Five standout local footy games to watch across South Australia this weekend

One of the biggest names in South Australian football returns to the footy field for the first time in a decade at Moonta, a crunch clash in the KNTFL, Aldinga coach to face old Southern club for first time and a ladder-shaping clash in Adelaide Footy League.

YORKE PENINSULA

Moonta v Wallaroo

Moonta Oval, Saturday @ 2.40pm

It is rare that the inclusion of a 46-year-old into a country footy A-grade line-up would generate much excitement. But Gavin Wanganeen is not your usual 46-year-old country footballer.

The Brownlow Medallist and former Port and Essendon star will make his debut for Moonta on Saturday against fierce rival Wallaroo with finals positions up for grabs.

As the former Port Adelaide and Essendon great told the Advertiser last week, a phone call from friend Aiden Zwar, whose season with Moonta ended in Round 4 when he injured his knee, has convinced Wanganeen to play his first competitive football game in more than a decade.

The Demons are hunting for their third win on the trot and keen to wrap up third spot on the ladder and will be keen to put on a show for their new recruit.

But the fifth-placed Bulldogs will be eager for revenge after a mauling from the Demons at home last time. They have hit some good form in the second half of the season and got within 11 points of ladder-leader Paskeville last week.

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA

Penola v Kaniva-Leeor

Penola, Saturday @ 2.10pm

With three rounds to go, there is a logjam at the top of the KNTFL ladder with six teams separated by just one game.

This makes Saturday’s clash between second-placed Kaniva-Leeor United and third-placed Penola one of the biggest of the season.

The Cougars have won three in a row and are building nicely as they prepare to atone for last year’s straight sets finals humiliation.

Penola has started showing some cracks in recent weeks and comes off a 13-point loss to last year’s grand finalist Keith, which has left its 2019 charge too late.

And a home loss to the Cougars on Saturday could see the Eagles slip to fourth with Lucindale up against the bottom-placed Kybybolite.

Fellow finals challengers Border Districts and Naracoorte both have the bye.

SOUTHERN

Noarlunga v Aldinga

Noarlunga Oval, Saturday @ 2.30pm

This top versus bottom clash does not look like much on paper but it has an added twist.

Aldinga coach Trevor Mitton will return to Noarlunga Oval for the first time as an opposing coach to take on the Shoes.

Mitton, who took the job at the Sharks earlier this season, is Noarlunga’s only premiership coach in the past 28 years and a life member at the club.

Aldinga will be up against it travelling to the home of the unbeaten Shoes, who smashed the Sharks by 208 points in round six.

But Mitton’s return to his football home will make for a special day at Noarlunga.

Links to previous stories:

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

Division One

Brighton Bombers v St Peter’s Old Collegians

Brighton Oval, Saturday @ 2.15pm

Not only is this clash a rematch of last season’s division two grand final, it could potentially define this campaign for both sides.

Fourth-placed St Peter’s Old Collegians is a win ahead of the seventh-ranked Brighton so a win could spell an end to the Bombers’ finals push.

The former SFL side is a force at its home ground however and will be eyeing this clash as a launchpad to propel its run to the end of the season.

PORT LINCOLN

Marble Range v Tasman

Wangary Oval, Saturday @ 2.40pm

After looking like it would cruise through the season undefeated, Tasman has hit a speed bump in the past month, dropping two games in three rounds.

With four games remaining the Roosters now sit just one game clear of Mallee Park, after losing to Wayback by 15 points in last week’s big upset to go with a 46-point hiding from the Park Peckers in Round 9.

Marble Range went down fighting to the Peckers by just seven points last week and will be looking to secure third spot from Wayback, which this week takes on Boston.