NewsBite

Six local footy games to watch across South Australia in the suburbs and the bush this weekend

It’s finals fever in SA. We take a look at grand finals in the Far West, Mallee and Adelaide, along with a division 1 semi-final blockbuster, plus big games in Southern and the Hills. PLUS, where to find every A-grade final across the state this weekend.

Unley Mercedes secures promotion with win over Athelstone

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

Division one second semi-final

Payneham Norwood Union v Prince Alfred OC, 2:15pm @ Payneham Oval

The first spot in the amateur league top flight’s big dance is on the line when Payneham Norwood Union and Prince Alfred Old Collegians square off at the home of the Falcons.

Garry McIntosh has his side humming and will go in favourites against the Old Reds, who beat Rostrevor Old Collegians in last week’s qualifying final.

Featuring the likes of PNU’s Alex Forster and Liam Davis and PAOC’s Jake Pitt and Hayden Jolly, who were named in The Messenger’s top 10 division one players this week, there will be some top talent on display.

St Paul's Old Scholars will play in the club's first grand final appearance since it entered the Adelaide Footy League in 2015. L-R Club president Jake Winters, Nicholas Morasca, Matt Rowson, Joe Adamo, Liam Davies and coach Damien Stagg. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard
St Paul's Old Scholars will play in the club's first grand final appearance since it entered the Adelaide Footy League in 2015. L-R Club president Jake Winters, Nicholas Morasca, Matt Rowson, Joe Adamo, Liam Davies and coach Damien Stagg. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard

Division seven grand final

St Paul’s OS v Mawson Lakes, 2:30pm @ Thebarton Oval

It is a grand final match-up that was meant to be.

Two sides who call themselves the Saints, wear black and goal and sing When the Saints Go Marching In will face off in the division seven decider at Thebarton Oval.

Add in the fact Mawson Lakes used to call themselves St Paul’s Old Scholars and you have a grand final with plenty of spice.

The rivalry between these two is real and — although SPOS is undefeated in 2019 — expected the unexpected in this one.

FAR WEST

Grand final

Western United v Blues

Saturday, 2.20pm @ Far West Aboriginal Sporting Complex

Western United will go into the Far West grand final raging favourites, having finished their season clearly on top of the league ladder with 11 wins, one draw and no losses.

They will take on the Blues, who won a thrilling preliminary final against Koonibba by four points, despite being held goalless in the final term. The Blues’ prelim final victory was built on the back of the efforts of forwards Thomas Clayton and Bayln Thompson who kicked three goals each. But it will take some effort by the Blues to stop Westies’ goalkicking machine Jarden Stoetzer who’s had a simply marvellous season, and kicked his 100th goal for the year on August 24.

His teammate, Jesse Chandler, will likely come under close scrutiny from the Blues too, after he was named joint winner of the Mail Medal this season.

MALLEE

Grand final

Pinnaroo v Border Downs Tintinara

Saturday, 2.30pm @ Lameroo

Sure, Pinnaroo finished the season on top of the ladder with 12 wins and only three losses, but don’t discount Border Downs Tintinara to pull an upset. The last time these two teams faced off — on August 3 — BDT pulled off a thrilling six-point win (77-71). The game could turn into a shootout, considering the Mallee League’s two leading goal-kickers for 2019 come from these opposing clubs (Pinnaroo’s Sam Jordan who’s kicked 56 goals and Tintinara’s Josh Richardson with 40).

Hahndorf superboot Darcy Hourigan. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake
Hahndorf superboot Darcy Hourigan. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

HILLS

Hahndorf v Onka Valley

Second semi final

Saturday, 2.30pm @ Heathfield

Can anyone stop the mighty Hahndorf juggernaut? The Magpies go into the second-semi final unbeaten and six wins clear of Onkas at the end of the minor round. Darcy Hourigan leads the competition’s goalkickers with 61 goals for Hahndorf, while Luke Roberts is another player to watch. Onkas has had solid service from Jake Adock (32 goals) and Tom Mayo, among others, but will need plenty more to topple the minor premier. Hahndorf won both minor-round games by 13 points away in round 14 and 60 points at home in round five and looks a big chance to take the direct path to the grand final.

SOUTHERN

Noarlunga v Flagstaff Hill

Second semi final

Saturday, 2.30pm @Port Noarlunga Oval

Flagstaff Hill's Daniel Butcher up for a mark against Christies Beach. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards
Flagstaff Hill's Daniel Butcher up for a mark against Christies Beach. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Clearly the best-performed sides of the SFL lock horns to decide which team takes the direct path to the grand final in two weeks. Noarlunga is the side to beat, sitting unbeaten and rarely challenged during the minor round. But Flagstaff Hill is a strong performer on the big stage in recent seasons with a depth most clubs can’t match. When they met in the minor round the Shoes won comfortably, keeping Flaggies to less than 60 points in both games. Finals can throw up different types of games with both sides keen to get one over the other. Noarlunga has six players in the top 12 goalkicking list and that could be a factor this Saturday.

