Six local footy games to watch in the suburbs and in the bush across South Australia this weekend
It’s finals fever in SA. We look at some big games in Southern, a blockbuster in the Barossa, a women’s grand final rematch in Adelaide and a premiership up for grabs in the Far North. PLUS, where to find every A-grade final across the state this weekend.
SOUTHERN
Flagstaff Hill v Christies Beach
Qualifying final
Saturday, 2.30pm @Aldinga Oval
Flagstaff Hill is not the pacesetter this season but it is still mighty dangerous as it begins its quest for four-straight flags in the SFL. Sitting second at the end of the minor round behind Noarlunga, the side is still doing a number most weeks on the opposition, including Christies Beach. Ben Rossi has been on fire and is one player to watch for the Falcons.
The Saints started their season with a bang but have tapered off in recent weeks. One shining light has been the form of leading goalkicker Blake Carter but he will need plenty of help to pull off an upset.
Port Noarlunga v Reynella
Elimination final
Sunday, 2.30pm at Port Noarlunga Oval
Both sides have had their fair share of solid games this season but it is fair to say don’t have the firepower of the top three teams. It will be curtains for the loser with Port veteran Aaron Peterson in strong form, while Damon Arnold has had a solid season for the Wineflies. Port’s attacking capabilities, led by evergreen Ian Brown, look to be a little strong for the Josh Vick coached Reynella.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE
Women’s division one preliminary final
Adelaide University v Salisbury
Sunday @ University Oval, 2.45pm
In a rematch of last season’s top-tier flag decider, Adelaide University and Salisbury will meet again — but this time only one of the sides can earn a grand final berth.
Adelaide University will be desperately seeking revenge on the Magpies after losing to them in last year’s grand final, while Salisbury will be throwing everything at the Blacks in an attempt to defend its title.
This clash promises to be a cracker as both sides are stacked with SANFLW talent.
Aisha Thomas, the daughter of Central District great Jamie Thomas, and Bulldogs defender/SANFLW Team of the Year member Kimberley Fry are a few rising stars who will be in a Salisbury jumper, while the 2019 SANFLW leading goal kicker and North Adelaide forward Kelly Baltrop will feature for Adelaide Uni.
The winner will take on SMOSH West Lakes in the grand final at Thebarton Oval on Sunday, September 8.
HILLS
Qualifying final
Mt Barker v Onka Valley
Saturday, 2.30pm @ Hahndorf
Just one point separated the teams on the ladder after the minor round with 10 wins and a draw to the Barkeroos and 10 wins to Onkas. But the teams look a long way off the unbeaten Hahndorf which sits out the first week of finals and will play the winner of this match next week. Henry Johnson (33 goals, Mt Barker) and Jake Adock (34 goals, Onkas) led their team’s goalkicking and could be key playmakers in this final.
BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER
Semi-final 1
Angaston v Tanunda
Saturday, 2.20pm @ Tanunda
It’s the finals match the district has been anticipating since these sides’ first clash of the season in Round 2.
Tanunda got the points that day by a point in a controversial finish.
But Angaston hasn’t looked back since, winning every game and earning a week off for the first week of finals.
The Panthers will take on a Tanunda side which smashed reigning premier Nurioopta Rover by 94 points in last Saturday’s qualifying final with coach Dean Terlich and his forward line in dangerous form.
The Magpies have had an early win with home-ground advantage but don’t expect it to count for too much as both sides attempt to win a passage straight through to the grand final and premiership favouritism in what should be a belter.
The loser will go on to face the winner of Sunday’s clash between the Tigers and Barossa District, which made light work of Freeling in the elimination final last week. With coach Todd Miles this week announcing his departure at season’s end after four years at the helm, can the Bulldogs extend his stint and push for his third flag?
FAR NORTH
Grand final
Hornridge v East Roxby
Saturday @ Roxby Downs Oval, 2pm
Hornridge is going for back to back flags after a dominant season that saw it drop just the three games and deliver a Mail Medal for gun Brendan Lehmann.
East Roxby was responsible for one of those losses back in Round 2, but will go in underdog after losing the past three encounters against the Magpies, the most recent a 45-point loss in July.
The Roos are yet to win a flag since changing their name to East Roxby in 2015, and are shooting for their first since winning as Andamooka in 2003.
GREAT SOUTHERN
Qualifying final
Langhorne Creek v Mount Compass
Saturday @ Victor Harbor, 2.30pm
The winners of the past three Great Southern premierships will clash for the right to take on minor premier Willunga next week and a golden ticket to another grand final.
The reigning premier Hawks will start favourite after a flying end to the minor round, winning eight on the trot, including a 32-point win against the Bulldogs earlier this month.
They will have the added incentive of getting up for three-time premiership Hawk Brendan “Chicken” Saunders’ 250th senior game.
