Ironbank-Cherry Gardens won their second premiership in three years in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division following a come-from-behind 39-point win over Birdwood at Kersbrook Oval on Saturday. The Thunderers had gone through the season undefeated but things looked a bit grim at halftime as Birdwood held a 20 point lead and had all the momentum heading into the second half after kicking six goals to four in the second term. The Roosters had been a real surprise packet of the 2020 season and it appeared they were on the verge of a huge upset. The third quarter proved crucial in the outcome of the match as Ironbank-Cherry Gardens piled on the pressure to kick 4.6 to no score and take a 10-point lead into the final term. Birdwood were still in the game but the Thunderers were on a roll and couldn’t be contained as they piled on five goals to one in the final term to win 14.18 (102) to 9.9 (63). Lachlan Keeley played his best game of the season to be best on ground for the Thunderers and he was well supported by Josh Rosman, Todd Pfeiffer, Jeremy Johncock and Levi Grigg. Jack Ince, Jed Russell, Scott Sullivan, Steven Peter and Christian Elliott were best for the Roosters. Ironbank-Cherry Gardens had many avenues to goal with Josh Vandermeer and Grigg kicking three goals each. Vandermeer completed an excellent first season in the HFL with 51 goals from just 10 games. Elliott kicked three goals for the Roosters giving him 34 for the season. In other grades, Bridgewater-Callington won their third ‘B’ grade premiership in four years with a 35-point win over Birdwood, Meadows junior colts won back-to-back flags after defeating Ironbank-Cherry Gardens by 16 points while Birdwood won the mini colts grand final by 11 points against Mount Barker.So the 2020 season has been completed under what can only be described as unusual and difficult conditions. To manage eight games plus finals was as much as anyone could’ve asked for and great credit should be given to all clubs and their tireless volunteers for making it happen.

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens are through to their third grand final in four years in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division following a dominant 93-point preliminary final demolition of reigning premier Gumeracha at Macclesfield Oval on Saturday. After finishing on top of the ladder, Ironbank-Cherry Gardens enjoyed the week off while Gumeracha lost their semi-final to Birdwood to set up this clash between the previous two years’ premiership clubs. Ironbank-Cherry Gardens held a slender six point lead at quarter time after kicking 2.7 (19) to 2.1 (13). The second quarter was all Thunderers as they kicked 6.6 to 1.0 to take a commanding 42-point lead into halftime. Gumeracha’s premiership defence was all but over and the Thunderers weren’t about to let up as they slammed on 11 goals to three in the second half to win 19.19 (133) to 6.4 (40). Josh Vandermeer (6), Jeremy Johncock (4), Todd Pfeiffer (2) and Elijah Ware (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Ironbank-Cherry Gardens. Vandermeer and Johncock have kicked an impressive 87 goals between them in just nine games this season. Joel van Paridon, Will Van Den Berg, Matthew Raitt, Henry Moss and Vandermeer were named best for the Thunderers. Charlie Graeber, Brendon Moon, Danny Leith, Daniel Wood and Braden Hutt were best for Gumeracha.Birdwood have won their way through to their first grand final since 2011 with a 12.11 (83) to 10.13 (73) victory over Kangarilla at Birdwood Oval in the second preliminary final on Sunday. Both these sides missed out on finals action in 2019 so they’ve shown massive improvement in this truncated 2020 season. It was a very scrappy first term with no goals scored and Kangarilla leading 0.6 to 0.1 at the first change. Birdwood came out firing in the second quarter to kick seven goals to two to take a 26-point lead into halftime. A further four goals to two in the ‘premiership quarter’ took Birdwood's lead out to 40 points at the last change. Kangarilla would not lie down and kicked six goals to one in the final term to cut the margin back to 10 points at the final siren. Christian Elliott kicked three goals for the Roosters while Matthew Collie also kicked three majors for Kangarilla. Jed Russell, Riley Gooden, Fraser Gehrich, Scott Sullivan and Jake Maczkowiack were best for Birdwood. For Kangarilla, Michael Ross, Josh Albanese, Adrian Albanese, Aydan Bartlett and Brendan Hillier were their best players.Grand Final fixtures (Saturday 19/9/20 @ Kersbrook Oval)A Grade: Ironbank-Cherry Gardens v Birdwood (2.30pm)B Grade: Birdwood v Bridgewater-Callington (12.30pm)Junior Colts: Meadows v Ironbank-Cherry Gardens (10.55am)Mini Colts: Birdwood v Mount Barker  (9.30am)

