South Australian Football Budget - Grand Final 2024 - Vol 98 - No. 23 22 Sep

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

BY PETER CORNWALL

Excitement and pure joy. Passion and camaraderie.

These pictures are certainly worth 1000 words. There’s Norwood, taking the direct route to the Big Dance with a super impressive 59-point second semi-final win against Central District. Then there’s Glenelg. The Tigers are hunting back-to-back flags for just the second time in their history but they’ve had to take the long and winding round, via impressive wins in three weeks of full-on finals pressure, sweeping aside the Eagles, Sturt and Central.

The joy on these players’ faces is enormous. But there’s still the biggest day of all ahead. Still a mountain of work to be done and pressure to be faced. The Legs and Tigers were so excited after reaching the premiership decider because they know what the feeling can be like when you’ve won the granny, so wait till you see the faces of the winners after the final siren on Sunday.

Up to 13 players from Norwood’s 2022 premiership team – and coach Jade Rawlings – can soak up that feeling again. And up to 18 Tigers

premiership players from last year – along with mentor Darren Reeves – can experience the ultimate high again. And there are seven who can create a slice of history and join Glenelg legend Peter Carey as triple premiership players at the Bay – captain Liam McBean, last year’s winning skipper Max Proud, Matthew Snook, Darcy Bailey, Luke Reynolds, Jonty Scharenberg and Brad McCarthy.

Up to four players out there on the hallowed turf of Adelaide Oval this year have previously won the Jack Oatey Medal – could Norwood’s Harry Boyd or Matt Panos or Glenelg’s Snook or Lachie Hosie grab themselves a second?

Norwood and Glenelg may have had different routes to the premiership decider but it all starts again and they’re both 50-50 chances when the ball is bounced at 2.30pm.

NO DRAW Everyone is expecting a hardfought 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 a

five-minute break, then the teams will change ends and play for three minutes plus time-on, then – without a break – change ends again for a second half of three minutes plus time-on.

If scores remain tied at the end of the two three-minute halves, the process of playing another two three-minute halves will be repeated until a winner is found.

Imagine how much excitement and joy – and the pain of defeat – there would be after that.

GRAND FINAL DAY ADELAIDE OVAL SUN 22 SEPTEMBER 2024

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

sanfl.com.au

3

GRAND FINAL DANGERMEN

BY PETER CORNWALL

HARRY BOYD There’s little doubt who is the No. 1 dangerman today. If he’s at his best, his side looms as just about unstoppable. If you’re up against him and can manage to keep him relatively quiet, you’ll be halfway to a win. The Redlegs ruck giant has been dominant all season and is a proven big-game player, already with a Jack Oatey Medal in his keeping for best-afield in the 2022 grand final. Hardly surprisingly – considering he’s averaging 47 hit-outs, 21 disposals and a remarkable 10 clearances – he added a Magarey Medal to his collection this year. He’s always in the fight, a 198cm ruckman who’s an extra midfielder the way he wins the ball and gets it out to team-mates. An absolute gun.

MATTHEW ALLEN Moving and playing like a Rolls-Royce, the long-striding, long-kicking leftfooter is quick, athletic and versatile – at 193cm he’s an impressive overhead mark but he’s equally as effective on the inside or outside – and he can break a game open with long goals on the run. He has booted 31 goals this year including five hauls of three or four and is third in the league for ranking points – behind Magarey Medallists Sturt’s Will Snelling and Boyd. Allen finished fifth in the Medal for the second successive year and he and James Bell were the Tigers’ standouts in their impressive preliminary final win against Central. He might just be primed to rip a big game like this apart.

BAYNEN LOWE Has made huge strides in the midfield, earning a place in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year. Lowe started the season as a forward – where he’d spent 2022-23 at Norwood – before being thrust into the midfield in Round 5, where the 21-year-old Tasmanian had an immediate impact. Has averaged 23 disposals from his past 15 games and he’s still hitting the scoreboard – how good was his run straight out of the middle, bounce and long goal 17 seconds into a game against the Crows? Earned 22 disposals and six clearances in the second semi win against Central after kicking a goal in the Legs’ 2022 grand final win, so he knows what it’s all about on the big stage.

LACHIE HOSIE Like Boyd, Hosie has proved he can step up on the biggest stage. Thrive on it, even. His six-goal Jack Oatey Medal-winning grand final performance last year says it all. The forward excitement machine was shattered when a knee injury suffered in Round 7 and subsequent surgery seemed to have ended his season. But he refused to let up on a dream to help his beloved Bays go back-to-back, diligently putting in all the work – and more – to give him a chance to return. And what a return it was in the preliminary final – a superb snapped goal within two minutes, followed by the customary celebrations. If the Bays are celebrating again today, Hosie’s bound to have played a decent part in it.

4

sanfl.com.au

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER CORNWALL

There could hardly be more pressure as Norwood’s Harry Boyd is confronted by Glenelg’s Matt Allen and Matthew Snook but the ruck giant still gets the ball forward.

Photo: Cory Sutton

Have they played enough footy?

Have they played too much footy?

They are questions that rear their head pretty much every September.

When minor premier Norwood runs out for the grand final it will have played just one game in 28 days. Its opponent, reigning premier Glenelg, has played in six must-win games in six weeks. But Tigers captain Liam McBean summed it up best.

“By the time the ball bounces on Sunday it really counts for nothing … we’ve done it different ways over the past few years … having a bit of extra footy for continuity has been important for us and getting some guys back from injury always helps but by the time the ball bounces, I think the contest will be won and lost on the day.”

And when the ball is bounced there is so much to look forward to. Two quality sides packed with talented and creative midfielders, defenders who are hard to beat but ready to back themselves and rebound to forward set-ups that can score quickly and break a game open before you know what’s hit you.

Two sides who have won premierships in the past two seasons in different ways – Norwood with four tough weeks of footy in 2022 after losing the qualifying final, Glenelg last year when its only final before the premiership decider was a strong

second semi win.

And when the ball is bounced there will be Norwood’s Harry Boyd there ready for action, the popular Magarey Medallist – along with Sturt’s Will Snelling – who seems unstoppable. “I’m not sure you can actually stop him so we will just have to try to nullify him as much as we possibly can and try to get the footy going our way,” said Glenelg coach Darren Reeves, noting Cam McGree, Riley Holder and McBean all would have to play their role in ruck.

As exciting as Boyd is, he’s not going to win it on his own. “Harry is one part of a bigger picture,” Redlegs coach Jade Rawlings said.

“We’re not the Harry Boyd Footy Club. I don’t think Will Snelling and Harry Boyd could have been more dignified in how they handled their success last week … Harry just fitted back into being part of the group and being a leader as he was before the Magarey, so I am really proud of him for that.”

There’s no doubt humble superstar Boyd is just part of what has set Norwood apart this season.

