South Australian Football Budget - Grand Final Edition 2023 - Vol 98 - No. 22 - 24 Sep

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FINAL COUNTDOWN

Reaching a grand final is worth celebrating, no doubt about it.

So imagine the feeling when you win one.

Thirteen players who will be in action on Adelaide Oval this week have experienced that feeling of exultation. Glenelg skipper Max Proud along with Matt Snook, Liam McBean, Luke Partington, Darcy Bailey, Luke Reynolds, Jonty Scharenberg and Brad McCarthy soaked up the euphoria of the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2019 grand final triumph, while Sturt captain James Battersby and Josh Hone, Guy Page, Steven Slimming and Henry Carey were part of the Double Blues line-up when they went back-toback in their most recent grand final appearances in 2016-17.

They’ve had different routes to the premiership decider – Glenelg as quickly and painlessly as possible, Sturt taking the long and winding road – but it all starts again and they’re both 50-50 chances when the ball is bounced at 2.30pm.

Liam McBean, who has become something of a legendary figure on and off the field at the Bay, shared the joy with loyal fans after the Tigers had reached their third grand final in five years with a convincing 32-point second semi-final win against Adelaide. And the Blues were up and about and enjoying the moment as they completely shut down the Crows in a 17-point preliminary final win, setting up a mouthwatering season finale.

GRAND FINAL DAY ADELAIDE OVAL SUNDAY

24 September 2023

Under-17 Futures Game | 9am Reserves Grand Final | Glenelg v Sturt | 11am League Grand Final | Glenelg v Sturt | 2.30pm

NO DRAW Everyone is expecting a hard-fought contest but don’t forget there’s now no such thing as a drawn grand final. If scores are level at full-time, there will be two three-minuteplus-time-on periods to decide the winner. Now that would be a fitting climax to a highly-competitive season, wouldn’t it?

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GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER CORNWALL

A couple of key men in this year’s mouth-watering grand final match-up, Sturt’s Casey Voss tackles Glenelg’s Matt Allen.

It’s not often a clash between two rivals is so eagerly anticipated after their previous match-up ended in a 105-point shellacking. But there’s no chance the result will be so lopsided in the first grand final meeting between these sides since 1974.

Glenelg and Sturt have been the standout SANFL teams of the season and deserve their chance to slug it out for the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership trophy. But, when you look at their campaigns, it’s hard to believe the Tigers mauled the Blues 23.12 to 6.9 at Glenelg in Round 9. Sturt coach Martin Mattner called it “a one-off”. And there’s no doubt he’s right.

Both sides have won an impressive 16 games (Sturt admittedly with five losses, compared with Glenelg’s three). And they have one win each in head-to-head clashes. The Blues kicked off the season by beating the Bays by 31 points at Unley, the start of an imposing eight-game winning run which continued until they met Glenelg at the Bay, the Tigers then on a seven-match winning streak.

Glenelg’s run ended up with a remarkable 11 victories on the trot but no win was more stunning than the one against Sturt in front of a bumper crowd of 7285, these rivals being the biggest crowd-pullers in

the league. One player doesn’t make a team but the Blues were without their most influential midfielder, Tom Lewis, sidelined with an ankle injury that could have cost him the Magarey Medal. He looms as the biggest headache to Glenelg in the premiership decider, with the Blues’ wins against Central District and Adelaide over the past two weeks showing the threat they can be to the deserved flag favourite. While Lewis is hard at it, he’s no more so than the Tigers’ 2019 Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Snook. You couldn’t believe the desperate on-baller was 31 and having absorbed the punishment he has over 13 years of league footy as he played like a man possessed picking up 10 clearances to lead the Bays to a 32-point second semifinal win against Adelaide. What Snook loves about the side he’s playing in is, “No-one wants to be a superstar … we all want to play a role for the team”. But he has proved himself as a champion over the years and you could argue there are plenty of superstars in what has the makings of a grand final classic. Between these sides they had 10 players in the SANFL Team of the Year and names like Proud, McBean, Allen, Pink, Hosie, Lyons –

having as career-best year – Snook, Partington and Bailey at Glenelg roll off the tongue, while Sturt boasts the likes of Lewis, Battersby, Hone, McFadyen, Voss – a potential matchwinner from half-back – Page, Frederick, Mathews and Dakin – who has stepped up in the absence of injured Patrick Wilson.

Also stepping up in the finals has been Dan Fahey-Sparks, who has been huge in the past fortnight in the absence of injured Amos Doyle.

His ruck battle with Cam McGree, a revelation in his first season at the Bay, will be crucial.

These clubs, that could have been forced to close their doors such were the dire straits they were in at different times this century, could not be in better shape as they prepare to face off in reserves and league grand finals. And they both have outstanding coaches who will have their men primed for the contest. SANFL Team of the Year coach Darren Reeves has made a huge impression in his first year, while Mattner in last week’s win against the Crows had his men playing in a similar frenetic style to how they choked Port Adelaide in the 2017 grand final.

After 49 years, it’s a match-up that’s been worth the wait. sanfl.com.au

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THE FINAL WORD

BY PETER CORNWALL

DARREN REEVES “It’s exciting. The guys have been outstanding all year and we look forward to the challenge,” said the first-year coach. During Glenelg’s week break before the grand final – its second week off in the finals – “we had a brutal session on the Thursday night and then we followed up with some good game simulation on the Saturday morning so we have prepared the same way (as for the second semifinal). There’s no excuses.” He said Sturt had been “very strong” in reaching the decider. “They’ve got a brand they play very well, they defend really strongly … we know what they do, we just have to be able to counter that.”

MARTIN MATTNER “We’ve won 17 games this year, we’ve worked really hard, we’ve had

Sturt coach Martin Mattner and captain James Battersby with Glenelg skipper Max Proud and coach Darren Reeves and the trophy they are battling for.

some ups and downs, some injuries, some players out with suspensions but I think our footy has shown in the past six-to-eight weeks we are up there with Glenelg as the two best teams in the competition,” said the 2016-17 premiership coach.

“We’re really looking forward to the

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opportunity we have now been given … we’ve worked hard for this opportunity.” Mattner said the Blues pride themselves on trying to restrict the opposition, saying it would be “something we are going to have to work really hard on” against the big-scoring Tigers.

GRAND FINAL DANGERMEN

BY PETER CORNWALL

MATTHEW ALLEN Sturt fans won’t need to be reminded how dangerous the long-striding left-footed wingman can be as he bagged six goals in Glenelg’s stunning 105-point Round 9 win at the Bay. And speaking of goals, how good was his long-range last-gasp matchwinner on the run after a strong mark outside 50 against Adelaide in Round 8? A footballer who is a joy to watch, 193cm Allen is quick, athletic and versatile – he’s an impressive overhead mark who has also spent time in the clinches inside the centre square – and has booted 24 goals this year. Averaging 102 ranking points in a career-best season Allen loves to carry the ball. The Blues won’t want it in his hands.

TOM LEWIS Sturt stopped Adelaide in its tracks last week. And how many times did Lewis stop a Crow from getting out of a pack with the ball? As the midfielder applied the clamps in 14 tackles in the Double Blues’ preliminary final win, there was simply no getting away. Lewis also racked up 11 kicks, 13 handballs and nine clearances in another powerhouse performance, the sort that saw him finish just six votes behind Magarey Medallist Harry Grant despite missing three games with an ankle injury. Averaging an impressive 24 disposals, 12 tackles and seven clearances per game, can he help stop minor premier Glenelg surging to the premiership?

LIAM McBEAN When the Tigers need someone to stand tall in big moments, McBean is always willing to put his hand up. With the ability to bob up anywhere to take a clutch mark, compete strongly in ruck or kick a key goal, he has become an enormous influence in a side that has earned its third grand final appearance in five years. The 202cm triple Ken Farmer Medallist works well in partnership with this year’s Medallist, the spectacular Lachie Hosie – their ‘bromance’ is infectious – and he is ranked second on the SANFL goalkicking list with 46 from 18 games. He provides exceptional leadership support to outstanding skipper Max Proud.

