Look what I brought home	Will history be created?
Hat-trick up for grabs	No more chances for Roos, Rove...
Eagles recruit a runaway winne...	Loxton's clean sheet sets up s...
Hangers n Clangers	Olympic finishes as minor prem...
Semipro upset reigning volleyb...	Superdogs finish strong
Swans, Warriors do battle	Thorne top golf qualifier
Waikerie eightballers start we...

Hayden Stoeckel returned home to Berri this week to visit proud parents Chris and Carol, and also to share his Olympic medals with the community.

By MONIQUE PASCHKE
Olympic silver and bronze medallist Hayden Stoeckel has returned to the place where his swimming dreams began - his hometown of Berri.
The talented backstroker was in the Riverland this week to visit family, and friends, and share his priceless Olympic medals with the community.
In an incredible performance, Stoeckel, who quit swimming at 16 before taking the sport up again at 18, tied with Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia for third place in the individual 100m backstroke at the Beijing Olympics last month.
He also swam the backstroke leg in the silver medal winning Australian men's 4x100m medley relay team.
The 24-year-old said returning home to the Riverland after the hype of the Beijing Olympics was an "awesome" feeling.
"It's so good to come home and see family and friends and I'd just like to thank everyone who supported me," he said.
"The support of everyone in the Riverland has been amazing."
Stoeckel was equally excited about the renaming of the Berri swimming pool to the Hayden Stoeckel Pool.
"I really didn't expect to have the pool named after me," he said.
"It is a huge honour and a legacy that will live on."
"Kids will be asking 'who is that?'"
The towering swimmer was also quick to point out that Riverland children could achieve similar Olympic success.
"I've always grown up around the water and that has helped with (my swimming)," he said.
"I think anything is possible. You've just got to have good parents to support you, which I have been lucky with.
"(I have) a good mum to keep me in line."
Stoeckel credits his surprise Olympics success to a move back to Adelaide after living in the Gold Coast for four years.
"I was expecting to just maybe make a final or to do a personal best, but not by 0.8 seconds," he said.
"It is so surreal when you are competing. You dream about it the whole time and then to be racing in it -it's amazing."
He said it was "pretty cool" living in the village with the world's best athletes.
"It was pretty full on the amount of people that I met, (including) all of the (USA) dream team and Roger Federer," he said.
Stoeckel will return to Adelaide to continue training for a short course competition in Melbourne later this month.
"I just got back into training this past week," he said. "I did a meet on the weekend in Adelaide, but two weeks of relaxation has hurt me a little bit.
"I want to post a few good times in the 100 (backstroke) and 50 (backstroke)."
And for all the school children who sent Stoeckel letters of hope and inspiration while he was competing at the Beijing Olympics, he said they would be receiving replies soon.
"I got a fair few -I am still replying to them all," he said.
Stoeckel's next major competition will be the 2009 International Swimming Federation (FINA) world championships in Rome where he will be aiming for another solid backstroke performance.
He will then turn his focus to the London 2012 Olympics where he intends to win gold.
"The hardest thing once you're up there is to stay up there," he said.
Meanwhile a civic reception will be held for the Riverland's newest sporting star at the Berri Barmera Council chambers, in Berri, tonight from six o'clock.

Will history be created?
Waikerie is aiming to win its first Riverland A1 netball premiership at Renmark tonight.
However, to do so it must overcome the might of Renmark, which is gunning for its third flag in the past four seasons.
Renmark has been the 2008 pacesetter, with Leanne Menz's return to the defensive goal circle crucial to its good form.
Menz has combined well with 2007 best and fairest winner Jo Haynes this year.
The duo have the knowledge and skill to apply pressure to Waikerie playmaker and recently crowned 2008 best and fairest Hannah Lehmann.
Lehmann and her partner in crime Amy Cain, work the ball fast, play with confidence and their ability to lift their work rate has paid off this year.
At the other end, there should be a fascinating duel between Renmark shooters Anita and Sonja Modlinski and Waikerie's Nikki Liebich and Lauren Oswald.
Renmark appears to have the edge in the midcourt.
Skilful and experienced campaigners Lyn Sweeney, Lyn Leuders, Lisa Smith and youngster Denika Gartery work the ball well, put pressure on their opponents and cause turnovers.
Their counterparts Jess Heron, Angie Miller, Kate Harden and Rachel Hillier have stepped up their game this year, but will need to be at their best for four quarters if Waikerie is to win.
The premiership is there for both teams to win, but who-ever settles first will take a huge advantage for the rest of the match.
The A2 grand final will also be played at Renmark tonight between Loxton and Loxton North. All other games will be played at Renmark tomorrow from 10am.

