Well just like that, Football and Netball are done for another year! The first uninterrupted season since 2019 threw up plenty of surprises, and also some standout undefeated seasons. Here’s a list of the ‘A’ grade premiers in both sports throughout the Fleurieu region…Great Southern Netball AssociationWillunga 60 defeated Victor Harbor 58Southern Hills Netball AssociationClarendon 44 defeated Pulse 32Kangaroo Island Netball AssociationParndana* 48 defeated Kingscote 36Kangaroo Island Football LeagueWestern Districts 17.14 (116) defeated Wisanger 3.6 (24)Great Southern Football Association (Men)McLaren* 11.13 (79) defeated Willunga 5.5 (35)Great Southern Football Association (Women)Willunga* 10.13 (73) defeated McLaren 1.2 (8)Southern Football Association (Men)Reynella 9.3 (57) defeated Morphett Vale 6.7 (43)Southern Football Association (Women)Flagstaff Hill 4.3 (27) defeated Reynella 2.1 (13)*undefeated

Women - Grand Final @ Victor HarborGoolwa 2 defeated Yankalilla 1 Men - Grand Final @ Victor HarborVictor Blue 4 defeated Victor White 0Under 17’s - Grand Final @ Victor HarborVictor 2 defeated Aldinga Black 0Under 14’s - Grand Final @ Victor HarborAldinga Blue 3 defeated Aldinga Black 2

McLaren Eagles completed a perfect 20-0 season to win their first Great Southern Football League (GSFL) ‘A’ grade premiership since 2003 with a 44-point win over Willunga at Goolwa Oval yesterday. The Eagles were dominant throughout 2022 with an average winning margin of 78 points. The game was tight early with the Eagles leading by four points at quarter time and seven points at the main break. McLaren got a bit of breathing space with three goals to one in the third term as they increased their margin to a handy 18 points at the last change. The game was still up for grabs with reigning premier Willunga desperate to work their way back into the game. The Eagles wouldn’t be denied as they finished strongly, kicking five goals to one, to win 11.13 (79) to 5.5 (35). Luke Mitton (3), Jordan Mutton (3) and Daniel Marr (2) were the multiple goalkickers for McLaren, while Danny Juckers kicked three goals for the Demons. Todd McKay, Brett Ellis, Ashley Goodieson, Jamie Smith, Lachlan Matthews and Mitton were named best for the triumphant Eagles. Best for Willunga included Juckers, Tyson Hoffmann, Danny Irvine, Myles Warmington and Brett Miegel.  In other grades, Myponga/Sellicks won their second Reserves premiership in a row with a 22-point win against Willunga, Strathalbyn won the senior colts by nine points over Myponga/Sellicks, while the Mudlarks made it two flags for the day with their first ever premiership in the junior colts, following an 18-point victory over Strathalbyn.

Reynella won their first Southern Football League (SFL) ‘A’ grade premiership since 2015 with a tough 14-point win over a gutsy Morphett Vale at Flinders University Oval today. The Wine Flies lost just three games for the season and proved too strong in the end for the Emus, who have now lost two grand finals in a row after coming from the elimination final. Reynella started well to lead by 17 points at quarter time, and extended this out to a very handy 32-point buffer at halftime. It was a long road back for Morphett Vale, especially considering they hadn’t kicked a goal in the first half, but they were full of running in the ‘premiership quarter’ as they surged back into the game with five goals to zero and scores were level going into the last quarter. Reynella steadied, kicking three goals to one in the final term, to win 9.3 (57) to 6.7 (43). It was the seventh SFL ‘A’ grade premiership for the Wine Flies. Callan Semple (3), Bailey Marshman (2) and Brad Potter (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Reynella, while Denis Iljcesen kicked two goals for Morphett Vale. Best players for Reynella were Cam McGree, Sam Whitbread, Brad Thompson, Robert Irra, Angus Rowntree and Marshman. Best for the Emus included Harry Clarkson, Michael Smith, Anthony Biemans, Connor Lock and Bodie Sowter. In other grades, Noarlunga won their second ‘B’ grade premiership in a row with a 16-point win against Reynella, Christies Beach completed an undefeated season with a 32-point win over Flagstaff Hill in the under 17.5 Boys, Port Noarlunga won a thrilling under 15 Boys grand final by a point over the previously undefeated Reynella, while ‘Porties’ had more reason to celebrate with their under 13 Boys winning their grand final by 39 points against Christies Beach.