JAMES BATTERSBY The influential midfielder is becoming a great leader in the mould of Sturt premiership skipper of 2016-17 Zane Kirkwood, his actions speaking louder than words as he continually provides inspiration for his team-mates with his courageous and relentless pursuit of the ball. Fresh from his third topthree finish in the past seven seasons in the Magarey Medal, he earned a game-high 27 disposals along with eight marks and nine tackles in the Blues’ preliminary final win against the Crows. Dual premiership star Battersby has tallied more disposals (539), handballs (274), clearances (136) and ranking points (2122, at an average of 101 per game) than any other SANFL player this season. sanfl.com.au

7

STUFF OF LEGENDS

BY STEVE BARRETT

If Lindsay Head possessed future-predicting powers to match the magic he showcased on the football field, he and his West Torrens team-mates might have taken the opportunity, 70 years ago, to celebrate a bit harder.

In his first full SANFL season, 18-year-old Head experienced the first of what he believed would be many premierships when Torrens snatched a thrilling seven-point win over Port Adelaide in the 1953 grand final. Only there wouldn’t be ‘many’ more opportunities ... in fact there wouldn’t be any.

“I was lucky to come into a side that was ready to win a premiership,” recalled Head, a star from the moment he booted seven goals in his second league match.

“I started halfway through the year before in 1952, then we won the premiership in my first full season and I thought ‘how easy is this going to be?’. I never played in another grand final.”

Head, an inaugural inductee into the Australian and SA Football Halls of Fame, collected a staggering eight club best-and-fairest awards and three Magarey Medals, is Torrens’ all-time leader in games (327) and goals (525) and served his beloved Eagles with distinction as captain, coach, captain-coach and president. He became the first player to reach 300 SANFL games and made a whopping 37 senior appearances in the State jumper, first representing SA in 1947 at a State schoolboys carnival in Perth as an 11-year-old.

For today’s football fans, think of a less brawny, tattoofree version of Richmond superstar Dustin Martin ... both goalkicking midfielders. Flashy, immaculate ball users. Untacklable in their pomp.

“Every time my wife (Jill) sees Dusty play, she says ‘gee, that’s how you used to play’,” said Head, who turned 88 last Saturday. “I was one of the first players to kick the checkside for goal and I used to kick it around the ground as well. Dusty kicks it on the outside of his foot to a leading team-mate, which I started 60 years ago.

They called me the Artful Dodger because I had a sixth sense where everyone was. Dusty plays a bit like that.”

But, unlike Martin, a triple AFL premiership winner, ultimate club success eluded Head.

With the exception of that one day in 1953.

Coached by Joe Kinlough – described by Head as “a nice guy and a gentleman, who I knew of because he played for Torrens with my dad” – the Eagles had to climb out of a massive hole in the second semi-final to advance to the decider. Torrens trailed minor premier Port Adelaide 6.6 to nil in the second quarter before slamming on 14 of the last 15 goals to trample the Magpies by 46 points.

Port bounced back to thrash Glenelg in the preliminary final, setting up a rematch in the decider. Legendary Bob Hank, described by Head as “my idol when I was a kid ... a brilliant player and a gentleman”, was coming off a severe dose of influenza which he contracted 8

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West Torrens young gun Lindsay Head, in the universallyloved Eagles guernsey, went on to win three Magarey Medals.

West Torrens star Jim Coverlid soars for a big mark in the 1953 grand final thriller against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

before the semi-final. The bug spread to Head, who dragged himself out of his sick bed for the grand final.

“I always found if there was something wrong with me, I played better anyway,” he said. “The flu didn’t worry me too much.”

Port captain-coach Fos Williams – a cousin of Head – won the toss and the Magpies kicked to the river end, aided by a stiff north-easterly. Head’s flying goal deep into the term evened the scores before Neville

A couple of greats, West Torrens’ Bob Hank and Port Adelaide’s Fos Williams, embrace after the 1953 grand final.

Celebrating in the Adelaide Oval changerooms after the ’53 grand final are Eagles Alf Roberts, Lindsay Head and Kevin Thiele (front), with Jack Carr, Charlie Pyatt, Frank Graham and Doug Cockshell.

Hayes’ snapped six-pointer gave Port a six-point quarter-time lead.

The Eagles edged ahead by a point at half-time despite losing the advantage of the breeze as the wind veered westward in the second stanza. Heavy rain fell at halftime and the showers persisted in a torrid third quarter, at the end of which the Magpies were back in front by a straight kick. They started the fourth term with a couple of behinds to lead by eight points before Bob Hank’s long punt into the forward area ended with Head goaling on the run to trim the gap to two points.

A hurried snap from ruckman Don Prior and a boundary punt from full forward John Willis registered behinds and tied the scores before Head uncharacteristically missed a sitter on the run.

“From that kick-out it went that quickly down Port’s end, I still remember the feeling I had – an empty feeling, a feeling of panic,” Head reflected. “I thought I’d cost us the game because it looked like they were going to kick a goal.”

But the Magpies messed up. With two minutes remaining, Hayes’ attempted handpass to Ron Leaver was intercepted by Torrens half-back Frank Graham, whose rebound down the grandstand wing was marked by team-mate Errol Lodge.

Lodge’s kick was marked by centre half-forward Doug Cockshell before the ball finished in the hands of Ray Hank, whose tired kick for goal floated across the line.

“Chicken thought handball was a Baxian Bandit because Fos wouldn’t let them handball,” Head said. “Frank intercepted Chicken’s handball, we got it over to Ray and he kicked the goal. My miss put us in front, then with Ray’s goal, that’s where the seven points (margin) came from.”

That night, best-on-ground Mick Clingly was in bed by 10-to-six, while flu-afflicted Head also had an early one. “You didn’t celebrate in those days like you do today,” said Head, one of two surviving 1953 premiership players, along with full back Alf Roberts, who also played in the 1945 flag. They might have if they knew Torrens would win only one more final – against Norwood in the 1954 first semi-final – as a standalone entity.

For Head, 1963 gnaws at him most. Coached by the great Dick Reynolds, a Legend of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and named Essendon’s captain and coach of the century, Torrens claimed its first minor premiership since 1924, boasting the most talented team in SA, but exited the finals in straight sets.

“The ’63 side was the best side Torrens ever put on the ground,” Head said. “We had Neil Hawke, Bob Shearman, Fred Bills, Geoff Kingston ... but we bombed out in the finals. We had some blokes out (for the losing preliminary final), who would have been ready for the grand final.”

Head could have won more flags had he caved in to the overtures of powerhouse SANFL rivals. But he was forever loyal to the blue-and-gold, having grown up “a couple of drop kicks from Thebby Oval” while attending Thebarton Primary and Thebarton Tech. He is, however, capable of casting an objective lens over the Eagles.

“I reckon the Torrens jumper with the gold eagle (introduced after 1954) was the best jumper that was ever invented but they let coaches come into the club and change the jumper and other things, which didn’t sit well with me,” he lamented.

Head stomached rather than welcomed the 1990 amalgamation with Woodville but bemoaned the weakening of the Eagles following their near-neighbour and future partner’s league arrival in ’64.

“Finance said we had to do something like that (merge) but the big thing was when Centrals and Woodville came into the competition,” Head said. “Most of our development area was in Woodville ... a lot of those Woodville players in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s would have (otherwise) been Eagles players. The league gave Torrens the Tea Tree Gully zone, which was vacant land, then when there was development out there, they took it off us and gave it to Norwood. We didn’t get a good deal.”

The modern-day Woodville-West Torrens Eagles have enjoyed markedly more success, winning four flags.

“I went to a couple of them and it was good to see but it wasn’t the old blue-and-gold, unfortunately,” said Head, who still occasionally makes the long trek from his Port Elliot home to attend functions and games at Oval Avenue.

“Anyway, that’s what happened and we couldn’t do anything about it. Same as ’53 – many of us thought there would be other premierships but there weren’t.