Midfield trio Mitch O’Neill (averaging 26 touches per game), Baynen Lowe (21) and Billy Cootee (22) have set the tempo on the ball, with the likes of inspirational skipper Jacob Kennerley and Declan Hamilton part of a dangerous mix,

while in defence Tom Donnelly and Jack Heard have stood tall, winning places in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, while ultraconsistent Matthew Ling was unlucky to miss a spot. Stepping up in the forward line have been Izaak Twelftree, with 26 goals, Finn Heard and Tristan Binder, while Jackson Callow (29 goals) can turn a game.

The excitement this match-up is generating between the premiers of the past two seasons, who have won three each of their past six clashes and one each this season – Norwood by 24 points in Round 2, Glenelg by 34 in Round 16 – is understandable considering what the Tigers have to throw at the Redlegs.

On-ball there’s in-form Matt Allen, 2019 Jack Oatey Medallist Matt Snook, James Bell and Corey Lyons.

Last year’s premiership skipper Max Proud leads the way in defence, while another premiership captain, Chris Curran on a wing, always seems to be in the right place doing the right thing. But perhaps Glenelg’s most daunting weapon is its firepower. McBean again is SANFL’s leading goalkicker, with 48, Luke Reynolds is fourth with 40, last year’s Ken Farmer Medallist Lachie Hosie has 20 from just six games and Matt Allen has weighed in with 31. No wonder we’re all looking forward to that first bounce. sanfl.com.au

5

?

CHIMNEY COME ALONG TO THE WEST END

CEREMONY

SEE THE 2024 HOSTPLUS SANFL LEAGUE PREMIERS UNVEIL THEIR COLOURS!

TUE 24 SEPTEMBER 11AM BRICKWORKS MARKETPLACE FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT WESTENDDRAUGHT.COM.AU

LOOKING TO LIFT TOMMY

BY PETER ARGENT

Norwood captain Jacob Kennerley and Glenelg skipper Liam McBean today have the same dream – lifting the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership cup as flagwinning captain.

Kennerley was vice-captain to Matthew Nunn when the Redlegs won the one-point thriller against North Adelaide in 2022, then was co-captain from Round 3 last year.

This year he’s stepped up on his own in style, leading the Legs to the minor premiership and straight through to the decider from the second semi-final.

McBean is aiming to be the third Tigers premiership captain in six years, following in the footsteps of defenders Chris Curran and Max Proud.

“I count Chris and Max among my best friends at the football club,” McBean said. “I look up to them as leaders of our club and have a lot of respect for both in this area. It would mean so much to join them as a premiership captain at Glenelg.”

Kennerley was drafted from the Legs to Geelong in 2018 but after battling the Covid year and the hub in 2020 and not playing a league game, it was “about re-finding my love for the game” with Norwood in 2021. It didn’t take long, the Redlegs storming to a stunning premiership in ’22 – “the grand final has been the highlight of my career so far… we had a superbly connected group”.

“In ’23 it was a tough year, we dropped eight games to start the season … as well as losing Nick Lowden,” said Kennerley, who has endured plenty already in his life, his father Brock having passed when he was 10. The sporting community in his home town of Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula provided strong mentors and male role models to look up to.

Kennerley will have plenty of family support at the grand final with mum Ingrid, sister Nikita and grandparents Gil and Jan Hollamby cheering him on. A project manager in the construction industry soon to complete his degree, a win would

There’s no doubt how much pleasure Norwood’s Jacob Kennerley and Glenelg’s Liam McBean got from winning their way through to the grand final. Imagine how one of them will be feeling lifting the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership cup.

supersede his career highlight from two years ago.

Glenelg has taken the long and winding road to the big dance this season from the elimination final and McBean’s path to captaining the Tigers isn’t something he would have predicted. The tall forward hails from suburban Melbourne, having come from community club Aberfeldie Gorillas, then playing for Calder Cannons in the TAC under-18 cup before being on Richmond’s list for four years. When that ended, he was thinking about heading to Sydney. “I had a phone call from Darcy Bailey which started the process with Paul Sandercock and Glenelg,” McBean said. “It was good there were a number of likeminded players at the Tigers who had done the hard yards and were looking for success in the latter stages of their careers.

“There is also a great social culture at the club and connection between the players and supporters. This will be my fourth grand final since 2019. I initially came over in 2017, spent the ’18 calendar year travelling and returned again in ’19.”

McBean spoke glowingly about what coach Darren Reeves has brought to the Bay since his arrival last year. “Reeva’s ability to connect with all the playing group, from the senior players to the lads coming out of the underage programs, is simply outstanding,” he said. “He has been phenomenal and has such high moral fibre … he’s always doing everything in his power to help us achieve our goals.”

It’s not hard to guess his goal right now. It also happens to be the burning desire of Kennerley.

One of this pair will get the lift they are gunning for. sanfl.com.au

7

KICKING A WINNING SCORE

BY PETER CORNWALL

Sturt’s attacking game was a joy under Jack Oatey as the Double Blues routinely kicked impressive winning scores. So perhaps it should not be a surprise Sturt has had more century goalkickers than any other SANFL club. Five Blues stars – ‘Bo’ Morton, Ken Whelan, Rick Davies, Ian Willmott and Brant Chambers – have bagged 100 in a season. And Sturt’s goalkickers have also led the way in grand finals, with the three biggest hauls all by Blues spearheads.

Gordon ‘Grassy’ Green booted nine goals against North Adelaide in 1932, while Malcolm Greenslade kicked nine against Glenelg in 1969.

And next best is Malcolm ‘Emmy’ Jones, with eight in Sturt’s droughtbreaking grand final win against Port Adelaide in 1966.

These days everyone reckons defence wins grand finals. But there are plenty of outstanding forwards who have won premierships off their own boots and they deserve to be celebrated because there’s nothing better to watch in our great game than the high-flying goalkicker.

Sometimes, it’s your day. No matter what. Even a late night out playing cards on the eve of the biggest game of the year couldn’t stop a full forward who was on song back in 1932. Although it’s a preparation that simply wouldn’t happen these days, Sturt’s Gordon Green became the stuff of legend after arriving at Adelaide Oval – unsurprisingly “feeling a bit flat” – having played in a poker game in a smoke-filled room until two o’clock that morning.

Green, nicknamed ‘Grassy’ for fairly obvious reasons, laughed about it seven decades later in an interview with this writer. “I asked our trainer Alf Longmore for something to pep me up and he gave me a dose of smelling salts,” Grassy said. Green was feeling a little sorry for himself when he missed his first shot at 8

sanfl.com.au

Sturt full forward Malcolm Greenslade kisses his boot after kicking nine goals in the 1969 grand final against Glenelg.

Malcolm Greenslade and Gordon ‘Grassy’ Green at Adelaide Oval in 1982 – 50 years after Green’s nine-goal grand final haul. Photo: Bernard Whimpress

goal from 15 metres, copping some stick from the crowd, North supporters happy to tell him it just wasn’t going to be his day. They were feeling sick and sorry for themselves as if they’d had the night out on the town when his next nine shots all were goals.

