SANFL, The Naracoorte News

South East has claimed its fifth THINK! Road Safety South Australian Men’s Country Championship with a hard-fought 15-point win against Southern Districts in the grand finale at Memorial Oval in Port Pirie.

Finishing undefeated across its three appearances, South East earned its first crown since 2022 as the championships’ leading goal kicker Fraser Bradley shone with six majors in the title-decider.

South East which includes players from the Kowree, Naracoorte, Tatiara, Limestone Coast and Mid-South East Football Leagues fittingly had six players selected in the AAMI men’s team of the championship including Bradley, who booted nine goals for the championships.

South East mentor, Daron McElroy was awarded the Bill Murdoch Medal as coach of the championships while former South Adelaide SANFL midfielder Ben Heaslip received the Don McSweeny Medal as player of the championships.

Southern’s Callum Bennett, who was named on the wing in the team of the championships, showed great promise to be awarded the best U21 player award.

South East co-captain Todd Reid, who played with SANFL club Glenelg last year, was adjudged the winner of the SA Power Networks leadership award.

Field umpire Morgan Price, boundary umpire Craig White and goal umpire Tony Maletto all had their consistent officiating recognised as the umpire of the championships for their discipline.

In the women’s competition, Eastern successfully defended its THINK! Road Safety SA Women’s Country Championship crown with a gritty 12-point win against South East in the grand finale at Memorial Oval in Port Pirie.

Returning to the heart of the Northern Zone in Port Pirie for the first time since 2019, the THINK! Road Safety SA Country Championships were played across three days at the Memorial Oval and Port Pirie West Oval with matches returning to the Friday night after their successful introduction last year.

This article appeared in The Naracoorte News, 23 July 2025.