Cove Cobras pulled off their best win in a number of years following an upset 10-point win against reigning premier Flagstaff Hill during round nine action in the Southern Football League (SFL) at Hallett Cove yesterday. In wet and windy conditions, the Cobras started well to lead by 23 points at quarter time. The first term would prove decisive as the Falcons tried to claw their way back into the game but ultimately came up short with Cove winning 8.14 (62) to 6.16 (52). Jayden Morton kicked three goals for Cove, while Nathan Beenham kicked two for Flagstaff Hill. Best players for the Cobras were Chris Buersch, Corey Jackson, Lincoln Holder, Brad Strapps and Aaron Wordsworth. ‘Flaggies’ were best served by Brad Kirk, Brad Patterson, Nathan Beenham, Ben Burbridge and Ethan Wildman.

Aldinga also pulled off a big upset with a five-point win at Shark Park against an inaccurate Morphett Vale. Aldinga started well to lead by seven points at the first change. Morphett Vale dominated the second term, but could only kick 1.8, to lead by six points at halftime. Aldinga got back on top in the ‘premiership quarter’ as they kicked four goals to zero to take a handy 19-point lead into the last quarter. Morphett Vale again dominated but again kicked just 1.8 , while Aldinga were held scoreless, but the Sharks managed to hang on and win 6.7 (43) to 3.20 (38). Zach Young kicked two goals for Aldinga and Braden Ritter also kicked two goals for Morphett Vale. Best players for Aldinga were Angus Stangewitz, Luke Watson, Bailey Pilmore, Mitchell Jarrett and Brady O’Hanlon. Morphett Vale’s best included Scott Carpenter, Robert Schindler-Taylor and Julian Mardigan. 

Reynella completed the first half of the season undefeated after a come-from-behind win at Noarlunga. The Wine Flies trailed by 10 points at the last change before kicking six goals to two in the final term to win 8.8 (56) to 6.6 (42). Reynella's Callan Semple was the major goalkicker on the field with three majors, while Troy Johnson and Vic Robertson each kicked two goals for the Shoes. Nick McLean, Sam Whitbread, Brad Thompson, Cam McGree and Bailey England were best for the top-of-the-ladder Reynella. Noarlunga were best served by Bailey Snelling, Jarrad Lielbelt, Thomas Mott, Johnson and Nathan Schulz. 

Happy Valley moved to second spot on the ladder with a nail-biting four-point win against Christies Beach. The Vikings started well to lead by 18 points at the first change, but ‘Christies’ lifted in the next two quarters to take an eight-point lead at three-quarter time. Happy Valley steadied in the last quarter with three goals to one to win 7.7 (49) to 6.9 (45). Corey Grocock kicked three goals for Happy Valley, as did Nathan Stock for Christies Beach. Jayden Little, Josh Penney, Scott Rademacher, Dwayne Ruddock and Grocock were named best players for the Vikings. Stock, Jacob Crate, Dwayne Morrison, Ben Powell and Nathan Sable were best for the Saints.

Port Noarlunga had the bye. There is a whole of competition bye next weekend for the Queen’s Birthday with round 10 to be played on the 18th of June.

Ladder after Round 9

Reynella 16, Happy Valley 12, Noarlunga 10, Flagstaff Hill 10, Morphett Vale 8, Christies Beach 6, Cove 6, Aldinga 4, Port Noarlunga 0.

Round 10 (Saturday 18 June)

Christies Beach v Noarlunga

Flagstaff Hill v Reynella

Cove v Aldinga

Morphett Vale v Port Noarlunga

Happy Valley has the bye