South Australian Football Budget - Round 20 2023 - Vol 98 - No. 20 - 10 Sep

ALL THE ZING

HALF THE SUGAR NEW

ALCOHOLIC GINGER BEER

THE FINAL WORD

BY PETER CORNWALL

Sturt coach Martin Mattner

Central mentor Paul Thomas

MARTIN MATTNER (Sturt) The Blues have been in the top two pretty much all season but now, with injuries and an untimely suspension to Will Coomblas after a hard-fought qualifying final loss to Adelaide, they front up to a do-or-die final against up-and-coming Central District. But Mattner’s backing the club’s depth – Sturt is in the reserves second semi-final – to make the most of its doublechance. “We worked hard to finish top three so if we lose we do get a second opportunity,” he said. And the dual premiership coach is looking at the positives of last week’s loss. “I thought we played really good footy – we executed a lot of things very well,” he said, although in the second half the Blues missed some key chances. “The big moments in finals, you’ve got to make the most of them.”

PAUL THOMAS (Central District) It’s been a huge year for the northern club with finals participation in all grades and the league team snaring its first final win in six years, knocking out Port Adelaide in the elimination final. “It’s super exciting for our club,” said Thomas of a year that has seen the Bulldogs’ women’s team win a historic first premiership. “It’s really good for our community and our football club.” Sturt has proved hard for Central to beat and even though it has some players sidelined Thomas said the Blues would be “a challenge”.

“They have certainly got some depth to call on – I think they will be quite strong but we will be ready to play whoever rolls out against us. We’re quite healthy and ready to go.”

DARREN REEVES (Glenelg) The week’s break as minor premier was handy for the Bays. “It was good to have a weekend off … a few of our boys who have had some niggles were able to freshen up a little bit, we had a great training session on Saturday morning and we’re ready to go. The guys are in a good space, we’re fit and healthy and there will be no excuses – we’re looking forward to the opportunity.” Reeves, who said he was “quite relaxed” in the build-up to his first final as a senior coach, was impressed by the way the Crows hit back from a 35-point deficit to beat Sturt in the qualifying final, saying “they were incredibly brave – they are going to be a real challenge”.

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves

MICK GODDEN (Adelaide) Do you reckon the Crows boss was a proud man after his side stormed home to beat Sturt? And his players’ motivation to keep on winning couldn’t be greater. “We’ve always said we want to win it and we will continue to say that,” Godden said. “The players are in a great head space.

The intent and the passion are there, we just have to execute. Clearly you don’t come back from that far down without passion.” Godden knows the Tigers are dangerous. “(Glenelg has) a very good forward line and one you don’t want to come up against when you’ve got a less experienced backline. But it’s a team-defence game and we’ll try to make sure the ball doesn’t go down there as much or easily.”

Adelaide boss Mick Godden

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3

FIRST SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER CORNWALL

Sturt’s Will Coomblas and Central District’s Nick Lange have their eyes on the ball in the Double Blues’ thrilling win at Unley. But Coomblas (suspended) is a big out for the first semi-final. Photo: Robert Laidlaw

The fine line between pleasure and pain has become pretty familiar to the Double Blues and Bulldogs this season. And it was there for all to see at Adelaide Oval last week as Sturt and Central featured in see-sawing, down-to-the-wire tussles in finals clashes decided by just seven points.

The Bulldogs had felt more than their share of pain in close games over the previous two years but, suddenly, it’s been unbridled pleasure with three successive nailbiting wins in do-or-die games.

Jubilant Central players were hugging and the “You Dogs” chant was finally back in full cry when the Doggies snared their first major round win since the 2017 elimination final against Norwood.

In 2017 the Doggies went on to face Sturt in the first semi-final and were edged out by seven points.

Now they again face the Blues, who have been feeling pain of their own after plenty of pleasure in close finishes for most of the season.

Sturt, which used its 2017 win against Central as a springboard to snare its second successive flag, now has its share of injury worries and plenty of work to do. But it earned the double-chance for a 4

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reason and it only has to look to Norwood last season to see how a finals campaign can be turned around. The Redlegs were thumped by 55 points by the Crows in the qualifying final, then knocked off Glenelg, Adelaide and North in successive weeks to claim a memorable premiership.

The Blues couldn’t have come much closer to shoring up a second semifinal spot in its seven-point loss to Adelaide, leading by 35 points early in the second quarter and just falling short with a late charge. A knee injury to ruckman Amos Doyle hurt, with key midfielder Patrick Wilson sorely missed – his season is now over – and dual premiership defender Guy Page hurting a hamstring. And a one-week ban for tripping for Will Coomblas means the odds are suddenly against Sturt.

The Blues finished the minor round in second spot with an impressive 14-4 record, excelling in tight finishes as they won six games by 10 points or less. The Bulldogs have felt the pain in these games more than any other team. Not only did they lose to Sturt by three points in Round 4 at Unley and four points in Round 16 at Elizabeth, they also

were beaten by the Blues by four points in Round 15 last season.

There is no doubt Paul Thomas’s men have been learning from their experiences and their wins against North – thanks to a matchwinning long-bomb goal from Kyle Presbury – Port Adelaide at Elizabeth – when they trailed by nine points 17 minutes into the last quarter – and the Magpies in the elimination final – when they were behind at the last break – have been sensational.

Unless there’s a wide margin at three-quarter-time in the first semi, don’t discount either team. While the fighting Dogs have turned a deficit into a win three times, Sturt has come from behind at threequarter-time to win four times. But last week the Blues led the Crows for three-and-a-half quarters only to fall short, paying the price for missing too many gilt-edged chances in front of goals.

Sturt, which started the season like a train, winning its first eight games, is up against a side that is finishing full of steam. It has beaten Central in 16 of their past 17 clashes – but the past three have been by less than a goal. Who will have the pleasure and the pain if it’s another heartstopper?

SECOND SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER CORNWALL

Adelaide’s silky-skilled Jackson Hately fires out a handball as consistent Glenelg defender Alex Martini looks to close him down. Photo: Cory Sutton

What a match-up – the top-ranked scoring side (Adelaide) against the best defence (Glenelg). The secondranked scoring side (Glenelg) against the second-ranked defence (Adelaide). The two in-form teams in the league, Glenelg having won 15 of its past 17 games, Adelaide with eight wins from its past 10.

And one win each this season in clashes between the sides.

There’s not much between all the stats but a couple that could prove crucial are the Tigers’ edge in pressure and defence – they are No. 1 ranked in clearances and No. 2 in tackles for the season, while the Crows rank fifth and seventh.

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves set out to improve Glenelg’s defence and has had considerable success, the Bays conceding 58 points per game, compared to 70 last season and 66 in 2021, when they won the minor premiership but lost the grand final.

There is no question Reeves has made an impressive impact, earning selection as coach of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in his first season in the top job. But the Crows’ Michael Godden has also done plenty right, pulling together a collection of AFL players, young

hopefuls and SANFL old guard into a quality unit. The Eagles’ 2011 premiership mentor could step up to elite levels with a flag at the Crows – the most recent coaches to achieve grand final wins at different clubs are none other than Jack Oatey and Neil Kerley.

