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| 19 Jun 2025 | |
| Written by Guy Roberts | |
| SPOC Sport |
| Football |
As we approach the halfway point of the 2025 season, the comparison of 2025 with the tough 2024 season couldn’t be starker, as the A, B and C grade teams are all performing strongly and are well-positioned to have a great run at making finals later this year.
Our new recruits have bolstered the ranks of the A’s, and the B grade have benefited strongly as a result, with competition for an A grade spot becoming contested.
The large number of school leavers have added significantly to our playing depth, to the point where there are players missing out on a C grade spot each week – a situation we’re not accustomed to and one that we are actively looking at ways to address.
On the coaching front, first-year coach Harry Bond has stepped into the role very well, bringing the same enthusiasm to coaching as he used to bring as a player. Our B and A grade coaches continue to invest a huge amount of time and energy at training, game days and in between to ensure the players are ready to compete each Saturday.
After 7 rounds (of 18), the A grade are sitting in equal 3rd spot on the ladder, just 1 game behind the joint leaders, the B grade are also sitting in 3rd spot just 2 games behind the leader whilst the C grade are sitting in 6th spot, just 1 game out of the top 5 required to play finals (with plenty of games left to catch up).
In other exciting news, we are pleased that the new WOSA (Wilderness Old Scholars Association) team have had a really good start to the season too, with some fantastic wins. Starting a team from scratch is not easy and the coaching group and organising team, led by Matt Newman, have done a fantastic job to create an environment that’s clearly producing results on and off the field.
WOSA are also sitting in 3rd spot, just 1 game behind the joint leaders.
Off-field and we’re really pleased to see increased crowd numbers watching games and attending events, with the 2025 Ladies Day attended by a record number of guests who enjoyed a wonderful, seated lunch at the northern end of the Caterer. Thank you to St Peter’s College Foundation and Hesketh Wines for their support of this event and to Samantha Allan and all the volunteers who worked so hard to offer a brilliant afternoon at the football.
We also held our annual Anzac Service on April 26, with Brigadier C.P. (Peter) Moore, Old Scholar, SPOC FC Life Member (144 games), Chairman Regimental Council, The Royal South Australia Regiment, President - Defence Reserves Association (South Australia), who conducted the Anzac service on behalf of the club.
Max Grynchuk, Bands Coordinator at St Peter’s College, played The Last Post and Reveille for the large crowd who attended the matches. Thank you to Peter and Max for offering their time to assist SPOC FC as we remembered the 380 St Peter’s College Old Scholars, former SPOC FC players and school staff who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War 1 and 2.
As we turn our attention to the second half of the 2025 season, all players enjoyed a well-earned rest with a bye scheduled on the June long weekend. Round 8, on June 14, will be the last ‘quad header’ set of games in the 2025 season where all 3 men’s teams and WOSA play at home on the same afternoon. We’d love to see all members of the SPOC Community at this game, or any of the remaining games and of course, at one of the upcoming events that are listed below.
Guy Roberts (WDK 1979)
SPOC FC Chair
Upcoming Events
2025 SHOWDOWN LUNCH – Friday 25 July
The inaugural SPOC FC Showdown Lunch, held in 2024, was a huge success with almost 200 guests enjoying a wonderful afternoon of outstanding food at The Highway, complemented by a quality range of wine provided by the many SPOC FC wine partners.
In 2025, we’re holding the Showdown Lunch again, with Tim Silvers, Adelaide Crows CEO and Matthew Richardson, Port Power CEO joining Channel Nine's Tom Rehn (Master of Ceremonies). Past AFL players will also share their Showdown experiences in what will be a great opportunity to hear about what true rivalry and footy mateship means.
Tickets are on sale now: https://www.trybooking.com/DCCRJ
2025 REUNION DAY – Saturday 26 July
Following on from the Showdown Lunch, the premiership teams from 1985, 1995 and 2005 are in for a treat on Saturday 26 July with an afternoon under the St Peter's College Foundation marquee at the northern end of the Caterer.
A seated lunch, plenty of fine wine and maybe a story or two will make this an afternoon to remember. Tickets are $75 and we’re already hearing that plenty of players are making the effort to get to the Caterer for this reunion event.
Tickets are on sale now: https://www.trybooking.com/DCHYS
2025 PAST PLAYER DAY – Saturday 26 July
Our other past players aren’t forgotten either, with Past Player Day also taking place on Saturday 26 July on the hill, overlooking the Caterer.
A great BBQ and drinks deal is being put together to make the afternoon a compelling proposition.
All past players are also invited to join the post-match presentations held at The Maid every Saturday night from 6pm.
Book your ticket to the Showdown Lunch, head to the Caterer for either the Reunion or Past Player event then join the current players at The Maid afternoons – a perfect 24+ hours of footy!
2025 TRUE BLUE AND PLAYER SPONSORS
Our members (True Blue and True Blue Player Sponsors) are the heart and soul of the club and we’re extremely grateful for their financial and vocal support. The 2025 members include;
2025 True Blues
2025 True Blue Player Sponsors
OUR 2025 CORPORATE SPONSOR MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
In addition to our fantastic group of True Blue and Player Sponsors, our Corporate Sponsors provide much needed financial support and often goods and services too. We really pleased to acknowledge the following companies and encourage the SPOC community to consider them when looking for products or services locally: