SA Country footy grand finals wrap – Part One

There have been Grand Finals galore in the past few weeks across SANFL’s 24 affiliated regional leagues. In the first of a two-part wrap, here’s a snapshot of all the results and standout players in leagues across the State.

By PETER ARGENT 

The Two Wells Roosters collected APFL glory, defeating the Balaklava Peckers by a comfortable 37- point margin at Lochiel Oval.

In the 16.13 (109) to 11.6 (72) victory the Roosters collected back-to-back flags and a fourth title since 2017.

Big man Harrison Gameau, clubman Dylan Wise (four goals), goal-kicking ace Caleb Edmead (four) and another Central District Bulldog David Haydon all stood up for the winners.

Joshua Harkness and Jason McPharlin were the Peckers’ best.

Coached by former Central District premiership player Kyle Jenner, Nuriootpa broke a 14-game winning streak by South Gawler to create an upset in the BLG Grand Final at Angaston Oval.

The Tigers kicked five goals to one in the opening term in inclement conditions and would go to defeat the favourites by 21 points, 7.10 (52) to 4.7 (31).

Brad Hoepner, in a superb performance in the conditions, won his second Hurn Medal for best on ground.  SANFL-experienced James Watt, Jenner, Mitchell Norton and captain Scott Bentley stood up for the victors, while Jackson Press was South’s best.

South Broken Hill dominated to the Silver City competition and were run-away winners in the season decider, defeating the Central Magpies by 53 points, 16.12 (108) to 8.7 (55).

Central show fight in the first half, but five unanswered goals in the third term set up the win.

Dylan Browne won the Standbrooks Medal with his effort going into ruck, after Mitchell Henderson,

The SANFL-experienced class of Marc Purcell and Heath Caldwell were potent in the middle.

Northern Zone representative player Cody Schorn kicked seven goals in the Kangaroos victory.

Playing at full back, Angus Collins, deserves a mention for his efforts.

Aaron Jory was the Magpies leading performer.

In a heart stopper, Ports held on to defeat Eastern Rangers in the EEFL season decider.

When the final whistle blew, Rangers had actually kicked one more goal, but went down to the Aseri “Bobby” Raikawasa coached Port’s by three points, with the final scores being 10.13 (73) to 11.4 (70)

Along with Bobby, Todd Hoffmann, brother Aisea “Magic” Raikiwasa and captain Tom Davey stood out for Ports, while Sid Masters kicked three goals.

Lachie Shambrook, Brent Gray and Dean Storic were the Rangers best.

A crowd of around 2500 enjoyed a frenetic Grand Final that lived up to all the hype at the Penong Sports Ground.

The Blues FC ran out winners by a goal in a remarkable decider, getting in a low scoring game 7.3 (45) to 5.9 (39), where siblings were opposing playing coaches – the Chandler brothers, Broadie at the Blues and Jesse with Western United.

Former Sturt footballer Sam Jonas was adjudged best on the ground by the umpires, and he headed Blues best players, followed by Max Macmillan, Richard Giles and Ali Johncock.

Western United’s best players were Todd Hoffrichter, Sam Mahar and Harlee Chandler.

A brilliant seven goal-to-one second quarter and a great defensive effort in the third set up United Yeelanna Eagles big 70-point win against Elliston and Districts at Lock Oval.

The final scoreboard read the Eagles 15.5 (95) to the Demons 3.7 (25).

With four goals to his name, Bryce Breed was best for the Eagles, followed by Jaxen Norton, the highly experienced former SA country captain Xavier Watson, skipper Michael Crettenden and Shaun Maxfield.

Lachlan Mcinnis and Rhys Kelsh were stoic for the vanquished.

Kalangadoo are the Kings of MSE footy after losing just the one game during the regular season and waltzing to victory over the Hatherleigh Eagles on Grand Final day.

This was also after losing to the Eagles on second semi-final day at Mt Burr by seven goals.

Already 22 points up after a relatively low scoring first half, the Magpies won by just over 10 goals, 11.16 (82) to 3.3 (21).

Tye McManus was the best, closely followed by evergreen veteran Ben Mules, six-goal forward Michael Krieger and Justin Bromley.

Better players for the Eagles included Jordan Galpin, Michael Telford and the SA state country ruckman, Mark Marriott.

Another golden era of the Brinkworth-Redhill-Spalding Tigers continues in North Eastern footy.

At Mortlock Park Oval, Mintaro the BSR Tigers surviving a couple of charges from Mintaro-Manoora to win comfortably in the end by five goals.

Only a goal separated the combatants at half time, by six unanswered goals in the third quarter set up the Tigers fifth NEFL A grade flag in the past six years.

On-baller Angus Ashby won best on ground honours, while wingman Ashley Bruce, defender Cooper Hayes, captain Joe Heinjus, Alex Morgan, Port Adelaide top-up footballer Jackson Lee and forward Simon Goss all had an impact in the win for the Tigers.

Isaac Shearer, Henry Packer and Henry Gosse were the Eagles leading performers.

Four players have played in all of BSR’s five recent flags, Luke Hayes (brother to Woodville West Torrens flag winners Nick and Jack), Daniel Hayes, Cameron Longbottom and Ben Cousins.

Coached by Nick Hewett again, who is now a five-time premiership player, the Broughton Mundoora Eagles extracted revenge on Orroroo on their turf in the 2022 NAFA Grand Final.

Despite not kicking a goal in the final stanza, the Eagles held on for victory by 14 points, after the Roos kicked 2.8 with the wind in the last term.

They set up the victory with 5.4 to nil in the third.

The final score was Broughton Mundoora 10.11 (71) defeated Orroroo 8.9 (57).

Kane Bowley in the middle for the Eagles was best on ground, followed by wing Lachie Dolling, cousins Will and at centre half back Dylan Hewett, along with young gun Kallis Freer.

For the gallant Roos, Darren Hughes, clean and skillful Henry Slade (three goals), Will Bennett and Luke Bowman were their best.

The Eagles have won four games finals since the 2016 campaign, with wins in 2019 (Crystal Brook) and 2020 (Orroroo). 

In a replay of the 2021 YPFL Grand Final, Moonta faced the CMS Crows at Bute Oval.

After four teams had finished with 13 wins at the end of the minor round and only separated by percentage, the Demons and CMS navigated their ways to the decider.

Moonta started strongly, kicking four first term goals, going on to win by a comfortable 34-point margin, 8.8 (56) to 3.4 (22).

Former Eagles and South Adelaide footballer Malcolm Karpany was outstanding back at his home club, winning best on ground honours.

Lachlan Everett, tri-SANFL club inside midfielder Matthew Appleton, Jack Cooper, big man Matthew Altmann and former medalist Dylan Mansell all were key components for the victors.

Better performances for the Crows came from Ryley Newbold, Jake Cook, Bodi Warwick, back-to-back Mail Medalist Murphy Short and veteran Adam Jolly.