The standout local football matches to watch across South Australia this weekend
The star power of Ryan Griffen expected to bring big numbers through the gates, SA’s best country footballers head west and two amateur relegation scraps to watch in local footy this weekend.
- Former AFL star to lace up for hometown team
- Selection stuff up could cost club a finals spot
- Local Footy SA: All the latest news and results
Not often is there a player pulling on the boots in country footy who alone is worth the price of admission.
Ryan Griffen – a 2013 All-Australian selection – will play his first serious match since retiring from the AFL in the Great Southern Football League this Saturday.
Plus SA’s best bush footballers head west, two amateur relegation scraps and a couple of crucial country clashes among the best matches in the state to get your local footy fix this weekend.
GREAT SOUTHERN
Goolwa/Port Elliot v Langhorne Creek
Goolwa Oval, Saturday @ 2.30pm
It doesn’t get much better than this – a former AFL star returning to his roots to play for his hometown team.
Ryan Griffen will grace the field at Goolwa Oval as Goolwa/Port Elliot hosts reigning premier Langhorne Creek in what will be a big day out in the Great Southern Football League.
The former Western Bulldogs captain and GWS Giants midfielder will line up for the Magpies alongside brothers Trent and Travis.
Goolwa/Port Elliot president Ryan Bridges said the club was expecting a “huge” day at Goolwa Oval.
“We’ll have our normal big crowd but certainly expect there to be some extras coming along from around the region,” Bridges said.
“Plus maybe a few Western Bulldogs supporters and people who love their AFL coming out for a look.”
It’s been a tough season for the Magpies – battling in ninth on the ladder with two wins on the season – but Griffen’s inclusion will hopefully give them a boost for the back end of the campaign.
Langhorne Creek meanwhile need a win to keep hold of a spot in the top five and maintain pressure on the double chance positions.
We recommend getting there early to find yourself a spot.
In the reserves, Langhorne Creek club stalwart Brad McHughes will be playing his 250th senior game for the Hawks, which will earn him life membership of the club.
The tough and skilful on-baller is a premiership player and four-time B grade best and fairest.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE
DIVISION ONE
Tea Tree Gully v Henley
Pertaringa Oval @ 2.15pm
The loser of this crucial clash will likely be calling division two home next season.
After a week off, the Adelaide Footy League’s top tier is back in action this Saturday with a good old relegation scrap the pick of the fixtures.
Tea Tree Gully and Henley sit 10th and ninth on the ladder respectively with three victories each for the season, only separated by percentage.
Both sides trail eighth-placed Adelaide University by two wins so the winner could move within touching distance of safety and the loser will need a minor miracle to avoid the drop.
The last time these teams met, in round six at Henley Memorial Oval, the Wolves prevailed over the Sharks in a two-point thriller.
With plenty on the line, both sides will be fired up. This is not one to be missed.
DIVISION TWO
Modbury v Scotch Old Collegians
Modbury Oval @ 2.15pm
Speaking of relegation scraps, there is some added spice to this battle between a couple of division two’s lower ranked sides.
The second tier ladder was significantly changed midweek when Scotch Old Collegians was handed the premiership points from its loss last Saturday against Broadview, which was found to have breached the player points cap.
Before the result was overturned Scotch was ninth – and in the relegation zone – but moved into eighth and ahead of Modbury by one point.
You can bet the Hawks weren’t happy when they heard that news and it should give them added incentive at home this week.
But Scotch has hit form in recent weeks, winning three of its four matches prior to the Broadview game.
Picking the winner here is tough but one thing is for certain – the loser will be deep in relegation trouble.
COUNTRY STATE CLASH
WA Country v SA Country
Optus Stadium, Saturday @ 1.20pm (SA time)
Country league fixtures across the state will be lacking just a little bit of flair this weekend as the cream of the state’s country footy crop tries to make it back-to-back wins against a Western Australia Country side in Perth on Saturday.
Former North Adelaide star Leigh Ryswyk – named joint player of the tournament at this month’s SA Country Championship – will headline a talent-filled SA team in the clash at Optus Stadium which will be a curtain-raiser to the West Coast v North Melbourne match.
Penola legend Adam Merrett is coaching the side.
The match will be live streamed on the SANFL website from 1.20pm SA time.
SA Country Team: Tyson Irlam (Willaston, Barossa Light & Gawler), Leigh Ryswyk (Barossa District, Barossa Light & Gawler), Andrew Wright (Gawler Central, Barossa Light & Gawler), Todd Miles (Barossa District, Barossa Light & Gawler), Giles Ellis (Kadina, Yorke Peninsula), Justin Schahinger (RSMU, North Eastern), Jackson Murphy (Tumby Bay, Great Flinders), Jaxen Norton (United Yeelanna, Great Flinders), Xavier Watson (United Yeelanna, Great Flinders), Jordan Hind (Tumby Bay, Great Flinders), Ryley Maitland (Kimba Districts, Eastern Eyre), Sid Masters (Ports, Eastern Eyre), Dylan Hewett (Broughton Mundoora, Northern Areas), Lukas Kangur (Booleroo Melrose Wilmington, Northern Areas), Brad Eagle (Crystal Brook, Northern Areas), William Combe (Crystal Brook, Northern Areas), Jordan Fuller (Proprietary Risdon, Spencer Gulf), Kriston Thompson (South Augusta, Spencer Gulf), Jayden Eldridge (East Gambier, Western Border), Scott Merrett (Penola, Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara), Sam Pfieffer (Ramblers, River Murray), Damon Arnold (Reynella, Southern). Coach: Adam Merrett (Penola, Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara).
NORTH EASTERN
North Clare v South Clare
Clare Oval, Saturday @ 2.15pm
Another tantalising Clare derby awaits on Saturday, with finals berths on the line.
Both the fierce rivals come into the game on the back of impressive weekend wins.
The Roosters handed ladder-leader Blyth Snowtown just its second loss of the season by nine points in a huge upset on the road at Snowtown.
They now sit just percentage behind RSMU in fifth spot and one game behind third-placed South Clare and could have some handy inclusions for the derby.
The Demons will be aiming for a hat-trick of wins after comfortably accounting for fellow finals aspirants RSMU and Southern Saints in recent weeks.
They won the Noel Smith Cup with a 53-point victory in Round 5.
MALLEE
Karoonda v Lameroo
Saturday at Karoonda @ 2.30pm
The fight for second spot takes on a new complexion after some eyebrow-raising results last week.
Lameroo produced the upset of the season by handing traditional rival and flag favourite Pinnaroo just its second loss in convincing fashion by 35 points. The high-flying Hawks have now won five on the trot, a run which started with a big win against the Mallee Magpies last month.
The Mallee Magpies, meanwhile, will be desperate to get back on track on their home deck after getting smashed by Border Downs Tintinara last week, managing just 2.3 for the match.