But, other than that, everything’s going good.” sanfl.com.au

9

GRAND FINAL 2:30PM SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – ADELAIDE OVAL Broadcast: Live & free on Seven and 7plus | SANFL Now | AFL Live App & AFL.com.au | 1629 SEN SA & SEN App | Triple M | Fiveaa | ABC Sport #SANFLTigersDoubleBlues

GLENELG COACH: Darren Reeves No

PLAYER

STURT COLOURS: Black and Gold

AGE. . ..HT. . ... WT. . ... GP.... GK....G......... B

1 McBEAN Liam 29....202.... 98......111....267..................

2 SCHARENBERG Jonty 25....187....84...... 99..... 15....................

3 SNOOK Matthew 31....183.... 83..... 186....43...................

4 GERLOFF Cole 24....186.... 86......84.....50...................

5 PROUD Max (C) 31....190.... 92..... 169.... 17....................

6 STAGG Hugh 20....180....84...... 22..... 19....................

7 REYNOLDS Luke 28....188....88..... 133...169..................

8 LYONS Corey 25....184....84...... 37..... 16....................

9 BAILEY Darcy 29.... 177..... 81..... 129....83...................

10 PARTINGTON Luke 26.... 181..... 79......94.....47...................

11 BELL James 24....183.... 81...... 19......11....................

12 NEWMAN Brodie 22....193....88...... 29...... 1.....................

13 SEARLE Brady 21....187....88...... 25..... 12....................

24....178....80...... 56...... 3....................

14 McCARTHY Brad 16 MARTINI Alex 24.... 181..... 78.......71...... 5.....................

18 STRETCH Billy 27.... 181..... 79...... 65..... 13....................

24....199... 102..... 29......8....................

19 McGREE Cameron 20 HOSIE Lachlan 26....189....80...... 73.... 171...................

22 ALLEN Matthew 25....193.....91...... 75.....62...................

23 HOLDER Riley 20.... 191......91...... 37.....14...................

26 WISDOM Liam 23....186....80.......21......0....................

27 TURNER Brett 26....185....88..... 114....60...................

23....184....80........7....... 1.....................

29 McLEOD Connor 32 PINK Toby 25....194....94...... 59......9....................

39 LOVELOCK Archie 18....178.... 74....... 8....... 1.....................

41 DEEP Jared 25....182....80...... 16...... 1.....................

Rushed �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

COACH: Martin Mattner

COLOURS: Double Blue

No

PLAYER

AGE. . ..HT. . ... WT. . ... GP.... GK....G......... B

1

FREDERICK Martin

23....178.... 78...... 65..... 10...................

2

LEWIS Tom

23....178.... 75...... 56......11....................

3

CAREY Henry

26....183.... 79...... 92..... 15....................

4

THIELE Joel

25....184....80.......61..... 10...................

5

HONE Joshua

27.... 175......77..... 166.. 208..................

6

McFADYEN Connor

22.... 191..... 93.......21..... 13....................

7

MATHEWS James

27.... 174.... 70...... 50.....35...................

9

BREUER Sam

20....183.... 82.......13...... 5.....................

11

SHUTE Josh

22....187.... 76...... 45.....14...................

15 EDMONDS Luke

25....194.... 82......88......0....................

16 DAKIN Jared

22.... 181.....80......40......11....................

18 FAHEY-SPARKS Daniel 25....196.... 92...... 72.....34...................

22 COOMBLAS Will

25....193.... 85.......61......0....................

23 BATTERSBY James (C)

27....178.... 83..... 194....45...................

25 PAGE Guy

29.... 177..... 74..... 189.... 13....................

27 FRYER Charlie

20....190.... 87...... 14......0....................

30 GRIVELL Oliver

22....192....84......46.....34...................

31 BURROWS Lachlan

22....195.... 95......42.....42...................

32 ILLMAN Rory

24....180.... 82...... 55...... 1.....................

33 WINGARD Heath

21....182.... 70....... 8....... 1.....................

34 VOSS Casey

23....182....80...... 73..... 12....................

36 GIACOMETTI Luke

20....186....80....... 4.......0....................

39 SLIMMING Steven

25....182.... 73..... 133....49...................

40 WALTER Ned

21....182.... 75....... 3.......0....................

44 RICHARDS James

23....189.... 82......24.....32...................

Rushed �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

*Denotes AFL listed player. All figures on team sheets are official SANFL records for League games and goals.

LEAGUE GLENELG STURT

1st

2nd

3rd

RD9 2023 @ STRATARAMA STADIUM Glenelg 23.12 (150) d Sturt 6.9 (45)

4th

RD1 2023 @ WIGAN OVAL Sturt 12.8 (80) d Glenelg 7.7 (49)

CHIMNEY CEREMONY

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LEAGUE FIELD: Morgan UMPIRES Sam Corey Bowen

Mitchell Scott Michael Sboro (E)

COME ALONG TO THE WEST END

10

Points

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BOUNDARY: Martin Elsegood Brayden Theil Benjamin B Williams Dylan Speck

GOAL: Matthew Cummins Braden Ford Mathew Wilson (E)

EF 2022 @ ADELAIDE OVAL Glenelg 8.13 (61) d Sturt 6.9 (45)

TUE 26 SEPTEMBER 11AM

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STAT CHAT – GRAND FINAL

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Glenelg 2019 premiership player Jonty Scharenberg will Sturt defender Luke Edmonds and power-packed bring up his 100-game milestone at Adelaide Oval in the midfielder Tom Lewis celebrate as the Blues kick away from Adelaide in last week’s preliminary final. grand final.

Glenelg and Sturt met in three grand finals in six seasons from 1969, with the Double Blues winners each time. Remarkably, that is the full extent of Glenelg v Sturt SANFL grand finals. Until today.

The Double Blues booted a record grand final score of 24.15 to beat the Bays 13.16 in the 1969 premiership decider, while the following season Jack Oatey’s Sturt beat Neil Kerley’s Glenelg by 21 points on a raindrenched day. Then, in the first grand final at Football Park in 1974, the Blues claimed a historic win – 9.16 to 8.7 – after leading at three-quarter-time by just five points and kicking against the wind in the final term.

Glenelg holds an advantage over Sturt in all other finals with 10 victories from 15 games (for a 10-8 overall record). Four of those finals were decided by less than a goal, including two by a single point, with Glenelg triumphing by the thinnest margin in the 1959 first semi and the 2007 elimination final. Sturt won the 1964 first semi and the 2009 preliminary final by five points. The most recent major-round clash between today’s grand finalists was last season, when the Tigers beat Sturt 8.13 to 6.9 in the elimination final.

While Sturt has the highest grand final score, Central District booted 23.15 in 2004 at Football Park in the Bulldogs’ 125-point win over the Eagles (4.4), the biggest margin in any SANFL final. The 1973 grand final classic between Glenelg and North stands out with a total of 40 goals, the Bays winning 21.11 to 19.16 for the highest aggregate score and biggest losing score in premiership deciders. The lowest score in a grand final was Port’s meagre 1.6 in a drubbing at the hands of North (6.5) in 1905.

There have been two drawn grand finals, in 1894 between South and Norwood, with the Redlegs winning the replay by a goal, while North and Sturt drew in 1919, with the Double Blues claiming the flag in a five-point thriller a week later.

Norwood has snared three wins by the slimmest of margins – in 1925 against West Torrens, in 1978 versus Sturt and last year’s thrilling win over North. The Blues won the other one-pointer in an epic against Port in 2017.

Glenelg has five premierships from 19 grand finals, while Sturt has 15 wins and a draw from 26 appearances.

