Morphett Vale sent a warning to the Southern Football League (SFL) competition as they notched their first win of 2021 with a convincing 74-point win over Christies Beach yesterday. After a promising round one performance where they lost by just seven points to Flagstaff Hill, the Emus had the bye in round two so they stripped nice and fit for their big ANZAC Day clash with the Saints. It was a tight opening quarter with Christies taking the lead at quarter time by two points. From then on it was all Morphett Vale as the big home crowd urged the Emus on to kick 16 goals to five in the last three quarters to win 17.20 (122) to 7.6 (48). Daniel Noble kicked five goals for Morphett Vale while Denis Iljcesen kicked three. Aidan Coakley was the only multiple goalkicker for the Saints with two majors. Braydan Hartwig, Liam Corrie, Daniel Bode, Noble and Bodie Sowter were named in the best players for Morphett Vale while for Christies Beach, Nathan Stock, Aiden Fitzgibbons and Coakley were among their best.

Reynella went to the top of the SFL ladder following a crushing 120-point win against Cove at Reynella Oval on Saturday. Reynella led by 28 points at quarter time and increased their margin to 40 points by halftime. Any slight glimmer of hope the Cobras had of a comeback were snuffed out with a 10.3 to 0.0 third term from the Wine Flies before the home side went on to win 18.18 (126) to 0.6 (6). Bailey Marshman continued his good recent form as he kicked six goals for the winners. Marshman has 10 goals from three games in 2021. Robert Irra, Bradley Potter, Josh Frisby and Chris Hunter all kicked two majors for Reynella. Tyler Davies was named best on ground for Reynella and he was ably supported by Dylan Roser, Marshman, Potter and Hunter. For Cove, Damian Roach, Hayden Kernahan and Oliver Moore were among their best players.

Happy Valley notched their first victory of 2021 with a 58-point victory over Port Noarlunga at Happy Valley on Saturday. Ben Geytenbeek (4), Dwayne Ruddock (3) and Josh Dwyer Sterzl (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Vikings. Sandy Oosterwegel kicked two majors for Port Noarlunga. Ben Ryan, Joel Beeche, Jaxon McGregor-Dey, Liam Hamilton and Caleb Dolman were named best for Happy Valley. James Ledgard, Alex McKay, Daniel Loveridge, Tristan Pearce and Jesse Vaughan were the best players for Port Noarlunga.

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill won their 16th game in a row following a comprehensive 73-point win in the Grand Final rematch with Noarlunga at Flagstaff Hill. The reigning premiers led by just eight points at quarter time before they kicked six goals to one in the second term to take a comfortable 38-point lead at halftime. A further nine goals to four in the second half saw the Falcons win 17.12 (114) to 6.5 (41). ‘Flaggies’ had eight different goalkickers with Ryan Mountford, Daniel Webb and Samuel Smith all kicking three goals. Nathan Schulz also kicked three goals for the Shoes and Reece Martell slotted two majors. Brad Patterson, Tynan Carney, Webb, Sam Tharaldsen and Brad Kirk were named best for Flagstaff Hill while Callum Gaspari, Jake Anderson, Martell, Brayden Wait and Thomas Mott were best for Noarlunga

Aldinga had the bye.

Ladder after Round 3

Reynella 6, Flagstaff Hill 6, Morphett Vale 2, Happy Valley 2, Noarlunga 2, Aldinga 2, Christies Beach 2, Cove 2, Port Noarlunga 0.

Round 4 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Aldinga v Reynella

Cove v Christies Beach

Noarlunga v Happy Valley

Port Noarlunga v Morphett Vale

Flagstaff Hill has the bye