Under 13 – Sponsored by Betta Quality Curtains and Blinds

Flagstaff Hill 1 1 7 defeated by Port Noarlunga 5 5 35

Best Players: Connor Cutting, Macklin Brook, Joel Quigley, Kojo Antwi, Lewis
Collyer, Declan Stone.

Goal Kickers: Cooper Slattery 1.

Mark Lemmey – U13 Coach

Under 17.5’s – Sponsored by Rainmaker Properties

Flagstaff Hill 10 5 65 defeated Port Noarlunga 7 5 47

Best Players: Lachlan Ellis, Brodie Sisson, Mitch Chaplin, Ethan Johnson, Cameron
Brown, James Keating.

Goal Kickers: Jack Chaplin 3, Josh Lees 3, Cameron Brown 1, Coby Hibbert 1,
Ethan Johnson 1, Hugh Nash 1.

Craig Bunworth – Under 17.5’s Coach

 B Grade – Sponsored by Flagstaff Hotel

Flagstaff Hill 23 7 145 defeated Port Noarlunga 3 2 20

Best Players: Matt Caire, Zak Cavouras, Cameron Blake, Mason Carney, James
Brennan, Declan Tomkins.

Goal Kickers: Jake Bunworth 7, Leigh O’Malley 5, Mason Carney 4, Cameron Blake
2, James Brennan 2, Matt Caire 1, Matt Hunter 1, Declan Tomkins 1.

Congratulations to one of our Deputy Captains in Matt Caire who played is 100 th
Senior Game for the Falcons.  Matt has taken his game to another level since 2022, 
punishing himself in the gym and on the track he is dominating the midfield.   We
welcomed Cameron Blake into the B grade after an injury, Declan Tomkins back into
first ruck from work and uni,   Mason Carney and Matt Hunter returned from injury
and Adam Kleinig from sickness.   Round 17 the penultimate minor round game had
us venturing down to the home of the cockle divers, on a wet and miserable morning
isn’t the stuff dreams are made of.  Port Noarlunga still with plenty of work to do with
their senior sides, always present a tough and physical contest.  Porties are clearly a
footy club on the rebuild and showing signs across all of the club, with competitive
performances across the junior grades we expect them to improve.  Our first look at
the new facilities, just goes to show that the grass isn’t always greener.   

I don’t recall seeing a Port Noarlunga oval in the condition it was and our pre-match
was focused on wet weather and contested footy.   At this time of the season, B
grade selection is getting tougher each week, with 5 changes to a winning side it
makes it tough on those who miss.  Our team is focused on team success over
individual success,  our structures and processes will stand up in finals and we have
worked away at this all year.    We are focused on playing to the same standard
week in week out, and are looking to maintain the high scoring, high work ethic each
week.     The game started, it was a good tough contest that we had yearned for and
they bought some physicality which we loved.  We controlled the quarter with
possession and winning inside 50’s but we didn’t control the pace of the game, our
skills early were a fraction off,  whilst dominating territory we only hit the score board
with 2.1 to their two goals.  We did have winners on the ground with Jimmy Brennan
continuing his excellent form on the far wing,  and Mason Carney who dominated
CHF, with his aerial work and running – he showed the team how work rate looked in
wet and tough conditions.  At the break we reset the agenda, acknowledging the
physicality of the opposition, their desire and willingness for the contest.  We also
identified that whilst we were competitive and physically matching the opposition,
mentally we weren’t quite at the level to execute our skills and really step up to our
level.

The second quarter began and we were away, the light was on and the Falcon was
in full flight.  Our midfield is full of big bodies and BT, and full of run,  we totally
controlled the game,  all the cogs started turning and that resulted in us scoring 9
goals straight for the quarter.  Our ability to hit up our forwards, the unselfishness of
the play was most enjoyable.  Jake Bunworth providing strong leads and being
rewarded by kicks to advantage resulted in him kicking 4 straight. Our other forwards
all working for each other, creating space and sharing the rewards make for

outstanding football.  At half time, the game was done as we sat on 11.1 to 2 goals –
we held them scoreless for the term. On a day of highlights, Zak Cavouras launched
high into the air for a contested mark, with his direct opponent jumping into him, Zak
 provided one for the ages, when he changed his mind and completed a one handed
tap directly into the hands of his team mate running past at full speed, who delivered
the ball in razor sharp style to our leading full forward.  It is rumoured that Zak called
the play when he was in the air!  Stop it!

The third quarter commenced where we left off and we controlled the ball, it was
another big quarter and we kicked 7 goals 2 points , to 2 points,  we started to
spread and switch, put some width in our possessions. We were in control of the
game and we had repeat and multiple inside 50s, we hit the scoreboard effectively
which mirrored what we had achieved a few times throughout the year. Our back 6
continue to perform to a really high level, well led by Tim Meinecke, who dominated
the defensive 50 position, Brad Draper who’s directional voice and knowledge of our
structures had everyone standing in the right positions. By the end of the quarter we
held a score line of 18.3 to 2.2.  Our defensive players are revelling in holding teams
 to minimal scores and relishing every forward entry by the opposition as a chance to
deny them a score.  Josh “FIZZ” Faizal had an almost perfect day winning every
contest, hitting the contest at speed backing himself in and delivering the football
with ease.  A quiet achiever who is ruthless in his attack on body and ball.