Hat-trick up for grabs
Cobdogla and Lyrup will fight it out for the Riverland Independent A grade football premiership at Wunkar tomorrow for the second year running.
The Eagles are gunning for a hat-trick of premierships under coach Rodney Hankin, who has previously stated that this will be his last year as coach.
Cobdogla defeated Paringa in 2006, before running away from the Lions in the final quarter of last year's grand final, which had been close up until that point.
Hankin told The Pioneer on Wednesday that he was happy to leave the club in good shape.
"Even if we are not successful this weekend I am of the opinion as a coach you leave a club in better shape on and off the field than how you found the club," Hankin said.
"I am not the one who is leaving a legacy behind because I believe that you are only as good a coach as what you have player-wise, and you must agree the past three years we have had a lot of talented footballers."
Hankin is expecting a tough final tomorrow, but believes he has the players to deliver premiership number three.
"We'll apply physical pressure when they have the ball, something in my opinion they have had not been put under during the finals," he said.
"But we won't be worrying so much about them.
"With our strengths they need to plan to shut down our playmakers as we have a lot of players who are adaptable and can be moved into key positions."
The last time the teams played Lyrup won by 15 points, but that was way back in round eight.
Cobdogla had several players out that day and Lyrup coach Jeff Hayes in under no illusion that his side will have to be playing at its peak to knock off the reigning premier.
"We're definitely the underdogs," Hayes said.
Hayes said the Lions had kept things low key during the week, with their only injury concern a knee injury to Brodie Dillon.
Hayes is expecting a team performance from his Lions tomorrow, something they have delivered in both of their finals appearances this year.
"The people who have performed well during the year will hopefully bring others into the game as a team," he said.
Hayes said he expects Ken Karpany and Adrian Abdulla jnr to continue their good form, while Howard Duthie medallist Brad Horsell and his fellow midfielders can expect to be closely checked.
In a surprise move, Paul Centofanti could be selected for tomorrow's match.
The big man was one of the Lions' best in last year's grand final, but has hardly played all season.
"I'm not sure (about Centofanti playing)," Hayes said.
"We've got to look at the balance of the team.
"But I'm sure someone like Horsell wouldn't be too happy if big 'Centa' came out to stand him."
Tip - Lyrup by 6 points.

M
oorook-Kingston will be aiming for its first ever Independent Colts premiership when it takes on Lyrup in the grand final tomorrow.
The young Warriors have been led well by Barry Wyman medallist Matt Raison, Dylan Spence, Zac Vlaanderen and Anthony Hogg this year.
Lyrup will be relying on the likes of Cameron Clark, Travis Wilson, Dylan Johnson and Zac Bates to reverse the result from the second semi-final two weeks ago.
Tip - Moorook-Kingston by 15 points.

