2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships Results

Central has claimed its fourth THINK! Road Safety Men’s SA Country Football Championship, surviving a last quarter comeback from Northern, defeating the runners-up by one-point at Barossa Park, Lyndoch. 

Finishing undefeated across its three appearances, Central earned its first title since 2019 – fittingly in the heart of its zone, as the Barossa region hosted the championships for the first time since 2023.

Central – which includes players from the Adelaide Plains Football League, Barossa, Light & Gawler Association, and Yorke Peninsula Football League – had six players selected in the AAMI Men’s Team of the Championship, along with coach Shawn Gibson being name as coach of the Team of the Championships.

Gibson was also awarded the Bill Murdoch Medal as Coach of the Championships, whilst former South Adelaide player Jacob Collins (Eyre Peninsula) received the Don McSweeny Medal as Player of the Championships.

Northern’s Anders McShane, who was named on the interchange in the Team of the Championships, showed great promise to be awarded the Best U21 Player award.

Northern midfielder Nick Gregurke was adjudged the winner of the SA Power Networks Leadership award, with Eyre Peninsula spearhead Murray Waite the Men’s Leading Goal Kicker.

Field Umpire Alex Cornelius, Boundary Umpire Craig White and Goal Umpire Matthew Ballard all had their consistent officiating recognised as the Umpire of the Championships for their discipline.

Returning to the heart of the Central Zone in the Barossa for the first time since 2023, the 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships were played across three days at the state-of-the-art Barossa Park.

Champion – Central

Final Standings – Central, Northern, South East, Eyre Peninsula, Eastern, Southern

Don McSweeny Medal (Player of the Championships) – Jacob Collins (Eyre Peninsula)

Bill Murdoch Medal (Coach of the Championships) – Shawn Gibson (Central)

Best U21 Player – Anders McShane (Northern)

Leading Goalkicker – Murray Waite (Eyre Peninsula)

SA Power Networks Leadership Award – Nick Gregurke (Northern)

Umpires of the Championships – Field – Alex Cornelius, Boundary – Craig White, Goal – Matthew Ballard

Eastern has once again successfully defended its THINK! Road Safety SA Women’s Country Football Championship crown with a solid12-point win against Southern in the Grand Final at Barossa Park in Lyndoch.

Now with a record four championship titles since its 2018 inception, Eastern managed to remain undefeated after finishing the minor round in first place.

Boasting seven players in the Women’s Team of the Championships, Eastern was coached by respected Blackwood great Damien Venning, who was the Coach of the Championships.

Eastern Zone includes players from the Hills, Riverland, River Murray and Murray Valley Football Leagues.

Central’s Illinca Barbu was the star of the Championships as she collected awards for Player of the Championships and the Best Under-21 Player.

Southern Districts forward Tamara Page was claimed the Women’s Leading Goal Kicker award, whilst her skipper Remfrey was awarded the SA Power Networks Leadership award after helping steer her team to the grand final.

Champion – Eastern

Final Standings – Eastern, Southern, Central, Northern, South East, Eyre Peninsula

Women’s Player of the Championships – Illinca Barbu (Central)

Best Under 21 Player – Illinca Barbu (Central)

Coach of the Championships – Damien Venning (Eastern)

Leading Goal Kicker – Tamara Page (Southern Districts)

SA Power Networks Leadership Award – Kristin Remfrey (Southern Districts)