GRAND FINALS RECORDS

CENTRAL GLENELG NORTH NORWOOD PORT SOUTH STURT WEST TORRENS EAGLES

P

W

L

D

HS

LS

14 19 33 40 63 13 26 18 8 12

9 5 14 22 33 5 15 9 4 5

5 14 18 17 30 7 10 9 4 7

1 1 1 1 -

23.15 21.15 23.15 20.13 16.28 23.14 24.15 21.16 15.25 17.20

6.8 4.8 1.8 2.2 1.6 1.8 3.5 2.16 6.13 4.4

[HS – highest score, LS – lowest score] PAST 10 GRAND FINALS 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Norwood 10.12 (72) d North 4.8 (32) Norwood 12.10 (82) d Port 11.12 (78) West 11.12 (78) d Eagles 7.6 (48) Sturt 12.4 (76) d Eagles 7.7 (49) Sturt 7.8 (50) d Port 7.7 (49) North 19.10 (124) d Norwood 15.15 (105) Glenelg 11.7 (73) d Port 6.9 (45) Eagles 13.9 (87) d North 7.6 (48) Eagles 15.9 (99) d Glenelg 4.8 (32) Norwood 8.11 (59) d North 8.10 (58) sanfl.com.au

11

2023 SANFL RESERVES GRAND FINAL

11:00am Sunday 24 September @ Adelaide Oval Broadcast: SANFL Now App | www.sanflnow.com.au

STURT

GLENELG COACH: Russell Veenvliet

COLOURS: Black and Gold

COACH: Chris Trapp

COLOURS: Double Blue

B

No

PLAYER

15 WALKER Jake.......................................................................................

8

ANDERSON Angus..............................................................................

No

PLAYER

G

17 KULLER Reid........................................................................................

21 MILLER Mackinley.............................................................................

24 HORSNELL Cooper.............................................................................

G

B

10 MOLAN Charlie...................................................................................

12 CARRUTHERS Malachy.....................................................................

25 RAYSON Lewis....................................................................................

14 RENTSCH Josh.....................................................................................

28 MOORE Jordan....................................................................................

17 BECKER Zac..........................................................................................

31 BEECKEN Cooper................................................................................

20 ALLAN Hamish....................................................................................

33 KITSCHKE Austin................................................................................

34 STOCKMAN Will..................................................................................

21 PUNCHER Liam...................................................................................

35 BROKENSHA Hayden........................................................................

24 SPAIN Will.............................................................................................

36 CHANDLER Will...................................................................................

29 RESCHKE Chad....................................................................................

37 YATES Jack............................................................................................

35 SADLER Nick........................................................................................

38 LECK Nicholas.....................................................................................

40 PARISH Jarrad.....................................................................................

42 TUNKIN Harry......................................................................................

37 CRANE Will...........................................................................................

42 TAYLOR Will..........................................................................................

43 REID Todd..............................................................................................

43 JEFFERIES Brad...................................................................................

44 COLE Angus..........................................................................................

46 McLEOD George.................................................................................

45 PAREDES Nate....................................................................................

47 KITTEL Hugo.........................................................................................

46 SCOTT Darcy........................................................................................

47 GUERHER Max....................................................................................

48 KELLY Hugo..........................................................................................

50 WINDOW Hunter................................................................................

49 HEIN Jordan..........................................................................................

52 EDWARDS Brodie...............................................................................

50 TABE Blake...........................................................................................

53 KEDING Brock......................................................................................

52 BEDFORD Tye.......................................................................................

55 CARTER Brock.....................................................................................

58 RIDGWAY Ben......................................................................................

61 KIEL Cameron......................................................................................

53 TORODE Will........................................................................................

55 FIDGE Blake..........................................................................................

64 SIMS Noah............................................................................................

57 HOWARD Chris....................................................................................

Rushed �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Rushed �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

RESERVES GLENELG STURT

RESERVES FIELD: UMPIRES Zachery Packard

12

1st

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2nd

3rd

4th

Points

Henry Klemm Daniel Whittlesea Luke Wittenberg( E)

BOUNDARY: Jake Creasey Tobin Dolman Jayden Dunning Bradley Applebee

GOAL: Justin Thai Tom Kelly Thomas Oxford (E)

RESERVES GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER ARGENT

Dangerous Glenelg forward Nick Leck celebrates a key goal in the Tigers’ hard-fought second semi-final win against Sturt. Photo: Gordon Anderson Glenelg, on a 12-game winning streak that includes a 12-point triumph over Sturt in the second semi-final, is flag favourite in the early grand final at Adelaide Oval.

The young Tigers have collected 16 wins and endured just a pair of close losses to be a dominant side.

Dangerous quartet Nick Leck (40), Austin Kitschke (37), Jack Yates (27) and Mackinley Miller (24) have collected 128 goals between them, while classy left-footer Lewis Rayson has averaged 20 possessions and six marks a game in defence.

Coming across from the Eagles, dashing Connor McLeod has averaged 21 touches, seven marks and four tackles a game, while Brady Searle, Hunter Window, Jared Deep and Cooper Horsnell are among a bevy of talents who have struggled to get regular opportunities at the next level despite consistent form in the seconds.

The Bays are coached by former dual flag-winning Flagstaff Hill

OFFICIAL BEER OF SANFL

Sturt’s powerful young forward Chad Reschke represents a big danger for the Glenelg defence.

mentor Russell Veenvliet. His first year in the SANFL system has been exciting, developing his coaching knowledge and understanding of elite State league footy.

“We’ve been pretty blessed with depth across the entire club,” Veenvliet said. “A number of our players have also come up from the successful under-18s team of ’22. The message has been the squad mentality, staying positive, invest in what we do at reserves level and enjoy what we can do in the grand final.”

Reigning reserves premier Sturt took a longer road to arrive at the decider but comes into the game primed after a convincing 51-point preliminary final win against the Eagles.

“I reckon we’re pretty evenly matched, although Glenelg has won each game,” Sturt coach Chris Trapp said. “We lost by one point at Unley Oval in Round 1. In Round 9 we went down by two goals at the Bay and in the second semi-final, which was

also at Glenelg, after a great contest we also lost by two goals in the end.

So maybe it’s our turn.”

Trapp believes a big positive has been the number of reserves players getting league opportunities, including talents like Ned Walter, Heath Wingard and Zac Becker.

“It certainly helps having league and reserves teams in the grand final,” he said. “Training and organisation is like a normal week and we are selecting from pretty close to a full squad.”

Around the ball Brad Jefferies, Angus Anderson and Reserves Magarey Medallist Charlie Molan have been impressive. Strongly-built marking forward Chad Reschke, still just 17, who played in the Blues’ reserves success under Trapp last year, will be a key target.

Liam Puncher, from the Sydney Swans Academy, has been frugal in defence, while State under-18 leadership player Alex Holt, along with Willa Taylor and Nick Sadler, provide drive from the backlines.

SCAN TO PURCHASE

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13

THE GREATEST

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Glenelg captain Peter Marker leads the Tigers onto Adelaide Oval for the 1973 grand final.

“Greatest game I’ve seen in my life.”

Comment Wally May. This statement was made by the revered TV commentator moments after Graham Cornes had taken a sensational mark and kicked his match-defining goal in the 1973 grand final.

North Adelaide was gunning for a hat-trick of flags and Glenelg was aiming to break a 39-year premiership drought in the last grand final at Adelaide Oval before the move to Football Park and the clash has stood the test of time, as many who witnessed that epic battle live rate it the best of them all.

But the unforgettable climax might have been missing if Rex Voigt’s ‘eighth’ goal at the 19-minute-mark of the final quarter had received umpire Murray Ducker’s all-clear.

“It should have been eight,” Voigt claimed 50 years after the fact.

With Glenelg leading by seven points, if Voigt had been awarded his eighth it probably would have been all over. As it was, the Roosters rebounded for a goal through Dennis Sachse and it was game on, with only one point separating the rivals.

Heroic efforts from almost every man on the field etched the great game in folklore, the next five minutes a chaotic, high-tempo 14

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arm-wrestle, both having chances but Glenelg’s one-point lead looming as a bridge too far for North. But, in a season he had won his third Magarey Medal, it seemed appropriate the game turned on some Barrie Robran magic, as he negotiated traffic to punt the ball forward for John Plummer to mark.

