Unley Mercedes, Glenunga among Adelaide Footy League’s promoted sides for 2020 season
There is cause for celebration for five clubs that have won promotion – but the job is not done yet. Plus women’s winners and more in the One-Percenters Adelaide Footy League column.
- The footy match that was “won in the bar”
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Welcome to One-Percenters – a wrap of some of the quirky talking points from the round in the Adelaide Footy League.
Each edition we will bring you eight or so titbits from the latest weekend – they might be eye-catching results, milestones, comebacks, big wins, broken droughts or inspiring stories.
If you have heard about something quirky in the Adelaide Footy League, email us your suggestions or photos to patrick.keam@news.com.au
GOING UP
There is cause for celebration for five clubs that have won promotion – but the job is not done yet.
Unley Mercedes, Glenunga, CBC Old Collegians, Hope Valley and West Croydon won second semi-finals in their respective divisions on Saturday to secure entry to grand finals.
It means the clubs will also be moving up to the tier above in 2020.
For the division two Jets, a return to the top flight is on the cards.
Unley Mercedes defeated Athelstone in a one-point thriller at home on Saturday and will play in division one for the first time since 2016.
The Jets won promotion but lasted just one season in the top flight with relegation that year. They finished ninth with a 4-14 win-loss record.
Glenunga has achieved the remarkable feat of three-straight promotions and will also be shooting for a three-peat of flags.
The Rams got over Old Ignatians in the semi-final on Saturday to reach the third tier big dance and confirm their place in division two next season.
Another fast rising club is CBC Old Collegians, which is set to jump two tiers in as many years.
A gritty six-point win away against SMOSH West Lakes secured the Dolphins’ spot in the division four grand final on Saturday, September 14.
CBCOC charged to the fifth tier flag in 2019 and have taken that strong form into this season.
Hope Valley will move up to division four after upsetting Kenilworth at St Mary’s Park on Saturday.
The Demons have been a force this campaign under first year player/coach Mitch Sandery.
West Croydon is set to finally end its six-year stint in division six.
The Hawks won through to the decider with a 41-point victory over Hectorville last Saturday.
They last played in the fifth tier in 2013.
The five clubs join division seven grand finalists St Paul’s Old Scholars and Mawson Lakes in promotion to the tier above next season.
The two Saints sides will battle in the decider at Thebarton Oval this Saturday.
For more on all of these sides’ respective pushes for a flag keep an eye out for in-depth stories in the coming weeks.
A DREAM START
SMOSH West Lakes will battle Adelaide University in the women’s top tier amateur football grand final at Thebarton Oval this Sunday.
The Lions ended the minor round second and gained direct entry into the flag decider after beating Adelaide University in a second semi-final by 30 points on August 25.
The Blacks, meanwhile, earned the double chance after finishing top and triumphed against Salisbury in the preliminary final 11.8 (74) to 5.3 (33) at home last Sunday.
The Lions, who are coached by eight-times SANFL premiership player Greg Phillips, will be hoping to win the flag in their first year in the competition.
Payneham Norwood Union will take on Greenacres in the division two grand final prior to the SMOSH v Uni match at Thebarton Oval.
Morphettville Park will take on the Lions in the division one reserves decider in the early match.
The lower-grade women’s grand finals were played out last Sunday at Thebarton Oval and Broadview capped an undefeated season with a flag in the third tier.
The Tigers were too good for Old Ignatians in the 6.7 (43) to 1.1 (7) defeat.
Scotch Old Collegians held Kenilworth scoreless for the opening two quarters on its way to a comfortable 7.5 (47) to 2.1 (13) grand final victory in division four.
Flinders Park claimed the division five premiership after beating Golden Grove by 49 points.
The Reds were too strong and won 9.8 (62) to 1.7 (13) at Thebarton Oval.
Britney Koziura was the star for Flinders Park, booting three goals, while Claire Flood was also solid.
THE LEAGUE’S BEST PLAYERS
Stay tuned later this week when Messenger reporters Patrick Keam and Gordon Armstrong reveal their list of the top 10 best players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League.
Thoughts of coaches, fellow players and others from in and around the league have been sought to formulate the rankings but Keam and Armstrong will have the final say.
Who will make it?
Keep an eye on adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport to find out
RIGHT OR WRONG?
When we polled footy fans in July about their tips for the Adelaide Footy League’s seven A grade flags, the results told us to get set for the old collegians clubs to dominate this September.
Of the competition’s seven tiers, five of them are tipped to be won by old collegians teams.
But how are those predictions looking now?
Have a look and see if the fans were on the money.
BARRATT’S BIG DAY
It was a very happy 300th match for Hope Valley stalwart Simon Barratt on Saturday.
Not only did the veteran notch up the triple ton, his Demons won through to the C5 grand final with a 38-point win over Pulteney in the second semi-final.
Barratt played in Hope Valley’s C grade flag last season and will hope to go back-to-back on September 14.
Do you have a milestone at your club worthy of recognition? Email patrick.keam@news.com.au
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
SPOC ‘on a mission ahead of semi-final
Medal stolen by one vote in late-season charge
Jars’ tenure at Gaza ends amid historic relegation
ALL QUIET AT LEAGUE HQ
The second half of this season has proven to be much quieter than previous when it comes to the league tribunal.
There was just one offence which made the rap sheet from the weekend’s action and nine total in the previous four rounds.
Although it is finals time with less teams playing, 2018 so far has seen a decrease in the number of cases making it to the tribunal.
We’ll have an analytical look into the numbers once the season is done but it seems the league’s Behavioural Rating System (BRS) is having an effect.
The league introduced the demerits points-style behavioural rating system this year to increase transparency and remove subjectivity regarding how it dealt with clubs’ indiscretions.
patrick.keam@news.com.au