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10 SA suburban and country footy teams to watch in 2021 including Hahndorf, Payneham, Ardrossan

Hundreds of footy clubs across SA will be back in action as start their seasons this weekend. We’ve picked 10 country and suburban teams to watch in 2021.

Falcons claim first division one title

Fire up the barbecues, make sure the oranges are cut and don’t forget your mouthguard – local footy is back in South Australia this weekend.

With hundreds of teams across the state returning to action as country and suburban leagues begin their seasons, we’ve selected 10 local sides to watch in 2021.

From clubs searching for their sixth premiership in a row to others just hoping to win a game, these are our picks to keep an eye on.


HAHNDORF

Hills Football League

Ex-Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens player Jared Petrenko is back with his ex-Crows teammates Kyle Cheney and Matt Jaensch at the Hahndorf Football Club as they aim for a fourth HFL flag in a row. Picture: Mark Brake
Ex-Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens player Jared Petrenko is back with his ex-Crows teammates Kyle Cheney and Matt Jaensch at the Hahndorf Football Club as they aim for a fourth HFL flag in a row. Picture: Mark Brake

When it comes to talent and country footy dominance in recent years it does not come much better than Hills powerhouse Hahndorf.

Not only will the Magpies be shooting for their fourth premiership in a row and sixth flag in seven seasons, they have added to their firepower.

Former Adelaide and Eagles midfielder Jared Petrenko signed with the club in the off-season to ex-Crows teammates Kyle Cheney and Matt Jaensch.

It will be worth the price of admission alone to see the star trio strut their stuff on Hahndorf Oval throughout winter.

Following last year’s grand final victory over Lobethal, captain and best-on-ground medallist Dylan Matsen said: “It just gets better and better every year.”

The rest of the HFL will be hoping Matsen is incorrect in 2021.


ARDROSSAN

Yorke Peninsula Football League

Ex-Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has taken over as coach of his hometown club, Ardrossan. Picture: Kelly Barnes
Ex-Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has taken over as coach of his hometown club, Ardrossan. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The Ardrossan Kangaroos will be the hottest ticket on the Yorke Peninsula this season thanks to a star inclusion in the coaches box.

Former Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has returned to his hometown club as playing coach fresh out of the AFL system.

The 32-year-old last played for the club as a 16-year-old in 2004 – its last premiership year.

He made seven appearances for GWS in 2020 following 184 games at the Crows and 17 with Carlton.

“Ardrossan is always going to be home for me and I want to give something back to the grassroots level, because that’s where it starts for everyone,” Jacobs told The Advertiser in October.

“I won’t play every week, but it will be great to run around with the old team again.’’

It appears Jacobs’ first coaching appointment won’t be an easy ride though.

The YPFL season was cancelled due to COVID last year but in 2019 the Roos finished bottom of the ladder



SOUTH AUGUSTA

Spencer Gulf Football League

It may not get the attention and recognition of others closer to the city, but South Augusta’s dominance of the Spencer Gulf in the past decade cannot be understated.

The Bulldogs will this year be aiming for a staggering sixth-straight premiership.

In September, they dispatched Prop Risdon 18.11 (119) to 11.11 (77) to continue a run which began in 2016.

Local talent has been a big part of South’s success and it will require a mighty effort from one of the league’s four other clubs to stop the run.


PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION

Adelaide Footy League

Following a stunning run to claim the division one flag in 2019, few picked Payneham Norwood Union to fall out of the finals places last season.

But many Adelaide Footy League observers are tipping the Falcons to rise back up the ladder – and there’s a couple of big reasons why.

Anthony Wilson’s dash and flair will be a joy to watch at Payneham Norwood Union this year. Picture: Tom Huntley
Anthony Wilson’s dash and flair will be a joy to watch at Payneham Norwood Union this year. Picture: Tom Huntley

Norwood stars Sam Baulderstone and Anthony Wilson signed at the club over the off-season to join fellow former Redleg and PNU playing coach, Jace Bode.

With a string of other players with SANFL experience already at the club, the Falcons can lay legitimate claim to the best list in the Adelaide Footy League.

It will be captivating to see how their fortunes play out in 2021.



PORTLAND

Adelaide Footy League

Portland was one of just two clubs in the metropolitan league to pull the pin on its 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will return this year.

The Thunder made the call to withdraw from the competition following the initial shutdown citing a failure to retain enough players to field two senior sides.