Green, who died aged 95 in 2004, “showed astounding aerial ability, and kicked remarkably well” according to Rover in The Advertiser. While he was holding all the aces on this memorable day,

the greatest goalkicker of them all, North’s Ken Farmer, kicked 5.2 to finish with half his side’s goals.

Green, credited in The Advertiser with 9.2, had his record equalled – or pipped, depending on how precise you want to be – by a man with a similar name from the same club when Malcolm Greenslade bagged 9.4 as the Blues kicked a grand final record 24.15 against the Bays in 1969. The VFL/AFL grand final record also is nine goals, by Collingwood’s Gordon Coventry in

North Adelaide’s Barry Potts is the centre of attention after his performance of a lifetime in the 1960 premiership decider.

1928 and Geelong’s Gary Ablett – incredibly in a losing side – in 1989.

Greenslade was a favourite for footy photographers and the picture of him soaring for a mark for Richmond in 1971 is one of the sport’s iconic pictures. His stunning leap saw him nominated for Richmond’s Mark of the Century, despite playing just two VFL games there while on National Service. “It was my first touch of the footy in the VFL,” he recalled in an interview with this writer in 2017. But Greenslade’s favourite photo has always been the one of him kissing his boot after his nine-goal grand final haul. “And John Tilbrook didn’t pass the ball to me when I had the chance to kick my 10th. He preferred to blast away from 60 metres,” ‘Greeny’ recalled with a grin.

Greenslade, who also booted six goals in the wet in Sturt’s 1970 grand final win against Glenelg, said kicking goals in the dominant Blues side of the late 1960s and ’70s was a “no-brainer” because of the expert delivery he received from the likes of Bob Shearman, Daryl Hicks and Paul Bagshaw. ‘Emmy’ Jones also benefitted from their silky skills when he kicked 8.4 of Sturt’s 16.16 – to Port’s 8.8 – in 1966.

While that kicked off five successive premierships for Sturt at Adelaide Oval, no one had more grand final success at the iconic Oval than 1964 Magarey Medallist Geof Motley. He played in nine Port Adelaide premierships, the most remarkable his game-changing performance in 1957, when Port trailed Norwood by 24 points in the second quarter. Fos Williams switched Dave Boyd into

Glenelg’s Rex Voigt and Lachie Hosie show how many goals they kicked in grand finals 50 years apart. Photo: Gordon Anderson

the centre and Motley to halfforward and he simply took the game by the scruff of the neck, booting a stunning seven goals. Port was a goal behind at the last break but Motley kicked four final-quarter goals, Keith Butler writing in The Advertiser it was “his fast, clever dashes that finally spreadeagled the Norwood defence and wrote the final chapter to an epic match”.

Glenelg last year continued a tradition of key forwards standing up as grand final matchwinners.

Lachie Hosie booted six goals without a miss in the Bays’ 24-point win against Sturt, claiming the Jack Oatey Medal, just as Stephen Kernahan had done in 1985 and Tony Hall in ’86. Kernahan was King of the Bay after ripping the game from North’s grasp after it had led by 29 points in the second quarter, hauling in a succession of stronglycontested marks and bagging 7.3.

The following year the Tigers led from go-to-whoa against the Roosters, Hall flying high with six goals. North has suffered more than its share of grief at the hands of the Bays. Hosie’s Medal-winning haul came 50 years after Rex Voigt had booted seven goals and Peter Carey six in Glenelg’s epic last-gasp triumph against the Roosters.

While Hosie last year won the Ken Farmer Medal for leading goalkicker, the man the Medal was named after shone out in the 1931 grand final, breaking the Australian record for most goals in a season, held by the VFL Magpies’ Coventry. Farmer kicked six goals in North’s 38-point win against Sturt, taking his tally for the season to 126, topping Coventry

by two. And it seemed everyone at Adelaide Oval was barracking for the North legend. “Players on both sides rushed to congratulate Farmer when he equalled the Australian record with a great snapshot goal from a long way out,” Rover wrote in The Advertiser, “but the scenes of enthusiasm among the players were unprecedented when he ran in unhindered a little later to score the record-breaking goal. Sturt players seemed more interested in Farmer’s success than in their own prospects.”

It’s fair to say times have changed.

Despite a strong history of great goalkickers including centurions Farmer, Dennis Sachse, Grenville Dietrich and John Roberts, North’s biggest hauls on grand final day have been seven by a couple of livewire rovers – Barry Potts in the 1960 thriller against Norwood and Jack Oatey Medallist Darel Hart in the thrashing of West in 1991.

No full forward has impacted more grand finals than Port Adelaide’s Scott Hodges, who booted seven goals against Central District in 1996 and six against Glenelg in 1990 and ’92 and the Eagles in 1994. In the 1990 grand final he broke Rick Davies’ record of 151 goals, finishing his Magarey Medalwinning season with 153.

Just as Magpie Tim Evans was when he booted seven goals against Glenelg in 1977, Hodges was a matchwinner. The sort of player who can bring a crowd to its feet, like Hosie did last year. The sort who can dominate when there’s a ‘full house’ on grand final day – although not the sort ‘Grassy’ Green coveted the night before his big day out. sanfl.com.au

9

GRAND FINAL 2:30PM SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – ADELAIDE OVAL

Broadcast: Live & free on Seven & 7Plus | Live stream SANFL Now AFL.com.au & AFL Live App | Live Radio - SEN 1629AM | Fiveaa | Triple M | ABC #SANFLRedlegsTigers

GLENELG

NORWOOD COACH: Jade Rawlings

COLOURS: Red and Blue

COACH: Darren Reeves

No

PLAYER

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

No

2

Baynen Lowe

21.......177......54.......53......................

4

Matt Panos

33......191.....149.....174.....................

5

Pierce Seymour

29..... 190......79........1.......................

6

Thomas Donnelly

25......191......58........5.......................

7

Jackson Callow

22......195......29...... 49......................

8

Samuel Morris

23..... 182......59.......17......................

9

1 Will Gould 2 Jonty Scharenberg 3 Matthew Snook 4 Cole Gerloff 5 Liam McBean (C) 7 Luke Reynolds 8 Corey Lyons 9 Darcy Bailey 11 James Bell 12 Max Proud 13 Oscar Adams 14 Brad McCarthy 16 Alex Martini 18 Billy Stretch 19 Cameron McGree 20 Lachlan Hosie 21 Chris Curran 22 Matthew Allen 23 Riley Holder 26 Liam Wisdom 27 Nick Stevens 33 Austin Kitschke 36 Will Chandler 37 Hunter Window 39 Archie Lovelock 40 Ben Ridgway

Henry Nelligan

22......171......33...... 20......................

10 Declan Hamilton

28..... 184..... 119.......57......................

11

24..... 186...... 71....... 32......................

Jacob Kennerley (C)

13 Billy Cootee

21.......178...... 17........ 11......................

14 Mitch O’Neill

23......178......59.......15......................

15 Brodie Carroll

24......187......43........2.......................

16 Alastair Lord

20......181...... 19.........1.......................

