‘On its knees’: Why AFL must protect grassroots footy
These clubs have survived depressions, recessions and wars, but not the AFL’s focus on the big-money competitions, writes Jessica Adamson.
Country
Meet SA’s 79yo footballer with no plans to hang up the boots
Rob Johnstone reckons he’s in the best shape he’s even been in and this Sunday he will hold a remarkable title at the AFL Masters National Carnival.
Saints’ secret weapon: How their goal machine lost the kilos
The Nangwarry Saints won their first game in eight years on Saturday – led by goal machine Andy Hyland, the hero who remade his body and his game since joining the club.
Joy as footy’s biggest battlers finally crack epic losing streak
Overjoyed supporters of a long-suffering footy club have stormed the field amid joyous scenes in SA’s south east. See the video.
Watch the replays: Sapsasa Country Footy Carnival day three
Winners have been crowned today on the third and final day of the Sapsasa Country Football Carnival – live streamed exclusively here. Watch all 20 day three replays.
Watch the replays: Sapsasa Country Footy Carnival day two
Keen regional footballers have returned to the ovals for day two of the Sapsasa Country Football Carnivals on Tuesday. Watch all 20 live stream replays here.
Watch the replays: Sapsasa Country Footy Carnival day one
Hundreds of young regional talents have converged on Adelaide for day one of the Sapsasa Country Football Carnival. Re-live the action with 20 live stream replays here.
Revealed: Local footy’s top 20 signings this off-season
From players fresh out of the AFL to an array of SANFL stars – we rank SA’s top 20 biggest off-season amateur and country footy signings. See who tops the list.
No thanks: Country footy clubs reject contentious proposal
Two SA country footy clubs have responded to a proposal recommending they leave their current leagues for a newly created competition in 2023.
Local league stars: Where the best ex-SANFL talents are now
From premiership captains to leading goalkickers and Magarey Medallists, we’ve taken a look at where SANFL’s biggest departures are playing now.
Country footy clubs consider jumping ship to new league
A plan to create a new country footy league in the South East and lure two clubs from rival competitions has been revealed – but not everyone is happy about it.
Revealed: Every SA player nominated for the AFL draft
Young guns, ex-AFL players, mature-age SANFL stars and even country footballers are among the 800+ nominees for the AFL draft. Here’s every footballer putting their name up.
102 years of history – but proud footy club now can’t field a team
A 102-year-old Riverland football club will spend 2022 on the sidelines and is facing an uncertain future just months after breaking a huge losing streak.
Country homecoming locked in for SANFL trio
Two SANFL premiers and a former Port and South Adelaide player are the latest players to leave the SANFL to join a local club.
Puopolo pops up in surprise local footy move
Three-time AFL premiership player and former Norwood gun Paul Puopolo has signed for a new club, and his choice may come as a surprise.
Heartbroken family mourns grandfather and footy club legend
The family of a 75-year-old Murraylands footy stalwart has described their heartbreak at the loss of a man who “didn’t have anything bad to say about anyone”.
Named: The legends of SA country footy
They are the best of the bush and the lifeblood of the regional game. See the players, coaches and volunteers who are SA’s country footy legends.
Country footy goal machine reaches huge milestone
Millicent maestro Gene Robinson sat on 999 goals in the dying moments of the grand final before a fairytale finish to his journey to a massive milestone.
Local footy’s best players of 2021 revealed
From ex-AFL captains to modern day country legends, top players across SA have been recognised this month for their outstanding seasons. See 2021’s best here.
Stunning six-peat on country footy’s biggest day
Dynasties were toppled, threatened and carved even deeper into the history books in a compelling finale to the country footy season. See who won on grand final day.
Back in the game: Fans allowed to return for sport
Strict rules will be in place for Showdown 50 fans – with only a set number allowed in – as thousands of spectators return to community sport this weekend.
Every footy league’s plans to finish 2021 season revealed
The majority of SA’s community football leagues will return to the field this Saturday. Find out how each plans to finish the 2021 season.
Revealed: Top 20 players to watch at country champs
The best of the best will do battle this weekend at the SA Country Footy Championships, so we’ve named the top 20 players to watch during our exclusive live stream of the carnival.
How the local footy season could be salvaged
SA’s country and suburban football leagues are considering a wide range of options to save their 2021 seasons disrupted by the statewide lockdown.
Winter sport thrown Covid-19 lockdown curveball
SA sporting leagues have been thrown into confusion at the height of the season and have to decide whether fixtures and events will be rescheduled – or scrapped completely.
Footy is back – check out which leagues kick off this week
Local footy is finally back with eight competitions kicking off this weekend. Check out what leagues are starting their seasons with an update of the state of play for each SA competition.
