Happy Valley won their eighth game on the trot to go top of the ladder after defeating Reynella by 20 points during round nine action in the Southern Football League (SFL) at Reynella last night. The Vikings set up their victory with a strong first half to lead by 28 points at halftime. The second half was an even affair, with Reynella kicking three goals to two, before Happy Valley ran out winners 10.9 (69) to 7.7 (49). Harry Vick (3), Liam O’Connor (2) and Nick Kraemer (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Vikings, while Jack Ball and Bailey Marshman kicked two goals each for the Wine Flies. Best players for Happy Valley included Sam Flett, Cooper Rogers, Kraemer, Jack Flett, Max Gill and Harry Davenport. Reynella was best served by Lachlan McGuinness, Matthew Stanford, Dylan Roser, Bodie Sowter, Liam Reid and Mitchell Scotland.

Flagstaff Hill won their fifth game in a row, and in the process inflicted Port Noarlunga’s first loss of the season, after a grinding seven-point win at Port Noarlunga yesterday. ‘Porties’ got off to a fast start to lead by 21 points at quarter time, before the Falcons hit back to lead by five points at the long break. Port Noarlunga kicked the only goal of the third term to lead by four points at the last break. ‘Flaggies’ were kicking to the scoring end in the final quarter as they kicked the only two majors of the term to win 6.4 (40) to 4.9 (33). Blake Aldridge kicked three goals for the Falcons, while Gary Karpany kicked two majors for the Cockle Divers. Best players for Flagstaff Hill included Mitchell Johnson, D’Arcy Mitchell, Reece Milsom, Joshua Rosman, Jesse Schefe and Aldridge. Port Noarlunga’s best were Charley Wiseman, Billy Cook, Todd Mckay, Richard O'Grady and Tom Redden.

Cove kept the pressure on for a top-five spot after defeating Morphett Vale by 43 points yesterday. The Cobras held a handy 19-point lead at the last change, before finishing strongly in the last quarter, kicking six goals to two, to win 14.14 (98) to 7.13 (55). Cobras skipper Lincoln Holder was best-on-ground with six goals and he was well supported by Dylan Seirch, Zachary Thomas, Rourke Turner and James Farrugia. Oleh Trus and Troy Sherratt kicked two goals each for the Emus, while their best players included Connor Mulloy, Max Sampson, Braden Ritter, Connor Lock, Sherratt and Braydan Hartwig.

Noarlunga won their third game of the season after a 34-point victory at home over Ironbank Cherry Gardens. The Shoes only led by two points at halftime, before kicking five goals to one in the second half to win 9.13 (67) to 5.3 (33). Brad Inglis kicked five goals for Noarlunga to be named best-on-ground, and he was well supported by Nick Robertson, Nick Mott (200th game), Sam Goldfinch, Ben Goldfinch and Jamison Snelling. Best for Ironbank Cherry Gardens included James Cross, Levi Grigg, Chase Wooley, Ben Marsh, Jacob Campbell and Jacob Matheson.

Christies Beach consolidated their spot in the top-five after a convincing 89-point win at Aldinga. The Saints won every quarter on their way to a 17.11 (113) to 3.6 (24) victory. Zak Short and Ethan Taylor kicked four goals for the Saints, while their best players were Callum Bennett, Brock Wall-Murphy, Rhys Mundy, Liam Chibnall, Aidan Coakley and Jackson Devereux. Best players for the Sharks included Angus Stangewitz, Izaih Wortley, Logan Edwards, Brayden Hooper, Bradley Cook and Joel Cartwright.

Ladder (after round 9)

Happy Valley 16, Flagstaff Hill 16, Port Noarlunga 16, Reynella 12, Christies Beach 10, Cove 8, Noarlunga 6, Ironbank Cherry Gardens 4, Aldinga 2, Morphett Vale 0. 

Round 10 fixtures - home teams named first (Saturday 21/6/25)

Christies Beach v Noarlunga

Reynella v Ironbank Cherry Gardens

Happy Valley v Port Noarlunga

Flagstaff Hill v Morphett Vale

Cove v Aldinga