Southern Football League - Round 18

Noarlunga has finished the minor round undefeated after another big win, this time over Christies Beach to the tune of 86 points at home. The Shoes have been untouchable this season, winning all 16 games by an average of 96 points! Christies Beach got off to a good start and held a narrow four point lead at quarter time. From that moment on it was all Noarlunga as they piled on 20 goals to four to win 23.10 (148) to 8.14 (62). Victor Robertson dominated up forward for the minor premier kicking seven goals and he was well supported by Terry Milera and Reece Martell who both booted four. For the Saints Ryan Parry kicked three and Jacob Crate two. Blake Carter was held goalless for Christies Beach but still took out the leading goalkicker award for 2019 with 72 goals. Best for Noarlunga were Nathan Schulz, Robertson and Josh Thewlis. Aidan Coakley, Mathew Hodge and Clayton Mesecke were gallant for Christies Beach. Noarlunga now have the week off to get ready for their second semi-final clash while Christies will need to bounce back against reigning premier Flagstaff Hill in the Qualifying Final on Saturday at Aldinga.

Three-time reigning premier Flagstaff Hill are beginning to look ominous as they warmed up for finals with a crushing 113-point home victory over a hapless Port Noarlunga. The Falcons have now won six games in a row and will enter Saturday’s Qualifying Final against Christies Beach full of confidence. Meanwhile it was a shocker for the Cockle Divers as they prepare to play an Elimination Final against Reynella on Sunday as luck would have it, on their home deck at Port Noarlunga. The Falcons were ruthless opening up a 61-point lead by half-time before a further 11 goals to three in the second half pushed the final score out to 22.19 (151) to 5.8 (38). Flagstaff Hill had 12 different players kick goals with Ben Rossi leading the way with four. Rossi was named best on ground for the Falcons and he was ably supported by David Kearsley and Sam Smith. The Saints had all individual goalkickers while their best were Jed Hickey, Aaron Peterson and Matthew Skrypek.

Happy Valley finished the season with six wins following a final round 66-point win over wooden spooner Aldinga. It was a tight game for the first three quarters with the Vikings holding a 16-point lead at the last change. Aldinga were confident they could finish the season in style by claiming their second win of the campaign but Happy Valley were having none of it in front of their home fans as they piled on eight goals to zero in the final term to win 16.10 (106) to 5.10 (40). Ryan Matthews finished the season on a high for Happy Valley kicking six goals and being named best on ground. Corey Mathewson was the only multiple goalicker for Aldinga with two goals while Nyaningu Thomas was named best for the Sharks.

Reynella warmed up for their finals clash with Port Noarlunga with a tough 20-point win over Cove. Reynella dominated the first three quarters to lead by 40 points at the last change before Cove fought back in the last quarter with three unanswered goals to leave the final score in Reynella’s favour 11.12 (78) to 8.10 (58). Ben Lockett kicked three goals for the Wine Flies while Lincoln Holder played a lone hand up forward for the Cobras with four goals. Steven Farrelly, Bailey Marshman and Adam Broadbent were best for Reynella while Alex Shaw, Holder and Michael Galley were named best for the Cobras.

Morphett Vale had the bye.

Final Ladder

Noarlunga 32 points, Flagstaff Hill 28, Christies Beach 24, Port Noarlunga 20, Reynella 14, Happy Valley 12, Morphett Vale 10, Cove 2, Aldinga 2.