Morphett Vale are through to the Southern Football League (SFL) Grand Final after a low-scoring seven-point win against Noarlunga at Bice Oval on Saturday. As they did last season, the Emus have won three sudden-death finals to make it to the decider where they’ll face minor premiers Reynella. On Saturday, the Emus started well but were inaccurate in front of goal as they took a 12-point lead at quarter time. They extended their lead out to 18 points by halftime to be in a strong position and the margin was still 18 points at the last change with Noarlunga coming home with the breeze. The Shoes dominated the last term but could only manage 1.5 as Morphett Vale triumphed 4.10 (34) to 3.9 (27). Dylan Williams was the only multiple goalkicker for the game with two goals for Morphett Vale. Best players for the Emus were Daniel Bode, Michael Smith, Julian Mardigan, Braydan Hartwig, Robert Schindler-Taylor and Scott Carpenter. Best for the Shoes were Josh Beard, Tom Mott, Callum Gaspari, Sam Miller and Reece Martell. The ‘A’ grade decider will be played at Flinders University Oval between minor premier Reynella and Morphett Vale. Reynella are looking for their first ‘A’ grade flag since 2015, while Morphett Vale last won the 'A' grade premiership in 2009. Grand Final fixture (Saturday 17/9 @ Flinders University Oval)‘A’ Grade: Reynella v Morphett Vale (2.30pm)Reserves: Reynella v Noarlunga (12.35pm)Under 17.5 Boys: Christies Beach v Flagstaff Hill (10.55am)Under 15 Boys: Reynella v Port Noarlunga (9.20am)Under 13 Boys: Port Noarlunga v Christies Beach (8.00am)

Willunga won their second Great Southern Netball Association (GSNA) League premiership in three years after defeating Victor Harbor 70-68 in a thriller at Victor Harbor on Saturday. Willunga won their last five minor round games before defeating McLaren Vale by seven goals in their semi-final, and finished with seven wins on the trot with their victory yesterday. Amy Bull from Willunga was adjudged best-on-court.The other senior grade premierships were shared around with McLaren Vale winning Senior 2 and Senior 6, Mount Compass won the Senior 3 pennant, the Senior 4 flag was taken out by Myponga, while Langhorne Creek were victorious in Senior 5. The junior premierships were won by four clubs with Langhorne Creek (3), Strathalbyn (2), Myponga (2) and McLaren Vale (1) sharing the eight flags up for grabs.

Flagstaff Hill won their third Southern Football League Women’s (SFLW) ‘A’ grade premiership in a row following their 14-point win over a gallant Reynella outfit at Aldinga today. The Falcons and Wine Flies were the standout teams in 2022 so the decider was always going to be tight. And so it proved with scores level at quarter time, before ‘Flaggies’ took a slender two-point lead at the main break. They still led by just two points at the last change, before kicking the only two goals of the last quarter to win 4.3 (27) to 2.1 (13). Alana Baker, Czenya Cavouras, Tiana Lush and Nicole Mogg kicked the goals for the Falcons, while Emily Woods and Casie Coombe kicked the goals for Reynella. Flagstaff Hill skipper Tamsyn Morriss, Cavouras, Melissa Anderson, Shaylee Dayman, Jasmin Partridge and Jenna Andrews were named best for the Falcons. Best for the Wine Flies were Anja Bancevic, Madison Bennett, Caitlin Williams, Indiana Barbour, Caitlin Walter and Zannah Loxton. In other games, Christies Beach won their second under 17 girls premiership after defeating Port Noarlunga by 21 points, Reynella took out the under 14 girls with a 24-point victory over Flagstaff Hill, while Morphett Vale won the ‘C’ Grade Men’s flag after defeating Flagstaff Hill by 35 points.