18 Tom Graham

24......195......34........9.......................

20 Matthew Ling

25..... 184......32........3.......................

27 Cooper Murley

21.......178...... 18........6.......................

29 Izaak Twelftree

23..... 193...... 21....... 28......................

31 Harry Boyd

26..... 198......78.......21......................

32 Alec Wright

24..... 190...... 21.........2.......................

35 Jack Heard

24......191......74........1.......................

36 Jake Cresswell

21...... 183......26........8.......................

39 Jayden Gale

21.......181....... 9.........6.......................

40 Finn Heard

22......195...... 16........17......................

45 Tristan Binder

24..... 194......26...... 32......................

48 Mitchell Carroll

23..... 184......20........4.......................

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

PLAYER

COLOURS: Black and Gold AGE..... HT. . .... GP...... GK......G......... B

23......191......30........4.......................

26..... 184..... 121.......15......................

32..... 182.....206..... 46......................

25..... 185.....105..... 58......................

30.....202....132.....317.....................

29..... 188..... 155.....212.....................

26..... 182......59.......25......................

30......176.....148..... 90......................

25..... 184......40...... 24......................

32..... 192.....190......17......................

21...... 199...... 21.........2.......................

25......176...... 71.........3.......................

25......181......93........7.......................

28......181......84...... 23......................

25.....200.....42....... 11......................

27..... 188......80......197.....................

33..... 189.....159......15......................

26..... 193......97...... 94......................

21...... 192......59...... 29......................

24..... 185......23........0.......................

22..... 192.......8.........0.......................

23..... 189...... 19.........5.......................

22..... 183...... 17........15......................

21.......172...... 10........5.......................

19.......178......30........8.......................

19...... 182....... 6.........1.......................

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

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

LEAGUE NORWOOD GLENELG

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Points

LEAGUE UMPIRES

FIELD: Ben Williams Sam Morgan Mitchell Scott Giles Lewis (E)

RD16 2024 @ STRATARAMA STADIUM RD2 2024 @ COOPERS STADIUM Glenelg 11.15 (81) d Norwood 6.11 (47) Norwood 10.11 (71) d Glenelg 7.5 (47)

CHIMNEY COME ALONG TO THE WEST END

CEREMONY

10

sanfl.com.au

?

BOUNDARY: Martin Elsegood Dylan Speck Tobin Dolman Benjamin Sieben

GOAL: Michael Button Thomas Sharpe Thomas Oxford (E)

RD12 2023 @ COOPERS STADIUM Glenelg 13.9 (87) d Norwood 7.15 (57)

TUE 24 SEPTEMBER 11AM BRICKWORKS MARKETPLACE

FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT

WESTENDDRAUGHT.COM.AU

STAT CHAT – GRAND FINAL

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Baynen Lowe has been a revelation for Norwood this season, averaging 21 disposals per game and he’s also chipped in with 18 goals, celebrating one of a three-goal haul against Adelaide here with Jayden Gale.

You want the best players strutting their stuff on the biggest stage, so it was wonderful to see Glenelg’s charismatic spearhead Lachie Hosie back from his long-term knee injury and booting four goals in the Tigers’ 38-point preliminary final win against Central.

Norwood and Glenelg are surprisingly meeting for just the fourth time in a grand final. The Bays will make history with a win because the Redlegs came out in front in the previous three premiership deciders – in 1950, 1975 and 1982.

Norwood pipped the Tigers by five points in the 1950 second semi-final before Jack Oatey produced a tactical masterclass in a 47-point grand final triumph.

Heavy-scoring Glenelg in 1975 remarkably averaged 160 points each game yet, with a 15-3 record, finished second behind Norwood (16-2). Beating Port in the qualifying final by 24 points and the Redlegs by 29 points in the second semi, Glenelg was grand final favourite but Norwood came through when it counted, winning 9.10 to 7.10 to end a premiership drought that extended back to its previous win against the Tigers.

The Redlegs held all the aces in 1982 when Glenelg battled its way from the elimination final to make the big dance, having had just a six-day break after a gruelling, spiteful one-point preliminary final win against Port. Norwood won the decider by 62 points.

Since the 1982 grand final, these sides have met in 10 finals, the Redlegs winning seven and the Bays three, including back-to-back preliminary finals in 1987-88.

Most recently the Legs won the first semi against the Tigers in their 2022 premiership year.

Norwood has been in 40 premiership deciders for 22 victories and a draw, while it claimed nine flags in the long-gone days when there were no finals. The Tigers have been in 20 grand finals for six wins, with a run of 14 grand finals for just three victories between 1969-92.

Today is the sixth time Glenelg has reached a premiership decider from the elimination final, without having yet won one. Will that change in 2024? If it does, the Bays will have gone back-to-back for just the second time, after 1985-86.

Sturt kicked the highest score in a grand final with its

24.15 to 13.16 victory over the Tigers in 1969, while the biggest margin was Central’s 125-point smashing of the Eagles in 2004. One of the greatest grand finals also produced the highest aggregate, in 1973 when Glenelg beat North Adelaide 21.11 to 19.16.

Port Adelaide leads the way in grand finals with 63 appearances, 33 victories and 30 losses. It also holds the unwanted record for lowest score in a premiership decider, finishing with just 1.6 to North’s 6.5 in 1905.

GRAND FINAL RECORDS

CENTRAL GLENELG NORTH NORWOOD PORT SOUTH STURT WEST TORRENS

P

W

L

D

HS

LS

14 20 33 40 63 13 27 18 8

9 6 14 22 33 5 15 9 4

5 14 18 17 30 7 11 9 4

1 1 1 1 -

23.15 21.15 23.15 20.13 16.28 23.14 24.15 21.16 15.25

6.8 4.8 1.8 2.2 1.6 1.8 3.5 2.16 6.13

[HS – highest score, LS – lowest score] PAST 10 GRAND FINALS 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

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) Glenelg 13.8 (86) d Sturt 8.14 (62) sanfl.com.au

11

2024 SANFL RESERVES GRAND FINAL

11:00am Sunday 22 September @ Adelaide Oval Live stream on SANFL Now | Live scores at www.sanfl.com.au and SANFL App

STURT

NORWOOD

COACH: Chris Trapp

COLOURS: Double Blue

COACH: Aaron Jelfs

COLOURS: Red and Blue

No

PLAYER

AGE..... HT. . ..........................G......... B

No

PLAYER

AGE..... HT. . ..........................G......... B

9

Sam Breuer

21...... 183............................................

12 Ben Simpson

23......179............................................

10 Charlie Molan

21.......187............................................

12 Ned Atkinson

18...... 183............................................

17 Patrick Walker

22..... 188............................................

20 Luca Slade

18...... 182............................................

21 Xavier Tranfa

22......181............................................

21 Liam Puncher

21.......195............................................

23 Oliver Sanders

22......178............................................

24 Will Spain

21.......177............................................

26 Liam Robinson

24..... 194............................................

27 Charlie Fryer

21...... 190............................................

