In this week’s round-up of local footy news, a Sturt player gets the biggest job in country footy, SA football’s biggest winning streak comes to an end and much more.

Duldig gets country footy’s biggest job

Current Sturt footballer Matthew Duldig has been appointed Community Football Manager for the South Australian Community Football League (SACFL).

He has a strong record in SA footy, having started his football on the west coast before playing with the Millicent Saints in the South East of the state, Angaston in the Barossa, Light and Gawler competition, and in a SANFL grand final with Glenelg, before  going across to the Double Blues.

He will play his 167^th and final senior game this Saturday against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

“Community football is the life­blood of our great game and to be given the opportunity in this role is an honour,” Duldig said.

“I look forward to providing sup­port to all community football clubs and leagues in SA.”

He said he retained strong ties to the country.

“Growing up in the country, I understand how important clubs are to the local community,” he said.

“My brother Steve played and coached at Millicent in the South East, and my parents are life members there.

“I also have many mates who I have played with over the time, who have returned to commu­nity clubs and give back, which is really important.

“Having a year playing at Angaston in the Barossa, hope­fully all of these connections I have built will help in my role.”

Showing plenty of faith

Faith College from Tanunda collected its first Secondary Schools Sports SA football title defeating Murray Bridge in the grand final at Glenelg Oval last Wednesday (19 August).

The victory gives this group the title of 2015 state-wide Year 8-9 Country Knockout Champions.

Creating a piece of history for the school, the Faith Year 8-9 team defeated Murray Bridge 12-15 (87) to 8-6 (54).

The knockout competition features schools from across rural South Australia.

“We got off to a solid start and were never really headed,” said co-coach Ryan Foulis, who shared the role with Joel Darling.

“Our midfield was dominant all day, with Haydn (Amery) in ruck giving us first use of the ball.”

Big ruckman Amery won the Damien Hilterbrand Medal as best on ground, producing a great all round display.

The victorious Faith College team.

Henley High breaks 14-year streak

Specialist public football school, Henley High, collected the Year 8-9 Metro Schools Knockout Cup for the first time and, by doing so, ended Sacred Heart’s 14-year domination at this level.

At Glenelg Oval last Wednesday, Henley defeated Sacred Heart 13.10 (88) to 6.4 (40).

Sacred Heart had previously won this title every year since 2001 – the longest current winning streak in any South Australian football competition.

Jackson Mead, the son of inaugural Jack Cahill medal winning footballer with the Power, Darren Mead, was best on ground followed by Izak Rankine, the younger brother of South Adelaide talent, Matt.

James Bailey, Luke Edwards and Jack Lukosius were also prominent.

For Henley coach and Central District’s most decorated player, current skipper Paul Thomas, this was an impressive off-field title to add to his many accolades.

The winning Henley High team.

Ellis has a strong debut

Twenty-year-old Giles Ellis made the most of his first game for Woodville West Torrens in the Eagles’ comfortable 39-point win against North Adelaide.

Showing plenty of poise and composure, Ellis finished with a substantial 22 disposals and the ladder leaders were always in control of this contest.

Senior coach Michael Godden explained the rangy defender has developed nicely over the last couple of years and deserved his chance at league Level.

“Giles has played a few different roles during this season to increase the flexibility of his game and the chances of playing regular league football in the future,” Godden continued.

“He played across the half back line and did a solid job in rebounding the ball for his team.

“Whenever a player makes their debut all you are looking for is a competitive effort and to reduce simple errors and Giles executed when he needed to which will give him confidence going forward.”

Ellis was one of three former Yorke Peninsula Football League players who debuted in the SANFL on Saturday (22 August).

CMS Crows 2013 premiership player Ben Edwards played his initial game at league level for Glenelg in the clash with the Bulldogs at Elizabeth.

Kieren Smith did what Bernie Vince did a decade ago. Like Vince, also a former CMS Crow, he started the season kicking the ball around on the ovals on the ‘leg’ at the beginning of the year, and before the minor round finished made his league debut in the same season.

Smith was recommended to the Roosters by former North Adelaide player Kriston Thompson.

Schiller’s 100th game

The older brother of one the few pairs of siblings playing in the SANFL, Jarrod Schiller will rack up his 100^th league game in the Bulldogs crucial round 19 clash against South Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval.

Along with younger sibling Travis, the Schiller brothers hail from the Barossa town of Nuriootpa and have been through the Bulldogs junior program.

A Physiotherapist in Burton, Schiller has been an achiever since the early days of his football life.

Before coming down to the Ponderosa, Schiller won two junior grand finals at the Nuriootpa Tigers.

“It is a proud moment to get my name on a locker at the club,” he said.

“It is one of the things you can’t get taken away.

“Roy has been my number one mentor – he’s the one that initially gave me a shot – and has continued to back me.

“He’s been my coach through my entire league career.”

He has achieved plenty in his first 100 games at Centrals.

These have included the SANFL’s 2011 Star search award and the 2014 Norm Russell medal (Central District Best and fairest award).  He’s also played for the state team.

Jarrod Schiller

First grand finals in country footy

Community football finals have started in many grades and in the far west and far north of the state, this Saturday is grand final day.

Out west, the Koonibba Roosters will take on the Thevenard Magpies.

The minor premiers, the Western United Tigers, lost the second semi-final to the Roosters by 20 points, and then fell to the Magpies in the penultimate game of the year by 39 points.

Up in the far north, Roxby Districts takes on the Hornridge Magpies.

Reigning premier Roxby have just dropped one game this year and should be favourites, as the Magpies came from fourth place and only had three minor round victories.

Grassroots is published on Wednesdays.