Aldinga won their first game of the season after taking out a thriller by one point over Morphett Vale during round 3 action in the Southern Football League (SFL) at Morphett Vale on Anzac Day. Aldinga played an excellent first half to go to the long break with a handy 35-point lead. Morphett Vale came roaring back into the contest with seven goals to two in the third term as the Sharks’ margin was cut to just four points. The final quarter saw four goals to each team before Aldinga finally triumphed 17.6 (108) to 16.11 (107). Jack Langdon kicked four goals for Aldinga, while Brad Lang and Connor Lock also kicked four goals for Morphett Vale. Aldinga’s best players were Mitch Jarrett, Brodie Roesler, Izaih Wortley, Angus Stangewitz, Thomas Boreham and Langdon. Best for the Emus included Connor Mulloy, Vincent Tassone, Lock, Oleh Trus, Robert Schindler-Taylor and Jai Robinson.

Flagstaff Hill came from behind at three quarter time to defeat reigning premier Reynella by 20 points at Reynella last night. The Wine Flies turned for home with a slender four-point lead, before ‘Flaggies’ kicked five goals to one in the final term to win 10.13 (73) to 7.11 (53). Mitch Johnson and Blake Aldridge kicked two goals each for the Falcons, while Dylan Roser and Brad Potter also kicked two goals for the Wine Flies. Best players for Flagstaff Hill were D’Arcy Mitchell, Bradley Kirk, Benjamin Jeffries, Reece Milsom, Joshua Rosman and Jaxon Bennett. Reynella was best served by Brayden Nicholls, Tyler Davies, Talon Copley, Jack Stiles, Daniel Whitaker and Will Gregory.

Port Noarlunga continued their undefeated start to the season after winning a thriller against local rival Noarlunga by six points yesterday. Scores were tied late in the last quarter before ‘Porties’ defender Nathan Hedger kicked what turned out to be the winning goal. Earlier, Noarlunga looked like they were going to win their first game of the season as they held a handy 16-point lead at the last change. Port Noarlunga had other ideas as they kicked the only three goals of the last quarter to win 7.13 (55) to 7.7 (49). Oliver Petrohilos kicked three goals for the Cockle Divers, while Josh Inglis kicked two goals for the Shoes. Best players for Port Noarlunga were Nathaniel Paredes, Charley Wiseman, Joshua Johns, Todd Mckay, Brodie Smith and Petrohilos. Best for the Shoes included Nick Mott, Jacob Taylor, Matthew Fry, Sam Goldfinch, Brad Inglis and Jake Anderson.

Happy Valley won their second game of the season with a 23-point win at home against Christies Beach. Happy Valley got off to a fast start to lead by 27 points at quarter time, before ‘Christies’ came back into the game to see scores level at halftime. The Vikings pulled away in the second half, kicking seven goals to four, to win 13.17 (95) to 11.6 (72). Harry Vick was best-on-ground for Happy Valley with five goals, while Billy Wilson, Nicholas Frisby-Smith, Dylan Strickland, Jordan Thompson and Nicholas Kraemer also played well for the Vikings. Mackenzie Nield (3 goals) was best for the Saints and he was well supported by Shannon Archbold, Austin Hogg, Thomas Kirwan, Brock Wall-Murphy and Nathan Sable.

Cove moved up to second spot on the ladder with a thrilling six-point win over Ironbank Cherry Gardens. The Cobras played a good first half to take a handy 24-point lead at halftime. Ironbank Cherry Gardens came back into the contest with four goals to one in the third term to cut the margin to six points at the last change. Each team had plenty of chances in the final quarter as they both kicked 3.6, as the Cobras held on to win 14.16 (100) to 13.16 (94). Lincoln Holder and Ryan Need each kicked three goals for Cove, while Chase Wooley also kicked three majors for the Thunderers. James Farrugia, Need, Holder, Jackson Riddle, Samuel Kendall were named best for the Cobras. Best for Ironbank Cherry Gardens were Jacob Matheson, Wooley, Seth Powell, Jak Goudman-Glasson, Alec Bryars and Ben De Kievit.

Ladder (after round 3)

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

Round 4 fixtures - home teams named first

Cove v Port Noarlunga

Noarlunga v Morphett Vale

Flagstaff Hill v Happy Valley

Aldinga v Reynella

Christies Beach v Ironbank Cherry Gardens