28 Max Hodges

23......191............................................

28 Charlie Parker

26..... 192............................................

37 Isaac Saywell

24..... 188............................................

33 Heath Wingard

22..... 182............................................

38 Goy Lok

27..... 185............................................

35 Nick Sadler

20......179............................................

41 Luke Bogle

24......178............................................

37 Alex Holt

19...... 183............................................

38 Thomas McCourt

18.......181............................................

42 Lachie Bates

21.......173............................................

40 Ned Walter

22..... 182............................................

44 Alex van Wyk

22.....202...........................................

42 Willa Taylor

22..... 182............................................

46 Nich Weightman

28..... 183............................................

43 Brad Jefferies

21...... 185............................................

47 Harvey Pedler

19.......187............................................

44 James Richards

24..... 189............................................

49 Josh Gillow

20..... 190............................................

46 Henry Maerschel

18...... 189............................................

51 Josh Bradford

21.......173............................................

47 Hugo Kittel

21...... 199............................................

53 George McLeod

21.......175............................................

50 Will Torode

20......197............................................

53 Marcus Pavlic

19...... 196............................................

54 Tyson Walls

20......174............................................

54 Ted Newman

19...... 192............................................

55 Connor Kent

20......181............................................

56 Sam Waltham

18...... 194............................................

56 Jacob Jones

19.......179............................................

57 Kobe McEntee

19.......173............................................

58 Calem Krollig

20..... 190............................................

59 Tommy McCormack

24..... 193............................................

63 Henry Slade

21...... 186............................................

60 Oli Duffy

20.....204...........................................

64 Marco D’Annunzio

20.....202...........................................

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

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

RESERVES STURT NORWOOD

RESERVES FIELD: UMPIRES Paul Ventura

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Points

Jake Cuming Henry Klemm Thomas Kelly (E)

BOUNDARY: Oakley Nilsen James Haskard Blayde Harten Nathan Becker

GOAL: Thomas Fahey Jared Murto Michael Lombardi (E)

TOPSPORT

12

sanfl.com.au

RESERVES GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

BY PETER ARGENT

Rebounding Sturt defender Alex Holt setting the Blues on their way. Photos: Peter Argent

Bridesmaids last year, Chris Trapp’s Sturt’s reserves outfit, who finished second on the ladder behind Norwood, enjoyed two emphatic major round wins on their way to the decider.

The Blues thumped Glenelg by 61 points in the qualifying final, then demolished minor premier Norwood in the second semi by 67, Nick Sadler, Liam Puncher, Charlie Parker and Hugo Kittel outstanding and key marking forward Lachlan Burrows bagging four goals. Burrows also booted four in the qualifying final, while Charlie Molan, James Richards and Charlie Fryer excelled against the Bays. Sadly for the Sturt faithful Burrows has not qualified for the reserves decider because these were the only games he played in the twos. But Tommy McCormack is a significant target as a lead-up forward, having kicked 42 goals in 19 games.

There has already been cause for some celebration in the Sturt camp with Brad Jefferies winning the Reserves Magarey Medal. Luca Slade

Norwood’s Goy Lok grabs a strong contested mark in the preliminary final win against Glenelg.

missed a chunk of the season after copping a broken leg in the State under-20s game but is starting to make an impact. He will be looking to become a premiership player like his father Matt, who won eight league flags with Central District, and younger sibling Naite, who earned a winner’s medal in Sturt’s under-16 grand final win last Sunday. Running small defender Alex Holt has been a consistent performer.

“Our depth across the board is a strength – we were tested midseason but the majority of the squad is fit and firing for the grand final,” said Chris Trapp, who coached Sturt’s 2022 reserves flag against North. “Our key message is about getting the basics right on the day – not overthinking it beforehand and executing the game plan under pressure.”

Norwood coach Aaron Jelfs said having the league and reserves sides in grand finals was a major boost. “We were able to tackle this week as a whole squad, have both teams on the track,” said Jelfs, who

noted the Redlegs’ eight-goal win in the preliminary final against reigning premier Glenelg gave them confidence. “After our loss to Sturt in the second semi-final we just reset at the start of preliminary final week,” he said. “Jade Rawlings’ approach and support of the entire senior group has been a key this year. If we continue to believe in the Norwood way, I’m confident we will be highly competitive. We have beaten them, having won against Sturt by a couple of points in Round 1.”

Among the Redlegs’ prime movers are strongly-built ruckman Alex Van Wyk, Luke Bogle and Xavier Tranfa, with left-footed Harvey Pedler another to keep an eye on. Calem Krollig, Tom Graham and Josh Gillow will play significant roles in defence, while Liam Robinson leads Norwood’s reserves goalkickers with 30 for the season and Goy Lok provides attacking X-factor. Jayden Gale, who, with Ben Simpson, was high among the best in the preliminary final, provides experience.

Proudly partnering the journey of footy in SA for 70 years. sanfl.com.au

13

GRAND FOOTBALL PARK

BY ROBERT LAIDLAW

Would fans give Football Park the cold shoulder? Was it too far away?

Wasn’t West Lakes a glorified area of swamplands? Why was it always windy? Freezing? Wet? The vast concrete bowl with next to no cover in its debut season in 1974 soon was dubbed ‘Pleurisy Park’. But no, they built it and the people came. In their droves. It was developed, redeveloped and fans came to love it – and realise it wasn’t really that far away.

A bumper crowd of 58,042 packed into Footy Park for its first grand final 50 years ago, even though the day featured everything supporters standing on the open terraces dreaded – howling winds, bitter cold and driving rain. But they were enthralled by a hard-fought contest between minor premier Sturt and Glenelg – that had stormed through from the elimination final to get within one win of back-to-back flags – that pretty much went down to the wire. And the Blues, undoubtedly the best team of the year, were rewarded with the flag – admittedly with a fair slice of good fortune.

That’s because, in these conditions, the toss of the coin loomed as being critical. So much so, Glenelg coach Neil Kerley was willing to take some liberties at the coin toss, when it would be decided who would kick with the gale-force northerly wind before the forecast rains came.

Tigers superstar Peter Carey recalled the plan for his inspirational skipper Peter Marker. “Peter went out for the toss with Kerls’ instructions that no matter what side the coin landed, point to the southern goals straight away,” he said. “But Peter told me while he was prepared to follow his coach’s plan, he just couldn’t help himself, and did it honestly. And we lost the toss!”

“No doubt it was crucial to win the toss, as it always seemed to be windy at Football Park,” said champion Sturt ruckman Rick Davies, who was rated best-afield in the big game. “Paul (Bagshaw) making the right call was so important.”

14

sanfl.com.au

It was a bitterly cold day at Football Park for its first grand final in 1974 but Sturt master coach Jack Oatey didn’t look as cool as a cucumber as tensions rose in a tight contest against Glenelg in front of a packed house.