No more chances for Roos, Rovers
Both Renmark and Barmera-Monash will be aiming for the chance to end their respective premiership droubts tomorrow when they clash in the Riverland A grade football preliminary final at Barmera.
Barmera-Monash has not won the A grade flag since 1989, while Renmark's last A grade premiership was in 1995.
Tomorrow they fight for the right to challenge Waikerie in the grand final and end the two longest current RFL premiership droughts.
Both sides will go into the match unchanged as they try to keep some stability.
Renmark's Ryan Bennett was well held last week, kicking just the one goal in the Rovers' big loss to Waikerie.
Bennett will need to be at his best tomorrow, and no doubt Barmera coach Terry Eleftheriadis will have a plan to counter the big forward's impact.
Barmera might go tall up forward to try and unsettle Renmark's smaller defenders as Waikerie did last week.
It is likely the match will be won in the midfield, with Renmark's Adam Bryant, Simon Callahan, Matt Martinson and Heath Deer up against the Roos' Ryan Villis, Matt Leyson, Matt Morrell and Lachlan Middleton.
Renmark's harder bodies around the packs could be the difference.
The B grade preliminary final between Loxton and Renmark should be a beauty, with the Tigers to start slight favourites.
Loxton has had the wood on Renmark this year and convincingly won in their last encounter.
The Tigers will rely on former A graders Grant Dahlitz, Jade Wright, Don Cregan and Steve Westbrook to get them home.
Likewise, Renmark's former A grade players Dale Lellmann, Brett Kennedy, Ben Brown and Casey Gartner will be hoping to guide Renmark to back-to-back grand finals.
Renmark is also up against Loxton in the under 18 preliminary final.
Renmark finished the year as minor premier, but was upset by Waikerie in the second semi last week.
The two teams have had some close tussles this year, and expect tomorrow's match to be no different.

Eagles recruit a runaway winner
Cobdogla's Brad Horsell won the Howard Duthie Medal for the best and fairest Riverland Independent A grade football player on Monday night at the Cobdogla Club.
An Adelaide-based player, Horsell won the medal with 28 votes - seven clear of Paringa midfielder Andrew Lloyd on 21.
Lyrup's Nathan Gregory finished third on 19 votes.
Horsell's precise left foot kicking and ability to dodge even the best of tacklers saw him voted best on ground by the umpires in seven matches, including six in a row.
The humble midfielder thanked coach Rodney Hankin and his team-mates for accepting him into the club on Monday night. Lloyd started the count well, polling nine votes in the opening four rounds, before he was reeled in by Horsell.
Horsell also won the Nippy's Best Team Man award and Hankin was named A grade coach of the year.
Nuggety Lyrup midfielder Matt Recchia was named the Rob Lehmann Best First Year Player after a standout season for the Lions.
Moorook-Kingston's Matt Raison stormed home to win the Barry Wyman Medal for the Independent colts best and fairest.
Raison polled 25 votes to win from Cobdogla's James Coats (18), Lyrup's Juane Gray (17) and Travis Wilson (15) and Paringa's Tristan Jackson (15).
Moorook-Kingston's Peter 'Alby' Perry won the Colts coach of the year.

BARRY WYMAN MEDAL
Brown's Well (40) - Josh McDonald 10, Jack Hyde 6, S. Hyde 5, B. Victor 4, M. Reichstein 4, J. Lipacis 4, B. Hoffmann 3, M. Baird 3, K. Hargreaves 1.
Cobdogla (49) - J. Coats 18, R. Werner 8, J. Trace 6, M. Winen 4, T. Maynard 3, R. Bonney 3, J. Roissetter 2, J. Finn 2, D. Drabsch 2, C. Roach 1.
East Murray (31) - Z. Kirk 13, A. Hissey 6, M. Tyler 4, N. Flight 3, P. Payne 2, J. Hentschke 2, N. Francis 1.
Lyrup (56) - J. Gray 17, T. Wilson 15, D. Johnson 8, A. Penola 5, Z. Bates 3, P. Chillam 2, T. Barrett 2, M. Wanganeen 1, J. Stone 1, T. Lindsay 1, G. Abdulla 1.
Moorook-Kingston (51) - M. Raison 25, D. Spence 14, B. Reid 3, J. Leach 3, A. Hogg 2, J. Graetz 2, D. Ballantyne 2.
Paringa (43) - T. Jackson 15, B. Reinertson 12, F. Brookes 8, D. Murphy 5, J. Blackley 3.
Wunkar (18) - B. Martin 6, A. Martin 5, N. Brown 4, I. Worsfold 2, B. Myers 1.

