10 things we learned in local SA footy this weekend revealed

A division one Adelaide Footy League side has emerged as a contender after a season-defining win away from home. See the 10 things we learned across local SA footy’s country and suburban action.

Another round of exciting local SA footy action has been played out as the state’s top players and clubs vie for a finals spot.

While suburban clubs battled it out for premiership points, country footy’s top regions clashed in the 2025 SA Country Championships in Port Pirie.

Here are the 10 things we learned from the weekend’s action.

GOLDEN GROVE A CONTENDER

Golden Grove star Jake Pitman. Picture: @burgofootyphoto

Golden Grove has emerged as a legit premiership contender in division one of the Adelaide Footy League, defeating Sacred Heart OC away from home to solidify a spot inside the top five.

The Kookaburras were too strong in the contest and up front with big names Lachlan pascoe, Cam Shenton, Josh Glenn and Jake Pitman all producing on the ball and around the ground to earn the visitors a 12.9 (81) to 9.14 (68) win.

One of the competition’s most dangerous sides through the midfield and out of the backline, Golden Grove won the majority of the contested footy and were also composed and efficient in the backline through Shenton and key back Aidan Thatcher.

The Kookaburras have now won five straight games after a round seven loss to Glenunga and remarkably sit just one win from second spot after an inconsistent start to the season.

DITTERS DOMINATING

Scott Lycett from Port District celebrates their win over Glenunga in the 2024 division one Adelaide Footy League grand final at Norwood Oval. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Port District has continued its strong run at the top of division one with a 13.11 (89) to 5.1 (31) win over Broadview away from home.

The reigning premier only registered one behind in a low scoring first term but quickly flicked a switch in the contest to eventually lead by 38 points at the final change.

Former Power and West Coast ruck Scott Lycett (three goals) was at his best in the ruck and up front, unlocking the Tigers midfield and defence with skilled tapwork and strong marking and goalkicking.

The Tigers showed resilience early in the affair but could not resist their visitor’s intensity and pressure in the contest, suffering yet another loss for season 2025.

FALCONS FALTER AFTER COACHING MOVE

Payneham Norwood Union sacked coach Jeremy Cini after nearly four seasons at the helm and could not rebound on Saturday, falling to yet another loss in division one with an 8.13 (61) to 6.13 (49) loss to St Peter’s OC away from home.

New coach Ben Hunt could only watch on as the Falcons dropped an early lead to fall far behind in the contest and around the ground, with SPOC stars Henry Nelligan, Jesse McKinnon and Jonnie Read all producing big performances on the ball and around the ground.

The hosts were too efficient under pressure and applied overwhelming pressure, nullifying the visitors through the majority of the clash.

The Falcons remain in the bottom two with a 3-9 record after making the 2024 preliminary final.

BOMBERS FLY INTO TOP FIVE

Bombers star Brad Bryant. Picture: Supplied

Brighton Bombers have continued a surprisingly strong season by defeating Flinders Park 12.5 (77) to 8.10 (58) at home and moving into the top five of division two.

Star names Ty Murphy and Brad Bryant were standouts in the contest with their attack on the footy and efficient ball-use, leading their side to an important win over the Reds.

Flinders Park led early in the affair but soon fell to the contested pressure and goalkicking efficiency of the home side, with former Strathalbyn gun Marc Elliott booting three goals to lead both sides.

HOPE VALLEY FACING WINLESS YEAR

Hope Valley’s tough year has continued in division three of the AdFL, the Demons falling to seventh spot Edwardswtown 21.16 (142) to 4.5 (29) at Edwardstown Oval on Saturday.

The visitors were held goalless in the first term and only registered one major before the fourth quarter as Towns stars Logan Hill and Josh Schiller dominated the contest and gave forwards Josh Holliday (five goals) and Cooper Dawson (six goals) a number of clean looks at goal.

The Demons have struggled significantly since losing a number of star players and could be set to face a winless season as they continue to rebuild.

DOG DEMOLITION IN D4

Plympton has continued its big 2025 with a 20.13 (133) to 10.6 (66) win over Walkerville away from home to move to a 10-2 record on top of the ladder.

The Bulldogs were held to just seven points in the first quarter but responded in a major way to keep the Cats scoreless through the second term while booting second goals and take a commanding 54-27 lead into the main break.

Kieren Nelson was a top performer in the contest for the visitors with a typically tough and efficient performance around the ground.

The Dogs have failed to make the grand final after strong seasons through recent years but look set to finally make the big dance and earn promotion to division three.

EAGLES OUT OF RELEGATION ZONE

Gaza has recorded a major 18.11 (119) to 9.18 (72) win over Pooraka away from home in division five to move out of the relegation zone.

The Eagles have struggled this year after a winless 2024 season but proved they still had what it takes to survive in the division, dominating in the middle and producing an efficient display up front to grab the win.

Bradley Tudorovic (four goals) and Matt Beadle (four goals) were potent up front with their goalkicking and creative distribution as the visitors stormed to a 72-26 half time lead and never looked back.

SOUTH EAST SETS THE TONE

Former Norwood player Zac Richards was in strong form for the South East. Picture: Dean Martin

The South East has booked a spot in the SA Country Championships big dance as the top side after a big 7.3 (45) to 2.5 (17) win over Northern on Saturday.

Former Mail Medallists Daniel Bibby and Zac Richards were at their best through the midfield as the region dominated the contest and took advantage through its conversion up front to claim the big win and finish on top through the first two rounds of the championships.

Northern was held to just three behinds in the first period and could not recover as the South East took control of the contest and gave its forwards, including MSEFL superstar Frazer Bradley a number of clean looks at goal.

SOUTHERN IN BIG DANCE

Southern has continued its strong performance in the Country Championships, comfortably beating Central 7.10 (52) to 3.3 (21) on Saturday.

Country footy star Nick Kraemer was at his best in the contest and around the ground, winning a high number of contested possessions, kicking a goal and creating a number of other opportunities for his side in a dominant display.

Victor Harbor gun Ben Heaslip was also in strong form through the midfield, while Flagstaff Hill utility D’Arcy Mitchell continued his big 2025 with an assured performance at the back, in the ruck and around the ground.

EP MAKES STATEMENT

Former Port Adelaide forward Johann Wagner. Picture: Sarah Reed

Eyre Peninsula has booked a spot in the Country Championships playoff for third spot with a nailbiting 5.1 (31) to 4.5 (29) win over Eastern.

SA Country footy gun Jesse Chandler was at his best for the region, dominating with strong tackle pressure and clean disposal in the contest, while former Port Adelaide forward and current star Lincoln South playing-coach Johann Wagner was unstoppable up front, taking a number of big contested marks and kicking four majors.

Eastern, led by Jesse Landers and Jordan Hein, started the clash on top with its pressure and slick ball-use but faced a challenge in the final period as the EP turned up the intensity.