Glenelg is the only club to have played finals in each of the past five years and, having wrapped up its third minor premiership and third Stanley H Lewis Trophy as best performed club in all grades, it will be determined to claim a second flag in this outstanding era. There’s no doubt the Tigers have the allround game to do that, with six players as well as the coach in the Team of the Year and defender Darcy Bailey unlucky to miss a spot. While its allground defence has rarely missed a beat Glenelg also has three of SANFL’s five leading goalkickers in Ken Farmer Medallist Lachlan Hosie (52), Liam McBean (43) and Luke Reynolds (37). They are pretty deadly too, kicking 132.69 between them.

Captain of the Team of the Year Max Proud and SANFL’s best contested mark Toby Pink lead from the back, while hard-running Matt Allen is a danger all over the ground and

midfielder Corey Lyons has stepped up to another level this season.

The Crows had four players in the Team of the Year but two of them, outstanding ruckman Kieran Strachan and dynamic midfielder Harry Schoenberg, won’t be playing this week, although Strachan (wrist) is expected back after the second semi. Lachlan Gollant has been a danger up forward, with 37 goals, while stylish speedster Jackson Hately has had a consistent SANFL season.

Tariek Newchurch, with 27 goals, also can turn a game, while Riley Clamp, Jay Boyle and Brayden Cook bobbed up for critical goals as Adelaide fought after trailing all day to claim an impressive sevenpoint qualifying final win against Sturt. “That type of win is club building,” Godden said. “They are the sorts of wins we strive for as a footy club.” The win gave the Crows a 5-0 record at Adelaide Oval this season, with Glenelg about to play there for the first time in 2023. But it’s hard to see the Tigers being concerned by that after all the finals footy they have played over the past five years. All adding up to a sensational match-up. sanfl.com.au

5

MAGNIFICENT 7 SECOND SEMI-FINALS

BY STEVE BARRETT

Andrew and Darren Jarman were happy holding the premiership trophy in 1987 but two weeks earlier they were caught in a crunching second semi-final against Norwood.

A week off and a grand final berth.

With such an enticing prize on offer, it’s no wonder there have been so many marvellous SANFL second semi-finals. The Football Budget has delved into the archives and ranked the best seven.

7th. 1987: North Adelaide 11.7 (73) d Norwood 8.5 (53) Darren Jarman lay motionless just 10 seconds in following a massive collision with Redlegs enforcer Garry McIntosh before clambering back to his feet and booting three magical first-quarter goals to set the Roosters alight at freezing Football Park. With centreman Kim Klomp revelling in the heavy conditions – he finished with 23 disposals and an incredible 21 tackles – North sprinted ahead by 43 points.

Norwood slowly chipped away at the deficit in the middle two terms before completely dominating the fourth. Mark Ducker (four goals) was the lynchpin before being felled 50m off the play. The Legs blasted three late majors and hit the post a further three times, all after the galeforce wind they 6

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Sturt coach Jack Oatey had something up his sleeve in the second semi-final thriller against Port Adelaide in 1974.

should have been coming home with had dramatically abated. It was a bridge too far, though, Mick Nunan’s Roosters weathering the wild storm and icing victory through captain Darel Hart.

6th. 2004: Central District 12.9 (81) d Woodville-West Torrens 12.7 (79) The decider would be a one-sided belting – Central romping home by a record 125 points. But a fortnight earlier, the Eagles made the Bulldogs sweat.

Central led at every change and by 25 points at three-quarter-time, spearheaded by Heath Hopwood, current coach Paul Thomas – fresh off his Magarey Medal success – and Daniel Schell. The Eagles, undermanned from the opening minute when Tim Inkster exited with a hamstring injury, found another gear in the fourth. Behind Dale Ellis (four goals), Mark Passador (three fourth-quarter goals) and skipper Gavin Colville, the challengers closed to within two points. But the Eagles’ late roll of the dice came unstuck when Leigh Treeby, after marking on the wing, ignored awaiting targets and

instead handballed along the boundary, to the Bulldogs’ relief, then elation.

5th. 2021: Woodville-West Torrens 13.8 (86) d Glenelg 13.4 (82) Bossing Glenelg by 29 points at three-quarter-time, the Eagles’ premiership defence was purring.

But the Tigers, who rollicked through the home-and-away campaign with a 17-1 record, weren’t accustomed to losing and launched a savage rearguard. They uncorked a 6.1-to-1.0 fourth-term blitz, pinching the lead through Luke Reynolds. Two minutes later, team-mate Lachie Hosie missed a set shot and the Eagles capitalised on the reprieve, livewire Tyson Stengle’s successful snap from 20m putting Jade Sheedy’s men back in front. The thriller ended with the ball bombed deep towards the Bays’ goals where Sam Durdin marked just after the final siren.

4th. 2009: Central District 12.9 (81) d Glenelg 11.13 (79) In a ridiculous stat which gets more ridiculous as the years roll on, Central won 12 successive second

semi-finals from 2000-11. The hardest-earned was ’09.

Minor premier Glenelg dictated proceedings and held sway by 26 points late in the third stanza, a lead Roy Laird’s Bulldogs reduced to 20 at three-quarter-time through best-on-ground Lee Spurr’s late goal. Central belatedly got on top at the coalface and the Tigers lost their radar and their composure.

Eddie Sansbury’s fourth major put the Dogs in front before Ryan Williams secured victory with the game’s final six-pointer.

3rd. 1974: Sturt 7.19 (61) d Port Adelaide 8.8 (56) Supercoach Jack Oatey could sense the ’74 blockbuster slipping from Sturt’s grasp. Port had sprinted to a 33-point quarter-time advantage (6.4 to 1.1), aided by a stiff breeze which the Double Blues then failed to capitalise on in the second period, shanking 2.10.

With the strong wind behind their backs again, the Magpies were expected to control the third. But they were held goalless thanks to a crafty Sturt manoeuvre which Keith Butler described in The Advertiser as “pure Oatey”. Oatey moved Robbert Klomp from centre halfforward to a loose man in defence and the Dutch bombshell racked up plenty of touches while holding up numerous attacks.

Port, suddenly unable to forge a path through the Blues’ backline, reverted unsuccessfully to its old grab-and-kick style. Goals to Michael Graham and Brenton Miels put Sturt in front, for the first time all day, six minutes into the final quarter which featured five lead changes in wintry, blustery conditions. Pat Taylor gave the Pies the lead back at the 23-minute-mark before Brenton Miels received a perfect pass from Paul Bagshaw and slotted the sealer under immense pressure with a minute left.

2nd. 1964: Port Adelaide 14.8 (92) d South Adelaide 13.13 (91) Neil Kerley blamed himself. The Panthers, who had finished bottom in ’63 before Kerley’s arrival, headed powerhouse Port by a whopping 43 points deep into the

Port Adelaide champion Geof Motley helped turn the 1964 second semifinal on its head.

third stanza, Lindsay Backman (three goals) typically irrepressible and pacy half-forwards Alf Skuse and Lester Ross running rings around Neville Hayes and Graham Cooper. Instead of going for the jugular, Kerley went into leadprotection mode.

