Adelaide Footy League match reports round six: Port District completes comeback win over Old Ignatians
A much-improved div one club turned its fortunes around in the final quarter to upset an in-form opponent away from home. Read all the Adelaide Footy League division reports.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Round six of the Adelaide Footy League season is complete, marking the end of the first third of the year.
In-form clubs continued their dominance as they worked to consolidate spots at the top of their respective ladders in what was an entertaining week of footy.
Here are The Messenger’s reports from every division in round five:
DIVISION ONE
Port District coach Josh Ramsey praised his team’s effort as “outstanding” as it came back against Old Ignatians to win 8.6 (54) to 9.14 (68) away from home at Karen Rolton Oval.
10 points down in the middle of the third quarter, the Magpies pulled together to hold Iggies to just two goals for the rest of the game as they ran away 14-point winners.
“It was a real arm wrestle, they (Old Ignatians) rebounded well and we managed to change a couple things structurally to gain control,” Ramsey said.
“To come away from home and win against a strong side like that is an outstanding effort and hopefully we can continue to build on the momentum we have.”
Port’s Zac Hawkins was influential in his performance, moving on the ball in the second half alongside Jason Nyskohus and giving his side a significant boost in contested possessions and clearances.
James Batty was also strong up front, booting three important majors for the game alongside Gavin Shepherd’s double.
“I think we did really well defensively, as we have been throughout the season so far so to have Zac (Hawkins) and Jason (Nyskohus) lift us in the middle, as well as Batty up front, was a big boost for us,” Ramsey said.
“We managed to create more pressure in the front half as well and I think we deserved the result overall with our 24 shots in front of goal.”
His team’s 9.14 effort in front of goal to follow on from round five’s 10.12 was a source of frustration for Ramsey, but he was confident his forwards could turn things around to keep the club’s run going.
“We’ve started really well this year and competed against everyone,” Ramsey said.
“Tea Tree Gully got us away and we fell away late a bit against Goodwood Saints.
“Defensively we’re very good right now but it’s about capitalising on opportunities up front so I think if we can continue to work at it and be sound in the front half it will sort itself out.”
St Peter’s Old Collegians was another club to record a strong away win, defeating Payneham Norwood Union 4.11 (35) to 6.15 (51) at Payneham Oval.
Saints had the ascendancy from the beginning and led 18-40 at half-time but the Falcons began an inspired charge home in the second half of captain John Giannini’s 150th game.
Brett Ancell dominated for PNU but the efforts of Toby Schulz, James Hargreaves and Sam Langley were too strong for SPOC.
Jock McLeay also continued his form in Jake Sutcliffe’s absence with three goals.
Goodwood extended its winning streak to three with a 11.18 (84) to 11.8 (74) victory over Rostrevor OC at home.
The Saints trailed by seven points at three-quarter-time and would have been frustrated by their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 7.13 while ROC had recorded a score of 9.8.
The home side managed to boot four goals to two in the final term however, with Nic Burgess kicking four for the game and leading from the front and Nick Favretto supplying key targets with strong delivery.
Glenunga had its momentum halted by Prince Alfred Old Collegians away from home, going down 10.13 (73) to 3.13 (31).
In what was only Princes’ second win of the season, the hosts held the Rams goalless for the entire first half, the visitors kicking 0.6.
New arrival Chris Curran was a standout for the Old Reds, while Hayden Jolly and Jack Trengove (two goals) were also impressive.
Tea Tree Gully got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 15.11 (101) to 13.14 (92) win over Brighton at home.
Dylan Schoenmakers proved to be the difference for Gullies in a neck-and-neck affair, coming through strongly in the contest and also hitting the scoreboard with a big goal.
Tyler West and Brodie Latham also combined well in the forwardline, West booting five majors and Latham adding three.
DIVISION TWO
Broadview remained undefeated through the first third of the season by winning against Gaza away from home.
The Tigers produced a 34-8 first quarter to gain control and managed to resist a late fourth-quarter comeback by the Eagles, who booted four goals to one in the final term.
Xavier Gotch has his fourth best on ground performance of the year, dominating the middle and also kicking a goal, while Rigby Barnes and Nick Liddle were also influential.
The Tigers had 11 separate goalkickers on the day.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians leapfrogged North Haven on the ladder by beating the Magpies 10.6 (66) to 12.8 (80) at Largs North Reserve.
It was a dominant second quarter from SHOC which was the catalyst for the win, with the hosts only scoring two behinds to the fired up visitors’ three goals.
Patrick McCarthy and John Koster had four goals each for SHOC while Bradley Noble had three.
Henley thrashed PHOS Camden at home by 84 points to move into division two’s top six.
The Sharks kicked 19 goals to five from quarter-time, with best on ground Tom Pillion tallying seven majors.
While Pillion had the most impact for his side, the hosts had 12 other goal scorers throughout the game in a complete team performance.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Salisbury North 10.16 (76) d Adelaide University 9.10 (64)
- Athelstone 15.9 (99) d Unley Mercedes Jets 11.9 (75)
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove also remained undefeated over the weekend, defeating Edwardstown in a massive 93-point win.
