Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Division 2 Round 9 preview

PEMBROKE OS has elevated itself from the dreaded relegation area on the ladder and has kept slim finals hopes alive.

Jack Kelly handballs for Scotch OC. Picture Roger Wyman

PEMBROKE OS has elevated itself from the dreaded relegation area on the ladder and has kept slim finals hopes alive.

The Kings put a halt to Unley Mercedes Jets recent run of four wins in a row, enhancing their own confidence to rise further up the Focus on Furniture Division 2 ladder.

Their encouraging 31-point success over the Jets would have boosted their determination to sustain that momentum leading into the mid-season break by adding another victory when meeting Scotch OC on Saturday.

A competitive Scotch OC matched its higher opponent Athelstone across the first half of their clash last week but was unable to uphold its tenacity in the second.

Sam Fuller (Gaza) and Lachlan Giles (Scotch OC). Picture Roger Wyman

This week is likely to prove a telling encounter in avoiding demotion for either side but especially for Pembroke OS which could extend their present buffer to two wins ahead of its weekend opposition, currently ninth on the ladder. Eljay Connors, Ben Williams, Sam Franklin and Jaiden Pengelly of the Kings will also be eager to add themselves into the mix of finals challengers.

Unley Mercedes will regroup back at home for a visit from Gaza which reclaimed fifth spot from the Jets after a valuable 52-point victory over Old Ignatians.

It will be another defining contest between finals aspirants on Saturday at Kingswood Oval where Eagles Sam Fulton, Nathan Frederick, Rhys Jones and Ben Macreadie cannot underestimate the talent within their opponent’s line-up.

Old Iggies are in danger of losing touch with the top five as second-placed PHOS Camden ventures to Hunter Park this week.

The Phantoms will respect a greater resolve from the home side which Old Ignatians simply must produce to match the class of its higher opponent.

PHOS Camden comfortably controlled the battle between second and third sides last week over taking Sacred Heart OC on the ladder following its superior 43-point triumph.

Tom Finn, Nick Ramsey, Harrison Cumming and Aaron Bergsma are not going to give their opposition an easy ride on Saturday either.

SHOC is set for another enticing contest this week as top side Henley heads to Sacred Heart College.

The Sharks will strive to continue its unbeaten record after making it eight from eight by doing all it needed to account for bottom side Broadview.

A few lesser lights in Daniel Longman, Jack Enright, Stefan Jarman and Ben Currie stood up in that safe 82-point victory but the cream rises to the top in clashes like the one coming up on Saturday.

The Tigers host Athelstone this week still looking for their first win of the season.

Brayden DePrinse (Broadview). Picture: Stephen Laffer

They may actually need to find a couple of key inclusions before the clearance date closes to realise that and then attempt to avoid dropping from this level next year.

Justin Sheedy, Angus Owen, Matthew Mauriello and Jack Mozuras from the Raggies loom large though and are set to increase Broadview’s pain.