Loxton's clean sheet sets up second semi-final clash
Loxton has secured a finals double chance after defeating Waikerie 3-0 to claim second spot on the Riverland men's A grade hockey ladder.
Loxton will now play Berri in tomorrow's second semi-final at Glassey Park.
Loxton started the game well and were on the board early with a goal to Karl Hennig.
Brendan Schulz, who has been a consistent performer all year, then consolidated Loxton's lead with another goal.
After the long break Waikerie had a number of chances, but Loxton goalkeeper Dan Schubert proved too good and was a major plus for Loxton's defence following his two week absence.
Late in the second half, Loxton's Nigel Rutherford got stick to ball for Loxton's third goal.
W
aikerie and Loxton had a much closer encounter in their A grade women's match, with Loxton narrowly winning 3-2.
It was tight early on with Waikerie defender Zoe Broekx making her presence felt as she consistently stopped Loxton's attacks.
However, it was Loxton stalwart Sara Jenzen who managed to skilfully attack the circle and score over Waikerie keeped Leesha Doecke.
Waikerie persisted and with eight minutes remaining in the first half a variation in a penalty corner saw Kimberley Fulwood deflect the ball in for the equalizer.
A penalty corner conversion from the stick of Billie-Jo Hammerstein then gave Loxton a one-goal lead.
Waikerie's Broekx took a solo run which created a penalty corner on the other end of the field. Vicky Schmidt hit truly putting it in the opposite post equalizing the scores yet again.
Waikerie keeper Leesha Doecke played a blinder, but Loxton's consistency in the last 10 minutes saw Elouise Hampel crack one in, putting Loxton one goal up.
B
erri and Renmark A Women were up first on Saturday with both sides playing for prestige.
Berri opened its account when a through ball found Bron Leggett in the circle.
Renmark had an answer as they worked the ball down field and Sharon Pendle hit truly.
Berri continued to pepper the circle resulting in a penalty corner, with 12-year-old Steph Baird deflecting one in from the corner post.
It was not long before young Baird unselfishly passed off to Karina Payne to put Berri's third on the board.
Berri's Karri McMahon slotted through Berri's fourth from the top of the 'D'.
In the closing stages of the first half Renmark's Danielle Weeks converted to put the score 2-4 after being awarded a penalty stroke.
Berri's Brooke Buchecker made a brilliant solo run down the left side to put the ball hard into the circle, where Baird was waiting to score Berri's fifth.
Renmark kept persisting with a goal to Nina Frahn.
Weeks and Jo Bond combined well, with Bond converting off a deflection from a penalty.
B
erri A men came out strong against Renmark with coach Shaun Kelly giving his side its first goal.
Another goal to Berri from Matt Baird saw spirits soar.
After the long break, both sides had early chances, but both goalkeepers Sam Cowey and Tony Halupka repelled the attacks.
Renmark finally succumbed when Paul Santos put in Berri's third goal.
Renmark worked the ball hard and Danial Shawyer converted.
No further score was added at 3-1 leaving Berri minor premiers.
FINALS DRAW
TONIGHT
6pm: U18W Berri v Waikerie (BJ. Hammerstein, B. Keynes).
7.15pm: AM Renmark v Waikerie (C. Whyatt, K. Hennig).
8.45pm: AW Renmark v Waikerie (K. Hennig, Z. Arruzzolo).
TOMORROW
9am: U11 Waikerie v Berri (N. Crouch, R. James). U11 Renmark v Loxton (K. Miller, T. Herbert).
10am: U13 Renmark v Loxton Gold (S. Trezise, B. Bartel). U13 Loxton Black v Berri (S. Giles, B. Harkness).
11.10am: U15M Renmark v Loxton (K. Weir, A. Fulwood). U15W Loxton v Waikerie (K. Beer, J. Redemski).
12.40am: U18M Berri v Waikerie (K. Burgemeister, T. Vivian). U18M Renmark v Loxton (C. Whyatt, K. Brown).
2pm: AM Berri v Loxton (D. Shawyer, B. Kroehn). BW Berri Blue v Renmark (R. Trimper, S. Giles). BM Renmark v Waikerie (M. Hopper, Z. Arruzzolo).
3.30pm: AW Berri v Loxton (D. Shawyer, B. Kroehn). BM Loxton v Berri (M. Kroehn, M. Kleemann). BW Waikerie Black v Berri Red (C. Benda, T. Cass).

