Ironbank completed an undefeated minor round in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division with a crushing 62-point win over reigning premier Gumeracha. The game was as good as over at quarter time after the Thunderers kicked 7.8 to 1.3 to take a 41-point lead into quarter time. Six goals each in the second term saw the margin increase slightly to 42 points in favour of Ironbank-Cherry Gardens. A further seven goals to four in the second half saw the final score 20.18 (138) to 11.10 (76). Jeremy Johncock, Elijah Ware and Josh Vandermeer all kicked five goals for the Thunderers. Vandermeer ended up with 42 goals for the season to win the goal kicking award for the HFL Country Division. Cam Redden and Ben Hanna each kicked three majors for Gumeracha.

Kangarilla tuned up for the finals with a crushing 169-point destruction of Torrens Valley. After a low scoring first quarter saw Kangarilla lead by just 10 points, it was all one way traffic for the last three quarters with Kangies kicking 24 goals to none, including 10 goals in the final term, to win 26.21 (177) to 1.2 (8). Kangarilla had 10 different goal kickers including Jamie Grosser (8), Michael Ross (5), Samuel Hall (4) and Henry Cann (3). Ashley Fawcett was the sole goalkicker for Torrens Valley while Mark Mueller was named best player for the Lions.

Bridgewater-Callington finished their season in style with a big 94-point win against Macclesfield. The Raiders came out firing to kick eight goals in the first quarter and followed up with another six majors in the second quarter to lead by a whopping 77 points at halftime. A further nine goals to five in the second half saw Bridgewater-Callington win 23.10 (148) to 7.12 (54). The Raiders had 11 different goal kickers with Alistair Fleming leading the way with six goals to give him 25 for the season. He was ably supported by Alec Bryars (3), Nat Ryan (3), Jackson Hooper (2), Nathan Rowlands (2) and Shaun Steele (2). Reece Jolly and Jesse McCarthy each kicked two goals for Macclesfield.

Birdwood prepared for the finals with a solid 18-point win at Meadows which secured the all important double chance for the Roosters. Birdwood started well to lead by 15 points at quarter time after kicking five goals to three in the opening stanza. The home side turned things around and hit the front late in the second term to hold a four point lead at halftime. Birdwood could see the double chance slipping away so they came out firing in the third quarter to kick 6.5 to 1.3 and turn for home with a 28-point lead. Meadows won the last quarter but it wasn’t enough as Birdwood won 14.14 (98) to 12.8 (80). Josh Sykes and Christian Elliott each kicked five goals for the Roosters and Sean Williams kicked three. Andrew Coombe (5), Mathew Beinke (3) and Jacob Comley (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Meadows.

Kersbrook had the bye.

Final Ladder

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 16, Gumeracha 12, Birdwood 12, Kersbrook 10, Kangarilla 10, Meadows 4, Bridgewater-Callington 4, Macclesfield 2, Torrens Valley 0.

Semi Final fixtures

Gumeracha v Birdwood (Kersbrook Oval, Saturday 2.30pm)

Kersbrook v Kangarilla (Birdwood Oval, Sunday 2.30pm)