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Semi Finals Preview
SGL FINALS – WEEK ONE WRAP
The first round of the SGL Finals got underway last weekend, with two exciting contests producing plenty of action and setting up an intriguing Preliminary Final.
SOLOMONTOWN TOO STRONG FOR PORT
Solomontown 10.11 (71) defeated Port 5.9 (39)
The Cats showed exactly why they have been sitting on top of the ladder all season, producing a convincing 32-point victory over Port in blustery conditions. Solomontown took control of the contest from half-time onwards, kicking five goals to Port’s one in the second half to run away with the game and book their place in the Grand Final. It was a strong team performance from the Cats, with Tyler Foster and Jamie Kovacic both finishing with four goals each. For Port, Oliver Ebert led the way with two goals and was also one of their better players on the day. The best players for Solomontown included Mason Munzberg, Nick Thompson and Lockie Knibbs, while Ebert was among Port’s better performers. The result sees the Cats go straight through to the 2026 SGL Grand Final, giving them a well-earned week off while the remaining finalists battle it out for the other Grand Final spot.
CENTRALS HOLD OFF SOUTH
Central Augusta 11.6 (72) defeated South Augusta 9.10 (64)
Sunday’s second final between Central Augusta and South Augusta was a much closer affair, with Centrals eventually running out eight-point winners. It was a remarkably quiet opening quarter, with no score recorded until around the 21-minute mark. South finally broke through and went to quarter-time holding a 2.1 lead to nil. From there, however, Central Augusta turned the game around, kicking 11 goals to South’s seven for the remainder of the match to claim a hard-fought victory. Newchurch led the way for Centrals with three goals, while Hakeem Johnson contributed two. Max McKeough and Hamish Stewart were among Central Augusta’s best players. South Augusta fought hard throughout, with Trent Ritter finishing with three goals and Joe Beattie adding two. Caleb Ritter and Luke Paparella were among South’s best performers. The eight-point victory keeps Central Augusta’s season alive and sends them into the Preliminary Final at Pirie, where they will face Port for the right to take on Solomontown in the Grand Final
PRELIMINARY FINAL
This weekend, the focus turns to Pirie, where Port will take on Central Augusta in a Preliminary Final with everything on the line.
For both clubs, the equation is simple, win and keep the season alive, lose and the 2026 campaign comes to an end. With Solomontown already safely through to the Grand Final, this game represents the final opportunity for either Port or Central Augusta to earn their place in the biggest game of the season. Port will be looking to bounce back after their loss to the Cats. While they were unable to match Solomontown after half-time, there were plenty of positives to come from their performance, particularly the efforts of Oliver Ebert, who was one of Port’s better players and finished with two goals. Port will know they will need a strong four-quarter effort against Centrals if they are to get another shot at the premiership. Central Augusta, meanwhile, will head into the Preliminary Final full of confidence after their hard-fought eight-point victory over South Augusta. Centrals showed plenty of character to recover from a scoreless first quarter and South’s early lead, eventually taking control of the contest and holding on when the pressure was at its highest. With Newchurch contributing three goals and Hakeem Johnson adding two, Centrals have shown they have players capable of hitting the scoreboard, while Max McKeough, Aziel Stuart and Hamish Stewart will again be important around the ground. The two sides now meet with their seasons on the line. There will be no second chance, and the winner will earn the right to challenge Solomontown for the 2026 SGL premiership.
After a weekend of finals football that produced both a convincing Solomontown victory and an eight-point thriller between Centrals and South, another big crowd is expected at Pirie for what should be a fiercely contested Preliminary Final.