Reigning premier Willunga are through to the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) Grand Final after a thrilling one-point win against a gallant  Myponga/Sellicks at Strathalbyn yesterday. The Mudlarks got off to a good start to lead by 19 points at quarter time, before Willunga reduced the margin to 12 points at halftime. The third quarter would prove pivotal as the Demons got on a roll, kicking five goals to one, to take a handy 13-point lead into the final term. The Mudlarks would not be denied, roaring back into the contest with five goals to three in the last quarter, but Willunga held on to win 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80). Darcy Scott was a standout for the Demons as he kicked six goals in a best-on-ground display, while Ryan Kelly kicked four goals for Myponga/Sellicks. Other good players for Willunga were Braden Altus, Harrison Mills, Marcus Burdett, Cam Hutchens and Lachlan Scott. Best for the Mudlarks were Sam Kennedy, Ryan Kelly, Levi Proude, Elliot Chalmers, Nathan Hedger and Cam Dahlitz.The ‘A’ grade decider will be played at Goolwa on Saturday between the undefeated minor premier McLaren and the reigning premier Willunga. McLaren are looking for their first ‘A’ grade flag since 2003, while Willunga are aiming for an 11th GSFL title. Grand Final fixture (Saturday 17/9 @ Goolwa)‘A’ Grade: McLaren v Willunga (2.30pm)Reserves: Willunga v Myponga/Sellicks (12.45pm)Senior Colts: Strathalbyn v Myponga/Sellicks (11.00am)Junior Colts: Myponga/Sellicks v Strathalbyn (9.05am)

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill will take on minor premier Reynella in the Southern Football League Women’s ‘A’ grade competition Grand Final for the third year in a row, after defeating Christies Beach by 44 points in the preliminary final on Sunday. The Falcons led at every change before winning 9.5 (59) to 2.3 (15). Tiana Lush kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for ‘Flaggies’, while Carli Morton kicked two majors. Chloe Blake and Mia Dunn kicked the Saints’ two goals. Joining Lush in the best players for Flagstaff Hill were Alana Baker, Rachel Crockart, Chloe Meyers, Tamsyn Morriss and Czenya Cavouras. Best players for ‘Christies’ included Rachael Farlam, Maddison Wilson-Niessen, Blake, Liliana Volpato and Isabella Zito.‘A’ Grade Women Grand Final (Aldinga)Reynella v Flagstaff Hill (Sunday 11 September @ 1.35pm)Under 17 Girls Grand Final (Aldinga)Christies Beach v Port Noarlunga (Sunday 11 September @ 10.25am)Under 14 Girls Grand Final (Aldinga)Reynella v Flagstaff Hill (Sunday 11 September @ 9.00am)The ‘C’ Grade Men’s decider will also be played at Aldinga on Sunday between Morphett Vale and Flagstaff Hill with the game to get underway at 11.50am.

Reigning premier Victor Harbor knocked undefeated minor premier McLaren Vale out of the premiership race with a 70-63 win in the preliminary final at Encounter Bay on Saturday. It was a disappointing finish to the season for McLaren Vale after they dominated the minor round with a 16-0 record. Victor Harbor will face Willunga for the fourth time in a row in the Great Southern Netball Association (GSNA) Grand Final at Victor Harbor on Saturday.Grand Final (Saturday 10 September)Willunga v Victor Harbor (3.15pm @ Victor Harbor)

Undefeated minor premier McLaren Eagles are through to the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) Grand Final after beating reigning premier Willunga by 87 points at Victor Harbor on Saturday. The Eagles will take a perfect 19-0 record into Saturday week's decider where they’ll face either Myponga/Sellicks or Willunga. On Saturday. The Eagles were on fire from the start of the game as they led by 19 points at quarter time, 37 points at halftime, and 48 points at the last change, before winning 19.9 (123) to 5.6 (36). Luke Mitton kicked five goals for the Eagles and he was well supported by Jordan Mutton with three goals. Ashley Goodieson, Todd McKay, Jackson Daniels, Leon Groves, Jamie Smith and Mitton were named best players for McLaren. Best players for Willunga included Harrison Mills, Sam Tregenza, Brett Miegel, Craig Nelson and Billy Cook.Myponga/Sellicks will take on Willunga in Saturday’s preliminary final after defeating Langhorne Creek by 11 points in the first semi-final yesterday. It’s the ‘end of the road’ for the Hawks in 2022 after they produced an excellent back half of the season. Yesterday, Langhorne Creek led by six points at quarter time, 12 points at halftime, and 15 points at the last change, and their charge to the preliminary final looked on track. The Mudlarks have been the surprise packet of the season and they weren’t to be denied as they unleashed a great last quarter, kicking four goals to zero, to win 9.14 (68) to 8.9 (57). Sam Kennedy (3) and Ben Kennedy (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Mudlarks, while Jake Dominish kicked four majors for the Hawks. Best players for Myponga/Sellicks were Elliot Chalmers, Bradley Clarke, Sam Kennedy, Ryan Kelly, Levi Proude and Thomas Carroll. Jake Dominish was named best for the ‘Creeks’ and he was well supported by Ben Arbon, Mitchell Cleggett, Darcy Clifford and Coby Helyar.Preliminary Final (Strathalbyn)Willunga v Myponga/Sellicks (Saturday 10 September @ 2.30pm)

Women - Semi Finals @ AldingaGoolwa 3 defeated Yankalilla 2Victor White 1 defeated Victor Blue 0Preliminary Final - 1.00pm @ Yankalilla 10/9/22Yankalilla v Victor WhiteMen - Semi Finals @ AldingaVictor White 2 defeated Victor Blue 1Victor Grey 4 defeated Aldinga Blue 0Preliminary Final - 3.00pm @ Yankalilla 10/9/22Victor Blue v Victor Grey

Parndana completed a perfect 14-0 season to win the Kangaroo Island Netball League (KINA) ‘A’ grade premiership for the second year in a row on Saturday. The Roosters finished off their incredible season, where their average winning margin was 25 goals, with a 48-36 triumph over a plucky Kingscote outfit. In other grades, Kingscote won the ‘B’ and ‘D’ grade flags, Western Districts took out the ‘C’ grade and the 15 and under pennants, Wisanger won the 13 and under premiership, while Dudley United won the 11 and under flag, which meant all five clubs tasted premiership success on the day.

Minor premier Reynella are through to the Southern Football League (SFL) Grand Final after defeating Noarlunga by 37 points in the second semi-final at Bice Oval on Saturday. The Wine Flies will suit up on September 17 in search of their first ‘A’ grade title since 2015. On Saturday, the game was tight and low-scoring in the first three quarters with Noarlunga taking a four-point lead into the final term. The last quarter was totally dominated by Reynella as they kicked seven goals to zero to win 11.7 (73) to 5.6 (36). Bailey Marshman and Bradley Potter kicked three goals each for the Wine Flies, while Tom Anderson slotted four majors for the Shoes. Best players for Reynella included Potter, Angus Rowntree, Marshman, Cameron McGree and Dylan Roser. Best for Noarlunga were Tom Anderson, Bailey Snelling, Callum Gaspari, Jake Anderson and Jake Birch.Flagstaff Hill’s amazing run of six consecutive ‘A’ grade premierships is over after 2021 runner-up Morphett Vale defeated the Falcons by nine points in the first semi-final at Aldinga yesterday. It was a tight first half with Morphett Vale holding sway by 13 points at the main break. It was the third quarter where all the damage was done with the Emus piling on five goals to one to take a very handy 39-point lead into the final term. ‘Flaggies’ lifted in the final quarter but it was too late as Morphett Vale won 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53). Bodie Sowter, Daniel Noble, Anthony Biemans and Braydan Hartwig each kicked two goals for the Emus, while Daniel Butcher kicked four goals for the Falcons and Nathan Beenham kicked three. Best players for the triumphant Emus outfit were Robert Schindler-Taylor, Connor Gilby, Biemans, Connor Lock, Hartwig and Sowter. ‘Flaggies’ were best served by Luke Beenham, Brad Kirk, Brayden Heyward-Ferors, Bradley Patterson and Nathan Beenham.Preliminary Final (Bice Oval)Noarlunga v Morphett Vale (Saturday 10 September @ 2.30pm)