Davies won the first tap, down to courageous, skilful rover Mike Nunan, who booted the ball forward, where Robbert Klomp gained possession and kicked truly, within 30 seconds of the first bounce. Nunan also set up AllAustralian wingman Tony Burgan for a goal and Sturt was 14 points up after 10 minutes. The Blues cashed in on the wind when Davies snapped what could have been viewed as the goal of the season.

“I was forced onto my left side and I never kick with my left foot,” Davies said. “I reckon I’d only ever kicked on that side once in my whole life. So, I just slammed it onto the boot and the swirling wind must have done the rest of the work, as it sailed high and seemed to have a mind of its own as it went through for a goal.”

Spectacular full forward Ken Whelan earned a free on the boundary and steered it through for six points.

Klomp then kicked his second major and, after Paul Weston managed a behind for the Bays, electrifying wingman Michael Graham ran into an open goal for a 6.5-to-0.1 lead at quarter-time. But it was probably close to a six-goal wind.

It looked like game on as Glenelg scored its first goal in the opening 10 seconds of the second quarter, after Graham Cornes followed the tap forward and kicked truly from 50m. Majors to Neville Caldwell and Fred Phillis cut the deficit to 20 points at the 10-minute-mark.

Then it happened. The clouds burst open and the rain crashed down.

Craig Marriott goaled for the Bays but Weston’s shot was touched off the boot and Caldwell hit the post, the Tigers trailing 4.6 to 6.6 at half-time.

“It was a terrible day,” Carey said.

“After Baggy (Bagshaw) won the toss, we were up against it, chasing tail. The rain made conditions even tougher and scoring difficult, as the wind also dropped. I’m not sure if people remember those early days at Football Park – there was just one grandstand and the wind would whip around it, which made it hard to kick goals. When the rain came it reduced our advantage in the second quarter. Luck was not going our way.”

At the start of the third term goalkicking great Phillis had what appeared an easy shot but missed, setting the tone for the quarter.

‘Flash’ Graham’s shot sailed over the goalpost, then Klomp hit the post. Halfway through the term Phillis nailed the first goal of the game against the wind, from 45m, and when Caldwell kicked truly a few minutes later, the Tigers had given themselves a chance, trailing by just five points at the last break, 6.7 to 6.12.

But Glenelg had used both reserves, with Greg Bennett forced off in the opening quarter and Peter Obst in the third, while Sturt replaced Geoff Lauder with Robert Barton for the

Glenelg’s Graham Cornes was up so high in the 1974 grand final he might have brought rain.

Actually, the rain was coming anyway. And it didn’t help the Bays.

last term – and the speedy rover had a huge impact. The Double Blues started the last term with two behinds but Whelan converted a free at the five-minute-mark, then Graham kicked truly before a Barton goal put Sturt 25 points up and on track for a historic win. Late goals to John MacFarlane and Ted Osborn reduced the final margin to 15 points.

Sturt, coached by legendary 10-time premiership coach Jack Oatey, boasted an iconic first ruck combination of Davies, Bagshaw and Nunan and it was reflected in the best player list, with the fabulous trio at the top of their game. “It was so good to work so long with Baggy (Bagshaw) and Mick (Nunan),” Davies said. “Baggy was a laid-back fella who only spoke when needed. He’d show you rather than tell you. And he could spin on a wheel, he was so good.

Sturt captain Paul ‘Mr Magic’ Bagshaw rides high on triumphant teammate Sandy Nelson’s shoulders after the Blues’ 1974 grand final win at Football Park. Both these champions played in seven Sturt premierships.

His drop kick was one of the best going around and he would fly from the side and take the ball. He never looked like he was going at full pace but no-one could lay a hand on him – he was a magical player.

“As for Mick, he was a reincarnation of Jack Oatey and learned his craft from him. He always had a strategy we worked to – he was a coach from when I first met him. In the end he became frustrated and went to Norwood, which was disappointing.

“Jack was like a father to me. He always looked after me. I stayed at his house sometimes and we would talk footy for hours. Jack always had 100 per cent loyalty in the players he picked – and confidence they could do the job.”

Carey, a six-goal sensation in Glenelg’s grand final win the previous year at Adelaide Oval before the shift to Football Park,

was still just 20 in the ’74 grand final. “Playing a grand final at Football Park was like chalk and cheese compared to Adelaide Oval,” said Carey, who was Tigers captain for their 1985-86 flags. “I’m not sure what Adelaide Oval would have been like on that day but Footy Park was notorious for that wind. But there were still goalposts and grass – we just needed to be the better side on the day.

“Although we had to come from the elimination final in ’74, we still had a very good team and at threequarter-time we were confident we could win. But we didn’t realise the impact defending so strongly in the third quarter had on us – guys were very tired. Sturt was a very good team and deserved to win. In most games you need a bit of luck, which on this occasion did not go our way.”

Great Taste.

Low Carb & Mid-Strength.

How Good. sanfl.com.au

15

Sturt players and coach Greg Crowden celebrate beating South Adelaide 9.16 to 6.10 in the under-16 grand final at Adelaide Oval last Sunday. Photo: Peter Argent

BLUES’ UNDER-16 BLITZ

BY TOM WYMAN

Sturt kicked away from South Adelaide to claim its first SANFL Under-16 premiership since 2015 with a 24-point grand final win at Adelaide Oval.

But the Blues, last year’s losing grand finalists, made hard work of it with their inaccurate goalkicking, leading 4.11 to 4.2 at half-time.

An Angus White goal had the Panthers within 15 points six minutes into the last quarter and they were coming hard, only to suffer from their own goalkicking yips, kicking four successive behinds. For five gripping minutes the margin was 11 points before Sturt kicked clear in time-on, goals to Ryan Davies and Tom Lindsay sparking jubilant scenes among Blues players and supporters.

Minor premier Sturt had to win the

flag the hard way after being beaten

by South by 18 points in the second semi-final. The Blues bounced back with a 23-point preliminary final win against North Adelaide and it took just two minutes for Greg Crowden’s young guns to have their first goal on the board in the grand final, courtesy of tall Griffin James.

South hit back with majors to Zemes Pilot and Kody Shortridge to lead by a point at the first break.

Shortridge booted his second one minute into the second term to extend the Panthers’ lead, then a run of three behinds for Sturt was ended by goals to Jack Davies and Naite Slade in quick succession.

Panther Harrison Davey goaled to trim the margin but a late major to Lindsay gave Sturt its nine-point half-time break.

The third quarter belonged to coach Brett Hudson’s South, whose midfield ascendancy saw them dominate general play but kick just one goal, through Shortridge, with Sturt also kicking one, courtesy of Will Ekberg. Leading by eight points heading into the final term, early goals to Ryan Davies and Carter Gallasch put Sturt in the box seat before White’s goal restored some hope for the Panthers.

South’s Archie Van Dyk, who finished third in the SANFL U16 Best and Fairest Medal, was adjudged best on ground having gathered 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. The Blues’ Jack Davies collected 23 disposals and six clearances, while Slade had 19 disposals and eight tackles.

Official General Insurance Partner 16

sanfl.com.au

Woodville-West Torrens players and coach Shane Reardon celebrate their 2024 SANFL Under-18 premiership success. Photo: Peter Argent

EAGLES’ UNDER-18S FLY HOME

BY ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens produced a stunning comeback to snatch the SANFL Under-18 premiership with a fighting four-point win against Central District at Adelaide Oval.

The Eagles trailed by 33 points 19 minutes into the second term before piling on the next six goals to snatch the lead in the ninth minute of the third quarter.

Earning their first flag since 2021 and fourth in seven seasons under master coach Shane Reardon, the Eagles, who only snared fourth place after the second-last minor round, charged into the most important match of the season on the back of finals wins against Sturt and Glenelg.

Their momentum propelled them to a memorable 12.5-to-11.7 win in a highly entertaining title-decider, captain Jett Hasting claiming the

Alan Stewart Medal as best-afield with 20 disposals, six marks, four clearances, seven tackles and a goal.

Scores were locked on 9.5 apiece at the final change and it was goal for goal as Aidan Schubert tied things up in the 14th minute after converting his mark on the lead from 40m. The Dogs, flag favourites after beating minor premier Glenelg in the second semi-final, edged in front with consecutive behinds kicked by Dougie Cochrane and Schubert before tall Eagles forward Logan Hughes took centre stage, turning off one step to snap truly from 35m, kicking the spine-tingling matchwinner with nearly six minutes to play.

The Eagles hung on through some nervous moments as Rome Burgoyne (27 disposals), Jack Cook (25 disposals) and Harry Dodd (19

disposals) found plenty of the Sherrin. Strong-marking Charlie West finished with 17 disposals, five clearances and two goals for the Eagles as fellow forward Jack Gray hit the scoreboard with four majors.

Chasing its first under-18 flag since 2003, Central was able to steady early on after ruck James Noack left the field inside the opening 30 seconds after copping a knock in the centre square. Twin towers Tallan Rosenzweig (11 disposals, four goals) and Charlie Nicholls (15 disposals, eight marks, two goals) were active early as they joined Schubert in pushing the Doggies out to a 19-point lead at quartertime. But Central was unable to take its opportunities when it mattered most during the frantic final stages of the fourth quarter.

Making our mark.

sanfl.com.au

17

WIN FOR THE AGES

BY STEVE BARRETT

Tony Shaw jokes he “let the team down” when a hospital stay forced him to miss a reunion of South Adelaide’s famous 1964 SANFL flag for the first time.

The premiership-winning Panthers assembled in June to commemorate the 60-year anniversary of the club’s last pennant, earned with a stunning 27-point grand final takedown of powerhouse Port Adelaide.

“I was in hospital for an old football injury when they had the reunion,” said Shaw, who played in the back pocket for South on that unforgettable day in ’64 and has, in the decades since, been the chief reunion organiser despite living in Sydney. “I’ve been back for it every 10 years and it was always a big function.

“This year was the first I’ve ever missed – I let the team down! With those of us who are left, ‘Durby’ (premiership teammate and fellow defender Graham Durbridge) has been a real backstop. We said we probably won’t do another one but if I recover from here, I won’t be able to help myself.”

Thirteen players – Shaw, Durbridge, Peter Darley, Ian Day, Lindsay Backman, Lester Ross, Alan White, Dick Roennfeldt, Bryan Ploenges, Peter Judd, Brian Thredgold, Mick Rivers and Warren Foster – of the Panthers’ heroic squad of ’64 are still alive. For Shaw, who split his time in the 1964 decider minding Magpie stars Trevor Obst and Jeff Potter – a decade after he was selling Football Budgets outside Adelaide Oval – the memories remain vivid.

“When we ran out onto the ground, I couldn’t believe the clapping and the noise the crowd made as we went past them,” he reflected of the bumper crowd of 56,353. “A lot of people were barracking for South that day. It was spine-tingling and drove us on to stronger things.”

The biggest factor in the Panthers’ historic success – their first flag since 1938, after claiming successive wooden spoons in 18

sanfl.com.au

The Sunday Mail printed a full-page poster of South Adelaide ruckman David Kantilla dominating the 1964 grand final in front of a packed Adelaide Oval crowd.

1962-63 – was the off-season recruitment of legendary playercoach Neil Kerley from West Adelaide. “When ‘Kerls’ came on board, his inspiration and drive were unbelievable,” Shaw said.

“Our attitude shifted to, ‘I’m too scared to let the team down’.”

Speaking to the Football Budget in 2014, Kerley admitted he “stuffed up” in the 1964 second-semi-final by making the “ridiculous decision to start playing defensive footy” as South squandered a 32-point threequarter-time lead en route to a heart-breaking one-point loss to Port. The Panthers would earn another crack at the Pies – who

were pursuing a hat-trick of flags and their 10th in 14 seasons – after downing Sturt in the preliminary final, a match best known for a forceful third-term collision between Kerley and umpire Ken ‘KG’ Cunningham, who had to be helped off the field. “That was bad luck for poor old Ken. He … got in the way,” Kerley laughed. “We collided at a ball-up and he fell over.”

KG recovered in time to umpire the decider when he renewed acquaintances with Kerley. “Good luck Kerls,” Cunningham said to his sometime sparring partner but long-time friend Kerley after completing his pre-match boot

inspections. “Don’t worry about this ‘good luck’ rubbish,” Kerley allegedly retorted. “If you don’t give us a go today, I’ll knock you out in the first quarter.”

Port surged straight into attack but Bob Marrett miscued a behind, setting the tone for the Magpies, who were without star wingman and future record-equalling coach John Cahill and half-back Graham Cooper. In contrast, Lindsay Backman snapped South’s first major 10 minutes in, the Panthers purring with premiership pace and pressure.

Port looked hurried and flustered, trailing by two goals at quartertime and unable to quell speedy rover Alf Skuse, who had 10 firstterm kicks on opponent Neville Hayes. “We had big Brian Alexander at centre half-forward, holding three blokes back from the ball and making us small guys look better,” Skuse told the Football Budget in 2014. “I had pace and he (Hayes) was nearing the end of his career, so I could get away from him.”

While South’s small runners were expected to prove a handful, Port was considered to possess the superior big-man stocks. But that proved a myth with popular ruckman David Kantilla arguably best-on-ground, well supported by legendary seven-time best-andfairest Darley.

“I was never a big trainer and never set out to be a brilliant footballer,” Darley recalled. “I just wanted to play footy on a Saturday and spend the rest of the week working and having a good time. I was one of the team’s youngest and thought it was just another game of footy. Upon reflection, it was very important and history was made.”

Tiwi Islander Kantilla snared a game-high 10 marks and had an enormous second quarter, piloting the Panthers to a 26-point halftime lead over the wayward Magpies, whose sorry scoreline at the main interval read 0.10. “I never gave Kantilla instructions,” said Kerley, who passed away in 2022.

“He was a free-running player who relied on instincts. He was magnificent but for Port to miss all those shots and be goalless at half-

South Adelaide captain-coach Neil Kerley is hoisted high onto jubilant teammates’ shoulders after the Panthers’ stunning 1964 grand final boilover.