Meanwhile, Magpies coach Fos Williams spruced things up at three-quarter-time. He switched Geof Motley from centre halfforward into the middle and moved Eric Freeman to full forward.

Suddenly Motley, who had been quiet, was back to his best, while Freeman caught fire. A minute after Jeff Potter’s fourth goal trimmed South’s cushion to six points, Freeman levelled the scores with his second major for the term.

Freeman then sealed it in the 22nd minute with his fourth, an incredible snap from deep in the forward pocket. “I made a ridiculous decision to start playing defensive footy,” South captain-coach Kerley lamented. “It was my fault we lost.

I stuffed up.”

1st. 1965: Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) d South Adelaide 16.11 (107) The two protagonists produced, incredibly, an even mightier thriller 12 months later.

With big Steve Traynor (four goals) prominent, Port led by 30 points in

South Adelaide captain-coach Neil Kerley crashes into Port Adelaide full forward Eric Freeman as the Panthers and Magpies fight for supremacy in the mid 1960s.

the third quarter before Kerley threw ’64 grand final hero David Kantilla (who booted four goals, despite a bad knee) and Skuse on to the ball to devastating effect. The Panthers used their superior pace to erode the deficit and, through Ken Pascoe’s snap, capture the lead with two minutes remaining.

The Magpies weren’t done. Bob Elix marked at half-back, burst through two South opponents and blazed a punt towards half-forward Peter Mead, who was adjudged by umpire Ken Cunningham to have been held without the footy by opponent Bob Schmidt.

As Mead readied himself for the 45-yard set shot towards the River End, the Panthers formulated a cunning last-gasp ploy. Ruckman Bob Butcher would stand on the goal-line and be used as a ‘stepladder’ by high-leaping teammate Alan White to get as high as possible and prevent a score. But, in unprecedented scenes, several frenzied spectators had spilled onto Adelaide Oval and became entangled with White, who forlornly watched the ball float through for a goal at a reachable height as the full-time siren sounded. “Winning the match with the last kick of the day is something you dream about,” Fos Williams said. sanfl.com.au

7

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JUSTIN THE NICK OF TIME

BY ZAC MILBANK

Justin Hoskin knew everything needed to fall into place to reach his 200th SANFL league game in 2023.

Featuring in 18 of Central District’s 19 matches this season, the wily veteran not only had to steer clear of soft-tissue injuries but also the SANFL’s match review panel to be a chance to notch his milestone.

And even then, the former Port Adelaide Magpie knew the Bulldogs had to keep winning throughout the past three weeks to ensure he would creep across the line in the first semi-final against Sturt at Adelaide Oval. ”The closer you get, the more you want to just get there,” said Hoskin, who made his SANFL league debut for Port in Round 8 of 2011. “But then you start to run out of games this season and need the

finals. I’m glad I have got it this year, so it’s perfect. ”Injuries have really hit me, the soft tissues normally get hold of me but for once this year it has been nice I’ve played so many games. ”We’ve got belief in what we are doing and what Thommo (coach Paul Thomas) has set up. So it’s just a matter of executing it on game day. I’m glad it has all fallen into place, now we just have to keep on winning.”

Hoskin, who turned 32 on Thursday, is unsure if he will continue on in 2024 so, for now, he is relishing every opportunity he gets to play alongside long-term team-mates Jarrod Schiller and Kyle Presbury.

Both were with him in the Dogs’ most recent finals series in 2017 and now Hoskin will always share the spoils of being a SANFL 200

Club member with skipper Schiller.

“It will be great to share it with him,” said Hoskin, who has been with the Bulldogs since 2014. “It will be great to head along to the 200 Club dinners later in life together as we are great mates and spend a lot of time together. It has been special to be playing alongside Jarrod for so long.”

Owning and managing his own carpentry business, Hoskin knows all about the huge commitment required to play SANFL league football, particularly for those with physical jobs among the elements.

“It’s massive, to work five days a week for eight hours and then train three to four nights a week plus a game – it’s a massive commitment but I’ve loved doing it,” said Hoskin, originally recruited from Golden Grove Football Club. sanfl.com.au

9

BAYS BEST ALLROUND

Glenelg has stormed to its third Stanley H. Lewis Trophy in five years as SANFL’s best-performed club.

The Tigers, the only club to have made league finals in each of the past five seasons, secured the Trophy for the 11th time.

In the third year of points being awarded for women’s and under-16 matches, the Bays finished with a significant tally of 3625, ahead of runner-up Sturt, which impressively made the finals in all grades, with 3475.

With its league team winning its third minor premiership in five years, Glenelg’s tally was also

boosted by its reserves finishing on top of the table.

Central District, which has made huge strides this season, tallied 3275 to round out the top three.

The Tigers most recently won the Stanley H. Lewis Trophy in 2021 with other successes coming in 1969, 1973, 1975-76, 1981, 1990, 2009-10 and 2019.

The Trophy, named after past SANFL chairman Stanley Heathcote Lewis, has been awarded since 1962 to the club which has displayed excellence across all grades. Points are awarded for each win across the

minor round, with 100 points allocated for a men’s and women’s league victory, 50 points for the reserves and under-18s and 25 points for the under-16s. In the event of a draw, half the points allocated for a win in that grade are awarded to each club.

Glenelg has achieved the thirdmost number of Stanley H. Lewis Trophy wins, three fewer than the leading club, Norwood. Wins are: Norwood 14, Port Adelaide 12, Glenelg 11, North Adelaide 8, Woodville-West Torrens 7, Central District 5, Sturt 4, South Adelaide 1.

PAGE 22: FINAL 2023 STANLEY H. LEWIS TROPHY RANKINGS

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10

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2023 SANFL RESERVES SEOND SEMI-FINAL

11:00am Saturday 9th September @ Stratarama Stadium Live scores at www.sanfl.com.au and SANFL App

STURT

GLENELG

COACH: Russell Veenvliet

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

40 RYAN Bodie................................

8

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

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

17

BREUER Sam.............................

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

COACH: Chris Trapp

42 SIMS Noah.................................

9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

42 TAYLOR Willa.............................

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

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

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

56 TURNER Ryan...........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RESERVES GLENELG STURT

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Points

RESERVES UMPIRES

KULLER Reid..............................

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

FIELD: Nicholas Ghan Henry Klemm Henry Lodge Paul Ventura (E)

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

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

54 HOLT Alex...................................

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

BOUNDARY: Blayde Harten Gianny Scoleri Nathan Becker Bradley Applebee

GOAL: Thomas Fahey Thomas Oxford Connor Izzo (E)

2023 SANFL RESERVES FIRST SEMI-FINAL

1:30pm Saturday 9th September @ Stratarama Stadium Live scores at www.sanfl.com.au and SANFL App

CENTRAL

EAGLES

CARPENTER Jack......................