Reynella will play Flagstaff Hill in the Southern Football League Women’s (SFLW) grand final after hanging on to defeat minor premier Christies Beach by five points in the preliminary final at Flagstaff Hill on Sunday. Christies went through the minor round undefeated but sadly lost both their finals. Reynella started well kicking the only two goals of the first quarter to take a 12-point lead at the first break. Another goal to the Wine Flies in the second term saw them lead 3.2 (20) to 0.3 (3) at halftime, a margin of 17 points. Christies Beach were not going to lie down as they came out firing to reduce the margin to just six points at the last change. It could’ve been an even closer margin but the Saints kicked inaccurately, scoring 1.5. One goal each in the final term saw Reynella hold on to win 4.3 (27) to 2.10 (22). Emily Woods kicked three goals for Reynella while Hannah Crump kicked two majors for Christies Beach. Brina Thompson, Ella Besley, Olivia Gallio, Woods, Natasha Gordon and Georgia Pennifold were named in the best players for the Wine Flies.Tayler Poland, Crump, Angelique Dean, Melanie Koster, Natasha Gordon and Kelly Armstrong were best for Christies Beach. SFLW Grand Final FixturesUnder 14’s: Christies Beach v Reynella (7.30pm Saturday @ Happy Valley)Under 17’s: Happy Valley v Christies Beach (10.00am Sunday @ Aldinga)‘A’ Grade: Flagstaff Hill v Reynella (1.50pm Sunday @ Aldinga)

It was a case of ‘third time lucky’ for Pulse Netball Club on Saturday as they won the Southern Hills Netball Association (SHNA) A1 grand final by defeating a plucky Kangarilla 32-21. Pulse had lost the previous two grand finals to Clarendon but they would not be denied in 2020 as they completed an undefeated season (10 games including finals). Kudos to Kangarilla as they improved dramatically this season after not winning a game in 2019.In the A2 competition, minor premier Seaford Storm completed a fine season by defeating a gallant Clarendon outfit 34-29 to take out the 2020 premiership. Storm only lost one game for the season and were favourites to win but Clarendon pushed them all the way.Grand Final ResultsA1 Pulse 32 defeated Kangarilla 21A2 Seaford Storm 34 defeated Clarendon 29B1 Southern Stars 32 defeated Noarlunga 30B2 Kangarilla 23 defeated Southern Stars 16B3 Southern Stars 25 defeated Seaford Storm (b) 22C1 Port Noarlunga 41 defeated Noarlunga 20C2 Noarlunga 29 defeated Croweaters 20Inters 1 Clarendon (a) 53 defeated Clarendon (b) 23Inters 2 Clarendon 23 defeated Meadows 13Inters 3 Clarendon (a) 42 defeated Port Noarlunga 2013 & Under Div 1 Aldinga 25 defeated Southern Stars 7 13 & Under Div 2 Port Noarlunga (a) 18 defeated Aldinga 1313 & Under Div 3 Clarendon 24 defeated Kangarilla 2011 & Under Div 1 Southern Stars 23  defeated Aldinga 1411 & Under Div 2 Clarendon 15 defeated Aldinga 7

Encounter Bay are just one win away from a Grand Final berth in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) after defeating McLaren by 42 points in the Qualifying Final at Encounter Bay on Saturday. The Bays set up their win with a six goal to one first term which saw them lead by 32 points at the first break. McLaren fought their way back into the contest during the second and third quarters to reduce the margin to a manageable 15 points at three quarter time and it was game on. Encounter Bay steadied and eventually dominated the final term to kick 5.1 to 0.4 as the Bays booked their spot in the second semi-final against Langhorne Creek, winning 13.4 (82) to 5.10 (40). Daniel Toole (3), Kyle Hayter (2) and Gary Karpany (2) were the multiple goalkickers for Encounter Bay while Stuart Green kicked two majors for McLaren. Hamish Tonkin, Wade Sweetman, Hayter, Reece Kleining and Braedon Renshaw were named in the best players for the victors while Thomas Fenoughty, Green, Brendan Gill, Joel Vandeleur and Kiefver Zohar were best for the Eagles.Willunga’s season is still alive after a nail-biting seven point win against Mount Compass in yesterday’s Elimination Final at Mount Compass. Willunga led by two points at quarter time and had extended their lead out to eight points by halftime. Mount Compass hit back in the third term to kick three goals to two and the margin was just a solitary point in favour of Willunga as the teams readied themselves for what would be the last quarter for one team in 2020. Mount Compass had the home ground and crowd in its favour but Willunga steadied to kick two goals to one in the final term to win 11.10 (76) to 9.15 (69). Sam Renney and Brad Haskett kicked three goals each for the Demons while Nick Mott and Ziggy Vitkunas each kicked two majors for the Bulldogs. Cameron Hutchens, Sean Beath, James Collier, Sam Tregenza and Haskett were best for Willunga. Sam Haniford, Adam Hunter and Aidan Brencens were named among Mount Compass’ best players. Semi-Final fixtures (2.30pm)Langhorne Creek v Encounter Bay (2nd semi-final @ Willunga, Saturday 19 September)McLaren v Willunga (1st semi-final @ Yankalilla, Sunday 20 September)

