Morphett Vale consolidated their spot in the top-five on the Southern Football League (SFL) ladder following their excellent 42-point win over fellow finals aspirant Noarlunga yesterday. The win puts the Emus up to fourth spot and a game clear of sixth-placed Christies Beach. Morphett Vale got off to a good start as they led by 17 points at quarter time. Noarlunga hit back in the second term but could only reduce the margin to 14 points at halftime as they kicked an inaccurate 3.4 to 3.1. The Emus kicked three goals to two in the third term to take a handy 19-point lead to the last change. Buoyed by their home crowd, Morphett Vale kicked five goals to one in the final term to win 16.3 (99) to 8.9 (57). Denis Iljcesen kicked five goals for the Emus and he was well supported by Aiden Baker (4), Julian Mardigan (3) and Bodie Sowter (2). Tailen Hobson and Nathan Schulz each kicked two goals for the Shoes. Sowter, Liam Corrie, Leroy Marsh, Baker and Mardigan were named best for the Emus. For Noarlunga, Callum Gaspari, Bailey Snelling and Jake Anderson were among their best players.

Happy Valley all but cemented the double chance after a tight 18-point win at Aldinga yesterday. Happy Valley opened up a handy 17-point lead at halftime but the home side came roaring back into the contest with a four goal to one third term to cut the ‘Valleys’ lead to a solitary point at the last change. To their credit, the Vikings steadied to kick three unanswered goals in the last quarter to win 13.13 (91) to 10.13 (73). Dwayne Ruddock and Ben Geytenbeek each kicked three goals for the Vikings while Timmy Sumner, Jason Martin and Michael Balas each kicked two majors for the Sharks. James Hay, Henry Kerrison, Joel Beeche, Ross Mullins and Matthew Lillis were named best for Happy Valley. Balas, Brady O’Hanlon and Martin were among the best players for Aldinga.

Flagstaff Hill continued their undefeated season with an 18-point victory in their top-of-the-table clash with Reynella. Flagstaff Hill dominated the first half to lead by 37 points at halftime and another big Falcons win appeared on the cards. Reynella showed their class in the third term as they kicked four goals to one to reduce the margin to 21 points at the final change. The Wine Flies had their chances in the final term but could only manage 1.4 as ‘Flaggies’ won 12.11 (83) to 9.11 (65). Nathan Beenham and Daniel Butcher kicked three goals each for the Falcons. Callan Semple and Jason Ferrier also kicked three goals apiece for Reynella. Best players for Flagstaff Hill included Mitchell Johnson, Brad Kirk, Huw Channing, Brad Patterson and Nathan Beenham. Reynella were best served by Ben Lockett, Tyler Davies, Farrier, Boyd Austin and Nick McLean.

Cove won their fourth game of the season with a convincing 73-point win at home against Port Noarlunga. It was a tight first quarter as the Cobras took a three-point lead to the first break. From then on it was all the Cobras as they kicked 14 goals to four to win 17.19 (121) to 7.6 (48). Cove shared the goals around with nine different goalkickers including Jayden Morton, David Harvey and Bailey Nicholas who all kicked three majors. Ashley Baxter kicked two goals for the Cockle Divers. Scott Grieve, Oliver Moore, Ryan Muldoon, Nicholas and Damian Roach were named best for the Cobras while James Ledgard, Jordan Zeitz and Jesse Vaughan were among Port Noarlunga’s best players.

Christies Beach had the bye.

Ladder after Round 16

Flagstaff Hill 24, Reynella 22, Happy Valley 16, Morphett Vale 12, Noarlunga 12, Christies Beach 10, Cove 8, Aldinga 4, Port Noarlunga 4.

Round 17 Fixtures (August 14 - home team named first)

Flagstaff Hill v Happy Valley

Morphett Vale v Aldinga

Noarlunga v Cove

Port Noarlunga v Christies Beach

Reynella has the bye