Plummer slotted the goal and the Roosters were euphoric, leading by five points at the 27-minute-mark.

After some scrambly play Glenelg attacked for what seemed its final chance. North full back Bob Hammond had the footy and looked to rebound out of the danger zone, forcing the ball forward to halfback before losing control of the ball as a pack threatened to form.

Rooster Neil Sachse desperately handballed towards the boundary but Glenelg reserve Craig Marriott, who had only been on the ground for 10 minutes, gathered the ball … “… (I) picked the ball up and kicked it in the air towards Cornsey, knowing how his strength was high marking,” Marriott said. “I remember seeing Hammond running towards the boundary and I knew his objective was to force the ball out.

“There was no time to look up, as there seemed just seconds left. I kicked the ball and hoped, with some expectation Cornesy would

Unsung Glenelg hero Craig Marriott.

take a mark. He took the mark … and kicked the goal. And we were in front. It was exhilarating.

“Who knew how much time was left? We couldn’t relax … it was that type of game. When John Sandland kicked a goal after the siren to make it seven points, I had a sense of relief – we had won the premiership. There was a sea of supporters on the ground afterwards. That game was the highlight of my career.”

In a high-scoring game from a much-loved era of all-out attacking footy, North kicked 21 points clear by quarter-time after opening with the wind, while the Tigers clawed their way back to lead by six points at half-time.

Glenelg, which had won 20 of 21 games in the minor round, losing only to North in Round 7 – 8.22 to 14.13 – and booted at least 20 goals in 12 games, highlighted by smashing the Roosters 33.20 to 8.10 in Round 15, seemed to have set up the premiership in the third term. After a seven-goal-to-six quarter to lead by eight points at the last break the Tigers appeared to have the winning edge, which could have been wrapped up by Voigt’s ‘eighth’ major.

“I thought it was a goal but when the whistle went for a free to Bob

Seven-goal star Rex Voigt throws himself into it in the 1973 grand final epic.

Barry O’Brien’s photo of Glenelg coach Neil Kerley being hoisted high among a sea of faces on Adelaide Oval after the 1973 grand final is almost as iconic as the great game.

Hammond (for interference in the goalsquare), I was disappointed,” said Voigt, “but I knew I had to take it on the chin and get on with helping us win.

“When Plummer kicked that goal to put North in front so late in the game, it felt like a big crater had opened up. I thought we had blown our chances. As it turned out it was a thrilling finish. It was an unbelievable feeling to be involved in that game … it seemed a goal was scored every two minutes.

“Bob Tregenza in ruck was sensational. He really performed like a Trojan Horse, a machine, and won us the game. We lost (ruckman Bob) Tardif early in the game (injured) and Tregenza just worked so hard. I remember afterwards the bus had to stop halfway down Anzac Highway for Bob to get out and heave up. It was a hot day … felt like 100 degrees. I remember (coach) Neil Kerley told us the night before not to drink any water because it would sit in our stomachs all day. Yeah, right.

“We should have won by more but Hammond played an unbelievable game. I have never seen a full back play that well. The way he put his body on the line was incredible.”

But Cornes’ mark and goal are what people remember most about this

wonderful grand final that incredibly was 50 years ago. The Tigers superstar had not had a memorable day until then – but he sure had an iconic moment in an iconic game.

“I remember Bob Hammond had taken the ball out of our forward area and then Craig (Marriott) scooted around with the ball and hooked it into the air,” Cornes said, when asked about his late heroics.

“For me it was almost an act of desperation as I flew for the ball and it stuck between my chin and chest. I did not really think, I just did it.

“After the mark I was lying on the ground and I had a quick look at the goals and thought, ‘why me?’. I walked back, turned around and saw some kids in a tree in line with the goals – I remember them waving. I ran straight and kept my leg straight through the ball. Luckily it went through. When the siren went there was a bit of emotion but mainly there was elation.

“Peter Carey was just 19. He put the rest of the competition on notice that day (he kicked six goals from centre half-forward). For North Bob Hammond played sensationally.

And Barrie Robran, well there are not enough superlatives for him – a great player, a great man, and he almost won it for them.

“After the game Bob Tregenza was the only player Kerls singled out. He ran himself to exhaustion – we do not win without him. We would have done anything for Kerls. We would have run through brick walls.

“As for umpire Murray Ducker. Look at his performance compared to modern umpires. They should watch that game and his amazing performance, which was in the days of just one field umpire.”

It all added up to the greatest game of all. Who would have argued with Wally May?

1973 GRAND FINAL Adelaide Oval, September 29 Glenelg 4.3 9.10 16.10 21.11 (137) North 7.6 8.10 14.14 19.16 (130) BEST – Glenelg: Tregenza, Voigt, Carey, Hamilton, Anderson, Colbey, W. Phillis. North: Hammond, Marsh, Howard, Sporn, Robinson, Stringer, Von Bertouch.

GOALS – Glenelg: Voigt 7, Carey 6, Sandland 4, Wickens, Bennett, Hamilton, Cornes. North: Rebbeck 4, D. Sachse, R. Robran 3, Marsh, Plummer, Payne, Von Bertouch 2, B. Robran.

UMPIRE – Ducker.

CROWD – 56,525. sanfl.com.au

15

Central District players celebrate the Bulldogs’ first SANFL Under-16 premiership. Photo: Peter Argent.

BULLDOGS’ UNDER-16 BLITZ

BY TOM WYMAN

Central District stunned Sturt by 20 points last Sunday at Adelaide Oval to claim the Bulldogs’ first Torrens University SANFL Under-16 premiership.

Skipper Dyson Sharp capped off a sensational season by being named best-on-ground. The SANFL Under16 Best and Fairest Medal winner gathered 27 disposals, six marks, five tackles and six clearances as his revived club won its first juniors flag since the under-17s saluted in 2004.

Sturt had beaten the Dogs by 33 points in the second semi-final two weeks earlier after finishing two wins and 10 per cent clear of Central in the minor round, so the Blues were firm favourites. But, after a highly-contested start, Bulldog Jaden Pasin kicked the first goal of the day at the 11-minute-mark.

Central forward Justin Miller found himself in the right place at the right time to mark a quick kick from stoppage 20 metres from goal and converted. The Bulldogs were up and about, applying plenty of

pressure and using the ball well, with prime movers Sharp and Josh Reichelt gathering plenty of possessions. Tall forward Aidan Schubert got on the end of a sublime Matthew Leray inside-50 and made no mistake, giving the Bulldogs a 19-point lead at quarter-time.

Sturt’s first goal came from a Gill Wakelin set shot at the 11-minutemark of the second term, then Ryan Davies dribbled through another to further reduce the margin. The Double Blues started to turn the tide at stoppages, ruckman Blake Thredgold asserting himself on the contest and midfielders Harley Barker and Louis Kellaway getting their hands on the ball. With the game opening up, Jermaine Miller snapped a quick reply for Central but Sturt’s Noah Mennillo responded just as swiftly and the Bulldogs led by just six points at half-time.

Bulldog Schubert and the Double Blues’ Wakelin kicked their second goals early in the third term as the

pressure ramped up. A textbook crumb and snap from Angus Mills put Sturt ahead for the first time but it was short-lived as goals to Kaleb White and Matthew Leray restored the Central advantage to eight points at three-quarter-time.

Central’s backline continued to stand up by rebounding with precision and Leray and Hayden Henke worked tirelessly to find space on the wings. Schubert brought up his third to give the Bulldogs some breathing space and Dougie Cochrane’s set-shot goal all but sealed the deal.

Reichelt used the ball efficiently from half-back and finished with a gamehigh 29 disposals, while Jack Gordon (22 disposals and nine marks), Cameron Nairn (21 disposals and 10 marks) and Henke (20 disposals and nine marks) stood tall.

Thredgold toiled valiantly for the Blues, winning 32 hit-outs and taking three contested marks and Jett Dahlitz worked hard for his 23 disposals and seven marks.