Hangers n Clangers
The 'Rat' in fine form at Cobby
F
ormer Hawthorn and Central Districts star John Platten was a huge hit at Monday night's Riverland Independent Football Howard Duthie Medal Count at the Cobdogla Club. Platten recalled several stories from his time at Hawthorn, several of which included some rough stuff from former team-mate Dermott Brereton. H&C found Platten to be down to earth and at ease with conversing with the crowd. It was the first time the Howard Duthie Medal count had been held on a separate night to the Whillas Medal count, but most agree it was a resounding success.
F
ormer Loxton man Rod Farr is competing at the Beijing Paralympic Games which commence tomorrow. Farr, a paraplegic, will compete in the discus, shot put and javelin. Farr has previously won three medals at the world championships.
W
ith the Riverland Match Play Golf Championships being held next week, H&C has been made aware of the origins of the event. The event started in 1925 as the Upper Murray Championship, when it was won by Jim Clucas of the Rialto Club in Renmark. He had no bag, no woods and carried only four clubs - a 'mid-iron', 'mashie', 'mashie-niblick' and a putter. The Rialto Club was formed in 1923, with a gent's entrance fee of five schillings. The club changed its name to the Renmark Golf Club on April 16, 1929.
I
t seems the list - received by The Murray Pioneer - of Riverland children competing at the 2008 Pacific School Games had a few omissions. So, from what we can ascertain, here is the full list of Riverland participants: Madison Frahn, Matulin Frahn (St Joseph's Renmark), Tyson Collins (Waikerie Lutheran), Stacey Bruce (Renmark Primary), Sam Durdin (East Murray Area), Tyler Lange (Loxton Primary), Emily Millar (Berri Primary), Joel Hampel (Loveday Primary), Grady Campbell (Our Lady of the River), Casey Dalton (Renmark North Primary), Matthew Hammond (Loxton High), Karri McMahon (Glossop High). The games will be held in Canberra from November 30 to December 6.
W
e had another overreaction this week with calls to ban 'mad Monday' following Brendan Fevola's fashion parade in downtown Melbourne on Tuesday. Sure, Fevola's a boofhead and the outfit was in poor taste, but let's keep it in perspective. His attire was nothing worse than what is paraded during the annual Gay Mardi Gras, in Sydney. And to call for 'mad Monday' to be somehow scrapped altogether reminds us again that Australia is increasingly becoming a nanny state. However, 'banning' mad Monday and actually stopping the players from taking part in the tradition are two different things. A few phone calls and a shindig can be organised just about anywhere, anytime, with or without the club's permission. Party on boys, H&C says.
T
he Sunday Mail declared that the Adelaide Crows had "secured" fourth spot with their victory over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. So it was no wonder that more than a few Crows fans were somewhat disgruntled to be pipped at the post by St Kilda late Sunday afternoon. After reading and hearing all the info about the Crows 'securing' fourth spot, H&C took the time to check exactly what the Saints needed to do to snatch fourth spot. For some media outlets already discussing how Adelaide would tackle Geelong, it was a classic case of counting their chickens before they had hatched.
T
he Renmark-Berri Field and Game is holding its annual fundraising dinner at the Renmark RSL Bowling Club tomorrow night. The night will feature a three-course meal, plus some social games of lawn bowls, weather permitting. A Father's Day auction will also be conducted.

Anyone who would like to provide information about
anything of interest around their sporting club for Hangers and Clangers can email nick@murraypioneer.com.au.

