The Final Countdown

If this is how good it feels to reach the grand final, what must it feel like to win one?

One of these sides will find out exactly what it’s like when the final siren sounds in this year’s highlyanticipated North Adelaide v Norwood premiership decider.

They’ve had different routes to the grand final – the Roosters as quickly and painlessly as possible, the Legs taking the long and winding road – but it all starts again and they’re both 50-50 chances when the ball is bounced at 3pm at Adelaide Oval.

Superstars Keenan Ramsey and Campbell Combe were whooping it up with team-mates after North came from behind to beat Adelaide in the second semi-final and snare the first spot in the premiership decider.

And Norwood coach Jade Rawlings was quickly on the scene to join the on-field celebrations with his players after their fighting preliminary final triumph against the Crows. They hadn’t led at any stage until the 15-minute-mark of the last quarter when Mitch Carroll, with perfect timing, kicked just his second career goal in his fourth game. No wonder Rawlings was so excited after the Redlegs’ 11-point win gave them their shot at the ultimate prize.

No Draw

Everyone is expecting a hardfought contest but don’t forget there’s no such thing as a drawn grand final any more. If scores are level at full-time, there will be two five-minute-plus-time-on periods of play to decide the winner. Now that would be a fitting climax to a highly-competitive season in which we have come to expect the unexpected, wouldn’t it?

Grand Weekend at Adelaide Oval

Friday

Under-16 Grand Final | Glenelg v Eagles | 4.50pm

Under-18 Grand Final | North v Glenelg | 7.30pm

Sunday

Reserves Grand Final | North v Sturt | 11.25am

League Grand Final | North v Norwood | 3.00pm