Reynella got their season off to a perfect start with a 35-point win at home against reigning premier Flagstaff Hill during round one action in the Southern Football League (SFL) yesterday. It was a tight first half with just four goals kicked, with Reynella taking a 12-point lead to halftime. The third quarter would prove decisive as the Wine Flies kicked four goals to one to take an unassailable 30-point lead into the final term. A further six goals to five in the last quarter saw Reynella win 13.10 (88) to 7.11 (53). Marc Borholm and Callan Semple kicked four goals each for Reynella, while Bailey Marshman kicked three. Saleh Baltagie and Daniel Nash kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons. James Smith, Borholm, Cameron McGree, Nick Dixon and Nicholas McLean were named best for the Wine Flies, while David Kearsley, Huw Channing and Bard Kirk were among the best players for the Falcons.

2021 runner-up Morphett Vale showed they’ll be a force again this season with an emphatic 135-point win at Port Noarlunga. The Emus led by 15 points at quarter time, 63 points at half time and 116 points at the last change before winning 23.16 (154) to 2.7 (19). Daniel Noble (7), Aiden Baker (4) and Dylan Williams (4) were the leading goal kickers for Morphett Vale, while their best players were Baker, Robert Schindler-Taylor, Michael Smith, Daniel Bode and Braydan Hartwig. On a tough day for Port Noarlunga, they were best served by Jordan Zeitz, Sandy Oosterwegel, Ashley Baxter, Jayden Close and Riley Lavery. 

Noarlunga came from behind at three quarter time to defeat Christies Beach by 31 points at Old Noarlunga yesterday. ‘Christies’ turned for home leading by five points, but the Shoes rattled home with seven goals to one in the final term to win 14.7 (91) to 8.12 (60). Thomas Anderson (5), Ben Jarman (3) and Vic Robertson (2) were the leading goal kickers for Noarlunga, while Nathan Stock kicked three goals for the Saints. Jarrad Liebelt, Luke Ross, Michael Balas, Jarman and Anderson were best for Noarlunga. Best for the Saints included Michael Mazey, Shaun King and Aidan Coakley. 

The Cove Cobras started 2022 in style with a comfortable 26-point win against Aldinga at Shark Park. The Cobras led by just four points at halftime before kicking seven goals to four in the second half to win 13.7 (85) to 8.11 (59). Jayden Morton (3), James Farrugia (2), Scott Grieve (2) and Jake McCreery (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Cove. Ryder Kortman kicked three goals for Aldinga while Tyler Harman kicked two majors. McCreery, Finn Ellis Castle, Ryan Need, Damian Roach and Alex Shaw were named best players for Cove. Tyler Flintham, Angus Stangewitz and Harman were among the best for the Sharks. 

Happy Valley had the bye.

Ladder after Round 1

Morphett Vale 2, Reynella 2, Noarlunga 2, Cove 2, Aldinga 0, Christies Beach 0, Flagstaff Hill 0, Port Noarlunga 0, Happy Valley 0.

Round 2 Fixtures

Christies Beach v Flagstaff Hill

Reynella v Happy Valley

Cove v Port Noarlunga

Morphett Vale v Noarlunga

Aldinga has the bye