THIS WEEKEND’S A-GRADE FINALS
ADELAIDE PLAINS
Saturday: 1st semi-final: Hummocks Watchman Eagles v Mallala @ Hamley Bridge Oval, 2.45pm
BAROSSA LIGHT AND GAWLER
Saturday
Semi-final: Angaston v Tanunda, 2.20pm
Sunday
Semi-final Nuriootpa Rover v Barossa District, 2.20pm
EASTERN EYRE
Saturday
Preliminary Final: Eastern Ranges v Ports @ Rudall, 2.30pm
FAR NORTH
Saturday
Grand final: Hornridge v East Roxby @ Roxby Oval, 2pm
FAR WEST
Saturday
Preliminary Final: Koonibba v Blues Football Club @ Ceduna, 2.20pm
GREAT FLINDERS FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Saturday
2nd Semi Final: United Yeelanna v Tumby Bay @ Karkoo, 2.30pm
GREAT SOUTHERN
Saturday
Qualifying Final: Mt Compass v Langhorne Creek @ Victor Harbor, 2.30pm
Sunday
Elimination Final: McLaren v Victor Harbor @ Langhorne Ck, 2.30pm
HILLS DIVISION 2
Saturday
Semi-final: Kersbrook v Gumeracha @ Kangarilla Oval, 2.30PM
Sunday
Semi Finals: Ironbank Cherry Gardens v Macclesfield @ Mt Pleasant, 2.30PM
HILLS DIVISION 1
Saturday
Qualifying: Mt Barker v Onka Valley @ Hahndorf Oval, 2:30PM
Sunday
Elimination: Uraidla Districts v Blackwood @ Nairne, 2:30PM
KANGAROO ISLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Saturday
Semi-final: Kingscote v Wisanger @ Wisanger, 2.15
Semi-final: Western Districts v Parndana @ Western Districts, 2.15pm
KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA
Saturday
Semi final: Mundulla v Lucindale @ Frances, 2.10pm
Sunday
Semi-final: Penola v Kaniva Leeor United @ Padthaway, 2.10pm
MALLEE
Saturday
Preliminary Final: Lameroo v Border Downs Tintinara @ Pinnaroo, 2.30pm
MID SOUTH EASTERN
Saturday
1st Semi Final: Robe v Kalangadoo @ Kongorong, 2pm
MID WEST
Saturday
Preliminary final: Central Eyre v Wudinna United @ Streaky Bay Oval, 2.30pm
NORTHERN AREAS
Saturday
2nd Semi Final: Crystal Brook v Broughton-Mundoora @ Orroroo, 2.50pm
PORT LINCOLN
Saturday
1st Semi Final: Wayback v Marble Range @ Centenary Oval, 2.40pm
RIVER MURRAY
Saturday
Qualifying: Ramblers v Jervois @ Le Messurier Oval, 2.30pm
Sunday
Elimination: Imperial v Meningie @ Meningie Oval, 2.30pm
RIVERLAND INDEPENDENT
Saturday
Grand final: Sedan Cambrai v Paringa @ Cobdogla, 2.30pm
RIVERLAND
Saturday
2nd Semi Final: Waikerie v Renmark @ Waikerie, 2.40pm
SOUTHERN
Saturday
Qualifying: Flagstaff Hill v Christies Beach @ Aldinga, 2:30PM
Sunday
Elimination: Port Noarlunga v Reynella @ Port Noarlunga @ 2:30PM
WESTERN BORDER
Saturday
Semi-final: North Gambier v West Gambier @ Blue Lake Sports Park Mt Gambier, 2.30pm
Sunday
Semi-final: East Gambier v Casterton Sandford @ McDonald Park Mt Gambier, 2:30PM
WHYALLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Saturday
West Whyalla v Central Whyalla @ Bennett Oval, 2:20PM
Sunday
North Whyalla v Weeroona Bay @ Bennett Oval, 2:20PM
YORKE PENINSULA
Saturday
Semi-final: Southern Eagles v Paskeville @ Ardrossan Oval, 2:40PM
Sunday
Semi-final: Moonta v CMS Crows @ Moonta Oval, 2.40pm
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE
DIVISION TWO
Elimination Final: St Peter’s OC v Goodwood Saints, 2.15pm @ Caterer Oval
Qualifying Final: Rostrevor OC v Prince Alfred OC, 2.15pm @ Campbelltown Memorial Oval
DIVISION TWO
First Semi-Final: Sacred Heart OC v Salisbury North, 2.30pm @ Sacred Heart Senior College
Second Semi-Final: Unley Mercedes v Athelstone, 2.15pm @ Kingswood Oval
DIVISION THREE
First Semi-Final: Flinders Park v Golden Grove, 2.15pm @ Flinders Park Oval
Second Semi-Final: Glenunga v Old Ignatians, 2.15pm @ Webb Oval
DIVISION FOUR
First Semi-Final: Edwardstown v Walkerville, 2.30pm @ Edwardstown Oval
Second Semi-Final: SMOSH West Lakes v CBC Old Collegians, 2.00pm @ West Lakes Shore Oval
DIVISION FIVE
First Semi-Final: Pulteney v Lockleys, 2.15pm @ Blair Athol Reserve
Second Semi-Final: Kenilworth v Hope Valley, 2.15pm @ St Mary’s Park
DIVISION SIX
First Semi-Final: Elizabeth v Fitzroy, 2.15pm @ Argana Park
Second Semi-Final: West Croydon v Hectorville, 2.15pm @ Fawk Reserve
DIVISION SEVEN
Preliminary Final: Houghton Districts v Mawson Lakes, 2.15pm @ Houghton Memorial Oval