Trevor Mitton begins stint as coach of battling Southern Football League club Aldinga Sharks with 86-point loss

Premiership mentor Trevor Mitton begins his stint as Aldinga coach with a hefty loss to Port Noarlunga, while Christies and Noarlunga remain unbeaten. Here is our Southern Football League wrap for round four.

Noarlunga premiership coach Trevor Mitton took the reins at Aldinga for the first time on Saturday and his new side went down to Port Noarlunga.

• Coach quits in change rooms after drubbing
• Shoes premiership coach joins Sharks
• Milera the difference in Noarlunga derby
• Meet the rival clubs who play for a sock

Trevor Mitton’s coaching stint at Aldinga begins with a defeat, Christies Beach and Noarlunga remain unbeaten and Flagstaff Hill thumps Morphett Vale.

All that and more in Messenger Community News’ wrap of the Southern Football League’s round four.

PORT NOARLUNGA 20.16 (136)

ALDINGA 7.8 (50)

There was no fairytale result for Aldinga and new coach Trevor Mitton in the team’s Southern Football League home clash against Port Noarlunga last Saturday.

Taking the reins after previous coach Damian Smith quit the week before, Mitton said he liked what he saw for most of the day in the side’s 20.16 (136) to 7.8 (50) loss.

“It was a pleasing day even though the scoreboard blew out late more than I would have liked,” Mitton said.

“There is no doubt we are undermanned but there were (positive) signs.

“The hardest part for me was walking into the change rooms before the game and addressing players I didn’t know well or in some cases hadn’t even met.

“I am passionate about the league (SFL) and trying to help Aldinga.

“It is a good club with really good club people.’’

Ex-South Adelaide workhorse Jake Veide was among Port Noarlunga’s best on Saturday. Picture Sarah Reed

The Sharks trailed 12.6 to 5.3 at half-time and 17.12 to 7.5 at the last change.

Luke Watson, Angus Stangewicz (three goals) and Dominic Papazoglov were among the best for the Sharks.

Port Noarlunga enjoyed top games from Jake Veide, Nathan Hedger and Ciaran O’Hagan, who finished with five goals.

Aldinga sits second-bottom on the ladder with a 0-3 record, while the Cockledivers are fourth at 2-1.

CHRISTIES BEACH 12.7 (79)

REYNELLA 9.9 (63)

Christies Beach maintained its unbeaten start to the season, accounting for 2018 runner-up Reynella at Bice Oval, 12.7 (79) to 9.9 (63).

Leading 4.3 to 2.6 at half-time, the Saints edged clear in the third to lead 9.5 to 4.7 at the last change before holding out the Wineflies.

Reynella’s Ryan Mahony, pictured in 2015, battled hard on Saturday. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Clayton Mesecke (two goals), Dwayne Morrison and Mathew Hodge stood tall for Christies Beach, while Blake Carter kept his team in the game with four goals.

Best for the Wineflies were Daniel Whitaker, Ryan Mahony and Patrick Davies.

Reynella slipped to a 1-3 record after the loss.

The Saints are 4-0 to start the season, sitting in second spot on the ladder, behind fellow unbeaten side Noarlunga on percentage.

Christies Beach faces rival Port Noarlunga this Saturday for the ‘sock trophy’, presently held by the Cockledivers.

FLAGSTAFF HILL 23.16 (171)

MORPHETT VALE 3.6 (24)

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill was back to its ruthless best when it crushed Morphett Vale away last Saturday.

The Emus went in to the match with confidence after a big win against Cove the week before but the Falcons were in no mood for mercy to prevail 23.16 (154) to 3.6 (24).

Flaggies had led 8.5 to 1.0 at quarter-time.

Ex-West Adelaide big man Daniel Webb impressed for the Falcons with four goals, while David Kearsley (two goals), Brad Patterson and Daniel Butcher (six goals) led a long list of top players.

David Kearsley booted two goals and was among Flaggies’ best against Morphett Vale. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

The Emus were best served by Jason Williams, Julian Mardigan and Jessie Edwards.

Flaggies, sitting in third spot on the ladder, moved to a 3-1 record – one win behind Noarlunga and Christies Beach.

Like its fierce rival Reynella, Morphett Vale has a 1-3 record.

NOARLUNGA 25.21 (171)

HAPPY VALLEY 3.6 (24)

Red-hot Noarlunga bombarded the goals again to pile on 25.21 (171) to Happy Valley’s 3.6 (24) at home.

The Shoes led 6.0 to 1.2, 13.8 to 2.4 at the long break and 18.12 to 2.5 at the last change before clearing away in the fourth quarter to remain unbeaten this season.
Nick Mott (five goals), Troy Johnson and Nathan Schulz played big parts in the win, while Victor Robertson (six goals) and Reece Martell (four goals) were dangerous in attack.

Best for the Vikings were Jacob Hoepfl, Caleb Dolman and Joel Beeche.

Daniel Grear kicked two goals.

The Shoes sit on top of the ladder with a 4-0 record.

Winless Happy Valley is bottom.

GORDO’S GRILL

Reigning SFL Mail medallist, Noarlunga’s Nick Mott, is one of the association team’s two vice-captains. Picture: James Baker

■ SFL association coach Paul Crate doesn’t believe in mucking around as far as getting players to play for the competition against the Great Southern Football League on the June long weekend. “I only want players who are serious about playing for us. Full stop,’’ Crate said. In a bold, early move, the leaders have been decided. Michael Galley (Cove) is captain and Nick Mott (Noarlunga) and Sam Smith (Flagstaff Hill) will share the vice-captaincy.

■ You could say all played well in Flagstaff Hill’s SFLW under-16 girls team, which did a number on Noarlunga last Sunday, winning 32.19 (211) to no score. Every one of the Flaggies’ team of 14 players kicked at least one goal.

■ Well done to Morphett Vale champ and premiership player Daniel Earl on his 250th A-grade game for the club – and congrats also to another loyal club stalwart Nick Edwards on his 250th senior game for the red and blacks.

ROUND FIVE:

Saturday, May 11

■ Happy Valley v Cove

■ Morphett Vale v Noarlunga

■ Port Noarlunga v Christies Beach

■ Reynella v Aldinga

■ Flagstaff Hill – bye

* Home teams listed first