Nuriootpa Oval to host Dogs and Crows

By ZAC MILBANK

Nuriootpa Oval has been selected as the Barossa venue to host Central District and Adelaide’s Round 12 Hostplus SANFL League clash on Saturday July 8.

The feature match of this year’s SA Country Football Championships will be played at the home of Barossa Light and Gawler Football League’s Tigers, much to the delight of Bulldogs captain Jarrod Schiller.

Schiller, a veteran of 215 SANFL League games, will lace up the boots where it all began after playing junior football with Nuriootpa before joining the Bulldogs.

”It’s super exciting it’s something I have been looking forward to for a long time,” Schiller said.

”This means the world as I always wanted to come back and play here at Nuriootpa and to do it in a Bulldogs guernsey is even better – I can’t wait for it to happen.”

It will also be a home-coming of sorts for Adelaide Marquee signing Jack Madgen, who grew up in the neighbouring Barossa town of Williamstown.

The former Collingwood defender, who previously played for Barossa District, has fond memories of taking on Schiller in their junior careers at the Tigers’ lair.

”It’s been a while since I played here – the last game I played for Barossa District was on this Oval,” said Madgen.

”It will be a good full circle moment for me. I remember Jarrod playing for Nuri in the little league and he was easily the best player for Nuri up until that point.

”I definitely remember playing against him and his brother (Travis) when Nuri were always strong so it will be nice to do it all again when we are a bit older.”

Schiller was also able to recall his previous battles with Madgen in the Barossa Light and Gawler Football League.

”I remember playing against Jack several times in the Under-15s, minis and moddies so it will be great to do it again – we’re just a bit older now,” Schiller said.

Adelaide has been a regular participant in the SANFL showcase match held at the SA Country Championships, having also lined up in Whyalla, Victor Harbor and Port Pirie as a key highlight of the past three tournaments.

”This is a really good opportunity to get out and experience playing in a different area for a lot of our guys,” Madgen said.

”I think it’s something the boys look forward to. We will obviously be here to win but then also give back to the local fans as well because they deserve it.”

Barossa Council Mayor Bim Lange OAM said the benefits of hosting the SA Country Football Championships, including the Central v Adelaide Hostplus SANFL League match, were plentiful.

”It means a lot as far as the Council and our community is concerned,” Mayor Lange said.

”Events like this is the result of investment as part of our generational plan to upgrade all of our facilities. The SA Country Championships will bring visitors into our region so they can hopefully stay into the school holidays and enjoy our premium wines and our food.

”Along with that, the outcomes of health, well-being and connection associated with sport in the Barossa is very strong, so the community gets right behind these sorts of events.

”We are really excited about the opportunity it brings for our region and we appreciate SANFL and everyone who has been planning this with us because it has been a great partnership.”