This team does not stop and we continued on in the last quarter kicking another 5
goals 4 points which gave us a final score of 23. 7 points 145 points.  We have had a
real focus over the last three weeks on goal kicking practice at training.  This result is
great acknowledgement of the team really putting their time at practice into their
work on match day.    With one last minor round game to go, we have secured the
minor premiership, a small but worthy acknowledgement of the entire squad, whilst
only 21 players get to play each week we have had as many as 41 players play a
game of B grade this year.   Our attention now is focused on Noarlunga who will
come with a completely different level of intensity and physicality.  A proud club who
have hurt us in the past.  We will be ready.

Graham Tomkins – B-Grade Coach

Flagstaff Hill 21 20 146 defeated Port Noarlunga 2 8 20

Best Players: Mitch Johnson, Ben Burbridge, Sam Jacobs, Brayden Heyward-Ferors,
Sam Smith, Josh Rosman.

Goal Kickers: Sam Jacobs 7, Sam Smith 5, Ryan Mountford 4, Macca Short 1, Mitch
Johnson 1, Nathan Beenham 1, Brad Patterson 1, Huw Channing 1.

Round 17 we took on Port Noarlunga on their home deck, arriving for the end of the
17.5s and start of B grade games the forecast looked like it was going to be a wet
day, but by the time of the A grade came around the overcast conditions were almost
perfect for footy. With a continued strong emphasis on our team defence, we looked
to ply our trade against one of the more attacking sides in the competition.

The first quarter we started well, with our attack on the ball and opposition first rate
and not giving them any time on a big oval was pleasing and to hold Pt Noarlunga
goalless was a great reward for the groups effort defensively. Going back the other
way attacking our scoring end we were able to hit the scoreboard and attack the
goals from high % shots on goal. With previous experiences of starting slow coming
off the bye, the group steeled themselves for a big first quarter to counter act this
and coming in at quarter time it was pleasing to see the response. The group
reiterated that 1 quarter wasn’t enough and we were searching for a 4-quarter effort.
Kicking into a slight breeze in the second we continued to hit the scoreboard and our
defensive pressure was top notch again, we allowed 2 goals late in the half but our
strong work up until then had us in a great position with the score reading Flagstaff
Hill – 12.9: 81 to Pt Noarlunga 2.5:17.

The third quarter began and the effort and intensity remained the same from the
group. Another pleasing aspect of the game was the skill execution in tougher
conditions, we still looked to back ourselves in and take the game on but also played
on instinct in giving that first option when available. Pt Noarlunga struggled to go with
this style and we were able to play the game in our forward half for majority of the
third term. At 3 quarter time as a coach it was great to sit back and hear the group
speak of what they saw and felt throughout the game, each line group and as a
collective all relayed the same message of they were happy with the first 3 quarters,
but need to tick one more off to play full 4 quarters. The last quarter played out much
the same with us playing it in our forward half, our skills again were a highlight for the
day, but the most satisfying was the defensive pressure and small team first efforts
across all 4 quarters, to hold Port Noarlunga goalless for 3 quarters was a great
effort. All up was a great 4 quarter effort by the boys, another big test this week
against Noarlunga but we are looking forward to the challenge. Final score, Flagstaff
Hill  21.20 : 146 to Port Noarlunga 2.8 : 20.

Goal kickers for the day Sam Jacobs kicked 7, Sam Smith kicked 5 and Ryan
Mountford kicked 3. Mitch Johnson was our best player for the day, his power out of stoppages and skills were a highlight, Ben Burbridge was second with a solid 4
quarter game with multiple courageous defensive efforts, Sam Jacobs was third
best, his ruck craft and skills around ground were excellent and his forward work was
also nice. Bray Heyward – Ferors, Sam Smith and Josh Rosman rounded out the
best players with multiple nipping at the heels of this group.
 See you at Flaggies for the final minor round game of the year!

Zane Kirkwood – A-Grade Coach

Under 14 Girls – Sponsored by Bliss & Rose

Flagstaff Hill 1 0 6 defeated by Port Noarlunga 5 12 42

Best Players: Jazmyn Dawe, Kayla Jamison, Angela Rose, Sophie Hodgson, Sienna
Taylor, Georgia Taylor.

Goal Kickers: Keris Richardson.

Dave Hodgson – Under 14 Girls Coach

Under 17 Girls – Sponsored by Style FX Hair, Nails & Beauty

Flagstaff Hill 2 3 15 defeated by Port Noarlunga 2 8 20

Best Players: Sienna Aldridge, Liz Johnson, Zoe Hodgson, Kaitlyn Aldridge, Gabby
Baker, Kyah Smith.

Goal Kickers: Amelia Jensen 2.

Mark Baker – Under 17 Girls Coach

A Grade Women – Sponsored by KX Pilates

Flagstaff Hill 3 4 22 defeated Port Noalrunga 2 3 15

Best Players: Jasmin Partridge, Liz Johnson, Emily Brockhurst, Brooke Watson,
Amelia Morriss, Kelsey Rodman.

Goal Kickers: Bella Nicholls-Newman 1, Indianna Roberts 1, Emily Brockhurst 1.

Michael Hegarty – A Grade Women’s Coach

C Grade – Sponsored by Charlesworth Nuts

Flagstaff Hill 8 17 65 defeated Port Noarlunga 2 5 17

Best Players: Toby Russell, Dan Crisa, Angus Fisher, Jackson Williams, Cooper
Ames, Tom McGoran.

Goal Kickers: Ali Baltagie 2, Cam Nuske 2, Bailey Richman 1, Toby Russell 1, Paul
Ats 1, Jackson Williams 1.

Wade Stone – C-Grade Coach

Milestones

Paul Ats – 150th Senior Game
Matthew Caire – 100th Senior Game
Tristan Smith – 50th Senior Game
Stuart Ats – 50th C Grade Game
James Hele – 50th Club Game

FHFC Debuts