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill are through to their fifth consecutive Grand Final in the Southern Football League (SFL) following a comprehensive 71-point win over Christies Beach at Noarlunga on Saturday. The game was as good as over at quarter time as Flagstaff Hill kicked 6.5 (41) to 0.1 (1) to lead by 40 points at the first break. Christies Beach won the second quarter kicking two goals to one for the term but they still trailed by 36 points at the long break. The Falcons put the game beyond doubt with a dominant third term which saw them kick six goals to two and turn for home with an unassailable 68-point lead. The last quarter was even with three goals apiece as the Falcons won 16.21 (117) to 7.4 (46). Ryan Mountford, Daniel Butcher and Samuel Smith all kicked three majors for the Falcons while James Pratt kicked four goals for the Saints. David Kearsley, in his 250th game, was best on ground for Flagstaff Hill and he was ably supported by Sam Tharaldsen, Chris Puiatti, Angus Fisher and Ben Rossi. Michael Mazey, Andrew Bachmann and Clayton Mesecke were among the best players for Christies Beach.Noarlunga won their way through to the Preliminary Final after grinding out a 31-point victory over Morphett Vale in the first semi-final at Port Noarlunga yesterday. The Shoes led by three points at quarter time, 15 points at halftime and 26 points at three quarter time before winning 7.15 (57) to 3.8 (26). Noarlunga had all individual goalkickers while Liam Corrie kicked two goals for the Emus. Sammual Miller, Jarrad Liebelt, Nathan Schulz, Sam Carlyle and Ben Goldfinch were best for the Shoes while Scott Carpenter, Jaxon Williams senior and Braydan Hartwig were among Morphett Vale’s best players. Noarlunga will now travel to Christies Beach on Saturday to take on the Saints for the right to play Flagstaff Hill in the Grand Final on Saturday 19 September at Flinders University Stadium.Preliminary Final fixture (2.10pm)Christies Beach v Noarlunga (Saturday @ Christies Beach)

Encounter Bay defeated Willunga by 24 points to grab the all-important double chance in final round action of the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. It was an entertaining first half with 13 goals scored with the Bays leading by six points at halftime. After the long break scoring was more difficult, especially for Willunga, who could only manage 1.6 while Encounter Bay kicked 4.6 to win 11.10 (76) to 7.10 (52). Daniel Toole and Gary Karpany each kicked three goals for Encounter Bay while Myles Warmington and Brad Haskett kicked two goals each for Willunga. Josh Marshall, Toole, Nick Marshall, Tyler Baldock and Hamish Tonkin were best for the Bays while Sam Alexopoulos, Scott Brown and Daniel Bass were among the best for the Demons.Langhorne Creek wrapped up the minor premiership with a crushing 130-point victory at Mount Compass. The Hawks led by 39 points at quarter time, 58 points at halftime and 85 points at the last change before a 10 goal to three last term saw them win 26.10 (166) to 6.0 (36). Langhorne Creek had 11 different goalkickers with Coby Helyar, Ben McLeod and Lachlan McGregor all kicking four majors. Shane Heatley was a standout for Compass with four goals of his own. Curtis Perrey, James Sellar, Troy Blackwell, Caleb Howell and Helyar were best for a dominant Hawks lineup. Klaus Simons, Adam Hunter and Heatley were best for a disappointing Bulldogs outfit.McLaren tuned up for the finals with a huge 151-point win over Goolwa/Port Elliot at McLaren Vale. James Grimley kicked nine goals in a best on ground display for the Eagles, and in the process he also wrapped up the GSFL goalkicking, finishing the truncated minor round with 30 goals. Brad Prior was the only multiple goalkicker for the Magpies with two goals. The Eagles dominated from the start to lead by 42 points at quarter time. Another nine goals to none in the second term saw the lead blowout to 96 points by halftime. 10 goals to three in the second half saw McLaren victorious 26.25 (181) to 4.6 (30). Joining Grimley in the best players for the Eagles were Brendan Gill, Brett Ellis, Alex Moyle and Bryn Loots. Fred Nissen, Tom Ferguson and Prior were among the best players for the Magpies.Yankalilla finished an improved 2020 campaign with an 80-point victory over Victor Harbor. The Tigers ended up with four wins (nine games) to finish sixth on the ladder after just five wins in 2019 (18 games). Yankalilla led all day to win 20.18 (138) to 9.4 (58). The Tigers had 10 different goalkickers with playing-coach Lindsay Thomas (5), Trent Kelly (4) and Ethan Moore (3) leading the way. Sam Basham and Brok Schubert kicked three goals each for Victor Harbor. Moore, Billy Hogben, Travis Bartlett, Xavier Gotch and Chris Clark were best for Yankalilla while Ben Basham, Nathan McCarthy, Zac Dowling, Steven Fairhurst and Ben Jarrett were named as Victor’s best players.Strathalbyn finished 2020 on a high note with an 89-point win over Myponga-Sellicks at Myponga. The Roosters were never in trouble as they won 20.11 (131) to 6.6 (42). Strathalbyn had 10 different goalkickers with Ben Simounds and Richard O’Grady kicking four goals each. Marc Elliott was best on ground for Strathalbyn and he was ably supported by Daniel Pegler, Tom McNamara, O’Grady and Brodie Martin. For the Mudlarks, Daniel Trevena, Jake Spinks, Brad Clarke, Liam Partridge and Brett Baillie battled hard all day.Final LadderLanghorne Creek 16, McLaren 16, Encounter Bay 13, Mount Compass 11, Willunga 10, Yankalilla 8, Strathalbyn 8, Myponga-Sellicks 4, Victor Harbor 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2.Week 1 finals fixturesMcLaren v Encounter Bay (Saturday 2.30pm @ Encounter Bay)Mount Compass v Willunga (Sunday 2.30pm @ Mount Compass)

Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill completed an undefeated minor round in the Southern Football League (SFL) with a comprehensive 69-point win over Noarlunga in a rematch of the 2019 decider. Flagstaff Hill had an average winning margin of 67 points in their nine wins and they're looking good for a fifth consecutive flag. It was a reasonably tight first half with the Falcons taking a 17-point lead into the halftime break but the damage was done in the third term as Flaggies kicked six goals to two to turn for home up by 45 points. A further seven goals to three in the final term saw the Falcons win 20.9 (129) to 9.6 (60). Daniel Butcher kicked six goals for Flagstaff Hill and Mitchell Johnson kicked four. Nathan Schulz and Reece Martell each kicked two goals for the Shoes. Chris Puiatti, Mitchell Fazekas, Butcher, Johnson and Max Renfrey were best for the Falcons while Sam Carlyle, Jarrad Liebelt and Sammual Miller were amongst the best players for Noarlunga.A 13-goal haul from Daniel Nobes fired Christies Beach to a big 100-point win over Morphett Vale and into second spot and a date with Flagstaff Hill in the second semi-final this weekend. The game was effectively over at quarter time as the Saints had rushed out to a 43-point lead. They extended this to 75 points at halftime and 82 points at the final change before winning 22.13 (145) to 6.9 (45). Nobes was best on ground with his 13 goals to give him 50 majors for the season. Other good players for the Saints were Aidan Coakley, Ryan Grimmond, Clayton Mesecke and Michael Mazey. Jye Leake, Braydan Hartwig and Brandon Deroussent were amongst the best players for the Emus.Port Noarlunga finished the season on a high note as they defeated Reynella by seven points at Reynella. The home side led by 20 points at the last change and were looking good for their fourth win of the season. Port Noarlunga had other ideas as they kicked six goals to two in the final term to win 14.14 (98) to 14.7 (91). Ian Milera (4), Nick Steele (3), Ian Brown (3) and Elijah Satala (2) were the multiple goalkickers for the Cockle Divers while Bailey Marsham kicked five goals for the Wine Flies and Ben Lockett kicked four. Ian Brown, Steele, Dylan Williams, Milera and Connor Sampson were best for Port Noarlunga while Chris Hunter, Marshman, Jason Farrier, Josh Frisby and Jarrod Beard were named in the best players for Reynella.Happy Valley finished their 2020 campaign on a high with a 54-point win over bottom side Cove. The Vikings dominated the first three quarters to lead by 69 points at the last change before Cove fought hard in the final term to kick five goals to two as the final score finished Happy Valley 18.20 (128) to Cove 11.8 (74). Happy Valley had 10 different goalkickers with Dwayne Ruddock leading the way with five majors. Lincoln Holder also kicked five goals for the Cobras. Trasden Kowalick, Tate Coleman, Ruddock, Nick Frisby-Smith and Liam O’Connor were best for the Vikings while for Cove, Michael Wilton, Dylan Seirch and Michael Galley were amongst their best players.Final LadderFlagstaff Hill 18, Christies Beach 14, Noarlunga 12, Morphett Vale 10, Port Noarlunga 8, Reynella 6, Happy Valley 4, Cove 0.Semi-Final fixtures (2.10pm)Flagstaff Hill v Christies Beach (Saturday @ Noarlunga)Noarlunga v Morphett Vale (Sunday @ Port Noarlunga)