COACH: Matt Gallarello 39 JONES Jamie..............................

5

DODD Harry...............................

COACH: Matt Knight 43 ANGOVE Noah..........................

13 LAUNER Blake...........................

5

40 LOCHOWIAK Jacob...................

8

NEUMANN Will.........................

44 TOOLE Patrick...........................

16 DEAKIN Adam............................

42 LOCHOWIAK Anzac..................

12 DAWKINS Harrison.................

45 WILLIAMS Ryan.......................

17

47 McLENNAN Louie....................

14 HOILE Lachlan..........................

47 O’REILLY Cormack...................

OLSSON Chris............................

18 PEARCE Dale.............................

21 RICHARD Tyson.........................

22 TIPPINS Jordan.........................

23 CANNIZZARO Rhys..................

25 HABEL Luke................................

49 McGRATH Isaac........................

51 WILSON Cooper........................

53 HENKE Jack................................

54 PYMAN Cooper.........................

20 TILLEY Sam................................

23 WELSH Tyler..............................

25 LUKAC Jordan............................

32 BRUCE Ryan..............................

33 HUDSON Darcy.........................

48 WATSON Jay..............................

53 UEDING Liam.............................

54 ARTHUR Bailey.........................

56 PHILLIPS Zac.............................

55 WEAVER Dylan.........................

34 COOKE Lukas.............................

58 DELMENICO Tate......................

33 McDONALD Austin..................

56 RYAN Wyatt...............................

36 CALVETT Brayden...................

59 SINEY Oliver..............................

35 McDONALD Darcy....................

57 THOMAS Beau..........................

40 HANSEN Blake..........................

61 MAIR Brody................................

36 SPLANN Will..............................

60 SCHWERDT Ethan....................

41 WECKERT Patrick....................

62 FAIRALL Callum........................

RESERVES CENTRAL EAGLES

1st

2nd

OFFICIAL BEER OF SANFL

3rd

4th

Points

RESERVES UMPIRES

27 COWHAM Lewis.......................

FIELD: Jake Cuming Luke Wittenberg Zachery Packard Daniel Whittlesea (E)

BOUNDARY: Tobin Dolman Oakley Nilsen Jake Creasey Jayden Dunning

GOAL: Tom Kelly Justin Thai Jared Murton (E)

SCAN TO PURCHASE

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11

FIRST SEMI-FINAL 12.15PM SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – ADELAIDE OVAL

Broadcast: Live & free on Seven & 7plus | SANFL Now App | www.sanflnow.com.au | www.AFL.com.au AFL Live Official App | Live Radio 1629 SEN SA | SEN App #SANFLDoubleBluesBulldogs

STURT

CENTRAL

COACH: Martin Mattner

COLOURS: Double Blue

COACH: Paul Thomas COLOURS: Red, White and Blue

No

PLAYER

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

No

PLAYER

1

FREDERICK Martin

23....178.... 78...... 63..... 10...................

1

McCORMACK Billy

22....199.... 92.......31......11....................

2

LEWIS Tom

23....178.... 75...... 54......9....................

2

LINKE Shay

20....190.... 75.......13......6....................

3

CAREY Henry

26....183.... 79......90..... 15....................

4

CHISHOLM Leyton

23....194.... 90.......12......4....................

4

THIELE Joel

25....184....80...... 59......9....................

6

LIDDY Mani

21....184.... 82...... 27......4....................

5

HONE Joshua

27.... 175......77..... 164...205..................

6

McFADYEN Connor

22.... 191..... 93...... 19...... 7.....................

7

PRESBURY Kyle

26....182.... 82..... 134....76...................

7

MATHEWS James

27.... 174.... 70......48.....33...................

8

LARKINS Jai

24....183....80.......15...... 1.....................

11

SHUTE Josh

22....187.... 76......43..... 13....................

9

BUECHNER Zac

25.... 191..... 93......34...... 2....................

12 CARRUTHERS Malachy 21....184.... 75...... 27...... 7.....................

15 EDMONDS Luke

25....194.... 82......86......0....................

16 DAKIN Jared

22.... 181.....80......38..... 10...................

17 BECKER Zac

19....190.... 92....... 4.......0....................

18 FAHEY-SPARKS Daniel 25....196.... 92...... 70.....33...................

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

10 GRANT Harry

22.... 173.... 79......44..... 10...................

11

22....194.... 93...... 32...... 7.....................

KENDELL George

12 McLENNAN Jez

23....184....80......24...... 2....................

15 ILES Billy

28....178.....77......38...... 3....................

19 BARREAU Marcus

25....188....80......68.....30...................

20 HOSKIN Justin

32....185.... 82..... 199...189..................

24 MUNN Hugo

23.... 197.... 95...... 37.....26...................

23 BATTERSBY James (C)

27....178.... 83..... 192....45...................

27 FRYER Charlie

19....190.... 87.......12......0....................

29 RESCHKE Chad

17....188.... 90....... 5....... 5.....................

30 GRIVELL Oliver

22....192....84......44.....33...................

31 BURROWS Lachlan

22....195.... 95......40..... 41....................

29 LANGE Nick

25....186.... 79......42.....57...................

32 ILLMAN Rory

24....180.... 82...... 53...... 1.....................

30 DUDLEY Isaiah

20....168.... 70.......17..... 10...................

33 WINGARD Heath

21....182.... 70....... 6....... 1.....................

31 WHITELUM Luca

20....187.....77...... 35..... 21....................

26 SHAW Oliver

22....189....84...... 45......9....................

28 LITTLE Brinn

20....196.... 85...... 19......0....................

34 VOSS Casey

22....182....80.......71..... 12....................

32 GRACE Aiden

26....189.... 87...... 55.....85...................

36 GIACOMETTI Luke

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

34 EAST Ethan

23....187....80...... 54.....46...................

39 SLIMMING Steven

25....182.... 73......131....49...................

38 SCHILLER Jarrod (C)

31.... 176.... 83.....234.... 91....................

40 WALTER Ned

21....182.... 75........1........0....................

41 DAHMS Cooper

24.... 181..... 82...... 33...... 5.....................

44 RICHARDS James

23....189.... 82...... 22.....30...................

52 PICKERING Ryan

20....199.... 90....... 4.......0....................

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

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

All figures on team sheets are official SANFL records for League games and goals.

LEAGUE STURT CENTRAL

1st

2nd

3rd

RD16 2023 @ X CONVENIENCE OVAL Sturt 8.14 (62) d Central 9.4 (58)

12

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4th

Points

LEAGUE FIELD: Burke UMPIRES Thomas Sam Morgan

Mitchell Scott David Sobieraj (E)

RD4 2023 @ WIGAN OVAL Sturt 9.9 (63) d Central 9.6 (60)

BOUNDARY: Brayden Theil Martin Elsegood Taylor Dorsey Damian Robinson

GOAL: Thomas Sharpe Braden Ford Matthew Williams (E)

RD15 2022 @ X CONVENIENCE OVAL Sturt 8.8 (56) d Central 6.16 (52)

STAT CHAT – FIRST SEMI-FINAL

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Sturt big man Lachlan Burrows, dashing clear for a shot Central District dynamo Aiden Grace has been a danger all at goal against the Crows, is always more than a handful season, as he showed with a matchwinning five-goal performance against Port Adelaide. for opposition defenders.

