SA Country Footy Champions – Part 3

By PETER ARGENT

Port Lincoln FL

A last quarter charge saw Lincoln South kick six unanswered goals to turn a 20-point three quarter time deficit into a 14-point premiership win over Marble Range at Centenary Park on Saturday, September 21.

Spirited and relentless the Eagles slammed on those six straight majors to win 11.6 (72) to Marble Range 8.10 (58), who were only able to kick two points in the last.

For the second year in a row, the Eagles snatched victory from the Magpies, winning by five points in ’23.

Hayden Carey, Luke Wilkins and former Geelong listed and Norwood marking forward Ben Jarvis led the way for the Eagles in this year’s decider.

Captain Zane Montgomerie was telling as well, as was Coen Taylor.

Marble Range were undefeated minor premiers – 15 straight victories (their minor round winning streak went back to July ’23 and was at 23 in the regular season) – but they lost both the second semi and the decider and only got over Mallee Park in the preliminary final by one-point.

Despite his team’s struggles, Tasman captain Billy Haebich was recognised for his performances this season with the Port Lincoln Football League’s 2024 Mail Medal Count.  This was his second Mail Medal accolade after winning his first in ’22.

Jarvis finished second in the count, while the mercurial Raheem Betts from Mallee Park was third.

Great Flinders FL

Top verses second at the end of the minor round, the Finals experience of the United Yeelanna Eagles was vital when it counted, in their ’24 Great Flinders Grand Final victory over the Lock Roos.

The Eagles kicked straight and were 8.2 (50) to 1.6 (12) up at half time, before an even second half saw them triumph by 37 points.

The final scoreboard read United Yeelanna 10.11 (71) defeated Kory Beard’s Lock side 4.10 (34).

Matt Dyer was the best on the day, but the experienced Eagles delivered again on the big stage, including names like Shaun Maxfield, Stephen Crettenden, Xavier ‘X’ Watson, Jaxen Norton and Casey Carr.

Better performers for the Roos included Macaulay Glover, Damian Kelly, skipper Casey Beard, Guy Morton and Aaron Beard.

Harlee Chandler, the brother of Melbourne’s Kade, in his initial season with Cummins Ramblers and Adam Murnane from United Yeelanna, shared the ’24 GSFL Mail Medal.

Whyalla FL

Roopena completed its perfect season in the six-team Whyalla competition with a six-goal win in the season decider at Bennett Oval.

After 15 wins in the minor round, they won direct entry with a 46-point triumph on second semi-final day.

They won the decider 8.7 (55) to Central Whyalla 2.9 (19).

Clay Crompton was acknowledged as best on ground in the decider, in an even team effort from the Roos contingent.

Kyle Crompton, a former ’22 SANFL Reserves Magarey Medallist, collected the Jim Hewitson (and Mail) Medal as the best and fairest player in the Whyalla competition with 21 votes, one ahead Riam Smoker from West. Former Glenelg defender Jarrad Parish (Roopena) and Damien Coyne, also from the West Dragons, finished equal third on 15 votes.

Kangaroo Island FL 

Western Districts Saints were the standout team on the Island, culminating a dominant year with an emphatic grand final victory over the Wisanger Panthers at Dudley United’s picturesque Pennishaw Oval.

Overwhelming favourites before the contest, the Saints charged home with the biggest grand final win across the state this year, 24.18 (162) to 4.2 (26).

Former Sturt player Sam Jonas finished his powerful season with a best on ground performance in the grand final, while team captain and competition leading goal kicker Lleyton Hedges helped himself to eight goals.

Dylan Lockett, Thomas Schmidt and Timothy Larcombe were also productive, while Jordan Whittle chimed in with five majors.

Brad Crabb and Tom Jonas also enjoyed this premiership success.

Better players for the well-beaten Panthers were Andrew Arnold, Brok Viney-Obst and  Brodee Williams, while Luke Shurven kicked three of their four goals.

An outstanding season by Sam Jonas saw him take out the KIFL Mail Medal by two votes.

Eastern Eyre FL

Wudinna United and Central Eyre Football and Netball Clubs came together in 2021 under the banner of Central Eyre United (CEU) and, in a dramatic Eastern Eyre ’24 Grand Final, enjoyed a first A grade flag at Kimba Oval on Saturday, September 7.

It came down to the bell, with CEU winning over Rangers by five points, 7.7 (49) to 6.8 (44).

It was also a triumph on a personal level for former Eagles and BSR Tigers talent Sam Heinjus, who after an injury riddled career was best on ground in the premiership win.

Smooth-moving Jake Bruce, captain Ian Jericho, returning key forward Zac Fitzgerald with four of his teams seven goals, Mackenzie Heath and Corey Waters all had telling performances.

In a typical desperate Grand Final contest centre half forward Hank Burton, defender Thomas Weiss, Nick Schumann and Jed Burton were the Rangers best.

