Bombers escape with thrilling one-point win
Read The Messenger’s round seven Adelaide Footy League match wraps:
DIVISION ONE
Brighton coach Joel Tucker will use this weekend’s bye to fine tune for the upcoming division one finals series.
The Bombers sit top with two games remaining and will contest their first top tier major round this season.
But Brighton was given an almighty scare by eighth-placed Adelaide University away on Saturday before claiming a thrilling one-point win.
The hosts put up a solid fight before going down 9.8 (62) to 8.13 (61).
“We thought we were two-points up with a few minutes to go but turns out the scoreboard wasn’t working properly and we ended up winning by a point,” Tucker said.
“We knew that Adelaide Uni is a team you can never really put away.
“We sort of kept them at arms length during the day then they had a bit of a late surge, kicked a couple real late to bring the margin in pretty tight.
“But we were just happy to hang on.
“It came down to the last couple of minutes and they (Adelaide Uni) were certainly surging and we were waiting for the siren a bit.”
Tarquin Brown was best-on-ground for the visitors, while Shane Harvey booted a game-high six goals.
Tucker said, like most teams, his side had about six of its first-choice players out due to more injuries with the shortened season.
He expected to have a few players return for the round eight match against Port District away.
“We’ll use this week as a recovery week and let the guys really freshen up,” Tucker said.
“We will reset and use the last two weeks after the bye as our finals preparation.
“Now that we know we’ll be playing finals, we will probably try and treat it like a big six-week block leading into the finals series.”
Ben Edwards starred up-forward for the Blacks, booting a team-high three majors, while Maris Olekalns kicked two.
The hosts led by three points at the main break before the Bombers piled on 3.5 while holding Uni to two points for the term.
Uni fought back but it was not enough as the visitors scraped over the line.
Goodwood Saints moved to fifth on the ladder with a 109-point victory over Athelstone
The Saints prevailed 25.7 (157) to 7.6 (48) at home.
Goodwood set up the win in the first term when it piled on 10.2 while holding the Raggies to 3.1.
Jacob Hughes starred with five goals for the Saints, while Nick Burgess kicked three.
Tom Carter and Nick Favretto were also standouts for the hosts.
Kane Nurton and James Davies battled hard for the visitors.
In the other match during the split round, Rostrevor Old Collegians proved too good for Port District, beating the Magpies 11.9 (75) to 7.8 (50) away.
Only eight points separated the two teams at three-quarter time with ROC taking a narrow lead before stepping up in the final term to claim the win.
Nick Murphy (four goals), Sam Jonas and Baccanello were best for the visitors.
Jack Gaffney, Luke Mcinerney and James Batty (four majors) fought well for the Magpies.
To round off the split round, St Peter’s and reigning premier Payneham Norwood Union will battle at Caterer Oval and Prince Alfred Old Collegians hosts on Unley Jets — both on Saturday.
DIVISION TWO
Seven clubs appear in the hunt for a place in the finals with two minor rounds to play following an absorbing round of matches last Saturday.
Henley (6-1) and Tea Tree Gully (5-2) look set to claim a double chance, while Sacred Heart Old Collegians, Broadview, PHOS Camden, Seaton Ramblers and Old Ignatians are battling for the other three places.
Seaton (sixth) hosts PHOS Camden (fifth) this Saturday in what appears to be an early elimination final with the winner in the box seat to make the major round.
The Phantoms kept their season alive with a nailbiting 12.10 (92) to 13.3 (91) win against Broadview at home.
Sam Inglis, Nick Ramsey and Hamish Gordon were best for PHOS.
Broadview led 14-12 at half-time but both sides hitting the scoreboard with 11 goals each in the second half.
The Phantoms trailed by 14 points mid way through the last quarter before rallying late to hit the front three minutes from the finish to hold on.
PHOS coach Ryan Willits said his side lacked spark early.
“It felt like a strange game with neither team bringing the energy early,” Willits said.
“There were a lot of stoppages early and then in the last quarter it was goal for goal and up and down the ground.
“When we got running the enthusiasm came and we got that run on.
“This week against Seaton will be a good challenge and we will be looking forward to it.”
Josh Sheppard, Jacob Rillotta and Jack Fergus starred for the Tigers.
Sacred Heart Old Collegians’ flying start helped it account for Seaton Ramblers at home, 14.14 (98) to 5.8 (38).