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Jubilant South Adelaide players enjoy the Panthers’ SANFL Under-18 premiership success. Photo: Peter Argent.

SOUTH’S UNDER-18S HANG ON

BY ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide hung on to win its first Torrens University SANFL Under-18 premiership by edging out Sturt by two points in a thrilling title-decider at Adelaide Oval.

With star midfielder Sid Draper shining to win the Alan Stewart Medal as best-afield, the Panthers just held off the Double Blues to win their first flag in this age group since claiming the 1994 under-19 flag.

Leading by 11 points at threequarter-time, Mark Clayton’s charges, who had gone into the final as favourites after finishing the minor round on top, were under pressure when Sturt’s Loch Rawlinson launched a 50m set shot which bounced through despite four players standing in the goalsquare. After three consecutive misses on goal, a piece of Draper brilliance sparked

the matchwinning goal to Dakota Sterzl in the 19th minute of the final term. Gathering the loose ball at half-back, Draper – who made his league debut this year – took three bounces through the corridor before passing the ball to Clay Shadforth, who handed off to Sterzl to goal on the run from 35 metres.

Despite the testing conditions in the 28C heat, Sturt, which had stormed into the grand final from fourth place, refused to concede as Jayden Adams kicked truly in the 23rd minute. The Blues’ Luca Slade then goaled from close range along the ground with just eight seconds left on the clock. But, despite his best attempts to boot the ball straight back to the centre circle, the final siren sounded before the umpire could restart play.

Draper collected 21 disposals, four clearances, three tackles and a goal, while fellow midfielder Phoenix Hargrave was also an important contributor with 18 disposals, five clearances and a major. Kangaroo Island product Zak Kier read the ball beautifully in the air to take 11 marks with his 17 disposals, while key forward Noah Howes slotted three goals, including the first of the match in the opening minute.

Slade, son of Central premiership rover Matthew Slade, was Sturt’s highest disposal-winner with 25 possessions and six marks, while Ned Atkinson, the son of Magarey Medallist Brodie Atkinson, collected 19 disposals, five clearances and a goal.

Rawlinson and Jasper Maher each booted two goals for the Double Blues.

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17

LAST HURRAH

BY PETER ARGENT

Norwood captain Kieran McGuinness and North Adelaide skipper Todd Miles with the TS Hill premiership cup on the hallowed turf of Football Park, then known as AAMI Stadium.

It’s been a decade since there was a fond farewell in SA footy. SANFL closed the gates of Football Park, its league football headquarters for 40 seasons.

A crowd of 36,685, including plenty of neutrals there for a nostalgic final look, rocked up for the 2013 grand final between Nathan Bassett’s Norwood and Josh Francou’s North Adelaide in the final game at the West Lakes venue.

The Redlegs, the reigning premiers, were strong favourites, having a 17-3 record in the minor round and gaining direct entry into the decider, defeating West Adelaide, while the Roosters were hoping to snatch the premiership from fifth spot.

On the Tuesday before the decider there was the usual grand final media conference with coaches Bassett and Francou, along with Norwood captain, a surprisingly nervous Kieran McGuinness, and North’s grand 18

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What a way to finish. It was Norwood’s Ben Warren’s last league game and the finale for Footy Park. And Warren was celebrating in front of the members’ stand and some pretty happy Redlegs supporters.

final skipper Todd Miles, as Greg Gallman was out injured.

SANFL Now commentator Chris Kendell was working for the ABC on a sun-drenched Sunday, October 6.

Don Brebner was SANFL president when the league made its bombshell move away from Adelaide Oval in 1974. He had died in 2010 and Kendall recalled Brebner’s wife Patsy tossed the coin for the grand final. “It was a fond farewell to Football Park with a motorcade of greats who had graced the ground,” Kendall said.

“It was not the most exciting of games, played in the defensive style Norwood produced under Bassett. James Aish kicked the goal of the day, we gave him that honour on the ABC broadcast.

“The day was surreal, with a carnival atmosphere, reminding me of the halcyon Footy Park days of the 1980s. I hosted the post-match event on the ground and suggested the crowd should come onto the

hallowed ground, which was unscripted. I understood the enormity of being the last voice heard over the loudspeakers.”

Norwood led from go to whoa and won by 40 points, setting the stage for Bassett and McGuinness to lift the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership cup on the ground at which the trophy was first lifted

by Sturt’s Mr Magic Paul Bagshaw in 1974.

Brett Zorzi was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal for best-afield after collecting 20 disposals, a goal and six clearances, while many good judges saw Ben Warren or Mitch Grigg as equally deserving.

Warren, playing the last of his 205 SANFL league games, was a force in attack. “I knew it was my last SANFL game and it was for Darren Pfeiffer and Brett Zorzi as well,” Warren said. “It was a satisfying way for me to finish.

“Nathan and the coaching staff did a great job. I always felt if we

It’s thanks for the memories after 40 seasons as SANFL headquarters as Norwood tackles North Adelaide at Football Park in the 2013 grand final.

played our best we would win. We were a pretty hardened outfit and we had really talented kids in Trent Dumont, Orazio Fantasia and James Aish. It was good Kieran McGuinness, a popular figure at the club, was involved after missing the 2012 title with a knee reco.”

North named Miles as its standout.

“That year we lost our last four minor round games,” Miles said.

“When the finals kicked in we lifted and all the minor finals were comfortable enough. Playing the three finals took its toll and we weren’t helped by losing midfielder Max Thring in the final quarter of the preliminary final. We had a couple of opportunities in the second half to really push Norwood but they didn’t fold.

“That finals series was awesome but it was super disappointing to lose it. For a kid who just loved his football, playing in the grand final was still a highlight and there was an understanding of the gravity of

the day, being the last game at the venue. It was also Josh Francou’s last game in charge, after changing the culture of the club.”

On preliminary final day, Miles, who had three cracks before making it as a SANFL league footballer, celebrated his 100th league game in a crushing win against West that propelled the Roosters into the historic Football Park finale. North also had played in the first league game at the ground, a loss at the hands of Central District on 4 May 1974.

Behind the scenes, the final grand final ran like clockwork. The longterm management of Football Park included CEO Leigh Whicker, chief operating officer John Lyons and stadium manager Sharon Stephens.

Lyons said there were equal amounts of nostalgia and sadness on that final day.

“Our decision was to embrace the day for what it was,” said Lyons, a passionate Roosters fan. “It was the

40th grand final at the venue and we wanted to celebrate football at the stadium. We commemorated the risk taken by Judge Brebner, Norm Grimm and Max Basheer four decades earlier and the clubs supported the move from its inception. Letting the supporters onto the ground post-game was a fitting way to finish this era.

“Many of the loyal staff, a number who had already transitioned to Adelaide Oval including attendants, car park and catering people, returned for that final day. We had a post-match celebration in the stadium room and for once I got pretty emotional speaking to the staff. They were all a part of our Football Park footy family.

“After everyone left, we switched the lights back on and the staff got out on the playing surface and kicked the footy. That had been a tradition at the end of each season, culminating on that unforgettable day.” sanfl.com.au

19

300 AND OUT Adelaide SANFL captain Matthew Wright got on the scoreboard as usual but he didn’t get the sendoff the Crows were hoping to give him as they were KO’d by Sturt in last week’s preliminary final.

Wright booted a team-high three goals in what was his 300th game of senior footy, then announced his retirement.

Wright made his league debut with North Adelaide in 2007 and played 69 games with the Roosters before adding 72 SANFL games with the Crows. He also played 94 AFL games for Adelaide and 65 with Carlton. In all he booted 283 goals.

“He’s been a great contributor to our footy club and to the game,” Crows coach Mick Godden said. “It’s been a pleasure watching him and it’s been a pleasure coaching him.”

NORWOOD’S 2022 premiership captain Matthew Nunn has announced his retirement from SANFL football, following 109 senior matches in the red and blue.

