2024 National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors Grand Final Previews

Port District vs Tea Tree Gully – Sunday September 1 at Thebarton Oval from 1.30pm

Live streamed via SANFL Now and Kommunity TV

By PETER ARGENT

Both these sides have history and many of the combatants have been rivals across a number of seasons.

Top of the table at the end of the minor round, Port Districts gained direct entry to the 2024 SANFL Junior Boys Division One Grand Final.

Port collected 13 wins in the minor round and a draw against Goodwood, who were bundled out in the preliminary final, by this week’s opponent – Tea Tree Gully.

“Tea Tree Gully have been pretty consistent, although we have beaten them each time so far this season,” said Port Districts coach Mark Kretschmer, who will complete a 10-year tenure with this group of Port District junior talents.

“Logan Rose and centre half-back Ethan Ashley (the son of former Port player Matthew), are our two captains and have produced consistent seasons.

“They are expected lead from the front.

“Other members of the leaderships group on the half back rotations Dylan Berggren-Levitt, the enigmatic Noah Ah Chee and Will Noblett, will all expect to have an impact.

“Carter Baker up at full forward has been a strong target with over 50 goals.

“Jackson Clee is a no-nonsense defender who gets the job done with a minimum of fuss and Archie Kretschmer on the wing, has some X-factor and is a player to keep your eye on.

“We played against Tea Tree Gully in last year’s Division One Under 16s Grand Final, getting up by four goals.

“Naturally we have a lot of respect for their group, and we’re looking forward to taking them on this Sunday in the decider.”

Port District have a variety of avenues to goal, with Baker kicking 56 goals so far this year, while Max Scolyer and Ah Chee have personal yields of 33 and 37 goals respectively.

Tea Tree Gully Wolves mentor Jordan Russell-Walden understands the task at hand on Sunday.

“They (Port Districts) have been the benchmark all year, and we look forward to the challenge of playing the top team in the competition,” Russell-Walden continued.

“We have built up quite a rivalry.

“Goodwood knocked us off in the first qualifying final, but the group rebounded and had good wins over SMOSH West Lakes in the first semi- final and then beat Goodwood in the preliminary.

“It was a solid six-goal victory, which will give this group confidence going into the decider.

“We led in the second game against Districts for 95 percent of the contest, but went down in the end by seven points.

“We’ve had a number of players who have had strong seasons, in a good, allround team effort.

“Sam Ainsworth across half-back is one to keep an eye on, while ruckman Bradley Davey has been consistent.

“There is a number of players in our midfield group including Damien Cooper, Ryan Hoare, our leader Micah Kretschmer who will find their share of the ball.”

“Port are a quick ball-moving side and we need to quell the pace in which it moves.”

The Wolves will be without Archie James – son of Norwood, Collingwood and Crows footballer Brett James – who broke an ankle.

Port Districts will start favourites in what will be an exciting encounter with plenty of talent on Thebarton Oval.

Tea Tree Gully vs Hectorville @ Maughan Thiem Kia Stadium (Woodville Oval) – Sunday, Sept 1 – 2.30pm

Live streamed via SANFL Now and Kommunity TV

By Peter Argent

Undefeated and having gained direct entry to the 2024 Division One Under 18s girls SANFL Grand Final, the Tea Tree Gully Wolves will start as slight favourites in the title-decider at Maughan Thiem Kia Stadium this Sunday afternoon.

The Wolves have taken all before them this year and boast a massive percentage of 87.03 which underpins their dominance across the season.

Opponents, the Hectorville Hounds, have made it to the “Big Dance” from the elimination final, beating Flinders Park by a massive margin in their first final, where Christie Cooper was a big focal point with eight goals; continuing that momentum in the first semi final win over the Glenunga Rams and last Sunday defeating Henley Sharks in an accomplished effort at Pedlar Reserve in the Preliminary Final by 32 points.

In a low scoring affair, their only meeting so far this season, the Gullies got up by 21 points in a wet night game back in early July.

“I don’t feel like we’re the favourites as the Hounds side has changed dramatically since we played them in the middle of the campaign,” Tea Tree Gully coach Tim Almond confirmed.

“We have a got a good even spread over the field and several options to hit the scoreboard.

“Taylah Pearson and Chloe Sternagel are consistently kicking goals for us.

“The granddaughter of Central District great from the 1980s Rene Van Dommele, Mikayla is a key in our midfield, along with pushing forward and having an impact.

“Two of our players, Lottie Almond and Kyah Jaffer, brought the midfield rotations used in the development league for the Norwood Redlegs.

“Laura Wilson has been solid all year in a key defensive role at centre half-back.

“In a consistent group, our dual ruck combination Tahlia Wasylkiw and Ellie Lott have both been important components.

“Twin sister of Taylah, Riley Pearson gives the group plenty of versatility, with her ability to play a variety of different roles.

“Another twin Lilly Jaffer, the 2023 Best and Fairest, has been a tower of strength in defence.

“We are a particularly young group this year with only a small handful of top-agers.”

On this withering run to the Under 18s Girls Grand Final, the Hectorville Hounds have enjoyed plenty of highlights, with the girls growing in stature each week.

“The whole team has contributed across the breadth of the finals,” Hectorville Hounds Under 18s coach Billy Leo explained.

“Every player had done their part over this period and we have enjoyed different players stepping up in each of the finals.

“Christie (Cooper) has had been a strong target in attack while Liana Rechichi gives us run and carry on a wing.

“Among a strong group on midfielders, siblings Kaitlin and Sasha Hardin, along with Polly Turner, Zina Hunt and Elke Cameron all have had an impact.

“Tilly (Matilda) Margitich and Macy Philpott are others who have deserved a mention as well.”

Both sides are motivated and looking forward to putting their best foot forward in this big title decider.

It could go either way and there is a big chance of a dramatic finish.