Southern Football League - Round 17

Three-time reigning premier Flagstaff Hill are warming up nicely for a tilt at a fourth flag in a row after dismantling third placed Christies Beach to the tune of 57 points at Christies on Saturday. The Falcons opened up a match winning 60-point lead at half-time, kicking 11.5 (71) to 1.5 (11). The Saints put a bit of respectability back on the scoreboard by winning the second half by three points but ultimately went down 19.11 (125) to 10.8 (68). Miles Sumner kicked six goals for Flaggies and Daniel Webb slotted five majors. Jamie Dunn, Rhys Mundy and Shaun King kicked two goals each for the Saints. Ben Rossi continued his excellent recent form being named best for the Falcons along with Bradley Patterson and Sam Smith. For the Saints it was Dunn, Josiah Sheppard and Nathan Stock named in the best players. The two sides will face off again in less than two weeks in the Qualifying Final at Aldinga.

Happy Valley won their fifth game for the season with an upset 10.9 (69) to 9.7 (61) victory over Reynella. Reynella started the game well to lead by 10 points at quarter time but the Vikings fired back in the second stanza kicking five goals to one to take a 17-point lead into half-time. In an even second half Happy Valley did enough to hang on by eight points. Ryan Matthew and Nick Frisby-Smith each kicked two goals for Happy Valley while Ryan Mahony, Callan Semple and Bradley Potter also kicked two for the Wine Flies. Best for the Vikings were Justin Schurgott, Frisby-Smith and Scott Rademacher while for Reynella Steven Farrelly, Bailey Marshman and Mahony battled hard all day.

Port Noarlunga won their third consecutive game with a convincing 66-point victory at Cove. The Cockle Divers led at every change by 18, 35 and 39 points before kicking six goals to two in the final term for a final scoreline of 21.15 (141) to 11.9 (75). Nathan Hedger kicked six goals and was named best for Port Noarlunga. He was well supported by Jake Veide and Philip Brown. Ryan Need was a lone hand up forward for the Cobras booting five goals and he was named in the best alongside Dean Hancock and Ben Charlesworth.

An extremely inaccurate Morphett Vale have clung on for their fifth win of the season with a 7.21 (63) to 8.5 (53) victory at Aldinga. The Emus opened up a handy 24-point lead at half-time before the Sharks kicked three goals to zero in the third term to be just six points in arrears and eyeing off just their second victory of the season. With the bye next week in the final round, this was Morphett Vale’s final quarter of the season and they dug deep to claim the 10-point victory. Nathan Bayly and Tyron Bennetts kicked two goals each for Morphett Vale. Nyaningu Thomas was the only multiple goalkicker for Aldinga also with two goals. Bodie Sowter was named best for the second week in a row for Morphett Vale while Bryan Sienes was best for a brave Aldinga side.

Noarlunga had the bye.

Ladder after 17 rounds

Noarlunga 30 points, Flagstaff Hill 26, Christies Beach 24, Port Noarlunga 20, Reynella 12, Morphett Vale 10, Happy Valley 10, Cove 2, Aldinga 2.