Tributes are pouring in for a young football player who died after a horror on-field collision during a game in South Australia.

Birdwood Football Club player Antonio Loiacono died on the weekend after he suffered critical injuries during the season-opening A-grade game at Gumeracha Oval in the Adelaide Hills.

Friends and family have remembered the 20-year-old as someone who would "put a smile on anyone's face" and "one of the most caring and thoughtful people".

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Hills League Football (HFL) president Joanne Purdie said Loiacono's death had affected the entire local football community.

"It is difficult to find the words that express the immense shock, sorrow and heartache that the Hills football community is feeling today," Purdie said.

"On behalf of the HFL Board of Directors, we express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Antonio Loiacono who passed away on Sunday evening.

"We ask that the family be afforded privacy at this time as they mourn the tragic loss of Antonio.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Antonio's family, the Birdwood and Gumeracha Football Clubs and extended communities."

The Birdwood Football Club expressed its condolences to Loiacono's family following his death.

"Antonio was only with our club for a few months but his leadership and care for his new team will have a lasting impact," the club said.

"Rest in peace Antonio."

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Premier Peter Malinauskas described the loss of Loiacono as "heartbreaking".

"Accidents happen in contact sport, all the time, and no one even expects it to result in a loss of life," he said.

"Particularly for such a young, healthy, good person, so this is hard for anyone to get their head around and I think the whole state's thoughts will be with family members first and foremost."

The Great Southern Football League took to Facebook to share its sincere condolences to Loiacono's family and friends.

"Community football is what we live for and this is a truly sad time when a player is cut down by an unfortunate on-field incident, no matter what level of the game," the Facebook post reads.

"Our collective thoughts are with his family and the Birdwood Football Club at this time of unbelievable sadness."

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