Christies Beach v Port Noarlunga

First semi-final

Sunday, 2.30pm at Bice Oval

Traditional rivals lock horns with no tomorrow for the loser. Christies Beach battled well before being overpowered by the Falcons in the qualifying final last Saturday, while Port took charge early against Reynella to win by 39 points in the elimination final. The Saints won both minor round games against the Cockledivers by 17 and 10 points and could have an edge at home on the big Bice Oval. Blake Carter could return for the Saints from injury as should Rhys McKay for Port.

Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final live and on-demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

THIS WEEKEND’S A-GRADE FINALS

SATURDAY

Mid West

Grand Final: West Coast Hawks v Wudinna United @ Elliston

Eastern Eyre Football League

Grand final: Kimba Districts v Eastern Ranges @ Kimba, 2.30pm

Mallee

Grand Final: Pinnaroo v Border Downs Tintinara @ Lameroo, 2.30pm

Far West Football League

Grand final: Western United v Blues @ Far West Aboriginal Sporting Complex, 2.20pm

Adelaide Plains

2nd Semi Final: balaclava v Two Wells @ Lochiel Oval, 2.45pm

Mid South Eastern

2nd Semi Final: Hatherleigh v Glencoe @ Port Macdonnell, 2pm

Port Lincoln

2nd Semi Final: Tasman v Mallee Park @ Centenary Oval, 2.40pm

Hills Football League

Division 2

Preliminary: Kersbrook v Ironbank Cherry Gardens @ Callington, 2.30pm

Division 1

Semi-final: Hahndorf v Onka Valley @ Heathfield Oval, 2.30pm

Yorke Peninsula

Preliminary: CMS Crows v Paskeville @ Yorketown Oval, 2.40pm

Barossa Light & Gawler

Preliminary: Angaston v Nuriootpa Rover @ Williamstown Oval, 2.20pm

KNTFL

Preliminary: Mundulla v Kaniva Leeor United @ Kybybolite, 2.10pm

Kangaroos Island

Preliminary Final: Parndana v Wisanger @ Parndana, 2.15pm

Great Flinders

Preliminary Final: Tumby Bay v Ramblers @ Tumby Bay, 2.30pm

Northern Areas

Preliminary Final: Crystal Brook v Booleroo Melrose Wilmington @ Port Broughton, 2.50pm

Western Border

Preliminary Final: West Gambier v Casterton Sandford @ Vansittart Park, 4pm

Riverland

Preliminary Final: Loxton North v Renmark @ Lakeside Oval, 2.40pm

Whyalla

Preliminary: Central Whyalla v North Whyalla @ Bennett Oval, 2.20pm

Spencer Gulf

Semi-final: Solomontown v Central Augusta @ Pt Pirie Memorial Oval, 2.25pm

River Murray

Semi Finals: Mypolonga v Ramblers @ Tailem Bend, 2.30pm

Southern

Semi final: Noarlunga v Flagstaff Hill @ Port Noarlunga Oval, 2.30pm

Great Southern

Semi final: Willunga v Langhorne Creek @ Myponga, 2.30pm

North Eastern

Semi-Finals: Blyth Snowtown v South Clare @ Mintaro, 2.15pm

Adelaide Footy League

Division One

First Semi-Final: Rostrevor OC v St Peter’s OC, 2.15pm @ Campbelltown Memorial Oval

Second Semi-Final: Payneham Norwood Union v Prince Alfred OC, 2.15pm @ Payneham Oval

Division Two

Preliminary Final: Athelstone v Sacred Heart OC 2.15pm @ Max Amber Sportsfield

Division three

Preliminary Final: Old Ignatians v Flinders Park, 2.15pm @ Park 25

Division four

Preliminary Final: SMOSH WL v Edwardstown, 2.15pm @ West Lakes Shore Oval

Division five

Preliminary Final: Kenilworth v Pulteney, 2.15pm @ St Mary’s Park

Division six

Preliminary Final: Hectorville v Fitzroy, 2.15pm @ Daly Oval

Division seven

Grand Final: St Paul’s OS v Mawson Lakes, 2.30pm @ Thebarton Oval

SUNDAY

Spencer Gulf

Semi Final: South Augusta v PropRisdon @ Central Oval Port Augusta, 2.25pm

River Murray

Semi Finals: Jervois v Imperial @ Mypolonga, 2.30pm

Southern

Semi final: Christies Beach v Port Noarlunga @ Bice Oval, 2.30pm

Hills

Division 1

Semi Finals: Mt Barker v Uraidla Districts @ Balhannah Oval, 2.30pm

Great Southern

Semi final: Mt Compass v Victor Harbor @ Strathalbyn, 2.30pm

North Eastern

Semi-Finals: B.S.R. v North Clare @ Clare, 2.15pm

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/six-local-footy-games-to-watch-across-south-australia-in-the-suburbs-and-the-bush-this-weekend/news-story/5ef30abc4856e778a7837d31dad04e6b