From the Sidelines with Spyro - Round 9 Review

There was still a lot to play out in the final day of the regular season. Especially in the senior division, where the coveted No. 1 seed was still up for grabs.

With the dust now settled on the regular season, the playoff bracket is officially set. Four teams have secured their spots in the semi-finals, each just one win away from reaching the Juniors & Seniors Great Southern Bowl, while two top-seeded squads have already punched their ticket straight to the championship game. As for the two teams not partaking in playoff action the focus for them now turns toward regrouping and preparing for a fresh run in 2026.

There is a lot to unpack from the last round of the season, and as always all is covered in the final regular season edition of From the Sidelines with Spyro. 

Juniors: Adelaide University Hogs 5-3 defeat South City Chiefs 3-5

Final Score: 21-14

This game served as a feeling out encounter for both teams as entering round 9, they were guaranteed to meet again in the semi-finals. If this game is anything to go by then we are in for a classic come semi-final day. It was the Hogs who will take great confidence going into that game as they held off the Chiefs for a 7-point victory.

Despite a season where the reigning champion Chiefs haven’t been at their very best, they still have a chance to get back to the Great Southern Bowl.

Juniors: UniSA Eagles 8-0 defeat Port Adelaide Spartans 0-8 (Forfeit)

Final Score: 21-0

A forfeit by the Spartans means The UniSA Eagles finish their regular season campaign undefeated. They move straight into the Juniors Great Southern Bowl, with one goal in mind to end the year as undefeated champions.

Battle for the Seniors No.1 Seed:

Seniors:  Adelaide University Hogs 7-1 defeat South City Chiefs 0-8

Final Score: 64-0

Seniors: UniSA Eagles 7-1 defeat Port Adelaide Spartans 3-5

Final Score: 40-0

After 9 rounds in the senior division the No.1 seed was still to be decided. The Hogs & Eagles entered their respective matchups sitting at 6-1, with one thing in mind. Win by as many points as possible.

Both teams did just that, whilst also shutting their opponents out.

The Hogs took to the field first and they were already holding a slight edge over the Eagles in the +/- column as they set their sights on the struggling Chiefs. This one was over quickly, as the Hogs who were like Sharks smelling blood in the water exploded on offence for 64 points, their highest score for the season. The Chiefs were no match for this level of fire power, as their season ends with another shutout. At the conclusion of this match up the Hogs +/- moved to a very comfortable 214, putting themselves in the driver's seat for the No 1. seed.

It all came down to the final game of the day, with the Eagles knowing exactly what they needed to do. With a +/- of 136 they needed to somehow find a way to score a massive 79 points whilst keeping their opponent scoreless, it was an almighty challenge but there was still a chance. They were able to tick off the scoreless box but fell 39 points short of their target. However, scoring 40 points in this division is nothing to downplay, especially against a Spartans team that was coming off a win where they scored 66 points of their own.

The Adelaide University Hogs punch their ticket to yet another Great Southern Bowl and just like in the Juniors we will have another rematch of a Round 9 game in the Semi-finals. As the Eagles & Spartans will face each other again. For the Spartans of Port Adelaide, they will need to put this performance behind them in a hurry and find their absolute best, to prepare themselves for another clash with the high-flying Eagles.

Semi-Finals Fixture:

Juniors: Adelaide University Hogs 5-3 vs South City Chiefs 3-5 @11am

Seniors: UniSA Eagles 7-1 vs Port Adelaide Spartans 3-5 @2pm