Western Districts won their 14th Kangaroo Island Football League ‘A’ grade premiership yesterday after they defeated Wisanger by 92 points in the Grand Final on their home ground at Gosse. It was sweet revenge for the Saints after Wisanger trumped them in the 2021 decider. Western Districts, who lost just one game for the season, dominated all day as they led by 18 points at quarter time, 64 points at halftime, and 87 points at the last change, before winning 17.14 (116) to 3.6 (24). Lleyton Hedges was a standout for the Saints with nine goals in a best-on-ground performance. Josh Graham and Tim Larcombe chimed in with three goals each for the premiers. Luke Bowd, Jackson Lockett and Liam Sampson were the goalkickers for the Panthers. Other good performers for the Saints included Jake Favilla, Larcombe, Peter Hoban and Tate Barrett.In the other grades, Kingscote won the ‘B’ grade by 11 points over Western Districts, It was the third premiership in a row for Kingscote. Kingscote had more reason to celebrate with their under 15 mixed team completing an undefeated season with a 137-point win against Parndana. 

Clarendon won the Southern Hills Netball ‘A1’ premiership with an upset 12-goal win, 44-32, against reigning premier Pulse at Morphett Vale yesterday. Pulse easily accounted for Clarendon in week one of the finals, while Clarendon had to survive a two-goal thriller in the preliminary final against Kangarilla last week just to make the decider.Clarendon had plenty more reasons to celebrate yesterday as they also won the A2, B1 and C1 flags in the seniors. 

Reigning premier Willunga flexed their muscles with a convincing 70-point win against Myponga/Sellicks in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) Qualifying Final on Saturday at Mount Compass. Willunga started well as they kicked five straight goals in the first quarter to lead by 26 points at the first change. They extended their lead out to a handy 36 points at halftime, and the game appeared over. To their credit, Myponga/Sellicks played an excellent third quarter, kicking 3.6 to 1.1, to reduce the margin to 19 points at the final change. The Mudlarks’ comeback was short lived though, as the Demons stormed home with eight last quarter goals to win 18.8 (116) to 5.16 (46). Willunga had 10 different goalkickers with Liam Nye kicking four goals in a best-on-ground performance. He was well supported by Sam Renney who kicked three goals to be named second best for the Demons. Sam Kennedy and Matthew Flintham kicked two goals each for the Mudlarks. Other good players for the Demons were Danny Juckers, Billy Cook, Cam Hutchens and Cameron McDonald. For Myponga/Sellicks, their best included Luke Whitford, Ben Kennedy and Ryan Kelly.Langhorne Creek continued their great second half of the season as they defeated Encounter Bay by 29 points to advance to the cut-throat first semi-final on Sunday against Myponga/Sellicks. In more good news for the Hawks, the game will be played on their home ground. The Hawks won every quarter in their 12.12 (84) to 8.7 (55) triumph. Caleb Howell (3), Coby Helyar (2) and Malakai Kartinyeri (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Langhorne Creek. Best players for the ‘Creeks’ were Ben Arbon, David Warren, Jack Keynes, Darcy Clifford, Joshua Towk and Matt Tonkin. Best for the Bays were Marcus Lippett, Cory Gamble, Cohen Pettitt, Lachlan Williams and Andrew Fyfe. 2nd Semi-Final (Victor Harbor)McLaren v Willunga (Saturday 3 September @ 2.30pm)1st Semi-Final (Langhorne Creek)Myponga/Sellicks v Langhorne Creek (Sunday 4 September @ 2.30pm)