Sturt and Central have met in two first semi-finals, with one win each. The Bulldogs in 1971 made the finals for the first time, shocking Sturt in the first semi by 27 points to end the Double Blues’ run of five consecutive premierships. It was historic in more ways than one, because it was Central’s first victory in any game over the men from Unley. Sturt beat the Dogs by seven points in 2017 to kick off its charge to back-toback premierships.

The Bulldogs hold a 5-2 win-loss record in all finals between the clubs, while Sturt beat Central in the 2002 grand final and the Dogs beat the Blues in the ’09 premiership decider.

Sturt has won 13 of 23 first semi-finals, while Central has a five-win, five-loss record.

The Bulldogs have never advanced further than a preliminary final after winning a first semi, while Sturt has made six grand finals, including winning three premierships – in 1932, 1976 and 2017 – more than any other club.

Since the Page finals system was introduced in 1931, 41 first semi victors have advanced to grand finals, with 12 tasting the ultimate success. After the Double Blues’ three flags, North, Norwood and Port have done it twice, while West, West Torrens and the Eagles have gone all the way once.

Norwood leads the way in first semi appearances with 37, as well as with wins – 15 (Sturt is second in both categories with 23 and 13). The highest score in a first semi is North’s 23.14 against South (14.12) in 1990, although Sturt booted more goals in beating the Roosters 24.7 to 13.12 in 1983. North also holds the record for biggest margin, when it beat Central by 88 points in 2012.

There have been two draws in first semi-finals and 10 games decided by less than a goal. West and West Torrens drew in 1969 with the Bloods winning the

replay while, in 1933, Norwood and North tied, with the Redlegs winning the replay by one point. Also decided by a single point were Glenelg’s thrilling victory over Sturt in 1959 and West Torrens’ win over Norwood in 1954 – the last time the Eagles won any final until 1992.

FIRST SEMI-FINALS RECORDS

ADELAIDE CENTRAL GLENELG NORTH NORWOOD PORT SOUTH STURT WEST TORRENS WOODVILLE EAGLES

P

W

L

D

HS

LS

2 10 18 22 37 14 14 23 13 16 1 10

2 5 9 12 15 8 6 13 8 4 1 5

5 9 9 21 6 8 10 4 11 5

1 1 1 1 -

22.8 19.7 15.17 23.14 19.19 22.13 21.11 24.7 16.16 18.8 18.20 21.10

21.13 7.8 7.13 10.13 5.11 7.22 5.6 4.9 7.9 7.11 18.20 5.6

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

North 15.10 (100) d Eagles 12.11 (83) South 21.11 (137) d Sturt 10.9 (69) Central 10.14 (74) d Port 11.3 (69) Adelaide 22.8 (140) d South 13.8 (86) Sturt 13.8 (86) d Central 11.13 (79) North 16.15 (111) d Sturt 8.5 (53) Adelaide 21.13 (139) d Norwood 11.11 (77) South 14.12 (96) d Glenelg 10.11 (71) South 12.11 (83) d Norwood 10.4 (64) Norwood 12.7 (79) d Glenelg 7.9 (51) sanfl.com.au

13

SECOND SEMI-FINAL 3.15PM SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – ADELAIDE OVAL

Broadcast: Live & free on Seven & 7plus | SANFL Now App | www.sanflnow.com.au www.AFL.com.au | AFL Live Official App | Live Radio 1629 SEN SA | SEN App #SANFLTigersAdelaide

ADELAIDE

GLENELG COACH: Darren Reeves

COLOURS: Black and Gold

COACH: Michael Godden COLOURS: Navy Blue, Red & Gold

No

PLAYER

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

No

1

McBEAN Liam

29....202.... 98......110...264..................

2

SCHARENBERG Jonty

25....187....84......98..... 15....................

3

SNOOK Matthew

31....183.... 83..... 185....42...................

4

GERLOFF Cole

24....186.... 86......83.....50...................

5

PROUD Max (C)

31....190.... 92..... 168.... 17....................

6

STAGG Hugh

20....180....84.......21..... 19....................

7

REYNOLDS Luke

28....188....88..... 132...167..................

8

LYONS Corey

25....184....84...... 36..... 16....................

9

3 BERRY Sam* 24....182.... 83.......21......8....................

5 CROUCH Matt* 28.... 181..... 82...... 35...... 7.....................

6 HATELY Jackson* 22.... 191......91...... 45.....28...................

11 HAYSMAN Hugh 26.... 179.... 73......90.....34...................

12 BOYLE Jay 25....188.... 93.......61.....23...................

15 COOK Brayden* 21....190.... 85...... 45.....30...................

17 HAMILL William* 22....187....80...... 45...... 3....................

21 BROWN Tyler* 23....192.... 86...... 19...... 7.....................

22 SHARRAD Louis 30....188.... 86......116....26...................

27 NANKERVIS Luke* 20....182.... 86......34......8....................

29 KAPPLER Jaidan 22....182.... 72......38...... 1.....................

30 O’LOUGHLIN Blayne 20.... 176.... 74.......12......0....................

31 DOWLING Billy 19....187....80...... 18......9....................

35 BORLASE James* 21....192.... 98...... 57......4....................

37 PARNELL Patrick* 21....178.... 70...... 32...... 3....................

40 BOND Hugh* 18....185.... 81.......12......0....................

42 NEWCHURCH Tariek* 21....182.... 78...... 55.....75...................

44 GOLLANT Lachlan* 22....192.... 83...... 37.....64...................

45 STRACHAN Kieran* 27... 204... 103..... 72..... 31....................

46 MADGEN Jack 30....192.... 85.......17......8....................

47 WRIGHT Matthew (C) 33....178.... 76.....140...144..................

48 KEANE Mark* 23....194.... 95...... 14......0....................

49 SIGAL Jarman 20....188....80....... 2.......0....................

50 McKENZIE Isaya 26....180.... 81...... 58.....50...................

51 CLAMP Riley 23....192.... 90...... 25..... 16....................

54 COLEMAN Tate 23....180.... 83...... 10...... 2....................

55 TAHANA Stephen 26....184.... 83......28......4....................

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

BAILEY Darcy

29.... 177..... 81..... 128....83...................

10 PARTINGTON Luke

26.... 181..... 79...... 93.....46...................

11

BELL James

24....183.... 81...... 18..... 10...................

12 NEWMAN Brodie

22....193....88......28...... 1.....................

13 SEARLE Brady

21....187....88...... 25..... 12....................

14 McCARTHY Brad

24....178....80...... 55...... 3....................

16 MARTINI Alex

24.... 181..... 78...... 70...... 5.....................

18 STRETCH Billy

27.... 181..... 79......64..... 13....................