Olympic finishes as minor premier
Renmark Olympic finished the minor round on a high after defeating Berri River Rangers 3-1 in Riverland A grade soccer on Sunday.
With only A grade matches played to catch up missed games earlier in the season, Renmark prepared for the finals with a solid victory.
Grant French and youngster Brendan Komar dominated for Olympic, with the former also scoring. Bari Singh and Kyle Collinson also scored for Renmark.
Dave Gregoric and Nick Kollias were Berri's best, while Dale Harwood scored the Rangers' lone goal.
A
nthony Ielasi continued his goal scoring spree on Sunday, scoring eight in Barmera United's 13-0 win over an undermanned Loxton United.
Ielasi combined well with Nick Tsakarellos for Barmera, which will meet Berri River Rangers in next weekend's finals.
Russell Frankel and Gural Sahin were best for Loxton.
Senior players have the bye this weekend, with the region's juniors in Mildura for the South Australian Junior Country Championships.

RESULTS
Barmera United 13 d Loxton 0.
Best: Barmera - A. Ielasi, N. Tsakarellos. Loxton - R. Frankel, G. Sahin.
Goals: Barmera - A. Ielasi 8, K. Zois 2, A. Doupis, R. Barber, S. Calverley.
Renmark Olympic 3 d Berri River Rangers 1.
Best: Renmark - G. French, B. Komar. Berri - D. Gregoric, N. Kollias.
Goals: Renmark - G. French, B. Singh, K. Collinson. Berri - D. Harwood.
Final standings: Renmark Olympic 34 points; Berri River Rangers 17; Barmera United 16; Loxton United 3.

Semipro upset reigning volleyball premiers
Semipro upset BOG 2-1 in Riverland A grade men's volleyball on Monday night.
Semipro started the game well taking the first set 25-12, with Laurence Howie serving six straight to unsettle BOG.
Derelicts easily accounted for Wedgies 3-0 in the other men's match.
Rovettes recorded a 3-0 victory against an undermanned Angels in A women.

RESULTS
A MEN
Semipro (N. Rosenzweig, L. Silvestre) d BOG (D. Schatto, M. Haslett) 25-12, 20-25, 25-23.
Derelicts (C. Moore, H. Moore) d Wedgies (J. Pennington, C. Trenwith) 25-8, 25-12, 25-20.
Draw: 7pm - BOG v Wedgies (Derelicts); 8.15pm - Derelicts v Semipro (Wedgies).
A WOMEN
Vitamin A (T. Francis, S. Clark) d Triggers (Z. Patterson, M. Moore) 25-23, 23-25, 25-23.
Lobos (S. Jachmann, S. Nadebaum) d Elektrik Pink (B. Trewin, E. Makris) 25-22, 25-22, 25-13.
Rovettes (K. Haynes, D. Gartery) d Angels (M. Cant, A. Nikou) 25-12, 25-20, 25-21.
Draw: 7pm - Rovettes v Lobos (Elektrik Pink); 7pm - Vitamin A v Angels (Wetry); 8.15pm - Elektrik Pink v Wetry (Angels). Bye - Triggers.
B MEN
Hot Shots (R. Pendle, L. Shaw) d Year 8s (T. Burton, M. Smith) 25-10, 25-6, 25-18.
Bad Boys (J. Hunter, S. Turk) d Hazara ((R. Hussaini, A. Hussaini) 25-19, 25-9, 25-14.
Kompact (A. Koop, S. Obst) d Corked (H. Singh, H. Howie) 25-20, 27-25, 14-25.
Draw: 7pm - Hot Shots v Kompact (Year 8s); Bad Boys v Corked (Hazara); 8.15pm - Hazara v Year 8s (Kompact).
B WOMEN
Spikers (A. Nikou, S. Reinertsen) d Loxton Gun Club (H. Ferguson, N. Geddie) 25-11, 22-23, 25-16.
Renmark Galz (P Dinh, E Ashworth) d Funkies (B. Rilk, L. Nickolai) 25-11, 25-21, 25-19.
Draw: 7pm - Renmark Galz v Loxton Gun Club (Funkies); 8.15pm - Funkies v Spikers (Loxton Gun Club).

