by The Bedge » Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:38 am
DIVISION FOUR
2022 grand final: Pembroke OS 19.5 (119) d Hope Valley 9.6 (60)
JW Schulz Medallist: Frank Timpano (Pooraka)
Leading goalkicker: Daniel Nobes (Hope Valley) – 87
Major ins: Curtly Hampton (Plympton), Brody Trembath (Brighton to Morphettville Park), Dave Hankin (Imperial to Morphettville Park), Ryan Burns (Gaza to Morphettville Park)
Major outs: Lindsay Thomas (Portland to North Haven), Ian Milera (Portland to Proprietary/Risdon), Jake Mazzone (Hectorville to Barossa District), Zac Peake (Plympton to Naracoorte)
Clubs: CBC OC, Hectorville, Kenilworth, Lockleys, Mitcham, Morphettville Park, Plympton, Pooraka, Portland, Walkerville
Plympton looks primed and ready to finally gain promotion back to division three after falling just short last season with an upset preliminary final loss to Hope Valley.
The Bulldogs have added former Adelaide midfielder Curtly Hampton as they look to launch a premiership campaign.
Promoted side Lockleys should also be strong, with 100-goal forward Ben Haren returning this season, while other newly-promoted club Hectorville may drop off slightly after losing star mid and division five medallist Jake Mazzone to Barossa District.
Morphettville Park will be a side to watch after dropping from division three last season, the Roos looking to bounce back after losing deadly forward/ruck combo Alex and Chris Barns to injury last year.
THREE BIG PREDICTIONS
Roos play-off in big dance
Morphettville Park sits as the great unknown in division four this season after dropping down from division three.
While the Roos dropped last year, they were without both Alex and Chris Barns for large portions of their campaign.
They’ll be a major threat if they can keep their side fit in 2023.
Haren boots another tonne
The former Sydney Swans and South Adelaide utility has been dominant as a key forward throughout his Adelaide Footy League career so far and should not let up this season.
Haren showed his ability to boot goals from anywhere for the Demons last year and will be a huge threat up front this year as he aims to record his second straight 100-goal campaign.
Dogs dominate to win flag
While Plympton has lost goal-threat Zac Peake to Naracoorte, the acquisition of former AFL mid Curtly Hampton should be a significant one for the Bulldogs.
Look for ruck Stuart Taverner and Hampton to combine effectively and lead their side to a premiership.
PREDICTED LADDER
1. Plympton
2. Lockleys
3. Pooraka
4. Morphettville Park
5. Walkerville
6. CBC OC
7. Mitcham
8. Portland
9. Hectorville
10. Kenilworth
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ALEX BARNS (Morphettville Park)
Barns experienced an injury-riddled season with Morphettville Park in 2022 but will be a terror up front and in the ruck if he can remain fit this year.
The North Adelaide premiership winner remains one of the most skilled bigs in the competition.
BEN HAREN (Lockleys)
Haren’s 109-goal tally in 2022 makes him being a must-watch player a given this year.
A strong mark out in front and a skilled big off of the deck, Haren can take over games with moments of brilliance and bags of goals.
CURTLY HAMPTON (Plympton)
Hampton will bring valuable AFL and SANFL experience to Plympton this season and should make the Bulldogs favourites in division four if he can perform at his best through the middle.
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