
Riddle said the focus was quickly on to the next challenge.
“They (ROC) embarrassed us the last time we played out there (a 63-point defeat) so we feel like we owe them,” Riddle said.
“We are pretty excited to be there. Against Goodwood was a real, intense game. It was typical finals and really I thought Goodies were a bit unlucky.
“We only led for a short time in the third quarter and late in the last quarter.’’
Jacob Hughes, Lewis George and Kayne Cornish battled well for Goodwood.
Rostrevor Old Collegians coach Will O’Malley says his side will have little to tinker with going into the first semi-final against SPOC.
That is despite ROC going down to Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the qualifying final at Campbelltown Memorial Oval last Saturday.
The hosts had plenty of chances, with wayward conversion in attack seeing it boot 10.16 (76) to the Old Reds’ 13.7 (85).
ROC attacked strongly with 3.6 to 3.0 in the last quarter but missed a few chances to get closer.
“We had our opportunities and just didn’t take them,” O’Malley said.
“This week against SPOC is another top challenge. We don’t need to do much different, just finish off our work in attack.”
Heath Commane (five goals), Tullio Dematteis and Luke Manuel starred for ROC.
PAOC coach Brett Backwell said his side lifted its intensity and produced a near-perfect game.
“We didn’t carry any passengers but really both sides played well and lifted the intensity,’’ Backwell said.
“It was a pretty hot game with no let-up.
“We will be going into the game against Payneham at Payneham with confidence.’’
Oliver Collison, Hayden Jolly and Thomas Bartlett (four goals) played well for the Old Reds.
DIVISION TWO
Unley Mercedes has fought its way back into division one of the Adelaide Footy League and a grand final on September 14 after a courageous win over Athelstone on Saturday.
The Jets booked promotion and their spot in the second tier decider by defeating the Raggies in a thriller at Kingswood Oval, 9.8 (62) to 9.7 (61).
The club returns to the top flight after a one-year stint in 2016, which ended in relegation.
On Saturday, Athelstone was the better side early as its impressive spread from the contest led to a 5.0 to 1.2 advantage at the first break.
It was 17 points the difference at half-time before Unley forward Jack Holliday (pictured above) was swung into the ruck in the third term with good effect, as the hosts worked themselves back into the game and took a one-point lead into the final term.
A late goal to Nick Petch and a handy point proved the difference, though Athelstone’s missed a tough shot to win the match with less than a minute remaining.
James O’Sullivan read the play well all day across half-back to be the Jets’ best.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians’ quest for a grand final berth is alive, resuming its keen rivalry with Athelstone when the teams meet in the preliminary final at Max Amber Sportsfield on Saturday.
The sides have clashed three times this season with the biggest margin to Athelstone by 20 points in the qualifying final.
Last Saturday, SHOC produced one of its best games for the season when it sent Salisbury North packing in the first semi-final at Sacred Heart.
Boosted by the wind in the first quarter, the hosts piled on 8.8 to 2.0 on their way to a 17.17 (119) to 11.6 (72) victory.
SHOC had winners everywhere, with its second and third quarter also solid with 8.6 to 3.3 before the Hawks finished strongly with a 6.3 to 1.3 fourth term.
Hearts came into the fixture confident, having thumped Salisbury North by 74 and 134 points in their two minor round meetings.
Sacred Heart football director Nick Tait said the side was up for the next challenge.
“They are a proud team and it was a case of whether they would respond to the loss the week before,” Tait said.
“We wanted to make a point of being accountable. And we went in with a mindset of responding.
“We’ve had a real even spread of contributors and that showed again.
“This week should be tight again as we have had three very tight games against them (Athelstone).”
Tristan Carcuro was unstoppable for SHOC with eight goals, while Peter Spurling and Matthew Delmenico led a long list of key players. Lachy Button kicked three goals.
Salisbury North coach Joe Hay was disappointed as his side went down to Sacred Heart Old Collegians in the first semi-final but pleased with his team’s effort during the season.
“We can hold our heads high. To get all the players back after what happened with people going everywhere after we were taken out of the league is a credit to the club and players,” Hay said.
“I am confident we can keep most of our players and top up with others. We have about 10 players under 22 so we are a young side.”
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DIVISION THREE
Minor premier Glenunga took the direct path to the division three grand final when it edged out Old Ignatians in the second semi-final at Webb Oval last Saturday.
The Rams won 11.11 (77) to 10.11 (71) after leading by eight points at half-time and 32 points at the last break.
Glenunga will be chasing its third flag in a row after winning in division five in 2017 and division four last year.
Iggies made a late charge as they kicked five goals to one in the last quarter – including a set shot from Patrick Kerin moments before the siren – but it was too little too late.
Tom Campbell, Sam Wundke and Lincoln Bennett were the stars for the Rams while Lawrence Comazzetto was named best on for Old Ignatians for the second-straight week.
Flinders Park’s premiership hopes are back on track after producing a stunning last quarter to account for Golden Grove in their division three Adelaide Footy League first semi-final at home last Saturday.
