The standout local football matches to watch across South Australia this weekend

Country and local league footy is well and truly back. Here are some big games to catch across the state this weekend, including a massive Elliston tribute game, a former Crow’s first Hills match and the latest instalment of a historic college rivalry.

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Local footy is well and truly back. Here is a selection of big games to catch across the state this weekend, including a massive tribute game for a couple of Elliston stars, a former Crow’s first Hills game and the latest instalment of a historic college rivalry.

Elliston will pay tribute to Jay Williams (second from right) on the weekend. He is pictured representing Eyre Peninsula in 2016. Picture: Tom Huntley

MID WEST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Elliston v Wudinna

Wudinna Oval, Saturday @ 2.30pm

Tears will flow at Elliston this weekend as the Roosters face Wudinna in its season opener.

The match is a tribute game to former star Elliston player Jay Williams, who died in a farm accident earlier this year in a blow that rocked the Eyre Peninsula community.

Williams won three A grade best and fairests for the club, served as the captain for four years — including leading them to the 2012 flag — and was an important member of last year’s premiership side.

He also spent time with Port Adelaide, playing with the Magpies’ reserves.

Williams was 28 and is survived by wife Ella and daughter Valli.

Players from both sides will be wearing red boot laces, with funds raised going to his family.

The sides will also acknowledge Elliston legend Nick Paul who also died suddenly in January.

The Roosters have plenty to play for and will be keen to start their premiership defence with a win, while Wudinna will be looking forward to season 2019 with plenty of optimism after signing several big name recruits in the off season.

KNTFL

Bordertown v Mundulla

Bordertown, Saturday @

They’re putting on Saturday night football in the KNTFL this weekend and Mundulla, the reigning champion, enters the match against its old Tatiara rival in fine form.

Mundulla thumped Naracoorte last week with James Hinge bagging eight goals and Luke Wiese booting six.

Bordertown took it right up to Kaniva Leeor United in their opening match.

Mundulla captain Jake McGrice plays his 200th game and Bordertown’s Josh Searle his 150th.

Netball is played Friday night and a ladies’ evening is planned as part of the event on Saturday night.

Former Crow and Hawk Kyle Cheney chases Sydney star Isaac Heeney. Cheney will make his Hills debut for Hahndorf on Saturday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images

HILLS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mt Lofty v Hahndorf

Arkaba Oval, Heatherfield, Saturday @ 6.30pm

The Hills League is used to having former AFL players joining its ranks — the James brothers, Brett and Roger, come to mind — and another former local AFL player makes his debut on the weekend.

Former Crows defender Kyle Cheney will line up for reigning premier Hahndorf, which already has fellow former Adelaide player Matt Jaensch as one of its most important players.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

Division 1: St Peter’s OC v Prince Alfred OC

Cateter Oval, Saturday @ 2.15pm

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder — not in the case of this historic rivalry.

St Peter’s OC and Prince Alfred OC will renew hostilities after Saints’ year down in division two and don’t expect there to be any love lost.

SPOC returned to the top flight with a seven-point win away to Henley, confirming conjecture it is back in division one for a longer stay than last time, and the Reds fell 10-points short against Rostrevor OC.

Expect Brett Backwell’s men to come fired up for this one to avoid starting 0-2.

Division 3: Glenunga v Gepps Cross

Webb Oval, Saturday @ 2.15pm

The rematch of last season’s division four grand final should be hotly contested at Webb Oval with both sides stepping up a tier.

Reigning premiers Glenunga got off to a perfect start last week with victory away against Westminster OS but Gepps Cross did not fare so well, falling at home to Plympton.

With both sides nicknamed the Rams, expect heads to be butting in a crucial early season clash.

Noarlunga recruits, ex-Glenelg player Terry Milera and former South Adelaide captain Josh Thewlis. Picture: AAP Image/ Morgan Sette

SOUTHERN FL

Noarlunga v Flagstaff Hill

Noarlunga, Saturday @ 2.15pm

Noarlunga hosts triple flag-winning powerhouse Flagstaff Hill on Saturday in a match-up between arguably the two best line-ups on paper in the SFL. A full-strength Shoes outfit could be the ones to take it to the Falcons this season.

Meanwhile the league will give fans a taste of Friday night footy when Happy Valley takes on Port Noarlunga at Happy Valley from 7.15pm.

GREAT SOUTHERN FL

McLaren v Langhorne Creek

McLaren Vale, Saturday, 2.30pm

It doesn’t get much better than grand final rematches and the McLaren players will have a bit of extra fuel to motivate them in this match.

Langhorne Creek took out the premiership last season in what was regarded as a bit of an upset but had a bad start to its premiership defence, going down to Encounter Bay in Round 1.

Has your club got a big game or milestone coming up? Let us know. Email [e-mail] or [e-mail]