They will return where they left off – in division three – and will travel to face Flinders Park in both the A and B grade in round one.

Here’s hoping the Thunder, who were formed in 1997 from a merger of the Alberton United, Ethelton and Riverside football clubs, can get back to winning ways in this year.



MUNDULLA

Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League

It seems no matter where or who it plays in recent years – South East club Mundulla just keeps on winning.

The Tigers claimed bragging rights as the top team in the region last year when they triumphed over six other clubs to claim the Limestone Coast Football League premiership.

Mundulla after defeating Keith by three points in the 2018 KNTFL grand final. Picture: Jayne Gregurke
Mundulla after defeating Keith by three points in the 2018 KNTFL grand final. Picture: Jayne Gregurke

Mundulla and Kybybolite from Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, Kalangadoo from Mid South Eastern and East Gambier, North Gambier and South Gambier from Western Border took part in the competition when their respective league’s were cancelled.

The Tigers’ success followed a three-peat of flags in the KNTFL from 2016 to 2019, along with a grand final appearance in 2017.

This season they return as reigning premiers once again but this time with two cups in hand.



TANUNDA

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

The potential resurrection of the Tanunda Football Club in 2021 should make fascinating viewing.

Premiers of the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association in 2019, the Magpies plummeted to a 0-7 campaign last year and a wooden spoon.

In steps Sam Colquhoun – a Sturt premiership player and former Port Adelaide midfielder – who takes over from Dean Terlich.

Sam Colquhoun (left) and Justin Westhoff (centre) pictured watching shiraz being pumped while with the Power in 2015. The duo will reunite in Barossa wine country at Tanunda this season. Picture: Sarah Reed
Sam Colquhoun (left) and Justin Westhoff (centre) pictured watching shiraz being pumped while with the Power in 2015. The duo will reunite in Barossa wine country at Tanunda this season. Picture: Sarah Reed

The 16-game ex-AFL ball magnet is still just 26 and will have plenty of talent at his disposal.

Former Power teammate Justin Westhoff is tipped to feature for the Magpies at some point after submitting a clearance last month, while fellow former AFL players Christian Howard and Paul Stewart are also at the club.

Colquhoun is not the only high profile coach who will grace the BLG this season.

Former Adelaide Crow and media identity Andrew Jarman takes over at Willaston, Central District premiership player Kyle Jenner will coach Nuriootpa and SA Football Hall of Famer Roger James will be in charge of Freeling.




HAMLEY BRIDGE

Adelaide Plains Football League

It has been a dark five years for Adelaide Plains cellar dwellers Hamley Bridge – but could the future be looking brighter?

The Bombers – who have not won a game since 2016 – added ex-Power and Central District spearhead John Butcher to their ranks in the off-season.

***PLAYER SIGNING*** The Hamley Bridge Football Club is very excited to announce the signing of John Butcher. Butch was...

Posted by HamleyBridge Fcnc on Sunday, December 13, 2020

While the inclusion of the 31-game former AFL forward should go some way to turning around Hamley Bridge’s fortune, it is coming from a long way back.

The Bombers’ A grade win-loss record in the past six seasons stands at a lowly 3-85.

It has been a remarkable decline for the club, which won the league’s A-grade premiership in 2014 before experiencing a mass player exodus at the end of that season and going winless the next year.

Their last win came on July 16, 2016.

The APFL’s round one gets underway on Saturday, April 17 with Hamley Bridge travelling to take on United at Long Plains Oval.



LANGHORNE CREEK

Great Southern Football League

For a town with a population of about 400 people, Langhorne Creek punches well above its weight.

The Hawks have dominated the Great Southern Football League in the past decade winning the past three premierships and five since 2011.

Last season they put Encounter Bay to the sword in a 21.6 (132) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Langhorne Creek after defeating Willunga in the 2019 Great Southern Football League grand final. Picture: Andrew Batten
Langhorne Creek after defeating Willunga in the 2019 Great Southern Football League grand final. Picture: Andrew Batten

In 2019, club president Matt James went someway to explaining the town’s success to The Advertiser.

“Langhorne Creek is a very small town that can’t grow,” James said.

“We’re built on a floodplain, so whether we wanted to grow or not we can’t, because they won’t let us build.

“So we rely from bringing people in from surrounding areas. We seem to get good people to come down and play, and they don’t like leaving.”

It is hard to bet against Langhorne Creek for the flag yet again this season.

But, in a league such as the Great Southern with a number of quality clubs, anything is possible.

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