Noarlunga put a dent in Flagstaff Hill’s chances at a seventh straight ‘A’ grade flag after defeating the Falcons by 12 points in the Qualifying Final at Bice Oval in the Southern Football League (SFL) on Saturday. The first quarter was tight with ‘Flaggies’ leading by a point at quarter time. Noarlunga opened the game up with the breeze in the second term to lead by 27 points late in the quarter, before the Falcons goaled on the halftime siren to reduce the margin to 21 points at the long break. Flagstaff Hill had the wind in the third term and they went on a rampage in the first 20 minutes to kick six unanswered goals to lead by 15 points. The Shoes looked rattled but they kicked two crucial goals into the wind late in the term to go to the last change just two points behind. The last quarter was dominated by Noarlunga as they kicked an inaccurate 2.8 to 1.0 to win 10.16 (76) to 10.4 (64). Tom Anderson kicked four goals for the Shoes in a best-on-ground performance, while teammate Vic Robertson also kicked four goals. Sam Smith (4), Blake Aldridge (3) and Ryan Mountford (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Falcons. Joining Tom Anderson in the best players for Noarlunga were Jake Anderson, Robertson, Tom Mott, Callum Gaspari and Josh Beard. Best for the Falcons included Tynan Carney, Brad Patterson, Smith, Aldridge and Brayden Heyward-Ferors.Morphett Vale put an end to Happy Valley’s season with a comfortable 42-point victory in the elimination final at Aldinga yesterday. Last season Morphett Vale went all the way to the Grand Final from week one of the finals, so their confidence will be high ahead of a rematch with Flagstaff Hill on Sunday. Yesterday, the Emus started well to take a handy 28-point lead at quarter time. They extended their lead to 39 points at halftime, and 56 points at the last change, before winning 17.11 (113) to 10.11 (71). Co-captain Anthony Biemans kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while teammate Daniel Noble slotted three majors. Ben Geytenbeek, Dwayne Ruddock and Joshua Dwyer Sterzl all kicked two goals for the Vikings. Other good players for the Emus were Harry Clarkson, Aiden Baker, Liam Corrie and Daniel Bode. Best for Happy Valley included Ruddock, Joel Beeche and Justin Schurgott.2nd Semi-Final (Bice Oval)Reynella v Noarlunga (Saturday 3 September @ 2.30pm)1st Semi-Final (Aldinga Oval)Flagstaff Hill v Morphett Vale (Sunday 4 September @ 2.30pm)

Kingscote will face undefeated minor premier Parndana in the Kangaroo Island Netball League (KINA) ‘A’ Grade Grand Final after defeating Dudley United 45-34 in the preliminary final at Wisanger on Saturday. Parndana will start as a hot favourite, having defeated Kingscote on four occasions in 2022, but their semi-final clash was a tight affair so anything is possible in the decider.It will be a big day of Netball at Western Districts on Saturday with seven grand finals and all five clubs represented.Grand Final fixture (Saturday @ Western Districts)‘A’ Grade: Parndana v Kingscote (3.00pm)‘B’ Grade: Wisanger v Kingscote (1.00pm)‘C’ Grade: Western Districts 1 v Western Districts 2 (2.30pm)‘D’ Grade: Wisanger (2) v Kingscote (12.30pm)11 & Under: Parndana v Dudley United (10.50am)13 & Under Wisanger v Parndana (9.30am)15 & Under: Wisanger v Western Districts (10.50am)