10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend revealed

An AFL icon was integral in a one-off game for an SA country club on Saturday, leading his side to an important win as it continued a 2025 finals push. See the 10 things we learned from this weekend’s local SA footy action.

The second half of the 2025 local SA footy season is underway and a number of the state’s clubs have produced important performances as they fight for a finals spot.

Here are the 10 things we learned from this weekend’s country and suburban action.

GOLDEN GROVE HITTING TOP GEAR

Josh Glenn in action for Golden Grove. Picture: Dwayne Flight, In Flight Sports

Golden Grove has made a statement in division one of the Adelaide Footy League, defeating finals contender Salisbury North 15.11 (101) to 10.8 (68) away from home.

The visitors produced a big first term to lead 34-15 at quarter-time and never looked back, dominating the contest in the middle and giving key targets Lachlan Pascoe (four goals) and Liam Verity (three goals) a number of opportunities up front.

Former Gold Coast and Norwood gun Josh Glenn was at his best for the side, racking up contested possessions and taking a number of big marks before creating for his teammates.

The Kookaburras have now won three consecutive games to move up into fourth spot on the ladder.

SAINTS MARCH TO SECOND SPOT

Henry Nelligan during his time with Norwood. Picture: David Mariuz

St Peter’s OC has continued its impressive resurgence this season with an important home win over Port District to move into the top two.

Captain Edward Allan and recruits Jesse McKinnon and Henry Nelligan were all standouts for the hosts around the ground as they booted three goals to two in the final term to cling on to a slender lead and claim an 11.7 (73) to 9.11 (65) victory.

SPOC has been one of the stories of the season so far and now look to be a legit contender after avoiding relegation from the top division last year.

Executing with a gritty approach in the contest and efficiency up front against the reigning premier, Saints now find themselves level on points with Port and will be eyeing a top spot finish ahead of finals.

ROCS BACK IN THE FIVE

Rostrevor OC has moved back into the finals frame with a huge 19.12 (126) to 8.9 (57) win over Payneham Norwood Union at home.

The Falcons had been in strong form heading into the clash but could not match the intensity of ROCS in the contest or around the ground as the hosts cruised to a big 45-7 lead at the first break and never looked back.

Star captain utility Stefan Lanzoni produced one of his best games of the season, booting seven goals and setting up a number of others.

Coach Damian Boots had his side clicking on all cylinders and will be aiming for a higher finish inside the top five, while the Falcons now face a significant challenge in contending for finals.

DEMONS FACING UPHILL BATTLE

Lockleys looks set to suffer relegation from division two unless it can produce a drastic turnaround in form, the Demons losing to Goodwood Saints 27.13 (175) to 8.7 (55) at home on Saturday.

Jade Cleeland, Tyler Harris (seven goals) and Josh Goodwin produced top drawer performances for the Saints as they ran riot from start to finish against the now 1-9 hosts.

Angus Poole and Ben Harren were influential for the Demons but it was not enough as they fell two games below ninth spot.

DRAGONS FLY CLEAR

Former Glenelg captain Andrew Bradley has continued his dominance for WOS. Picture: Dean Martin

Westminster OS has remained as clear top spot in division three of the AdFL with a big 17.13 (115) to 7.11 (53) win over PHOS Camden at Camden Oval.

Star ruck Kurtis Phillips was dominant in the contest and up front for the Dragons with four goals, while former Glenelg captain Andrew Bradley was at his best through the midfield, winning plenty of the footy and creating chances for the visitors.

The Phantoms fought well early but were eventually blown away in the first term to trail by 30 points at quarter-time.

The club has now dropped outside of the top five on percentage but is still right in the hunt for finals, while the Dragons should now be the hot favourite to claim the minor premiership.

FAB FEV IN COUNTRY THRILLER

Fevola playing for the struggling VAFA side Masala Thirds in May. Picture: David Crosling

AFL icon Brendan Fevola booted two important goals for South Whyalla as the club topped Whyalla FL rival Central Whyalla by two points in a 6.10 (46) to 6.8 (44) thriller to move one win closer to the top two.

The Carlton legend continued his country footy tour in style with an entertaining display up front, taking a number of big marks and creating for others while also adding his own majors to the scoreboard in front of a strong crowd.

The visitors went into the clash as the underdogs and trailed early but Oliver Tucker and Blake Newsham produced strong performances in the third and fourth quarters as their side moved out to a two-goal lead in the final term and held firm to claim the important win.

While South Whyalla will not have Fev suiting up for the remainder of the season, the 623-goal AFL forward may have given the Demons the boost they need to finish in the top two.

It wasn’t without controversy however, with the media personality involved in a melee with Central Whyalla players.

IMPS CLAIM MAJOR UPSET

Coorong Cats’ undefeated streak has been ended in the River Murray Football League, with Imperials achieving a huge upset to defeat the reigning premier 9.7 (61) to 5.8 (38) away from home.

The Cats, playing-coached by former Geelong gun Daniel Menzel, had not lost since the 2023 season but were held goalless in the final quarter as their visitors kicked two to extend their slim lead to a winning one and leave with the chocolates.

Star recruit Cam Ball was at his best for the side, dominating in the contest and finding teammates efficiently while under pressure to control the game when needed.

The result sees Jervois move to level with the Cats on points, while Imps now sit two games clear in third.

ROOS BOUNCING BACK

Victor Harbor star Ben Heaslip. Picture: Meg Rogerson

Victor Harbor has won three straight in the Great Southern FL since going down to Willunga in a shock result, defeating Langhorne Creek 27.15 (177) to 4.3 (27) in a demolition job on Saturday.

Dominant utility Jackson Elmes and the reliable Matt Wiese were standouts for the Roos as they surged to a huge 84-9 halftime lead and kept their foot on the pedal in the final two terms.

The hosts were much too accomplished through the midfield for the Hawks, with Ben Heaslip, Jaidan Kappler and Bryce Gbbs also producing strong performances.

The club now sits at 10-1 on top of the ladder.

MARBLE RANGE STILL UNDEFEATED

Marble Range has remained undefeated in the Port Lincoln Football League, topping Boston 18.8 (116) to 6.4 (40) to move to 8-0 at the top of the ladder.

Runner-up for the last two years, the club has been on a mission this season and continued its hot form with a dominant performance through the midfield, resulting in a number of good looks at goal.

Star onballer Daniel Minney produced a strong showing in the contest with his ability to win the footy, lay big tackles and deliver to teammates efficiently.

EMUS FACING WOODEN SPOON POSSIBILITY

Former Southern Football League power Morphett Vale has suffered another big defeat in season 2025, going down to in-form Happy Valley 36.24 (240) to 3.8 (26) at home.

The Emus stood no chance as local footy star and former South Adelaide player Nick Kraemer terrorised the hosts through the middle and around the ground, booting a huge 14 goals as a dominant utility.

Winner of five premierships between 2004 and 2009, the Emus have remained highly competitive over the past two decades but are still winless and staring down the barrel of a bottom spot finish.

The club, which has seen a number of star names retire and depart and has focused on developing youth, will face second bottom side Aldinga next weekend.