Flagstaff Hill are the first team through to the Southern Football League Women’s (SFLW) grand final after defeating minor premier Christies Beach by 15 points on Sunday in the second semi-final. Flagstaff Hill led by six points at quarter time, 14 points at halftime and 23 points at the last change before winning 3.6 (24) to 1.3 (9). It was the first loss of the season for Christies who will face off with Reynella this Sunday to try and earn another crack at the Falcons in the grand final.Reigning back-to-back premiers Cove have been knocked out of the finals race, going down to Reynella by 10 points at Morphett Vale. It was a tight and low scoring first half with Cove going into halftime with a slender three point lead. Reynella came out after the long break and kicked the only two goals of the game to take a handy 12-point lead into the final quarter before winning 2.5 (17) to 0.7 (7). Georgia Pennifold, Olivia Gallio, Emma James, Anja Bancevic, Ella Besley and Sarah Bourn were best players for the Wine Flies while Lauren Kenny, Dana O’Brien, Alana Tuohy-Lashmar, Renee Ullrich, Jaime Norup and Lara Ward were best for the Cobras.Preliminary FinalChristies Beach v Reynella (Flagstaff Hill @ 2.45pm)

Kangarilla are just one win away from a grand final berth after defeating Kersbrook by 37 points at Birdwood Oval in week one of the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division finals series. An entertaining first quarter saw Kersbrook take a six point lead into the first break. Kangarilla hit back in the second quarter, kicking three goals to one, and took a seven point lead to halftime. The third quarter was going to be key to the result and so it proved as Kangies kicked five goals to two and turned for home with a handy 26-point lead. A further four goals to two in the last term saw Kangarilla win 16.12 (108) to 10.11 (71). Tom Hall kicked six goals for Kangarilla and Jamie Grosser kicked four. Jonathan Ross led the way for Kersbrook with five majors. Aydan Bartlett, Brendan Hillier, Michael Ross, Adrian Albanese and Hall were named as best players for Kangarilla while Aaron Killian, Brad Pearce, Ross, Brad Inglis and Ryan Xanthopoulos were best for the Brookers.Birdwood advanced to the second preliminary final by defeating reigning premier Gumeracha by 21 points at Kersbrook. Birdwood were well on top at halftime as they led by 23 points.The lead could’ve been much larger but for the Roosters kicking an inaccurate 6.7 (43) to 3.2 (20). A further three goals to two in the third term saw the Roosters take a handy 28-point lead into the final term. Brookers coach Roger James tried to rally his troops in the final term to keep their season alive but they couldn’t bridge the gap as Birdwood won 10.10 (70) to 7.7 (49). Mark Lamborn, Mason Ashby, Christian Elliott and Sean Williams all kicked two goals for Birdwood. Ben Hanna and Scott Mumford each kicked three goals for the Magpies. Josh Coleman, Lachlan Godden, Trevor Wohlfeil, Scott Sullivan, Mason Ashby and Fraser Gehrich were best for an inspired Roosters lineup. Danny Leith, Brendon Moon, Hanna, Daniel Wood, Cooper Robertson and Lachlan Carpenter were best for the Magpies.Preliminary Final fixturesIronbank-Cherry Gardens v Gumeracha (Macclesfield Oval, Saturday 2.30pm)Birdwood v Kangarilla (Birdwood Oval, Sunday 2.30pm)

McLaren Eagles won their first Great Southern Football League Women’s (GSFLW) premiership following an emphatic 46-point win over Willunga at Encounter Bay yesterday. It was a case of ‘third time lucky’ for the ‘Sheagles’ as they had lost the 2018 and 2019 deciders to Strathalbyn. Willunga had caused a boilover in the second semi-final to knock off the previously undefeated Eagles but it wasn’t to be on the big day for the Demons as McLaren won 8.5 (53) to 1.1 (7). Sally Fuller kicked five goals in a best on ground performance for McLaren and she was ably supported by Layla Rogers, Katie Whish, Jessica Veasey, Tahlita Buethke and Emma Goldsmith. Bridie Nye was Willunga’s sole goalkicker while Carli Perryman, Ella Radbone, Caitlin Radbone, Kimberly Robinson and Benita Brinkworth were the Demons’ best players.Mount Compass won the under 16 girls grand final with a 19-point win over Willunga. These two sides battled it out in 2019 with Willunga coming out on top but this year the Bulldogs wouldn’t be denied. Mount Compass went through the minor round undefeated but suffered a setback in the second semi-final when Willunga knocked them off by two points but Compass bounced back to win the preliminary final against Yankalilla to get back on track. It was a low scoring first three quarters with Mount Compass leading by just seven points at the final change. The Bulldogs kicked the only two goals in the final term to win 3.2 (20) to 0.1 (1). Kiahni Russell kicked all three goals for the Bulldogs to give her 19 majors for the season. Brooke Boileau, Kiahni Russell, Lianna Trueman, Tianah Connor, Anna Keiper-Bament and Kailey Webb were best for Mount Compass while for Willunga, Bridie Nye, Emily Smith, Ruby Flanagan-Sjoberg, Carli Perryman and Cleo Guilfoyle were named as their best players.