19 McGREE Cameron

24....199... 102.....28......8....................

20 HOSIE Lachlan

26....189....80...... 72....168..................

22 ALLEN Matthew

25....193.....91...... 74.....60...................

23 HOLDER Riley

20.... 191......91...... 36..... 14...................

27 TURNER Brett

26....185....88......113....58...................

29 McLEOD Connor

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

32 PINK Toby

25....194....94...... 58......9....................

39 LOVELOCK Archie

18....178.... 74........7.......0....................

41 DEEP Jared

25....182....80...... 16...... 1.....................

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

PLAYER

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

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

LEAGUE GLENELG ADELAIDE

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Points

BOUNDARY: GOAL: LEAGUE FIELD: Zacher Matthew Cummins UMPIRES Ben Williams Joshua Matthew Benjamin B Williams Hardy Corey Bowen Michael Sboro (E)

Jaxon Williams Dylan Speck

Thomas Mayo Bradley Hammer (E)

RD13 2023 @ STRATARAMA STADIUM RD8 2023 @ STRATARAMA STADIUM RD13 2022 @ STRATARAMA STADIUM Adelaide 15.11 (101) d Glenelg 11.15 (81) Glenelg 12.10 (82) d Adelaide 12.8 (80) Adelaide 19.12 (126) d Glenelg 8.4 (52)

Find a course that you love 14

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STAT CHAT – SECOND SEMI-FINAL

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Glenelg midfielder Corey Lyons has stepped up in sensational style this season, earning a place in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Adelaide livewire Lachlan Gollant has kicked 37 goals this year and represents a big danger to Glenelg in the second semi-final.

Glenelg and Adelaide are clashing for the first time in a second semi-final. It is the Crows’ second appearance after losing to North Adelaide last season. The Tigers have been in 16 second semis for just four wins, although three times they rebounded from losses to snare the premiership – in 1934, 1986 and 2019. In the 2019 season Glenelg lost the second semi to Port Adelaide by four points, before beating the Crows 16.9 to 11.12 in the preliminary final, the only finals games between today’s combatants.

Twice the Tigers have won a second semi only to lose the grand final, in 1975 to Norwood and in 1990 to Port Adelaide.

Since 1931 there have been 89 second semi-finals, with the victor going on to win the flag 55 times, while losing the grand final on 34 occasions.

Of the teams that lost the second semi, 22 rebounded to win the premiership, 26 returned to lose again, while 41 went out in the preliminary final.

Port Adelaide has played off in 51 second semi-finals, for 28 wins and 23 losses. Norwood has played in 24, while Central has the second-highest number of wins with 13 (from 15 appearances). The Bulldogs remarkably won every second semi-final from 2000-11, a record of 12 consecutive victories.

In 1980 Port beat Sturt 24.20 to 15.11 for the highest second semi-final score, while Norwood’s 16.14 to South’s 19.16 in 1938 is the highest losing score.

Norwood also shares the record of the lowest second semi score, when it lost 2.5 to Port’s 10.17 in 1988, while West managed just 2.5 to the Redlegs’ 8.13 in 2012.

West hammered Norwood by 74 points in 1983 for the most decisive win, a record matched by the Eagles in 1993 against Port.

Three second semi-finals have been decided by a solitary point. Sturt beat Port by the barest margin in

1931, while the Magpies won two thrillers in the 1960s, against South in 1964 and Sturt in 1966 – and lost the grand finals.

There have been two close games in the past five seasons, with Glenelg losing to Port in 2019 and the Eagles in 2021, both by four points.

SECOND SEMI-FINALS RECORDS

ADELAIDE CENTRAL GLENELG NORTH NORWOOD PORT SOUTH STURT WEST TORRENS EAGLES

P

W

L

HS

LS

1 15 16 17 24 51 6 17 13 4 14

13 4 11 9 28 1 11 4 3 5

1 2 12 6 15 23 5 6 9 1 9

13.10 19.10 21.9 23.14 19.6 24.20 19.16 22.13 24.16 14.16 20.13

13.10 9.14 5.10 7.14 2.5 4.6 10.13 8.6 2.5 7.13 5.10

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

Norwood 14.16 (100) d West 6.8 (44) Norwood 13.14 (92) d Port 12.7 (79) Eagles 11.13 (79) d West 9.11 (65) Eagles 12.12 (84) d Sturt 8.12 (60) Port 10.13 (73) d Eagles 5.10 (40) Norwood 9.15 (69) d Eagles 7.10 (52) Port 11.10 (76) d Glenelg 11.6 (72) North 11.11 (77) d Eagles 9.8 (62) Eagles 13.8 (86) d Glenelg 13.4 (82) North 15.8 (98) d Adelaide 13.10 (88) sanfl.com.au

15

TORRENS UNIVERSITY SANFL U18 WRAP

BY ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide advanced its premiership hopes with a nine-point win against Central District in the Torrens University SANFL Under-18 second semi-final at Flinders University Stadium.

The Bulldogs hit the scoreboard with the opening goal through Trent Tattoli but this only seemed to awaken the Panthers, who booted the next three goals to hold a 13-point break at quarter-time. Each time the visitors closed the gap, South had the answers as it opened up a 25-point lead midway through the second term and a game-high 34-point advantage entering time-on of the third quarter.

Central landed the last seven scoring shots of the game, including three goals, but it would be too late as the Panthers booked a berth in the title-decider.

South’s Tom Wheaton starred with a match-high 26 disposals, five clearances and two goals, while captain Nick Schroder was reliable in the back half. Panthers livewire Jack Delean booted three goals, while Phoenix Hargrave (25 disposals, four clearances) and Benny Barrett (13 disposals, seven tackles) were strong contributors.

Bulldogs big men Jayden Matz and Liam Fawcett (18 disposals, nine marks, three goals) led their charge while Asher Pasin, Tom Cochrane and Charlie Nicholls lent solid support.

A sensational six-goal final quarter has kept Sturt’s season alive after it showed tremendous resilience in defeating Woodville-West Torrens by 10 points in the first semi-final.

Despite trailing at every change and failing to register a goal until two minutes into the second term, the Double Blues clawed their way back into the contest to trail by 16 points at three-quarter-time. Booting the first three goals of the last term handed Sturt the lead when Jasper Maher kicked truly five minutes in but when Eagles star Tyler Welsh booted his sixth major, the lead changed again. But another three goals in succession gave the Blues a decisive 16-point break 18 minutes into the final quarter as they secured a berth in the preliminary final against Central District.

Sturt captain George Pope led from the front with 23 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal while midfielders Ned Atkinson and Luca Slade were also high among their side’s best.

Making our mark.

16

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South Adelaide’s Tom Wheaton was his side’s best player with 26 disposals and two goals. Photos: Peter Argent

Sturt’s Loch Rawlinson celebrates a goal with team-mate Jasper Maher.

Maher finished with a damaging five goals from his 16 disposals and three marks while Loch Rawlinson (12 disposals, two goals) played his role well for the Blues.