Trailing the Kookaburras by 18 points at quarter time and leading 10.7 to 9.7 at the last change, the Reds lifted to win 16.10 (106) to 9.9 (63) after kicking 6.3 to 0.2 in the fourth term.
On-ballers Lachlan Smith and Daniel Blythe and ruckman Jay Hansen were among the major playmakers for Flinders Park.
The Reds will now take on Old Ignatians away in the preliminary final.
Flinders Park football director John Cousins said it was an outstanding effort from the side.
“I thought we controlled play after quarter time but that last quarter was great – and especially in a final and at home,’’ Cousins said.
“We won all three grades (on Saturday) so there is a bit of confidence. Old Iggies have beaten us two out of three times this season but we are confident this week.’’
DIVISION FOUR
SMOSH West Lakes will host Edwardstown in the division four preliminary final this Saturday after it failed to capitalise on its chances in the second semi-final against CBC Old Collegians.
In a fluctuating game, the Lions fell 9.10 (64) to 7.16 (58) after trailing 6.6 to 2.7 at half-time but leading 7.12 to 6.6 at the last change.
The Dolphins will make a second grand final appearance in as many years after taking out the division five flag in 2018.
SMOSH coach Shaun Glacken says the first quarter where his side kicked 2.5 to 2.1 with the wind hurt.
“It was a really hard-fought game but I would say that first quarter we probably didn’t capitalise – but that’s footy,’’ Glacken said.
“This week Towns will be full of beans and during the season we are one-all (SMOSH away by two points, Towns away by 12 points).
“The game by Sam (Fairclough) was one of the best individual efforts you would see. The more they tagged him the more he liked it.’’
Fairclough’s game capped off a fine personal week by winning the division four medal last Thursday, while Marko Milojevic and Alex Hughes both played well.
Fairclough’s footy journey continues to shine since playing in Woodville-West Torrens’ 2006 premiership side at the age of 16 – one of the youngest in the SANFL to have achieved that feat.
Edwardstown is into the division four preliminary final after proving far too strong for Walkerville in the first semi-final on Saturday.
The Towns saluted 15.15 (105) to 8.11 (59) at Edwardstown Oval and set up the win by taking complete control of the first quarter.
Edwardstown kicked 5.4 and held the Cats scoreless in the opening term, before going on to lead 7.6 to 3.1 and 12.12 to 4.3 at the next two changes.
Josh Holliday and Simon Dean kicked three goals each while Matthew Jose and Sean Munn were influential.
DIVISION FIVE
Hope Valley upset minor premier Kenilworth in the second semi-final to secure a division five grand final spot and promotion to the next tier in 2019.
The Demons downed the Kookaburras 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (74) at St Mary’s Park after trailing by three points going into the final term.
Star forward Jayke Hellmanns kicked five goals while Lee Duggan was influential for Hope Valley, which won at the same venue the week before against Pulteney.
Shaun Clarke, Neil Vea Vea and Henry Stewart fought hard for the Kookaburras.
Hope Valley had not beaten Kenilworth in either of the sides’ minor round fixtures.
The Demons will have the week off to prepare to face the winner of the Kookaburras and Pulteney, which will play off in the preliminary final at St Mary’s this Saturday.
Hope Valley will also move up to division four in 2020 thanks to the victory.
The Navy Blues defeated Lockleys by 55 points in the other semi-final last Saturday.
Braden Cunningham, Simon Ascoli and Hayden Martinello battled well for Lockleys but it wasn’t enough for the Demons in the 19.12 (126) to 10.11 (71) defeat.
Daniel Polec was best for Pulteney, which had 10 different goal kickers.
DIVISION SIX
West Croydon booked its spot in the division six big dance by easily accounting for Hectorville in the second semi-final on Saturday.
Luke Woodcock blitzed with eight goals as the Hawks won 18.20 (128) to 12.5 (77) at Fawk Reserve but set up victory in the first half to lead 14.10 to 3.7.
Lachlan Falco battled hard for the Hounds, who will now take on an in-form Fitzroy at Daly Oval this Saturday.
The Lions led all day and won strongly, 16.14 (110) to 6.11 (47), against Elizabeth away at Argana Park in the first semi-final.
Caleb Chipman, Paul Wootton, Corey Sharer and Dean Miller (seven goals) played well for Fitzroy.
DIVISION SEVEN
Mawson Lakes will meet St Paul’s Old Scholars in the division seven decider following a comfortable 34-point victory over Houghton Districts in the preliminary final.
Both sides kicked poorly in attack but it was the Saints which proved to be too good in the 11.16 (82) to 6.12 (48) win at Houghton Memorial Oval on Saturday.
Michael Draper starred for Mawson Lakes while Brayden Bennett, playing his first game since receiving a 10-game suspension for striking in round nine, was a solid contributor with two goals.
Cameron Thompson (two goals) was a shining light for the losing side.
SPOS defeated the Raiders by 118 points in the second semi-final and beat Mawson Lakes by 44, 62 and 26 points in the teams’ three minor round meetings.