Pulse are through to their third consecutive Southern Hills Netball Association (SHNA) A1 grand final following a 35-23 semi-final victory over reigning premier Clarendon. It would’ve been a great relief for Pulse to defeat Clarendon after they had lost the past two deciders to the same opposition. Kangarilla have completed an amazing turnaround in 2020 and they will take on Pulse in the grand final following a thrilling 35-34 victory over Aldinga. Kangarilla failed to win a game in 2019 so it’s been a dramatic rise in fortunes.There were two tight semi-finals played in the A2 competition. Minor premier Seaford Storm had a tough fight against Aldinga but eventually won 35-32. Storm had defeated Aldinga by 21 goals just four weeks ago so it was a great effort from Aldinga to push them so close. Clarendon will be the Storm’s opponent in the A2 decider after they outlasted Croweaters 27-24.Grand Final Fixtures (Games to be played at SUNA Morphett Vale)A1 (2.00pm)Pulse v KangarillaA2 (3.30pm)Seaford Storm v Clarendon

Ironbank completed an undefeated minor round in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division with a crushing 62-point win over reigning premier Gumeracha. The game was as good as over at quarter time after the Thunderers kicked 7.8 to 1.3 to take a 41-point lead into quarter time. Six goals each in the second term saw the margin increase slightly to 42 points in favour of Ironbank-Cherry Gardens. A further seven goals to four in the second half saw the final score 20.18 (138) to 11.10 (76). Jeremy Johncock, Elijah Ware and Josh Vandermeer all kicked five goals for the Thunderers. Vandermeer ended up with 42 goals for the season to win the goal kicking award for the HFL Country Division. Cam Redden and Ben Hanna each kicked three majors for Gumeracha.Kangarilla tuned up for the finals with a crushing 169-point destruction of Torrens Valley. After a low scoring first quarter saw Kangarilla lead by just 10 points, it was all one way traffic for the last three quarters with Kangies kicking 24 goals to none, including 10 goals in the final term, to win 26.21 (177) to 1.2 (8). Kangarilla had 10 different goal kickers including Jamie Grosser (8), Michael Ross (5), Samuel Hall (4) and Henry Cann (3). Ashley Fawcett was the sole goalkicker for Torrens Valley while Mark Mueller was named best player for the Lions.Bridgewater-Callington finished their season in style with a big 94-point win against Macclesfield. The Raiders came out firing to kick eight goals in the first quarter and followed up with another six majors in the second quarter to lead by a whopping 77 points at halftime. A further nine goals to five in the second half saw Bridgewater-Callington win 23.10 (148) to 7.12 (54). The Raiders had 11 different goal kickers with Alistair Fleming leading the way with six goals to give him 25 for the season. He was ably supported by Alec Bryars (3), Nat Ryan (3), Jackson Hooper (2), Nathan Rowlands (2) and Shaun Steele (2). Reece Jolly and Jesse McCarthy each kicked two goals for Macclesfield.Birdwood prepared for the finals with a solid 18-point win at Meadows which secured the all important double chance for the Roosters. Birdwood started well to lead by 15 points at quarter time after kicking five goals to three in the opening stanza. The home side turned things around and hit the front late in the second term to hold a four point lead at halftime. Birdwood could see the double chance slipping away so they came out firing in the third quarter to kick 6.5 to 1.3 and turn for home with a 28-point lead. Meadows won the last quarter but it wasn’t enough as Birdwood won 14.14 (98) to 12.8 (80). Josh Sykes and Christian Elliott each kicked five goals for the Roosters and Sean Williams kicked three. Andrew Coombe (5), Mathew Beinke (3) and Jacob Comley (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Meadows.Kersbrook had the bye.Final LadderIronbank-Cherry Gardens 16, Gumeracha 12, Birdwood 12, Kersbrook 10, Kangarilla 10, Meadows 4, Bridgewater-Callington 4, Macclesfield 2, Torrens Valley 0.Semi Final fixturesGumeracha v Birdwood (Kersbrook Oval, Saturday 2.30pm)Kersbrook v Kangarilla (Birdwood Oval, Sunday 2.30pm)

McLaren Eagles bounced back after losing the second semi-final to Willunga last week to make it through to their third consecutive Great Southern Football League Women’s (GSFLW) Grand Final following an 11-point win in the preliminary final against a brave Mount Compass outfit at Yankalilla. The Eagles will be hoping for a case of  ‘third time lucky’, having lost the previous two grand finals to Strathalbyn. McLaren bounced out of the blocks to take a handy 15-point lead at quarter time. Mount Compass fought back in the second term to reduce the margin to just nine points at the long break. The Eagles re-grouped at halftime and stormed to a 30-point lead at the last change thanks to a 3.3 to 0.0 third quarter. Mount Compass battled hard in the final stanza but ultimately went down 6.8 (44) to 5.3 (33). Tahlita Buethke kicked three goals for McLaren in a best on ground performance. Kelly Nijhuis also kicked three goals for the winners. No details were supplied by Mount Compass. In the under 16 girls preliminary final, Mount Compass defeated Yankalilla 7.3 (45) to 2.2 (14) to set up a grand final rematch against Willunga. Willunga beat Compass in the 2019 decider and went straight through to this year's grand final after a two point win over the Bulldogs in the second semi-final.The weather looks magnificent for Sunday’s grand finals so get down to Encounter Bay to watch the culmination of another excellent GSFLW season.Open Women Grand Final (Sunday 6/9/20)Willunga v McLaren (Encounter Bay @ 1.30pm)Under 16 Girls Grand Final (Sunday 6/9/20)Willunga v Mount Compass (Encounter Bay @ 11.45am)