Welsh was a clear standout for the Eagles with his game-high six goals straight while Tate Delmenico and Rome Burgoyne (17 disposals, five marks) also toiled hard in their last game for the season.

MAGAREY GROVE

BY NEIL J SMITH

The Magarey Medal has a rich history in South Australian football. William Magarey became the SAFA Commissioner ‘for hearing reported charges’ in 1897. He was concerned about the ‘thuggery’ in the game and introduced a medal for ‘fairest and most brilliant’ as an incentive for better play. And so he instituted the Magarey Medal.

The first Medal was designed by former Norwood player Lou Suhard and manufactured by Bert Gray.

Suhards continued to make the Medal for years. The first Medal was presented to Norwood’s Alby Green on March 10, 1899.

Magarey personally supervised the design of the Medal each year after looking through a catalogue of English sporting medals. It was to have a new design each year, made of 14-carat gold with the same design in silver for the reserves. He did not want his name on the Medal and on the back it was to be simply engraved with the winner as “The Fairest and Most Brilliant” with the winner’s name.

To further emphasise these elements, Magarey determined umpires would cast the votes and players suspended for a reportable offence during the season would not be eligible. Until 1912 each field umpire cast just one vote for the winner at the end of the season.

The Magarey Medal predates the Brownlow Medal (1934) and WA’s Sandover Medal (1921).

Football Park became the home of SA football in 1974, with the first game played between Central District and North Adelaide. In 1988, the SANFL and Charles Sturt Council created ‘Magarey Grove’ along West Lakes Boulevard as a living celebration of the Magarey Medal winners. Each winner would be recognised with a plaque and each year a new tree would be planted with the plaque.

Football Park was the home of football for 40 years and became the home ground for SA’s first AFL side, Adelaide Football Club, in 1991 and then for Port Adelaide from 1997. The ground hosted 458 AFL matches but when facilities needed a substantial upgrade, the decision was made to redevelop Adelaide Oval and bring footy back to the city.

Magarey Grove at Adelaide Oval.

Bryce Gibbs at Magarey Grove, which commemorates his Medal win in 2021.

So, what to do with Magarey Grove? It was decided to relocate the historical Magarey Medal plaque display to Adelaide Oval. In 2018, the original plaques were offered to the Magarey Medallists and their families and new ones were struck for all the medallists from 1898.

Magarey Grove can be found in the Creswell Gardens just to the north of Adelaide Oval. It is worth a visit next time you’re at the Oval or take one of the Adelaide Oval football tours offered in the winter season. It’s a fitting tribute to some wonderful footballers and a strong reminder of SANFL’s extraordinary history. sanfl.com.au

17

The Electrifying 80s

WOODVILLE’S FINEST HOUR

BY DION HAYMAN

Skipper Max Parker brings his Warriors together for their famous huddle of 1986 – the beginning of something big in Australian football.

Former Woodville captain Max Parker said three games against Port Adelaide were the most memorable of his 284-game career – but none was sweeter than the 1986 first semi-final.

The man who played with the Woodpeckers and then Warriors through their bleakest years, often copping hammerings from the Magpies, revealed he now has a soft spot for Port Adelaide. But those three great Woodville wins came quickly to mind. “The first one was beating Port the first time (1976), the second was beating Port at Alberton (1978) and this one was the granddaddy of the lot of them,” he blurted in his laconic tone from Flinders Island off the coast of Tasmania, where he lives and owns the general store. This one was indeed Woodville’s finest hour.

The Warriors slid to their all too familiar place at the foot of the ladder after the 10th series of 1986 18

sanfl.com.au

with just three wins. Something was about to give. Losing for a living, as Woodville often did, cultivated a closely-knit playing group at Oval Avenue. And Max Parker said he ‘invented’ the pre-game huddle that year, in a desperate attempt to make something happen. “No-one ever had a huddle before a game and we started it,” Parker said. “We were bottom again and Blighty (coach Malcolm Blight) was talking about leaving because he doesn’t like losing much and that’s when the huddle started. It was basically me in the middle saying, ‘Blighty can’t do this for us, the supporters can’t, we’re the only ones who can do this, so let’s do it’. Just about bringing people together.”

They reached the major round by winning 10 of their last 12 games and, with nearly all of South Australia in their corner, the Warriors brushed aside Norwood before sizing up the Magpies in the

knockout first semi final. “There were six or seven thousand people at training during the week,” said Parker, who missed training on the Friday night with the flu and only “got through the game on adrenaline”.

Ron Fuller almost missed the game, too, after being knocked out against the Redlegs and requiring 36 stitches in an ear. “I remember the Monday, obviously I didn’t train and then on the Wednesday I did some light running and Blighty said after, ‘you seem pretty bright’ and I said, ‘yeah, I feel good’,” Fuller recalled.

“The doctors recommended I wear a helmet. I did the warm-up on match day with it and said, ‘nah, I can’t play with this’ so I just threw it off.”

Fuller’s direct opponent that day, Magarey Medallist Greg Anderson, had also been knocked out the previous week, against Glenelg. But Anderson and Parker’s opposite number, Russell Johnston, blitzed

Warrior Colin McDonald, pictured at Woodville Oval, was best-afield in the 1986 first semi-final stunner.

They were a remarkably close-knit team, as you can tell from the way the Warriors left Football Park having claimed another big scalp in their fairytale 1986 finals campaign.

Woodville in the opening term. The Warriors’ fairytale run appeared over after Port, with the aid of a stiff southerly, rushed on four goals in two-and-a-half minutes during time-on to lead 9.2 to 3.2 at quarter-time. But this Woodville team ate adversity for breakfast.

“There was a real belief in the group that year – we’d come from some pretty precarious spots during the season. I don’t think anyone was too worried about it, we just got on with it,” Fuller said. “We were always a chance because we had guys like Andrew Taylor and Stephen Nichols and Ralph Sewer and Michael Templeton who could kick goals.”

Parker and Fuller began to have an influence as the green machine fought its way to within five points by the main break – Fuller’s contribution included a 65-metre torpedo. “I went for the mark and was already thinking what to do and nearly dropped it. I thought I’ll go back and have a ping and luckily it went through.”

Port established another threatening lead in the third term and still led by 18 points at the 26-minute-mark. But 35-year-old Sewer, who scored Woodville’s first two goals of the game in his inimitable Zip Zap style, bobbed up twice more in time-on to cut the lead to just a kick. “The thing about Ralphy, he kept his pace up right to the end, he was very quick. He was a bit of a marvel really,” Fuller said.

The final term was a classic arm wrestle with four lead changes and three deadlocks.

Parker began to leap over Johnston and even found himself in space after four minutes to give Woodville the lead for the first time since the opening moments of the match. “He probably won the first half but, by the end of the game, I’d worn him down and I was getting most of the taps,” Parker said. “I remember trying to stretch just that little bit extra cause we were pretty close to the same height but I just got a little fingernail to them.”

