Noarlunga won their fourth game of the season and moved within percentage of third spot following their comprehensive 94-point victory against Cove during round eight action in the Southern Football League (SFL) on Saturday. The Shoes started well to lead by 22 points at quarter time and the game was as good as over at halftime as Noarlunga kicked eight goals to one in the second stanza to take a 66-point lead into the long break. A further nine goals to five in the second half saw Noarlunga win 22.14 (146) to Cove 8.4 (52). Vic Robertson was a star up forward for the Shoes as he kicked nine goals in a best on ground performance. Reece Martell (6), Callum Gaspari (3) and Josh Thewlis (3) were the other multiple goalkickers for Noarlunga. Jayden Morton kicked three goals for the Cobras while Blake Harding kicked two majors. Joining Vic Robertson in the best players for the Shoes was Sam Carlyle, Martell, Nick Robertson and Gaspari. Best for the Cobras was Hayden Kernahan, Morton, Ryan Need, Corey Jackson and Scott Abbott.

Christies Beach had their second win of the season with a 37-point win over local rival Port Noarlunga at Bice Oval. Christies got off to a good start to lead by 25 points at quarter time and they extended their lead out to 47 points by halftime as they took control of the game. ‘Porties’ battled hard to win the second half but the damage had been done as the Saints won 16.11 (107) to 11.4 (70). Blake Carter kicked five goals for Christies while Matthew Coulthard led the way for the Cockle Divers with three majors. Aidan Coakley continued his good season to be named best for Christies Beach and he was well supported by Lee Hoey, Rhys Mundy, Jacob Crate and Josh Semmens. Port Noarlunga’s best were Alex McKay, Coulthard, Sam Zeitz, Connor Sampson and Will Hyndman. 

Morphett Vale kept their spot in the top five with a come-from-behind victory at Aldinga on Saturday. Morphett Vale led by six points at quarter time before Aldinga took over as a powerful second term saw them kick six goals to three to take a handy 14-point lead to the main break. The game tightened up again in the third quarter as scores were level at 9.8 (62) apiece at the last change. Morphett Vale produced a powerful last quarter burst of six goals to one to win by 27 points, 15.9 (99) to 10.12 (72). Denis Iljcesen (4) and Joel Handreck (3) led the goal kickers for the Emus while the Sharks’ Timmy Sumner dobbed four majors. Jared Greenbank was best for the fast finishing Emus and he was ably supported by Braydan Hartwig, Handreck, Jack Barter and Connor Lock. Best players for Aldinga included Michael Balas, Sam Noble, Byron Sumner, Angus Stangewitz and Timmy Sumner.

The Flagstaff Hill machine rolled on to a 20th consecutive victory on Saturday, this time by 93 points at Happy Valley. The opening term was tight with 2021’s big improvers in Happy Valley only trailing by six points at the first break. However, from then on it was all the Falcons as they kicked 16 goals to two to win 19.9 (123) to 4.6 (30). As usual ‘Flaggies’ had plenty of avenues to goal with nine different goalkickers led by Daniel Butcher with five while Ryan Mountford kicked four. Sam Tharaldsen continued his excellent season for the reigning premier to be named best on ground. He was well supported by Brayden Heyward-Ferors, Tynan Carney, Mountford and Michael Shearer. James Hay, Ross Mullins, Matthew Sukkel, Joel Beech and Liam O’Connor were best for the Vikings.

Reynella had the bye.

Ladder after Round 8

Flagstaff Hill 14, Reynella 12, Happy Valley 8, Noarlunga 8, Morphett Vale 6, Christies Beach 4, Port Noarlunga 4, Aldinga 4, Cove 4.

Round 9 Fixtures (Home team named first)

Flagstaff Hill v Aldinga

Morphett Vale v Happy Valley

Noarlunga v Port Noarlunga

Reynella v Christies Beach

Cove has the bye