That was Ranges third successive Grand Final loss – by three points in 2022, 10 points in ‘23 and again by less than a straight kick this year.

The Eastern Rangers have now lost the past six Eastern Eyre Grand Finals they have played in.

Speedy Rover Tom Lass from Ports won the Eastern Eyre Mail Medal in 2024.

Western Eyre FL

On a winning streak of 31 games, Western United were back-to-back champions in the Western Eyre competition.

Already eight goals up at half time in the decider against the Thevenard Magpies, they won the Grand Final, 15.11 (101) to 4.9 (33), by a handsome 68-point margin.

Cruz Polkinghorne, the older brother of Norwood’s Under 18s talent Jay, was best on ground

Reyner Clarke, Jesse Chandler, Adam Hoffrichter, Dale Shipard and Zane Scripps all deserve a mention as well.

For the well beaten Magpies Kade Maddigan, Sean Sleep, Jarrad Trowbridge and Dominic Denton stood up against the onslaught.

Kingsley Bilney Junior from the Koonibba Roosters won the Mail Medal, this third in total, including two with Mallee Park.

Jesse Chandler was runner up and team-mate Cruz Polkinghorne was the competitions best under-21 player.

Murray Valley FL

Second at the end of the minor round behind Blanchetown Swan Reach, Murrayville defeated the minor premiers on second semi-final day by 30 points at Paringa Oval.

Browns Wells got over the BSR Redbacks on preliminary final day to set up a clash with the Murrayville Blues.

Played at Cambrai Oval, Murrayville kicked six goals in the each of the opening two quarters and had a commanding 64-point lead at half time, before continuing the charge in the second half, winning 22.10 (142) to the Bombers 9.6 (60).

Before Murrayville co-captains Clayton Sporn and Blake Edwards lifted the Cup triumphantly, Nathan Wright-Bramfit kicked seven goals and club best and fairest Jasper Hoffmann helped himself to five in a total team effort.

Zack Joannou, Brian Hampel and Bryce Oxlade tried valiantly for the Bombers.

Wunkar Bulldogs lad and classy midfielder Tarquin Schulz, the son of the legendary Shane Schulz, won his first Mail Medal.

He still needs three more to catch his dad and gain family bragging rights.

Riverland FL

Beaten Grand Finalists last year, the Renmark Rovers turned the tables on their ’23 foes, overcoming Barmera Monash by 17 points in a low-scoring affair.

Kicking three unanswered majors in the second term, the Rovers were 20 points up at half time, before an even second half.

The final score was the Josh Vater (two goals) coached Renmark 7.10 (52) defeating the Barmera Monash Roos 4.11 (35).

Tim (two goals) and Dan Woolford, along with former Centra District player Nick Gillard (two goals) were high among the Rovers best, while Jaryd Rowe, Tim Blight and Ricky Garrett were all noteworthy.

Kade Hilton, an 18-year-old talent from Waikerie won the Whillas/Mail Medal.

Broken Hill FL

In the four-team Broken Hill Football League, currently administered by former Sturt 250-game dual premiership great Colin Casey, the 2024 A grade Grand Final had a dramatic conclusion at the famed Jubilee Oval.

Minor premiers South, who has dropped just one game during the year, hit the front with 90 seconds after a Michael Westley goal.

North’s Quinton Beavan, after a free kick calmly slotted through the premiership winner in the final seconds of the game.

The siren sound, sparking riotous celebrations from North players and supporters with a two-point victory, 11.6 (72) to 10.10 (70).

Shabe Dalby importantly kicked five goals for North and the competition leading goal kicker South Cody Shorn was kept goalless.

Others to stand up for the Bulldogs included evergreen captain Jayden Kelly, Harry Lunn, Logan Ferguson, Tyler McInnes and Kale McAllister.

For the Roos, Riley Schorn, Dylan Browne and Marcus Purcell were their better players on the day.

Jayden Kelly won his eighth Lionel Johnson Medal in 2024, with Marc “Nugget” Purcell collecting a record eighth Mail Medal.

Far North FL

Second at the end of the minor round and having to have a second crack at Hornridge, after coming through the preliminary final with a big win over the Devils, the Roxby Miners have now enjoyed back-to-back success in the states most northern competition.

They turned a 64-point second semi-final loss into a 31-point grand final victory at the Roxby Downs Town Oval.

Kicking seven straight goals in the first half, the Miners were 19 points up at half time, before winning with an accurate 14.2 (86) to the Magpies 8.7 (55).

Luke Godfrey, with a six-goal haul was best on ground in the decider, while the well travelling First Nations talent Jayia Warrior kicked four goals.

Miners’ team-mates Thomas Castle, Liam Murphy, Fraser Brewster and Mitchell Di Giusto all were strong as well.

Jon Secker, Hayden Carey (three goals), captain Jack Rigden and Jesse Pittaway were Hornridge’ s better performers.