Nunn made his league debut in 2014 – aged just 16 – and brought up his 100-game milestone in Round 9 this year. “Mentally, I know it’s time to move on as I don’t have the motivation and commitment required to continue at SANFL level,” Nunn said. “While it has been a big decision for me, I am extremely excited about the

Matthew Wright enjoys a goal in his farewell appearance with the Crows.

next chapter of my life that is taking shape. I will be forever grateful for the relationships and memories created that will last a lifetime. The club has been a massive part of my life and has shaped me into the person I am today.”

COLES MINI LEAGUER OF THE YEAR

MILESTONE

Calvin Caunce

Your local football club? Eastern Park Football Club

Favourite SANFL team? Port Adelaide

draw anything and it comes in real life

What do you want to be when you are older?

Professional football player

What would you do with $1 million? Give half to my family and spend the rest

What is the best thing about playing footy?

The environment

What do you like doing when you’re not playing footy?

Chilling out

If you were a superhero what would be your name What position do you play on the footy field? and super power?

Super Calvin – To Forward pocket

Making our mark.

20

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The best piece of advice given by your coach? Never give up no matter what

JONTY SCHARENBERG GLENELG

100 GAMES

ADELAIDE FC FLAG

BY PETER CORNWALL

While the Crows have been gunning for their first SANFL premiership, an Adelaide Football Club has already won a flag as SA footy’s top league team.

This Adelaide Football Club was the State’s first club, just the odd 163 years ago. It didn’t last all that long, coming and going, reforming then disappearing. But it was a founding member of our first league, the SA Football Association, in 1877.

Outstanding cricketer and local entrepreneur John Acraman was credited with founding the club in 1860. A meeting was held on Thursday, 26 April in the Globe Inn, Rundle Street, 42 members quickly signed up and two days later The Register newspaper noted “there was a large muster of members and spectators” for the club’s kickoff in the north park lands. Games to start with basically were intraclub clashes, mostly played between members of the club living north and those living south of the River Torrens, with a third squad, known as Collegians, featuring past and present scholars and teachers.

Acraman, regarded as the father of SA football, had moved to Adelaide from England in 1847 and he imported five (round) footballs, which were the first to be used in our game. He and Spence were elected captains for the first clash. The game lasted nearly three hours and Araman’s men “were the most active” and they “obtained one or two goals more than their opponents”, according to The Register.

Adelaide’s first recorded match against a rival club was in 1862 against Modbury. Adelaide initially controlled the rules of a fledgling sport that featured elements of rugby, soccer and Gaelic football.

But the rules of the Kensington club, most heavily influenced by rugby,

Adelaide’s 1886 premiership team.

became the popular choice of clubs in the early 1870s and Adelaide stopped playing other clubs in 1873.

But in 1877 the club and its captain Nowell Twopenney played a key role in the formation of the SAFA – later to become SANFL – in a move that, after years of bickering and uncertainty, finally gave footy a strong structure and, adopting rules in line with Victoria, the game began to flourish.

Adelaide, wearing red-and-black striped jersey, stockings and cap, with white knickerbockers, finished third in a watershed year for SA footy, with 10 wins, three draws and three losses, behind South Adelaide and Victorian. Port Adelaide came fourth, followed by Woodville, South Park, Kensington and Bankers.

Clubs came and went in the SAFA – Norwood joined in 1878 and won the next six flags – and Adelaide was part of the merry-go-round, merging with Kensington in 1881 after claiming the wooden spoon, disbanding in ’82 after coming last, reforming and merging with Adelaide and Suburban Football Association club North Park in 1885.

By 1886 Adelaide, under the

inspirational leadership of John Stephens and with his brother Richard the standout player, was SA footy’s premier side. Grand finals did not become a traditional way to decide the premiership until 1898, so Adelaide claimed the flag by being on top of the table at the end of a closely-fought season between just four clubs. Adelaide won nine, lost five and drew one of its 15 matches, to finish above South Adelaide, Norwood and wooden spooner Port Adelaide. Pace was the name of the game for this side as Follower in The Chronicle noted: “To their speed they owe to a great extent their present position at the head of the list. It has been their aim all through to increase this advantage and flyers have at all times been welcomed.”

A member of Adelaide’s premiership team was talented 15-year-old Joe Darling. While he went on to bigger and better things as Australia’s Test cricket captain – three times winning the Ashes against England – the glory days did not last long for this Adelaide Football Club. It had its last hurrah in 1893, just seven years after winning a flag. sanfl.com.au

21

SEASON STANDINGS 2023 2023 HOSTPLUS SANFL MEN’S LEAGUE 2023 STANLEY H. LEWIS TROPHY

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 18)

Team

F

A

%

Pts

Team

U18

U16

1500 800

500

1400

650

500

900

650

South

550

Norwood

650

P W L

D

Glenelg

18 15 3

0 1523 1048 59.24

30

Glenelg

Sturt

18 14 4

0 1289 1193 51.93

28

Sturt

Adelaide 18 13 5

0 1627 1069 60.35

26

Central

Central

18 9

9

0 1084 1192 47.63

18

Port

18 8

9

1

1311 1373 48.85

17

North

18 8 10 0 1086 1245 46.59

M

R

W

Total

225

600

3625

325

600

3475

550

275

900

3275

425

600

150

1000 2725

350

350

125

700

2175

16

Eagles

600

350

550

200

350

2050

1

1053 1248 45.76

13

North

800

150

400

225

400

1975

Eagles

18 6 12 0

1152 1286 47.25

12

West

450

225

150

275

250

1350

South

18 5 12 1 1084 1353 44.48

11

Adelaide

1300

0

0

0

0

1300

West

18 4 13 1

9

Port

850

0

0

0

0

850

Norwood 18 6 11

1110 1312 45.83

2023 HOSTPLUS SANFL WOMEN’S LEAGUE

2023 RESERVES

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 12)

Team

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 18)

P W L

D

F

A

%

Pts

P W L

D

%

Pts

South

12 10 2

0

328

295

52.65

20

Glenelg

18 16 2

0 1592 857

65.01

32

Central

12 9

0

495

414

54.46

18

Sturt

18 13 5

0 1325 848 60.98

26

55.87

26

1057 1166 47.55

17

3

Team

F

A

Norwood 12 7

5

0

462

338

57.75

14

Central

18 13 5

0 1238 978

Sturt

12 6

6

0

460

388 54.25

12

South

18 8

9

1

Glenelg

12 6

6

0

358

390

47.86

12

Eagles

18 7

11 0

1195 1317

47.57

14

North

12 4

8

0

452

444 50.45

8

Norwood

18 7

11 0

1107 1278 46.42

14

Eagles

12 3

8

1

326

451

41.96

7

West

18 4 13 1

869 1362 38.95

9

West

12 2

9

1

288

449 39.08

5

North

18 3 15 0

860 1437 37.44

6

2023 TORRENS UNIVERSITY SANFL U18s

2023 TORRENS UNIVERSITY SANFL U16s

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 18)

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 18)

Team

P W L

D

P W L

D

South

18 12 6

0 1329 1030 56.34

F

A

%

24

Sturt

18 13 5

0 1330 865 60.59

26

Central

18 11

7

0 1280 965

57.02

22

Central

18 11

7

0 1222 1198

50.5

22

Eagles

18 11

7

0 1337 1051 55.99

22

West

18 11

7

0 1079 1113 49.22

22

Sturt

18 10 8

0 1266 1112 53.24

20

North

18 9

9

0 1229 1195

50.7

18

Glenelg

18 10 8

0 1235 1095

20

Glenelg

18 9

9

0 1169 1161

50.17

18

North

18 8 10 0

1125 1200 48.39

16

Eagles

18 8 10 0 1192 1303 47.78

16

Norwood

18 7

11 0

929 1353 40.71

14

South

18 6 12 0

1106 1182 48.34

12

West

18 3 15 0

929 1624 36.39

6

Norwood

18 5 13 0 1032 1342 43.47

10

53

Pts

Team

F

A

%

Pts

LAST ROUND’S RESULTS HOSTPLUS SANFL LEAGUE

RESERVES

ADELAIDE OVAL PRELIMINARY FINAL Sturt v Adelaide Sturt 8.12 (60) d Adelaide 6.7 (43) Crowd: 7928

PRELIMINARY FINAL Sturt 17.11 (113) d Eagles 9.8 (62)

TORRENS UNIVERSITY SANFL U18S GRAND FINAL South 10.11 (71) d Sturt 10.9 (69)

22

sanfl.com.au

The bumper crowd of 7285 at the Bay for the Glenelg-Sturt clash in Round 9.