Christies Beach wrapped up the minor premiership with a comfortable 40-point victory over Aldinga as the minor round concluded in the Southern Football League Women’s (SFLW) competition on Sunday. Christies led by 27 points at halftime (3.9 to 0.0) and it could’ve had a much bigger margin but for inaccurate kicking.Aldinga did well to kick three goals in the second half but the Saints were too powerful as they won 8.11 (59) to 3.1 (19). Indiana Flynn and Nicole Campbell kicked two goals each for Christies Beach while Jean-Louise Papps also kicked two for the Sharks. Melanie Koster continued her excellent season for the Saints to be named best player for a third time in 2020 and she was ably supported by Pamela May, Campbell, Flynn and Emily Risitano. Jaimi Griffen completed an excellent season for Aldinga with a sixth best player selection for the season. She was well supported by Sophia Flanagan-Sjoberg, Papps, Kiara Lovett and Joanne Walsh.Reigning premier Cove tuned up for their tilt at a third flag in a row with a solid 16-point win at Morphett Vale. Cove led by 13 points at quarter time and that lead was cut back to just 10 points at the long break. The third term would prove decisive as the Cobras kicked the only two goals of the quarter while keeping Morphett Vale scoreless to turn for home with a 24-point margin. In an excellent last quarter, Morphett Vale kicked three goals to two as Cove won 7.9 (51) to 5.5 (35). Cobras skipper Dana O’Brien was best on ground and she was well supported by Aidene Parr, Layla Dungey, Lauren Kenny and Felicity Oliver. Kate Dunn kicked three goals for the Emus while Brooke O’Brien, Katelyn Wilson and Hannah Fitzpatrick were amongst the best players.Flagstaff Hill secured the all-important double chance after a grinding seven point win at fellow finalist Reynella. Scores were tied at halftime before Flagstaff Hill kicked the only goal of the second half to win 2.4 (16) to 1.3 (9). Soriah Moon kicked two goals for the Falcons while Ella Besley kicked the only goal for the Wine Flies. Tamsyn Morriss, Shay’Lee Dayman and Moon were among the best players for Flaggies while for Reynella, Cassandra Newbery, Georgia Pennifold and Rebecca Denyer were their best.The top four teams are very even and on their day, each is capable of winning the flag. It should be an excellent finals series so head out on Sunday to watch some excellent Football.Hackham had the bye.Ladder (after round 8)Christies Beach 12, Flagstaff Hill 10, Cove 10, Reynella 8, Morphett Vale 4, Hackham 2, Aldinga 2Semi-Final fixtures (2.45pm)Christies Beach v Flagstaff Hill (2nd semi-final @ Flagstaff Hill)Cove v Reynella (1st semi-final @ Morphett Vale)

Pulse completed an undefeated minor round in the Southern Hills Netball Association (SHNA) following a 28-16 win over Clarendon. Pulse led by four goals at halftime before holding the reigning premier to just six second-half goals to win by 12 goals. These two teams who have fought out the past two grand finals will face off in a knockout semi-final on Saturday. Kangarilla and Aldinga played one of the games of 2020 with Kangarilla getting up 39-38. There was never more than a goal the difference at any break. These two teams will also play each other in the other semi-final on Saturday. Noarlunga had the bye.In the A2 competition, Seaford Storm wrapped up the minor premiership with a 43-29 victory over Noarlunga, Croweaters defeated Aldinga 30-23 and Clarendon tuned up for finals with a 32-25 victory over Port Noarlunga.Due to the shortened season, semi-finals will be knockout contests with 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd...no double chance! The two winners will play off in the grand final on September 12th.A1 Ladder (After Round 10)Pulse 20, Kangarilla 14, Aldinga 12, Clarendon 10, Noarlunga 4A2 Ladder (After Round 10)Seaford Storm 18, Croweaters 14, Clarendon 12, Aldinga 7, Noarlunga 4, Port Noarlunga 3Semi Final Fixtures (Games to be played at SUNA Morphett Vale)A1 (2.00pm)Pulse v ClarendonKangarilla v AldingaA2 (3.30pm)Seaford Storm v AldingaCroweaters v Clarendon

