Port Noarlunga moved to the top of the Southern Football League (SFL) ladder after defeating Morphett Vale by 24 points during round five action at Port Noarlunga today. The Cockle Divers led at every change to win 12.18 (90) to 10.6 (66). Clinton Calyun kicked three goals for ‘Porties’, while Jake Dorshorst and Thaddeus Puautjimi kicked two goals each for the Emus. Best players for Port Noarlunga were Brodie Smith, Eduard Van den berg, Aaron Peterson, Rhys Mckay, Charley Wiseman and Khalan Ortmann. Morphett Vale were best served by Dorshorst, Bailey Sowter, Dylan Miller, Connor Lock, Max Sampson and Khori Mills-Richardson.

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill inflicted Reynella’s first loss of 2024 after a come-from-behind 13-point victory at home today. Reynella raced out of the blocks to take a 23-point lead at the first change, and they still led by 11 points at halftime. The Falcons worked themselves back into the game, kicking six goals to three in the second half, to run out winners 11.10 (76) to 10.3 (63). Nathan Beenham kicked three majors for ‘Flaggies’ in a best-on-ground performance, as did Callan Semple for the Wine Flies. Other good players for the Falcons were Bradley Kirk, D’Arcy Mitchell, Kobe Cavouras, Zakaria Cavouras and Ethan Wildman. Best for Reynella were Tyler Davies, Samuel Whitbread, Mitchell Scotland, Jack Ball, Marc Borholm and Luke Cooper.

Noarlunga moved up to fourth spot with a 30-point home win against Cove. Cove started on fire to lead by 26 points at the first change, before the Shoes hit back to lead by four points at the main break. The third term was even with the home side turning for home with a one-point lead. Five unanswered goals in the last quarter saw Noarlunga home 12.10 (82) to 7.10 (52). Luke Ross was named best for the Shoes and he was well supported by Jamison Snelling, Michael Balas, Sam Beard, Nick Mott and Sam Goldfinch. Alex Marra, Christopher Buersch, Oliver Moore, Lucas Hill, Adam Kleinig and Kyle Stoldt were best for the Cobras. The Shoes’ Jamie Grosser (3) was the leading goalkicker on the field.

Happy Valley won their second game of the season after defeating Ironbank Cherry Gardens by 30 points. The Vikings led at every change before winning 13.6 (84) to 8.6 (54). Harry Davenport and Josh Dwyer-Sterzl kicked three goals each for Happy Valley, while Bradley Kreuger also kicked three goals for the Thunderers. Max Gill, Jett Carlier, Liam Hamilton, Matthew Lillis, Jack Flett and Nicholas Frisby-Smith were named best for Happy Valley, while Ironbank Cherry Gardens were best served by Josh Marshall, Chase Wooley, Will Ballestrin, Jake Pokoina, Kaea Cleary and Mitchell Davis.

Christies Beach moved inside the top-five after defeating Aldinga by 24 points at Bice Oval. The final scores were ‘Christies’ 9.14 (68) to Aldinga 6.8 (44). Jace Daris, Michael Mazey and Mackenzie Nield all kicked two goals for the Saints, while Ishmael Palmer slotted four majors for Aldinga. Best players for Christies Beach were Mazey, Callum Haddon, Jace Daris, Nathan Sable, Thomas Kirwan and Jonty Murphy. Samuel Bentley was best for the Sharks and he was well supported by Josiah Sheppard, Isaac Churchill, Harrison Jarman, Luke Watson and Palmer. 

Ladder (after round 5)

Port Noarlunga 10, Flagstaff Hill 8, Reynella 8, Noarlunga 6, Christies Beach 4, Cove 4, Happy Valley 4, Ironbank Cherry Gardens 4, Aldinga 2, Morphett Vale 0.

Round 6 fixtures (home team named first)

Cove v Port Noarlunga

Flagstaff Hill v Christies Beach

Morphett Vale v Happy Valley

Reynella v Ironbank Cherry Gardens 

Noarlunga v Aldinga