Our local SA footy finals games and players to watch this weekend revealed

Local SA footy finals are heating up with a number of clubs playing off for silverware or grand final spots across the state. See our pick of the games and players to watch this weekend.

Local footy finals are heating up across the SA with a number of clubs battling it out for grand final positions or premiership spoils this weekend.

Here are our picks of the games and players to watch across the state this weekend.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

Division one preliminary final – Prince Alfred OC vs Tea Tree Gully at Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval), Saturday, 2.15pm

Prince Alfred OC – Jack Trengove: The former Melbourne captain has had another strong season for the Old Reds and has hit another gear during finals, booting five goals in his last three games from the middle.

Tea Tree Gully – Blake Penney: While former Crow Luke Brown will also be one to keep an eye on, superstar big man and captain Blake Penney could get off the chain with PAOC’s ruck situation up in the air.

Division one’s preliminary final is set to be one of the games of the 2023 season, with both sides close to full strength and boasting a number of star names.

Jack Trengove and Chris Curran have been standouts in the middle and at the back for PAOC in recent weeks, while former Adelaide defender Luke Brown has found his niche in the middle and ruck Blake Penney has been as influential as ever.

The Old Reds will be favourites after a close loss to Glenunga last week, but the Gullies could pull off their third upset result in a row if their biggest names stand up.

Blake Penney has been dominant for Tea Tree Gully. Picture: Brayden Goldspink

Division two preliminary final – PHOS Camden vs Payneham Norwood Union at Maughan Thiem Kia Stadium (Woodville Oval), Saturday, 2.15pm

PHOS Camden – Henry Papatolis: Papatolis was uncharacteristically quiet against Golden Grove last weekend but should be one to keep an eye on after his strong display against the Falcons earlier this finals series.

Payneham Norwood Union – Liam Davis: While Davis has still been valuable around the ground upon return after a month on the sidelines, the strong target is due for a positive day in front of goal and could be the difference if he hits the scoreboard.

Division three preliminary final – Modbury vs Unley Mercedes Jets at Coopers Stadium (Norwood Oval), Saturday, 2.15pm

Modbury – Ryan Llewellyn: The Hawks’ star defender has been in top form throughout the late season and will need to be at his best against Jake Sutcliffe and a dangerous Unley outfit.

Unley – Mitch Duval: Was the standout for the Jets in a convincing win against Hope Valley last weekend, dominating behind the ball and cutting the Demons up with accurate disposal.

Division seven grand final – Ingle Farm vs Houghton Districts at Price Memorial Oval (Hawthorn), Saturday, 2.30pm

Ingle Farm – Terrel Rigney: Arriving from Ardrossan at the start of the 2023 season, Rigney has been an excitement machine up front for the Bulldogs. Kicked seven against Houghton Districts in the qualifying final.

Houghton Districts – Jake Martin: The Raiders captain has been a force for his side this season, leading by example with 49 goals and seven best player performances in 20 games.

BAROSSA, LIGHT AND GAWLER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Preliminary final – South Gawler vs Barossa District at Dutton Park (Kapunda), Saturday, 2.20pm

South Gawler – Steve Burton: Back-to-back BLG Mail Medallist, Burton has been at his best this year but was relatively quiet by his standards in his side’s surprise loss to Nuriootpa last weekend. Look for him to respond.

Barossa District – Brendan Dew: A standout in a team full of gun players, Dew has starred in the contest and should be dangerous in close and in front of goal against the Lions.

South Gawler champion Steve Burton has been a star for the Lions this season. Picture: South Gawler Football Club

South Gawler suffered its first defeat of the season last week, falling by a point against Nuriootpa in the BLG qualifying final, and will be eager to make amends this weekend.

A Brendan Dew and Jake Mazzone-led Barossa District stands in the way however, the Bulldogs in fine form heading into what is the biggest clash so far this season.

GREAT SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Preliminary final – Myponga-Sellicks vs Willunga at Mount Compass Oval, Saturday, 2.30pm

Myponga-Sellicks – Ben Kennedy: The former Collingwood and Melbourne player has picked his game up in recent weeks, dominating in the middle and also impacting up front. Will be the barometer for his side this weekend.

Willunga – Jack Redden: Redden’s arrival from West Coast has paid dividends for Willunga in finals so far, the star onballer racking up high disposals and booting important goals in the Demons’ two one-kick victories.

