The standout local football matches to watch across South Australia this weekend
A big Great Southern league Indigenous Game, fierce rivals fight for Kernewek Lowender Shield on Yorkes, a top-of-the-table clash in the KNTFL and battle of the battlers in Adelaide. Here’s some of the standout matches to watch across the state this weekend.
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A big Great Southern league Indigenous Game, fierce rivals fight for Kernewek Lowender Shield on Yorkes, a top of the table clash in the KNTFL and battle of the battlers in Adelaide. Here’s some of the standout matches to watch across the state this weekend.
Great Southern
Goolwa-Port Elliot v Encounter Bay
Goolwa Oval, Saturday @ 2.30pm
Goolwa-Port Elliot will take on Encounter Bay in its annual Indigenous Game, with both A Grade teams to don indigenous guernseys.
Encounter Bay will still be kicking itself after letting slip a 41-point three-quarter time lead against Mt Compass last week, the Bulldogs booting 7.6 in the last term to steal the win by four points.
Goolwa-Port Elliot is still chasing a first win after a horror injury run, with co-captain Brock Godwin-Knott a late withdrawal last week before the 40-point loss to reigning premier Langhorne Creek. And big off-season recruit, former Western Bulldogs and GWS star Ryan Griffen, is still to make an appearance.
The Goolwa — Port Elliot guernsey design was created by Jesse and Anthony Chester and the Encounter Bay Guernsey was designed by Amanda Westley.
There will be the traditional Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony conducted before the match and the awarding of the Indigenous Round medal after, with the Eagles’ Gary Karpany the reigning winner.
The Fleurieu Peninsula community incorporates the traditional lands of the Kuarna and the Ngarrindjeri people.
Yorke Peninsula
Wallaroo v Moonta
Wallaroo Oval, Saturday @ 2.40pm
Fierce rivals Wallaroo and Moonta will vie for the Kernewek Lowender Shield as part of the Copper Coast’s Cornish Festival.
Both sides are travelling nicely with four wins apiece. But Wallaroo would be still smarting after last week’s 74-point reality check from unbeaten Paskeville.
Reigning premier Moonta’s only loss was also against the high-flying Magpies back in round 1.
Oktoberfest after the game should provide added incentive for the home side.
Kowree, Naracoorte and Tatiara
Penola v Mundulla
Penola, Saturday @ 2.10pm
These two teams have been the standouts this season with neither having dropped a game.
Both of them also have some serious firepower if they can win the ball in the midfield: Mundulla’s James Hinge has slotted 27 for the year, including three in last weekend’s grand final rematch win against Keith, while Penola’s Adam and Brad Merrett bagged 15 between them in a big victory against Kaniva-Leeor United.
The winner, obviously, will be on top of the ladder and can stake early premiership favouritism.
Port Lincoln
Tasman v Mallee Park
Ravendale Oval, Saturday @ 2.40pm
Tasman is flying and coming off a 93-point thrashing of Lincoln South in what shapes as an intriguing game against fellow modern-era powerhouse Mallee Park.
The Peckers showed off a lot of pace in its win against Boston last week but will need to cut off the supply to the Roosters forwards, who have been led by league-leading goal kicker Johann Wagner.
Keep an eye out for Mallee Park ball winners Kinglsey Bilney Jr and Derick Wanganeen to shape which way the ball is going.
Roosters coach Boyd McCurry will miss after undergoing surgery on a ripped pec.
Adelaide Footy League
Division one
Adelaide University v Prince Alfred Old Collegians
Bob Neil 1, Saturday @ 2.15pm
Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries says Prince Alfred Old Collegians is the team to beat in division one but can the Old Reds live up to that when they take on Adelaide University this weekend?
PAOC will be hoping to set themselves apart from the clubs nipping at their heels including Payneham Norwood Union and St Peter’s Old Collegians, who are also sitting on a 4-1 record.
The fifth-placed Blacks, meanwhile, will be eager to impress on ‘ladies day’ and need a win to keep in touch with Rostrevor which is fourth and ensure sixth-ranked Port Districts remain at bay.
Division three
Old Ignatians v Glenunga
Hunter Park, Saturday May 18 at 2.15pm
The clash between Old Ignatians and Glenunga is shaping up as a cracker as it is a battle between first and second on the ladder.
Glenunga sits top and will be keen to maintain its undefeated status after winning all five of its matches so far this season.
Old Ignatians, second, has dropped one game — its opening round match against North Haven — in which it lost by 25 points.
The Rams’ Steven Pollock also leads the competition’s goal kicking with 24 so far (two more than Portland’s Lindsay Thomas) so it will be interesting to see if he can boot a bag and extend his advantage.
Division seven
Greenacres v Flinders University
Edward Smith Reserve, Saturday @ 2.15pm
Greenacres broke its 659-day winless drought in division a fortnight ago, then backed it up with another victory beating Mitchell Park 6.13 (49) to 6.5 (41) away last week.
The Dragons will be hoping for three in a row but Flinders University is also hoping to break its own winless streak.
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