Darren Smith’s fifth goal restored the Magpies’ lead but Woodville’s impenetrable self-belief proved a shield Port could not crack. Kevin Harris rolled up his sleeves, outmuscling and outbustling Port’s on-ballers and Colin McDonald played one of the games of his life, repelling numerous Magpies attacks with 24 touches and eight marks from half-back. Nichols wriggled free from Ben Harris, who had beaten him to most passes that day, and snapped his fourth goal to give Woodville a lead it would not relinquish. Port was beaten and barely passed centre over the final 10 minutes as the Warriors kept the Magpies interested, adding five more behinds, finally winning 18.20 (128) to 18.13 (121) in front of 39,066 fans.

“Woodville’s best ever moment in

its history,” cried commentator Peter Marker.

Rueful Port coach Russell Ebert acknowledged of his players: “They relaxed, thought they had a big enough lead.” That might have sold Woodville short – the Warriors effected an incredible 30 smothers to just eight and 79 tackles to 44.

“The whole ’86 season was probably the highlight of Woodville’s 27 years in the league,” said Fuller, who at the time said of playing in finals: “It’s a disease all right and I’m not looking around for any antidote.” But reigning premier Glenelg was that neutralising agent, ending the Warriors’ Cinderella run the following week. “I’m not sure if we had got through I would have played in the grand final because I did a cartilage in my knee and had surgery straight away. But you would have, you would have done something I guess, found a way.”

Parker vividly recalls the photo splashed across The Advertiser capturing the joyous scenes after the game. “It might very well have been that was our grand final because it was such a great achievement,” he reflected. Big Max said he never embraced the merger of Woodville and West Torrens. “I sort of half barrack for Port a bit now, which is quite unbelievable,” he said. “I like the way they go about things. And I watch a bit of Footscray (Western Bulldogs) because I played a few games for them.” sanfl.com.au

19

MILESTONE

JUSTIN HOSKIN CENTRAL

200 GAMES

COLES MINI LEAGUERS OF THE WEEK Koby Young

Arabella Bartlett What do you want to be when you are older? Police officer

What do you want to be when you are older? AFLW player and Police officer

What is the best thing about playing footy?

What is the best thing about playing footy?

Getting to play with your mates

Which SANFL match are you attending?

Sturt v Central

Your local football club? Angaston Panthers What position do you play on the footy field? Half-forward flank Favourite SANFL team? Adelaide Favourite SANFL player? Sam Berry

If you were a superhero, what would be your name and super power?

Telemania and my superpower would be teleportation

What do you like doing when you’re not playing footy? Playing Fortnite with my mates

The best piece of advice given by your coach? Run hard

Kicking the ball and kicking goals

Which SANFL match are you attending?

Glenelg v Adelaide

Your local football club? Marion Rams What position do you play on the footy field? Full forward or wing

Favourite SANFL team? Port Adelaide

If you were a superhero, what would be your name and super power?

Azz. Kick goals from 50

What do you like doing when you’re not playing footy? Playing basketball and any sport

The best piece of advice given by your coach? Be yourself and play your best game

Official General Insurance Partner 20

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GRANT BEST PLAYER RIGHT NOW Central District ball magnet Harry Grant has convincingly won the SANFL Now Player of the Year award.

Grant’s career-best season earned him an impressive tally of 25 votes, well clear of runner-up Matt Allen (Glenelg) on 17, while Sturt’s James Battersby and Tom Lewis and Norwood’s Nik Rokahr each polled 15 votes.

Featuring in just seven league matches last year, chiefly due to persistent injuries, the former GWS Academy player quickly forged a reputation as one of the competition’s leading midfielders, named as first rover in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Averaging 26 disposals and seven clearances, the Bulldogs’ No.10 polled seven first preferences and will receive $500 courtesy of SANFL. The award is judged by SANFL Now commentators under a 3-2-1 voting system.

The nuggety 173cm on-baller has stepped up magnificently as the Bulldogs looked for a replacement for triple best-and-fairest Travis Schiller, who announced after last season he was heading to Europe.

“I looked up to Travy over the past two years, just with his consistency and the way he played,” said Grant, 22, who declared, “this has been my career-best year”.

Grant has amassed career-highs in disposals (36 against Port Adelaide in Round 9), tackles (15 against Woodville-West Torrens in Round 6) and clearances (12 against West in Round 13). Over the minor round he amassed the most ranking points in the SANFL, averaging 104 per game.

He was third for disposals (26 per

Typical Harry Grant as he crashes in to win the ball against the Eagles’ Adam D’Aloia in a best-on-ground performance in Central’s Round 10 win at Elizabeth.

game), second for clearances (6.7) and eighth for tackles (seven).

“I’m in my third year in Adelaide and really enjoying it,” he said. “I’ve got a great job, made some great mates and the footy club has really looked after me. Hopefully I have a long SANFL career,” said Grant, who works as an electrician. “I had a pretty good year in 2021 and then a pretty interrupted one last year, with injuries and form. I had a strong preseason to get my body right and a very big off-season in terms of improving my footy IQ and my running patterns. I’m having a great

time playing and we’ve been playing some strong footy as a team.”

SANFL NOW LEADERBOARD 25 – Harry Grant (Central), 17 – Matt Allen (Glenelg), 15 – James Battersby (Sturt), Tom Lewis (Sturt), Nik Rokahr (Norwood), 12 – Keegan Brooksby (South), Jackson Hately (Adelaide), 11 – Lachie Hosie (Glenelg), Kieran Strachan (Adelaide), James Rowe (Eagles), Liam McBean (Glenelg), Kobe Ryan (West), 10 – Sam Berry (Adelaide), Casey Voss (Sturt).

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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

%

Pts 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

Team

F

A

%

LAST ROUND’S RESULTS HOSTPLUS SANFL LEAGUE ADELAIDE OVAL ELIMINATION FINAL Central v Port Central 12.10 (82) d Port 11.9 (75) QUALIFYING FINAL Sturt v Adelaide Adelaide 11.9 (75) d Sturt 10.8 (68) Crowd: 8021 22

sanfl.com.au

RESERVES QUALIFYING FINAL Sturt 11.10 (76) d Central 6.4 (40)

ELIMINATION FINAL Eagles 10.9 (69) d South 10.8 (68)

TORRENS UNIVERSITY SANFL U18S FIRST SEMI-FINAL Sturt 13.9 (87) d Eagles 12.5 (77)

SECOND SEMI-FINAL South 10.12 (72) d Central 9.9 (63)

Pts

THE ROAD AHEAD 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

Elimination Final Central 12.10 (82) d Port 11.9 (75) Qualifying Final Adelaide 11.9 (75) d Sturt 10.8 (68) Sunday 10 September Semi Final 1 & 2

AO

Sunday 17 September Preliminary Final

AO

Sturt 10.15 (75) d Eagles 9.6 (60) Sunday 24 September Adelaide 14.8 (92) d Port 2.15 (27) Grand Final 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

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’s Matt Allen, Adelaide’s Sam Berry, 200-gamer Justin Hoskin (Central) and Sturt’s Steven Slimming.

sanfl.com.au

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