Jack Redden will be one to watch this weekend. Picture: Ashleigh Carey

This matchup boasts some of local SA footy’s biggest names, with Myponga-Sellicks’ Ben Kennedy and John Butcher going up against Jack Redden, Danny Juckers and Willunga.

The Mudlarks were impressive in passages against league favourite McLaren last weekend and should be eager to respond with tough play in the middle and creativity inside 50 this weekend.

The Demons have been grinding out results and have built significant confidence after their four-point victory over Victor Harbor last week, with midfielder Jack Redden playing his best footy of the year.

HILLS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division one preliminary final – Hahndorf vs Uraidla Districts at Solar Wholesalers Oval (Echunga), Saturday, 2.30pm

Hahndorf – Sam Williams: Hahndorf’s captain has been in strong form in the contest this season and will be looking to respond after his side’s shock defeat against Nairne Bremer last week.

Uraidla Districts – Nick Amato: The dangerous midfield/forward utility was at his best last week as the Demons eliminated Mt Lofty and will be a major threat again this weekend with his ability to create goals from nothing.

Hahndorf’s loss to Nairne Bremer last Saturday remains one of the biggest upsets of the 2023 local footy season, but the Magpies should be confident ahead of their matchup with Uraidla, defeating the Demons by a combined 139 points this season.

The Demons have been in strong form heading into this finals series however, and Dean Terlich and Nick Amato have both produced some of their best footy yet through the past few weeks.

Hahndorf captain Sam Williams. Picture: Mark Liebich

Division two grand final – Gumeracha vs Meadows at Adelaide Retaining Walls Oval (Kersbrook), Saturday, 2.30pm

Gumeracha – Sam Hanna: Hanna has won yet another division two Mail Medal and has been in fantastic form for the Magpies as a hard-nosed player through the middle and up front.

Meadows – Matt Spencely: Meadows’ star recruit has produced some brilliant footy in the contest and across the forwardline for his new side. Was among the Bulldogs’ best in their winning qualifying final against the Magpies two weeks ago.

Gumeracha is on the verge of creating club history with both it‘s A and B Grade sides playing in the grand final this weekend – if they win the Magpies would have achieved this feat for the first time since 1932.

The Magpies’ A Grade side will look to go back-to-back for the first time since 1957 and with Sam and Ben Hanna both in scintillating form heading into the big dance, they’ll be a big chance.

Meadows would be confident after their qualifying final win over Gummy however, with Matt and Jake Spencely both producing strong performances to lead their team to victory.

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Grand final – Border Districts vs Kingston at Naracoorte Sporting Complex, Saturday, 2.10pm

Border Districts – Dylan Schoenmakers: The club’s star forward this season, Schoenmakers has been in consistent form during finals and booted three majors against Mundulla in the qualifying final.

Kingston – Tom Rogers: Kingston’s captain has been as important as ever for the Saints this year and has stepped up in the contest when it has mattered most.

Barossa District’s Dylan Schoenmakers. Picture: Matt Loxton

Second in the competition heading into finals, Barossa District sits as the favourite for this weekend’s big game after disposing of Mundulla in the qualifying final two weeks ago.

Dylan Schoenmakers looms as a game changer for his side after a starring year up front, tallying 60 goals and seven best player nods.

Kingston will be a tough beat and full of confidence however, defeating Mundulla in extra time last week to make the big dance.

PORT LINCOLN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Grand final – Marble Range vs Lincoln South at Centenary Oval, Saturday, 2.40pm

Marble Range – Jordan Clements: Has been Marble Range’s best in the late season and should be key again with his ability to win the contested footy and gain metres for the Magpies.

Lincoln South – Michael Mazey: This season’s Port Lincoln FL Mail Medallist, Mazey’s ability to hit the contest hard and distribute with efficiency has been invaluable for the Eagles. If he performs well, his side will be a big chance at an upset.

Lincoln South star and PLFL Mail Medallist Michael Mazey. Picture: Lincoln South Football Club

The matchup which many pencilled in as this year’s Port Lincoln grand final ahead of the season, a Marble Range and Lincoln South showdown should not disappoint.

While Marble Range has been the competition’s powerhouse in recent seasons and boasts star talent such as Jaxon Bennett, Jordan Clements and Daniel Minney, a Johann Wagner, Michael Mazey and Zane Montgomerie led Lincoln South side could very well bring the Magpies’ reign to an end.