2025 GFFL 1st Semi Final preview
- GFFL
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Karkoo – Saturday
Hosted by United Yeelanna Football Club
The home-and-away season is done, and all eyes turn to finals football. Karkoo is the stage this weekend for the First Semi Final, a day that will decide who survives and who bows out in every grade. With four cracking games on the card and plenty of history between these clubs, it promises to be one of the most fiercely contested days of the year.

Senior Colts – 10.00am
Cummins Kapinnie Cougars vs Eyre United Saints
The day begins with a tantalising clash in the Senior Colts. These two sides have split the ledger one apiece in 2025, making this final impossible to predict. In Round 3, the Saints were outstanding, running over the Cougars 11.11 (77) to 3.2 (20), using their speed and link-up play to full effect. But the return meeting in Round 10 was a completely different story. The Cougars flipped the script, dominating across the ground to record a thumping 16.14 (110) to 4.6 (30) victory.
That turnaround underlines the unpredictability of junior footy – and the danger both sides present. For the Saints, the challenge will be finding a way to reproduce their early-season form and settle quickly in front of a finals crowd. They’ll lean on their running brigade, hoping to break lines and score heavily early.
The Cougars, meanwhile, will be confident they’ve got the balance right. They’ve shown they can contain Eyre United’s threats and pile on scoreboard pressure of their own. Finals are often won on defensive discipline, and Cummins Kapinnie will need to hold firm to progress.
This shapes as a terrific tone-setter for the day: a genuine 50-50 contest, with the reward being a preliminary final berth.
Mini Colts – 11.40am
Cummins Kapinnie Cougars vs Elliston Districts Roosters
The Mini Colts semi-final brings another fascinating battle, with the Cougars holding bragging rights so far this season. They’ve beaten the Roosters twice, but neither game was a blowout. In Round 4, Cummins Kapinnie won 5.2 (32) to 2.4 (16), and in Round 11 they again got the job done, 5.3 (33) to 4.3 (27).
Those results show two key things: the Cougars have the edge, but the Roosters aren’t far away. In both games, Elliston Districts created enough opportunities to trouble their opponent but couldn’t quite finish the job. Finals footy is often about seizing the big moments, and the Roosters will be drilling that into their young side.
The Cougars, however, are riding high. They’ve built a consistent brand of footy built on teamwork and tackling pressure, and they’ll know they’re capable of holding their nerve in close contests. Expect them to be well-organised and quick to transition from defence to attack.
Elliston Districts will need a fast start to put pressure on the Cougars and shift the momentum their way. This game is likely to go right down to the wire, with accuracy in front of goal set to play a decisive role.
B Grade – 12.45pm
United Yeelanna Eagles vs Elliston Districts Roosters
The B Grade contest has been dominated by the Eagles so far this season, and they’ll enter the final as deserved favourites. In Round 5, United Yeelanna were far too strong, winning 10.9 (69) to 3.3 (21). The second meeting in Round 12 told a similar story, the Eagles prevailing 11.7 (73) to 3.6 (24).
That kind of form line is hard to ignore. United Yeelanna’s B Grade squad has proven depth, with a strong spread of goalkickers and the ability to lock the game down defensively when needed. Their experienced core knows how to handle finals pressure, and they’ll arrive at Karkoo confident they can carry their dominance into September.
For Elliston Districts, the challenge is clear. They’ll need to restrict Yeelanna’s ball movement, slow the tempo, and maximise every scoring opportunity they can create. Against a side that’s beaten them twice convincingly, belief will be key. The Roosters can’t afford to let the game get away from them early – if they can be within striking distance at three-quarter time, pressure could shift back onto the Eagles.
United Yeelanna, though, will be hard to stop. They’ve had the answers in both encounters so far this year, and unless the Roosters can produce something special, the Eagles will be hot favourites to march on.
A Grade – 2.40pm
Elliston Districts Roosters vs Cummins Ramblers Magpies
The feature match of the day sees the Roosters take on the Magpies in a battle for survival. Finals are on the line, and both sides know there is no tomorrow for the loser.
Their head-to-head record this year is firmly in Elliston Districts’ favour. In Round 6, the Roosters won 12.15 (87) to 10.2 (62), and in Round 13, they again proved too strong, 13.6 (84) to 9.8 (62). On both occasions, Elliston Districts were able to generate more scoring opportunities and finish the game strongly, while Ramblers couldn’t quite keep pace for four quarters.
The Roosters come in knowing their forward line is capable of stretching opposition defences. Accuracy will be a focus – in Round 6 they kicked 12.15, and in a final those wasted chances could prove costly. Their midfield has been consistent and will look to gain early control and feed their tall targets inside 50.
For Ramblers, the task is significant but not impossible. They’ve shown this year they can rise to the occasion – most memorably upsetting United Yeelanna late in the season. Their key is to tighten defensively, restrict Elliston’s entries, and make the most of their own forward 50 chances. In both previous encounters, they’ve kicked around 9–10 goals; they’ll need more than that to keep their season alive.
Expect a physical, finals-like contest. Elliston Districts will start favourites based on recent results, but finals pressure has a way of evening things up. If Ramblers can apply four quarters of heat and force turnovers, they’re every chance to spring a surprise.
The Stage is Set
Karkoo is primed for a blockbuster day of footy. From the young Colts through to the A Grade heavyweights, every game carries the weight of finals pressure – win and live to fight another day, lose and the season is over.
United Yeelanna host what promises to be a showcase of Great Flinders football, with rivalries renewed and September dreams on the line. Strap in – it’s going to be a memorable day.
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