GSNA - Round 8 resultsWillunga 44 defeated Myponga 32Victor Harbor 72 defeated Langhorne Creek 25Ladder (after round 8)Victor Harbor 10, Willunga 6, Myponga 2, Langhorne Creek 2.Round 9 fixtures (Home team named first)Victor Harbor v MypongaLanghorne Creek and Willunga have the bye

Following claims of racial abuse directed towards Port Noarlunga indigenous players at their 'A' grade match at Flagstaff Hill on Saturday 1 August, the Southern Football League (SFL) launched an investigation. Below is a statement from the SFL...The investigating committee conducted a three hour hearing last night (24/8/20) as part of an ongoing investigation that has not yet concluded. At the conclusion of the hearing it found that indigenous players of the Port Noarlunga Football Club (PNFC) were subjected to racial abuse by several people whose identities could not be confirmed by either the PNFC or the Flagstaff Hill Football Club (FHFC) during an 'A' Grade match played between the clubs at Flagstaff Hill on 1st August 2020.The Committee was satisfied that no official or player of the FHFC was involved in this abusive behaviour. However, it was the Committee’s view that the FHFC failed to take appropriate action to identify and remove the perpetrators from the event. The FHFC acknowledged this failure and apologised for its conduct. It also assured the Committee that it was taking further steps to prevent this happening again in the future. As a consequence the Committee took the view that a formal reprimand was an appropriate sanction to be imposed on this occasion. The FHFC was warned that should this failure be repeated it will face severe sanctions.The Investigating Committee is continuing to investigate a second off field incident that involved a large number of spectators at the same football match.

Noarlunga won their fifth game in a row and in the process all but assured themselves a finals spot during round seven of the Southern Football League (SFL). The Shoes hosted Morphett Vale and after a dour and goalless first quarter, Noarlunga kicked four goals to one in the second term to lead by 16 points at halftime. Both sides kicked 4.6 in the second half as Noarlunga finished with a 16-point win, 8.8 (56) to 5.10 (40). Vic Robertson kicked three goals for the Shoes (19 for the season) while Joel Handreck kicked two goals for the Emus. Jake Birch was best on ground for Noarlunga and he was joined in the best players by Sammual Miller, Troy Johnson, Lachlan Sutton and Sam Carlyle. Jack Langdon, Aiden Baker, Michael Smith, Casey Chester and Braydan Hartwig were named as best players for Morphett Vale.Reynella won their second game of the season following a tight four point victory at home over Port Noarlunga. Reynella trailed by seven points at halftime but kicked five goals to three in the second half to win 8.7 (55) to 8.3 (51). Bailey Marshman kicked three goals for the Wine Flies and Josh Frisby kicked two. Ashley Baxter, Ian Milera and Elijah Satala all kicked two goals for the Cockle Divers. Frisby, Marshman, Lachlan McGuinness, Luke Caruso and Steven Farrelly were named best players for Reynella while for Port Noarlunga, Josh Mewburn, James Ledgard, Ian Brown, Matthew Coulthard and Mitchell Bennie were their best.Flagstaff Hill continued on their merry way with another big win, this time against Cove to the tune of 116 points. The Falcons are a perfect seven out of seven in 2020 with an average winning margin of 65 points! On Saturday they travelled to Cove and were never in any trouble as they led by 21 points at quarter time, 65 points at halftime, 89 points at three quarter time before winning 23.19 (157) to 6.5 (41). The Falcons shared the goals around with 11 different goalkickers including Ryan Mountford (5), Michael Shearer (3) and Danny Butcher (3). Michael Shearer, David Kearsley, Mountford, Brad Kirk and Mitch Fazekas were best for the high flying Falcons. For Cove, Kyle Stoldt, Michael Galley, Damian Roach, Ryan Muldoon and Kelly Gohl battled hard all day.Christies Beach consolidated second spot on the SFL ladder with a comfortable 49-point win over Happy Valley. The Saints started well to lead by 27 points at halftime before really opening up the game in the third term to kick seven goals to one and turn for home with an unassailable 64-point lead. To their credit, the Vikings won the last quarter as they kicked two goals to none as the Saints won 13.12 (90) to 5.11 (41). Blake Carter kicked his second ‘bag’ of eight goals in as many weeks for Christies Beach and he now has 26 goals for the season. Lee Davis was the only multiple goalkicker for Happy Valley with two majors. Aidan Coakley, Carter, Rhys Mundy, Michael Mazey and Jacob Crate were best for the Saints while Damon Birbeck, Tate Coleman, Davis, Ross Mullins and Nick Frisby-Smith tried hard all day for the Vikings.Ladder (after round 7)Flagstaff Hill 14, Christies Beach 12, Noarlunga 10, Morphett Vale 8, Port Noarlunga 6, Reynella 4, Happy Valley 2, Cove 0.Round 8 fixtures (Home team named first)Cove v ReynellaFlagstaff Hill v Christies BeachMorphett Vale v Happy ValleyPort Noarlunga v Noarlunga