SHOC, which sits third with four wins, did not score heavily after the first change but its defence was excellent as the Rams failed to break through in attack.
Alex Scott, Lachlan Button (six goals) and Oscar Lovelock enjoyed top games for SHOC.
Luke Rochester, Liam Vasey and Luke Guy were the Rams’ stars
If Sacred Heart Old Collegians beats Scotch Old Collegians at home it will likely sew up a finals’ berth.
This week is a split round with four matches to be played, while the Broadview v Salisbury North clash is scheduled for Saturday, August 29.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Tea Tree Gully 10.14 (74) d Henley 7.10 (52) at Henley Memorial Oval.
■ Old Ignatians 13.12 (90) d Salisbury North 6.10 (46) at Salisbury North
■ Scotch Old Collegians 18.18 (126) d Glenunga 11.7 (73) at Scotch College
DIVISION THREE
Golden Grove moved to six-straight wins and has all-but secured top spot after a victory over Edwardstown at home on Saturday.
The Kookaburras proved way too good, winning 18.15 (123) to 5.5 (35).
Edwardstown was 20 points behind at the main break before Golden Grove booted 7.2 and held the visitors to three points, setting up the result.
Michael Walters and Tacono booted four goals each for the winners, while Mitchell Payne also starred.
Scott Rosenzweig, William Gutsche and Ben Homburg worked hard for the Towns.
North Haven produced a strong performance to beat Plympton 18.10 (128) to 4.10 (34) away.
The victory moved the Magpies into third spot, while Plypton remains second bottom.
Mark Rowe was North Haven’s star inside 50, kicking five goals, while Jack McCafferty finished with four and Sam Mardling booted three.
Hamish Williams was best for Plympton.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Westminster 13.9 (87) d CBC Old Collegians 7.18 (60) at Glandore
■ Gaza 10.9-69 lost to Modbury 13.12 (90) at Klemzig Oval
■ Flinders Park — bye
DIVISION FOUR
Gepps Cross showed plenty of spirit to hold out SMOSH West Lakes at home in a crucial result with two minor rounds to play.
Sitting sixth, the Rams won a high scoring game 18.9 (117) to 16.13 (109).
The fifth-ranked Lions found their run in the third quarter to pepper the goal to lead 11.12 to 11.6 at the last change.
But the Rams held their nerve in a shootout with 7.3 to 5.1 in the last to keep their finals’ hopes alive.
Matthew Schmidt, Graham Hampton (five goals) and Stephen Tahana were the stars for the hosts.
Jeff Ladd (four goals) led the scorers for the Rams.
Matthew Harper, former Port Adelaide SANFL-listed player Darcy Ginever and Alex Hughes were the driving forces for the Lions.
Rhys Crampton bagged four goals for the visitors.
Gepps Cross is still in the finals’ hunt but likely need to win both games against Hope Valley (second) at home and third-ranked Mitcham away.
A win to Mitcham against ninth-ranked Woodville South this Saturday would make it a near certainty to play finals after last week accounting for Pulteney 17.16 (118) to 11.6 (72).
The Hawks led by 37 points at half-time and 52 points at the last change before Pulteney had its best quarter with 6.1 to 4.7.
Max Smyth dominated for Mitcham with eight goals, while Lachlan Hall and Chad Ytsma were solid.
Alex Forbes, Josh Giddings and Brad Clark battled well for Pulteney.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Pembroke 13.7 (85) d Morphettville Park 10.10 (70) at Kellett Reserve
■ Hope Valley 18.7 (115) d Woodville South 10.10 (70) at Ledger Oval
■ Walkerville 24.17 (161) d Kilburn 6.8 (44) at Walkerville Oval
DIVISION FIVE
The top five looks set with two rounds to play as Lockleys, Kenilworth, Colonel Light Gardens, Salisbury and Smithfield are in the box seat to progress to the finals.
Sixth-placed West Croydon could, however, force its way into finals contention with a percentage of 46.52 compared to Smithfield’s 55.85.
But it would need to win its final two matches by big margins against eighth-ranked Eastern Park and against unbeaten Lockleys.
West Croydon edged Pooraka, 12.10 (82) to 11.8 (74) at Lindblom Park on Saturday.
Jaydn Gagliardi, Luke Francis and Darren Francis were best for the visitors.
Frank Timpano, Luis Timpano and James Chakiris did their bit for the Bulls.
Lockleys’ winning ways continued when it beat third team Colonel Light Gardens away.