Ex-Roosters sign with Adelaide Footy League club
Two former North Adelaide brothers – one a SANFL premiership skipper – have joined an Adelaide Footy League division one stalwart in a major boost on the eve of the season.
Country footballers head for the city in droves
More than 70 country footballers – including ex-SANFL stars – have already requested transfers to the Adelaide Footy League as the fallout from 10 regional competitions abandoning their seasons begins.
Virus shuts down AFL breeding ground
Fears over Aboriginal people’s vulnerability to coronavirus will keep one of Australia’s most successful indigenous football clubs off the park this season.
Crowds allowed: Big boost for local footy
In the most significant step yet towards the return of local footy, crowds of up to 500 will be able to attend SANFL and community league matches from early next month.
Former AFL ruckman could join SA country powerhouse
Ex-Adelaide and Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric is in talks to pull on the boots for one of SA’s strongest country footy sides – but there’s a catch.
Inside country footy training … COVID-19 style
The Advertiser was at Jervois Football Club this week for their first contact training session since the coronavirus shutdown. As Reece Homfray and Sarah Reed discovered, it might look and smell very different but footy is on the way back.
SA footy leagues react to player payments ban
Check out what local football league bosses have to say about a landmark SANFL community football decision to ban player payments in 2020.
Player payments banned for local footy in SA
Country and city football clubs won’t be allowed to pay players this season after a landmark decision by the SANFL to help community leagues get their seasons off the ground.
Border block: One SA comp with Vic pulls pin, two in doubt
An SA football league with a Victorian club has cancelled its season due to coronavirus and the state border closure. And two other leagues with Victorian teams are in doubt for 2020.
Confidence rising for footy’s return
Leagues are beginning to call it quits across the border in Victoria but in SA there is growing confidence among competition bosses footy could be “back sooner than what we anticipated”.
Lobethal won’t lie down in face of adversity
Sporting organisations across SA are doing it tough, but arguably none more so than Lobethal Football Club – which has been hit by both bushfires and COVID-19 in a matter of months.
Green light for footy training
Football clubs have been given the green light to return to training, but with sanitised balls, on-field social distancing and temperature checks. Plans to reboot SANFL and community matches next month have also been revealed.
Who are SA country footy’s 20 biggest stars in 2020?
SA country competitions have a host of former AFL and SANFL stars in their ranks this season. Here are the 20 highest-profiled players who are lining up in the bush in 2020.
Crowds vital to survival of bush footy
Country football clubs across the state will support the return of local matches – but only if it’s financially viable. And for that to happen, there would need to be crowds present at each game.
Calls for salary cap cut to help keep clubs alive
As community football aims to get back to its feet over the next few months, the Adelaide Footy League is leading the charge for a statewide cut on player payments this season.
No crowds not an option for local footy
The Adelaide Footy League will give its clubs the option to sit out the year if they require to soften the coronavirus blow, while saying playing without crowds is not an option.
‘Everyone is stunned’ … the virus crisis and country footy
Footy is the glue that holds country communities together, so what happens when that is taken away? Reece Homfray spoke to clubs from Bordertown to Bute, Kimba to Kalangadoo and Waikerie to find out how they’re feeling.
Sheeds pumped for KI Cup: ‘I’m keen to support island’
This Saturday’s Kangaroo Island Cup is shaping as the biggest event in the community’s history. And AFL legend Kevin Sheedy is looking forward to returning to the island for it.
Scott departs reigning premiers
After a mixed bag 2019 with injuries aplenty, but culminating in a flag, a favorite Tiger has said farewell to his teammates and SANFL for the time being.
SA goalkicking gun eyeing next level
He booted 129 goals last year – more than any player in South Australian country footy – and now gun forward Tom Pinyon is back in town for another shot at the SANFL.
Redlegs ‘mad Monday’ mates to become fierce rivals
The Hills Football League is getting set for one of its most anticipated seasons in recent memory and these Norwood premiership stars are set to go from friends to foes.
Roosters’ ruck stocks suffer blow ahead of SANFL season
North Adelaide has announced two new signings but three players – including a young ruckman – have left Prospect Oval. Plus more player movement in Local Footy SA’s Off-Season Central.
Shippy’s top AFL honour is no joke
David Shipway is well known in SA grassroots footy circles for his tireless work. But despite 30-plus years of service, he almost didn’t believe it when AFL boss Gillon McLachlan called to say he’d been recognised with a top award.
SANFL names new footy boss to replace Kelly
A former Glenelg and Sturt spearhead is set to guide the future of the SANFL in one of the state’s key football jobs.
Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/country