Superdogs finish strong
The Riverland Superdogs finished the Masters Australian Football season with just one loss after their 114-point win against Pooraka in Adelaide last weekend.
The Dogs had winners all over the ground with Sam Ingerson marking every ball directed at him and nailing five goals. Paul 'Weeds' Matthews continued his magic form with another near best-afield display.

RESULTS
Riverland Superdogs 18-16 (124) d Pooraka 1-4 (10).
Goals: Ingerson 5, Kossatch 3, P. Rowe, P. Aston, R. Frahn 2, S. Norton, L. Gum, B. Greenslade, S. Healy.

Swans, Warriors do battle
Moorook-Kingston will tackle Paringa in tomorrow's Riverland Independent A grade netball grand final.
The Warriors defeated minor premier East Murray by nine goals in last Saturday's preliminary final at Moorook.
Moorook coach Sheridan Purvis made several changes in the second half, which saw the Warriors charge ahead.
Moorook will fancy itself against Paringa after the Warriors won in their last encounter.
However, Paringa has been the more consistent side all year and a good contest should ensue.
The B grade final will be between Wunkar and Paringa after the latter defeated East Murray by eight goals last Saturday.

RESULTS
A GRADE
Moorook-Kingston 52 d East Murray 43.
Grand final: 1pm - Paringa v Moorook-Kingston.
B GRADE
Paringa 44 d East Murray 36.
Grand final: 3pm - Wunkar v Paringa.

Thorne top golf qualifier
Loxton's Ramon Thorne is the top qualifier for the Riverland Match Play Golf Championships to be held at the Waikerie Golf Club next weekend.
Thorne will play Barmera's Matt Forward in the quarter finals on Saturday, September 13.
Forward's clubmate and recently crowned Barmera club champion Will Swinstead qualified second and will play Renmark's Greg Shields.
Loxton's Kym Rivett is up against Berri's Tim Branford and Waikerie's Wes Bald will take on Renmark's Jamie Coombe in the other matches. Renmark's Aaron Parkyn qualified seventh, but is unavailable for the finals.
Only seven players qualified for the B grade championships, but only four are available.

QUALIFIERS
CHAMPIONSHIP
R. Thorne (Loxton) 75, 75, 72, 77 - 298. W. Swinstead (Barmera) 78, 80, 79, 73 - 310. K. Rivett (Loxton) 79, 79, 75, 77 - 310. W. Bald (Waikerie) 75, 81, 76, 78 0 310. J. Coombe (Renmark) 82, 76, 79, 76 0 313. T. Branford (Berri) 79, 81, 80, 78 - 316. G. Shields (Renmark) 79, 81, 80, 78 - 318. M. Forward (Barmera) 78, 81, 80, 84 - 323.
Draw: Noon - K. Rivett v T. Branford. 12.05pm - W. Swinstead v G. Shields. 12.10pm - W. Bald v J. Coombe. 12.15pm: R. Thorne v M. Forward.

Waikerie eightballers start well
The first round of Riverland women's eightball was held on Monday night, with Waikerie Hotel recording the biggest win.
Waikerie defeated Berri Young One 11-4, while Lyrup Club overcame Monash Club DV8s 10-5.
Berri Club defeated Renmark Club 10-5 and Cobdogla Club overcame Renmark Rovers 8-7 in the other matches.
RESULTS
Waikerie Hotel 11 (M. Briscoe, C. Cabot) d Berri Young Ones 4 (K. Salmon, K. Leersen).
Lyrup Club 10 (C. Munro, K. Michael) d Monash Club DV8s 5 (D. Marshall, L. Threlfall).
Berri Club 10 (C. Norman, D. Hamilton) d Renmark Club 5 (A. Markow, C. Markow).
Cobdogla Club 8 (L. Wutke, M. Vithoulkas) d Renmark Rovers 7 (R. Rice, D. Jones).