Reynella started their premiership defence well after defeating Ironbank Cherry Gardens by 63 points during round 1 action in the Southern Football League (SFL) at Cherry Gardens yesterday. The Wine Flies led at every change before winning 15.17 (107) to 6.8 (44). Bailey Marshman (4) Brad Potter (3) and Brad Thompson (3) were the leading goalkickers for Reynella, while Chase Wooley slotted three majors for the Thunderers. Liam Reid, Potter, Jack Ball, Lachlan McGuinness, Jack Stiles and Marshman were named best for Reynella. Best for Ironbank Cherry Gardens included Wooley, Alec Bryars, Jacob Campbell, Tom Smith, Jake Pokoina and Jacob Matheson.

Christies Beach travelled over to Old Noarlunga to take on Noarlunga and came away with an impressive 40-point victory yesterday. The Shoes held a one-point lead at quarter time, but after that it was all Christies Beach. The Saints kicked nine goals to two in the final three quarters to win 12.6 (78) to 5.8 (38). Zak Short, Rhys Mundy and Brad Jackson all kicked two goals for ‘Christies’. Dustin Inglis kicked three goals for Noarlunga. Best players for Christies Beach were Shannon Archbold, Nathan Sable, Aidan Coakley, Tom Paparella, Josh de Roode and Callum Bennett, while Noarlunga was best served by Aaron Killian, Brad Inglis, Beau Donaldson, Talen Freeman, Nick Mott and Ben Goldfinch.

Cove got their season off to the perfect start with a convincing 76-point win at Aldinga yesterday. The Cobras led by 53 points at halftime, before kicking a further six goals to two in the second half to win 17.9 (111) to 5.5 (35). Harrison Riddle (4), Lincoln Holder (3), Michael Galley (2) and Rourke Turner (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Cove, while Brayden Hooper kicked two goals for Aldinga. Best players for Cove included Galley, Jayden Hall, Lachlan Hayes, Turner and Harrison Riddle. Aldinga was best served by Blake Florance, Izaih Wortley, Hooper, Tom Pilmore and Thomas Boreham.

Flagstaff Hill had a huge 170-point win at Morphett Vale to get their season underway. The Falcons led by 58 points at halftime, and then kicked 18 unanswered goals in the second half to win 29.12 (186) to 2.4 (16). Flagstaff Hill had 12 different goalkickers with Mason Carney (5), Anthony Adam (4), D’Arcy Mitchell (3), Aiden Grayson (3) and Nathan Beenham (3) leading the way. Connor Mulloy and Daniel Bode were the goalkickers for the Emus. Best players for ‘Flaggies’ were Reece Milsom, Benjamin Jeffries, Brayden Heyward-Ferors, Mitchell, Mason Carney and Jaxon Bennett. Morphett Vale’s best included Oleh Trus, Max Sampson, Connor Panozzo, Lachlan Amos and Jaxon Newman.

Port Noarlunga and Happy Valley played out a close and high standard game yesterday with Port Noarlunga coming out on top with a 10-point win. The game was tight throughout before ‘Porties’ triumphed 15.13 (103) to 14.9 (93). Zachary Sproule was best-on-ground with six goals for the Cockle Divers, while other good players for the winners included Brodie Smith, Jay Chapman, Nathaniel Paredes, Ryan Kelly and Eduard Van den berg. Best for the Vikings were Darnell Tucker, William Moore, Luke Edwards (4 goals), Nicholas Kraemer, Sebastian Oliver and Jordan Thompson.

Ladder (after round 1)

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

Round 2 fixtures - home teams named first

Christies Beach v Reynella

Ironbank Cherry Gardens v Port Noarlunga

Happy Valley v Morphett Vale

Flagstaff Hill v Aldinga

Cove v Noarlunga