Flagstaff Hill reached the halfway mark of the season on top of the ladder and undefeated after beating Noarlunga by 10 points during round nine action in the Southern Football League (SFL) at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. The Falcons started well, kicking six first-quarter goals, to lead by 22 points at the first change. Noarlunga won the last three quarters, kicking six goals to three, but ‘Flaggies’ prevailed 9.10 (64) to 8.6 (54). Sam Jacobs and Nathan Beenham kicked three goals each for Flagstaff Hill, while Callum Gaspari was a standout for the Shoes with five goals. Best players for the Falcons were Adam Bunworth, Brad Kirk, Kobe Cavouras, Ryan Mountford and David Kearsley. Noarlunga’s best were Gaspari, Josh Beard, Nathan Schulz, Bailey Hann and Nick Robertson.

Morphett Vale won their second game in a row with a 14-point win at Happy Valley. The game was close throughout with Morphett Vale holding a slender four-point lead at the last change. The Emus were kicking to the ‘scoring end’ in the last quarter and they finished strongly, kicking three goals to one, to win 10.6 (66) to 7.10 (52). Scott Bedford (4) and Blake Carter (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Morphett Vale, while Jack Flett and Corey Grocock kicked two goals each for the Vikings. Brian Gill, Scott Bedford, Jack Dal Santo, Braydan Hartwig and Michael Smith were amongst the best players for Morphett Vale. Happy Valley was best served by Joel Beeche, Harry Vick, Liam Hamilton, Nick Frisby-Smith and Matthew Lillis.

Reynella consolidated their spot in the top-three following a 36-point win against Port Noarlunga. The Wine Flies won every quarter to take victory 9.15 (69) to 5.3 (33). Callan Semple kicked five goals for Reynella, while teammate Bailey Marshman kicked three majors. Nathaniel Paredes kicked four goals for Port Noarlunga. Reynella ruckman Marc Borholm was named best-on-ground and he was well supported by Sam Whitbread, Semple, Talon Copley and Liam Reid. Best for ‘Porties’ included Paredes, Aaron Peterson, Billy Cook, Chris Black and Josh Johns.

Cove won their third game of the season with a 17-point win against Christies Beach at Hallett Cove. The Cobras led by 17 points at quarter time, and extended their lead out to a handy 26-points by halftime. Christies Beach came back into the game with a four goal to zero third term to trail by just four points at the last change. Cove steadied in the last term, kicking three goals to one, to win 10.11 (71) to 8.6 (54). Kaine Harris (3) and Riley Jones (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Cove, while James Conlon and Harrison Butcher kicked two goals each for the Saints. Jones was named best for Cove and he was well supported by Lincoln Holder, Simon Hulme, Hayden Kernahan and Jackson Riddle, The Saints were best served by Shaun King, Ryan Parry, Joel Andruszkiewicz, Jonty Murphy and Austin Hogg. 

Aldinga had the bye.

Ladder after Round 9

Flagstaff Hill 16, Reynella 14, Noarlunga 12, Port Noarlunga 8, Happy Valley 6, Morphett Vale 6, Cove 6, Aldinga 4, Christies Beach 0.

Round 10 Fixtures (Saturday 24/6/23)

Aldinga v Port Noarlunga 

Morphett Vale v Noarlunga

Reynella v Flagstaff Hill

Happy Valley v Christies Beach

Cove has the bye