Leading by 24, 19 and 36 points at the breaks, the Demons cruised in 14.11 (95) to 8.13 (61).
Former Richmond and North Adelaide midfielder Tom McDonough starred/
He had plenty of support from Joseph Faraone, Sean Stormonth and Henry Johnson (six goals).
Emmett Wood, Russell McLean and Billy King enjoyed solid games for the Lions.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Smithfield 19.15 (129) D Rosewater 6.10 (46) at Eric Sutton Oval
■ Salisbury 27.9 (171) d Fitzroy 3.9 (27) at Salisbury Oval
■ Kenilworth 17.16 (118) d Eastern Park 11.10 (76) at Simonds Park
DIVISION SIX
Hectorville, Elizabeth and the old scholars teams St Pauls and Blackfriars look to be heading for major round action with two weeks to play.
Trinity Old Scholars (fifth) and Marion, sitting sixth with a strong percentage of 61.51, are likely to wage a keen battle to grab fifth place.
Marion must win both games against Houghton Districts (seventh) and fourth team Blackfriars away and rely on Trinity to lose to either ninth-ranked Mawson Lakes or second team Elizabeth to steal fifth spot.
Blackfriars Old Scholars handed a lesson to Houghton Districts at St Dominics Oval on Saturday, winning 21.18 (144) to 4.7 (31).
Matthew Brincat, Luke Murphy and Patrick Meaney dominated for the Hounds.
The Raiders battled against a tough opponent as Cameron Schutz, Alex Coombe and Ben Turner were among the better players.
Trinity Old Scholars put a big space between it and Marion, crushing the Rams 15.17 (107) to 6.7 (43) at home.
Cooper Burt dominated in attack for Trinity with five goals, while Trent and Travis Eves were prominent.
Brayden Reeves, Nickolas Howard and Sean Bayzand worked hard for Marion.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Elizabeth 23.20 (158) d Para Hills 8.5 (53) at Argana Park
■ Hectorville 24.11 (155) d Mawson Lakes 6.3 (39) at Thebarton Oval
■ St Pauls d Ingle Farm on forfeit
DIVISION SEVEN
Finals contenders, even with three rounds to play, are likely to be Brahma Lodge, Adelaide Lutheran, Mitchell Park and Flinders University, Brahma sitting on top with one loss from seven rounds in a six-team competition.
Adelaide Lutheran accounted for O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale, 18.16 (124) to 11.5 (71) away on Saturday.
Lutheran led by 20 points at quarter-time but the Lions fought back to cut the margin to just nine at the main break.
The third term proved the key for the winners, who kicked 7.7 to 5.1.
Jing Li, Matthew Horwood, Tyson Smith and Trevor Rigney (seven goals) battled well for the Lions.
Tim Kidney, Jack Davies, Tom Burgess (four goals) and Jason Dikkenberg (five majors) led the charge for the visitors.
Third team Mitchell Park made short work of Flinders University, prevailing 19.14 (128) to 9.7 (61).
Blake Trigg, Ben Weekley and John Watson starred for the Lions.
Ben Caruso, Dennis McEvoy and Ben Johnston were solid for the Crabs.
OTHER RESULTS:
■ Brahma Lodge 33.17 (215 d Central United 4.3 (27) at Brahma Lodge
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Payneham Norwood Union ended the division one women’s minor round top and undefeated after smashing Angle Vale at home on Saturday night.
The Falcons prevailed 12.17 (89) to 0.0 (0).
Crows AFLW listed youngster Chloe Scheer starred with five majors in her come back from an ACL injury sustained in Adelaide’s 2017 grand final win.
Tegan Roberts was also solid with two majors, while she had plenty of support from Danielle Stewart and Elisha Nye.
PNU will get a double chance and a bye this weekend before playing in a semi-final.
SMOSH West Lakes will take on Old Ignatians in a qualifying final at a venue to be advised after winning its last minor round game.
The Lions beat Golden Grove 18.10 (118) to 0.0 (0) at home.
Remy Grant finished with five goals, while Tehlara Lovett and Tayla Gordon kicked three each.
Morphettville Park will play Adelaide University in an elimination final at home this Saturday.
The Kangaroos lost to Old Ignatians 11.5 (71) to 6.5 (41) away on Saturday but finished fourth on the ladder.
Adelaide University enters the elimination final in winning form after triumphing over Salisbury 4.13 (37) to 4.5 (29) at home on Saturday.