Trailing 18-14 at the first break, the Kookaburras held Towns to two goals and eight behinds from then-on, adding 17 goals of their own.
Lewis Johnston was instrumental for the visitors, providing the perfect link between midfielders and forwards, while Nick Preston was also impressive, locking down Edwardstown’s threats.
Modbury and Westminster Old Scholars fought out a tough matchup, with the former coming out on top – 17.10 (112) to 16.5 (101).
The Hawks trailed by 18 points at quarter-time but managed to gain a lead of two points by the final break and use that momentum to run away with the win.
Liam Verity had a day out and was the driving force of Modbury’s win, kicking 10 goals for the day in an outstanding performance.
OTHER RESULTS:
- SMOSH West Lakes 19.14 (128) d CBC OC 12.13 (85)
- Flinders Park 9.11 (65) d Scotch OC 8.7 (55)
- Seaton Ramblers 11.16 (82) d Morphettville Park 6.6 (42)
DIVISION FOUR
Plympton produced a flawless performance to top Portland 8.7 (55) to 16.13 (109) at Port Reserve and hop Walkerville on the div four ladder on percentage.
The away team burst out of the gate and caught the hosts by surprise, heading into quarter-time up 39-7 and never looking back.
Stuart Taverner was strong for the Bulldogs in the contest, while James Ryan, Jake Seadon and Brett Connor all had three goals apiece.
Star Walkerville forward Adam Proud continued his dominant start to the season, booting six goals in a 17.16 (108) to 15.11 (101) win over Woodville South.
The Cats had an unstoppable first half and led 63-37 at the main break.
While the visitors came back at Walkerville, they managed to keep their composure and close out the win to remain in the top two.
Proud now sits on 41 goals in five games.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Pembroke OS 15.7 (97) d Pulteney 6.0 (36)
- Kenilworth 11.10 (76) d Mitcham 9.10 (64)
- Pooraka 26.12 (168) d Hope Valley 6.7 (43)
DIVISION FIVE
Lockleys recorded a huge 31.21 (207) to 8.1 (49) win over St Pauls OS to go top of division five ahead of Hectorville on percentage.
The Demons led 39-30 at the first break but flicked a switch to boot 10 goals to one in the second term to all but seal the win.
Ben Haren kicked 10 goals for the hosts, while Matt Ransom (seven) and Kevin Raison (five) chipped in with 12 between them.
The Demon demolition didn’t stop there in division five, with Eastern Park thrashing Salisbury away from home 1.6 (12) to 18.18. (126).
The visitors had 10 separate goal kickers and held the Magpies goalless for the entire second half.
Shawn Mansell kicked three to lead his team and he now has 36 goals in five games.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Colonel Light Gardens 14.13 (97) d Elizabeth 9.10 (64)
- Gepps Cross 16.11 (107) d Blackfriars OS 8.13 (61)
- Hectorville 15.14 (104) d Kilburn 4.10 (34)
DIVISION SIX
Marion bounced back from last week’s loss to Central United to beat West Croydon handily – 18.17 (125) d West Croydon 8.13 (61).
The Rams had the ascendancy from start to finish, with Adam Beaumont and William Cavallo continuing their strong start to the year.
Beaumont’s work at the contest was integral for his side as Marion dominated in the middle of the park to give their forwards first use.
Fitzroy upset Central United for its first win of the season, defeating the Bulldogs 12.10 (82) to 10.10 (70) at Sam Johnson Sportsground.
The Lions went into half-time down by 14 points, but lifted their intensity around the contested ball in the second half to claw their way back.
Josh Rosenthal was big for the hosts, kicking five goals to lead them to the win, while Jason Beveridge was influential on the ball.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Brahma Lodge 11.13 (79) d Rosewater 7.14 (56)
- Ingle Farm 14.18 (102) d Para Hills 7.10 (52)
DIVISION SEVEN
Greenacres defeated Mawson Lakes by 114 points away from home to go 6-0 to start the season, topping the hosts 2.6 (18) to 19.18 (132).
The Dragons held Mawson Lakes goalless in the first two terms, leading 8.10 (58) to three behinds at the main break.
Ethan Robinson was a standout for the visitors around the ground, while Matt gibson (six) and Thomas Tacono (five) dominated the scoreboard.
Houghton Districts also had an impressive away win, defeating O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale 11.11 (77) to 13.10 (88).
The Raiders led 87-30 after a dominant first three quarters but the Lions almost pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in recent years, kicking 7.5 to just one behind in the final term to lose by 11 points.
Riley Babiak and Jake Martin (five goals) were the best for Houghton Districts, while Darren Francis was big with three goals for the hosts.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Hackham 13.11 (89) d Flinders University 6.7 (43)
- Adelaide Lutheran 17.20 (122) d Mitchell Park 5.2 (32)
Ranked: Top 25 Great Southern Football League players of the 21st Century
The Great Southern Football League has been stacked with talent throughout the 21st Century so we’ve ranked the best of the best. See our top 25 players of the past 25 years.
‘Looking really good’: Bombers set to fly again under new coach
The new coach of a club recently relegated from the Adelaide Footy League’s top division believes his side can change its fortunes and build for long term success in season 2025.