2023 RESULTS ROUND 1

Eagles 14.7 (91) d Norwood 6.9 (45) North 10.19 (79) d West 9.9 (63) South 10.12 (72) d Central 7.4 (46) Sturt 12.8 (80) d Glenelg 7.7 (49) Adelaide 19.10 (124) d Port 6.10 (46)

ROUND 6

West 11.8 (74) d Norwood 8.14 (62) Eagles 10.7 (67) d Central 6.7 (43) Glenelg 16.14 (110) d North 8.5 (53) Sturt 10.6 (66) d Adelaide 8.8 (56) Port 15.12 (102) d South 11.8 (74)

ROUND 11 First Nations Round

South 11.10 (76) d Eagles 8.10 (58) Port 13.14 (92) d West 12.10 (82) Glenelg 18.12 (120) d Central 8.9 (57) North 10.6 (66) d Adelaide 7.15 (57) Norwood 9.5 (59) d Sturt 3.12 (30)

STATE GAME

BYE WEEKEND

Weekend of Saturday 5 August

ROUND 16

Norwood 12.11 (83) d South 12.9 (81) Sturt 8.14 (62) d Central 9.4 (58) Glenelg 9.12 (66) d Port 8.9 (57) North 12.8 (80) d Eagles 9.11 (65) Adelaide 15.6 (96) d West 8.10 (58)

Friday 19 May SANFL 8.16 (64) d WAFL 7.9 (51)

ROUND 2 Easter Weekend

ROUND 7

ROUND 12 Country Champs Round

ROUND 17

ROUND 3 ANZAC Weekend

ROUND 8

ROUND 13

ROUND 18

Central 13.14 (92) d West 12.9 (81) Adelaide 15.11 (101) d Glenelg 11.15 (81) Port 14.7 (91) d North 6.17 (53) Eagles 9.9 (63) d Norwood 7.10 (52) Sturt 17.5 (107) d South 11.7 (73)

West 13.8 (86) d Eagles 12.8 (80) Central 14.7 (91) d Port 11.10 (76) Glenelg 14.16 (100) d South 5.10 (40) Sturt 15.10 (100) d North 11.7 (73) Norwood 15.3 (93) d Adelaide 10.14 (74)

ROUND 4

ROUND 9 King’s Birthday Weekend

ROUND 14

FINALS

Sturt 16.10 (106) d Norwood 8.5 (53) Adelaide 13.15 (93) d West 9.6 (60) Central 9.13 (67) d North 5.10 (40) South 9.2 (56) d Eagles 6.9 (45) Glenelg 10.10 (70) d Port 7.11 (53)

Adelaide 8.12 (60) d Norwood 5.6 (36) Eagles 14.10 (94) d West 5.8 (38) Glenelg 8.5 (53) d Central 6.8 (44) North 15.10 (100) d Port 14.8 (92) Sturt 7.9 (51) d South 7.7 (49)

Port 13.10 (88) d Eagles 8.4 (52) Glenelg 13.9 (87) d Norwood 7.15 (57) North 6.9 (45) d South 3.12 (30) Sturt 5.8 (38) d West 4.8 (32) Adelaide 15.14 (104) d Central 5.6 (36)

South 15.7 (97) d Port 14.13 (97) Central 8.12 (60) d North 8.10 (58) Eagles 16.8 (104) d Glenelg 12.10 (82) West 10.16 (76) drew Norwood 11.10 (76) Adelaide 16.7 (103) d Sturt 13.9 (87)

AFL GATHER ROUND

Thursday 13 April - Sunday 16 April Central 13.7 (85) d Adelaide 11.15 (81) West 14.12 (96) d South 11.8 (74) Sturt 16.12 (108) d Port 10.10 (70) Glenelg 15.10 (100) d Eagles 7.10 (52) North 14.10 (94) d Norwood 5.10 (40)

Sturt 9.9 (63) d Central 9.6 (60) Adelaide 19.20 (134) d South 7.8 (50) North 10.10 (70) d Eagles 7.12 (54) Port 12.13 (85) d West 10.8 (68) Glenelg 12.10 (82) d Norwood 7.10 (52)

ROUND 5

Central 8.12 (60) d West 7.7 (49) Adelaide 13.10 (88) d North 5.11 (41) Glenelg 13.8 (86) d South 6.9 (45) Port 8.10 (58) d Norwood 7.9 (51) Sturt 12.15 (87) d Eagles 10.5 (65)

Central 8.8 (56) d Norwood 7.9 (51) Glenelg 12.10 (82) d Adelaide 12.8 (80) South 11.12 (78) d North 7.9 (51) Eagles 9.8 (62) d Port 8.11 (59) Sturt 8.15 (63) d West 9.5 (59)

Adelaide 13.17 (95) d Eagles 11.6 (72) West 10.8 (68) d North 5.9 (39) Port 13.14 (92) d Central 10.9 (69) Glenelg 23.12 (150) d Sturt 6.9 (45) Norwood 12.7 (79) d South 8.8 (56)

ROUND 10 Split Round

Central 6.7 (43) d Eagles 4.2 (26) Sturt 9.13 (67) d North 7.9 (51) Norwood 8.12 (60) d Port 8.5 (53) Glenelg 12.14 (86) d West 7.7 (49) Adelaide 11.12 (78) d South 6.5 (41)

Glenelg 6.8 (44) d West 5.4 (34) North 6.12 (48) d Norwood 5.10 (40) Central 8.10 (58) d South 4.9 (33) Port 10.13 (73) d Sturt 7.12 (54) Adelaide 17.9 (111) d Eagles 6.6 (42)

ROUND 15

Sturt 10.15 (75) d Eagles 9.6 (60) Adelaide 14.8 (92) d Port 2.15 (27) South 8.11 (59) d West 6.1 (37) Norwood 9.10 (64) d Central 9.5 (59) Glenelg 11.9 (75) d North 6.9 (45)

Legend

Elimination Final Central 12.10 (82) d Port 11.9 (75) Qualifying Final Adelaide 11.9 (75) d Sturt 10.8 (68) First Semi-Final Sturt 13.11 (89) d Central 8.9 (57) Second Semi-Final Glenelg 16.8 (104) d Adelaide 11.6 (72) Preliminary Final Sturt 8.12 (60) d Adelaide 6.7 (43) Sunday 24 September

Grand Final

AO

Key: Bold = home team

AO - Adelaide Oval, A - Alberton Oval, NO - Nuriootpa Oval, CS - Coopers Stadium, Norwood, FUS - Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga, HS – Hisense Stadium, Richmond, L - Loxton, MB - Murray Bridge, MTKO - Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville, PL - Port Lincoln, PO - Prospect Oval, SS – Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg, XCO - X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth, WO - Wigan Oval, Unley

PUBLISHER

EDITOR Peter Cornwall

PHOTOGRAPHY Cory Sutton & David Mariuz

P (08) 8233 9433 W boylen.com.au

MEDIA PRODUCER Zac Milbank zac.milbank@sanfl.com.au

COVER

BUDGET SALES & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES E admin@sanfl.com.au P (08) 8424 2200

DESIGN Henry Rivera & Patrycja Whipp

Glenelg captain Max Proud and Sturt skipper James Battersby have the same aim for today’s big clash – to lift the premiership trophy.

sanfl.com.au

23

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Judged across three areas: strong performance, competitive fees, and an ongoing focus on members, we’re thrilled to receive this recognition.

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