Happy Valley moved into the top-five on the Southern Football League (SFL) ladder after a 31-point win at Morphett Vale during round six action yesterday.The Vikings got off to a fast start to lead by 25 points at the first change, before Morphett Vale reduced the margin to 19 points at halftime. The third quarter would prove decisive as Happy Valley kicked six goals to one to take an unassailable 51-point lead into the last term. The Emus won the last stanza, but Happy Valley prevailed 14.12 (96) to 9.11 (65). Josh Dwyer-Sterzl kicked three goals for the Vikings, while Blake Carter and Max Sampson kicked two goals each for the Emus. Best players for Happy Valley included Matthew Lillis, Max Gill, Jack Flett, Cody Cox and Liam Hamilton. Morphett Vale were best served by Michael Smith, Sampson, Jake Dorshorst, Toby Irlam and Cooper Manns.

Port Noarlunga maintained their perfect start to 2024 with a huge 146-point win against Cove. ‘Porties’ led by 62 points at halftime, before kicking a further 14 goals to one in the second half to win 25.20 (170) to 2.12 (24). Port Noarlunga had 12 different goalkickers including Ben Currie (4), Nick Steele (4) and Eduard Van den berg (3). Jack Riddle and Alex Marra each kicked a goal for the Cobras. Nathaniel Paredes, Billy Cook, Jonathan Cook, Jayden Green, Steele and Currie were named best for the Cockle Divers. Cove were best served by Jayj Butler-Chaseling, Adam Kleinig and Rhys Mutch.

Noarlunga won their fourth game of the season with a comfortable 55-point win over Aldinga at Old Noarlunga. The Shoes led at every change before winning 10.11 (71) to 2.4 (16). Terry Kathopoulis kicked three goals for Noarlunga in a best-on-ground display, while Sam Beard and Jamie Grosser kicked two goals each. Brayden Hooper and Jayden Scott kicked one goal each for the Sharks. Joining Kathopoulis in the best players for Noarlunga were Josh Beard, Nick Mott, Sam Beard, Zac Williams and Matthew Fry. Best for Aldinga were Josiah Sheppard, Angus Stangewitz, Samuel Bentley, Luke Watson and Cooper Rose. 

Reynella won their fifth match of 2024 after a comprehensive 136-point win against Ironbank Cherry Gardens. The Wine Flies led by 74 points at halftime and kicked a further 10 goals to one in the second half to win 21.22 (148) to 1.6 (12). Callan Semple kicked six goals for Reynella and he was well supported by Harrison Pope and Marc Borholm who kicked three goals apiece. Sam Whitbread, Lachlan McGuinness, Matthew Stanford, Mitchell Scotland, Dylan Roser and Alex Lawley were named best for the Wine Flies, while Josh Marshall, Rhys Wooley and Jake Pokoina were among the best players for the Thunderers. 

Flagstaff Hill also won their fifth game of the season after defeating Christies Beach by 81 points at Flagstaff Hill. ‘Flaggies’ trailed by 15 points at quarter time, before kicking 18 goals to three in the final three quarters to win 20.14 (134) to 8.5 (53). The Falcons had 10 different goalkickers with Blake Aldridge, Aiden Grayson and Ryan Mountford kicking three goals each. Zak Short was the best forward for the Saints with four majors. Flagstaff Hill were best served by D’Arcy Mitchell, Brayden Heyward-Ferors, Joshua Rosman, Luke Beenham, Jordan Etto and Aldridge. Thomas Kirwan, Mackenzie Nield, Joshua de Roode, Jordan Hunnable-Ford, Short and Ryan Matthews were named best for ‘Christies’. 

Ladder (after round 6)

Port Noarlunga 12, Reynella 10, Flagstaff Hill 10, Noarlunga 8, Happy Valley 6, Christies Beach 4, Cove 4, Ironbank Cherry Gardens 4, Aldinga 2, Morphett Vale 0.

Round 7 fixtures (home team named first)

Ironbank Cherry Gardens v Flagstaff Hill

Reynella v Cove

Port Noarlunga v Noarlunga 

Aldinga v Morphett Vale

Happy Valley v Christies Beach