Neil Kerley triumphantly holds aloft the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership cup after South Adelaide’s famous triumph.

time, that was a gift from God. The man above was helping us.”

Seventy seconds into the third stanza, White slotted his second major and the margin was 32 points. Shellshocked Port, which needed to replicate its second semi-final heroics, finally goaled in the 57th minute of action when 19-year-old spearhead Eric Freeman snapped truly. Potter and Freeman produced a mini goal flurry for the suddenly rejuvenated Maggies, who stole the momentum and sliced the deficit to just 13 points early in the fourth.

“I reckon the moment just got to our boys,” said Kerley, who would finally taste victory in his sixth grand final head-to-head against rival Fos Williams. “But I felt we had the fitness to finish strongly.” South did exactly that, diminutive Skuse soaring for a high pack mark against taller opposition and goaling. “I flew for it and luckily enough the ball fell in my hands,” he said, modestly. The retiring Day,

who later became a popular television commentator, fittingly booted the sealer from 50 yards with his last kick in his last game.

A 12-month rags-to-riches miracle was complete. Few past players were more delighted than legendary Panther Jimmy Deane who, straight after Day’s clincher, bolted 2.5km from Adelaide Oval to the Gouger Hotel to pick up the £100 he’d wagered on his beloved South to win. “It was marvellous. Within seconds of the final siren there were 50,000 people on the oval, kissing you, shaking your hand,” said Skuse, who also won the Bay Sheffield in 1964. “Kerls was the big difference and the reason we won. He had that way to lift you and make you better.

He made me feel as big as the Empire State Building.”

Shaw concurred. “Kerls introduced Friday night meetings at the Lord Raglan Hotel,” he recalled. “We’d walk away from them all fired up for the next day. Kerls was a straight-out inspiration.” sanfl.com.au

19

HISTOR

SHARING IT AROUND

BY PETER CORNWALL

Any team can win it. We’ve rightly heard it quite a bit in the past decade and it’s the hallmark of a hugely competitive league with little separating the sides. There have been six clubs win flags since 2015, sparking interest on what’s clearly been a level playing field.

While people often bang on about the dynasties clubs have established over 147 years of SANFL footy, what about the eras when the flags were shared around?

The past nine years compare favourably with any time in SANFL history but there were years in the 1920s and ’30s fans were used to expecting the unexpected. Almost a century ago, between 1926 and ’30, five clubs in five years enjoyed the euphoria of a premiership – Sturt, West, Port, Norwood and North. And there was an even longer run – six clubs in six years – when North completed back-toback premierships, then Sturt, West Torrens, Glenelg, South and Port finished top between 1931 and ’36.

Adelaide Oval could hardly have had a better SANFL grand final homecoming than when Norwood completed a premiership hat-trick by pipping Port by four points in 2014. Three in a row was the Redlegs’ longest run of success since the 1880s.

Since then, anything goes. West Adelaide finished ninth in 2014 and claimed the wooden spoon in 2016. But in the year in between Mark Mickan’s men charged home to claim their first flag in 33 years, shocking the red-hot favourite Eagles by 30 points, with club greats, Jack Oatey Medallist Chris Schmidt and Jason Poplyzia, dominant.

Martin Mattner took charge of Sturt in 2016 after it had finished eighth and won successive premierships, inspired by dual Magarey Medallist skipper Zane Kirkwood.

North Adelaide was wooden spooner in 2017 and finished ninth in 2019. But in the year in between Josh Carr’s men stormed from fifth at the end of the minor round to claim their first flag in 27 years, beating Norwood in a boilover.

Coming from nowhere continued to be a theme as Glenelg, which had missed finals seven years in a row, was taken to its first flag in 33 years by Mark Stone in 2019. Jade Sheedy emulated the feat of his Blues 2002 premiership team-mate Mattner when he earned premierships in his first two years in charge, with Woodville-West Torrens. The Eagles finished seventh in the seasons before and after their historic back-to-back flags of 2020-21.

It’s been hard to pick winners – even in finals campaigns and sometimes in grand finals. After being beaten by Adelaide at the start of the ’22 major round, Norwood came via the first semi-final to shock North in the grand final – but who was tipping the Legs when they trailed by 20

sanfl.com.au

Glenelg ruck great George ‘Blue’ Johnston soars for the mark that turned the 1934 grand final at Adelaide Oval.

The Bays will be wearing the same jumper this year.

17 points 17 minutes into the last quarter? They became the sixth premier in eight years when Matt Panos snapped the never-to-be-forgotten matchwinner in the 27th minute. In our even competition there have even been six different runners-up in the past eight years.

But perhaps the rollercoaster ride of clubs was at its heights in the 1930s. West Torrens leapt from sixth to premier in 1933, while Glenelg, which had not played in finals in 13 years of league footy, jumped from sixth to premier in 1934 under the coaching of Bruce McGregor.

In a remarkably even season, when the top four sides all had 10 wins – Port and Glenelg came first and second courtesy of draws – the Tigers still had it all to do when they were thumped by Port by 65 points in the second semi-final. They beat the black-and-whites by nine points in a high-scoring grand final thriller, Magarey Medallist George ‘Blue’ Johnston kicking the winning goal after a soaring mark. After spectacularly hitting the heights, the Bays then crashed to the wooden spoon with just one win. While the Tigers were in freefall from top to bottom, South leapt from bottom to top in 1935, snaring its first flag in 36 years.

FINAL WORD JADE RAWLINGS We’re just trying to trust what we feel is right (in the build-up to the grand final). In 2022 we needed to keep playing and it worked for us, now, by virtue of finishing on top, you get a lot of rewards in this competition so you accept what comes with it, structure up a program you think’s going to keep them conditioned, on edge but also fresh enough. We push pretty hard with our training, try to replicate game scenarios as much as possible, so we trust that will serve us pretty well.

DARREN REEVES Where we’re at as a team we probably needed to keep playing – we weren’t playing great footy, so getting some continuity into our game, playing week-afterweek, has been really important for us. They (Norwood) are a great football team. It’s going to be a hell of a challenge for us. We are going to have to be

Photo: James Elsby

really strong around the football – if we can get the football going our way and play some time in our forward half and put some scoreboard pressure on, that will go a long way towards winning it.

COLES MINI LEAGUER OF THE YEAR Emily Cathery Which SANFL match are you attending? Norwood v Glenelg Your local football club?

Tea Tree Gully

What position do you play on the footy field? Defence

What is the best thing about playing footy? Kicking goals, tackling and winning

What would you do with $1million? Give some to my family.

Donate to Guide Dogs SA, get a golden retriever. Donate to breast cancer Favourite SANFL team? Norwood research. Go back to Bali for a holiday

Favourite SANFL player?

Samuel Morris

What do you want to be when you are older?

Run my own doggie daycare

What do you like doing when you’re not playing footy? Art and looking after my pet birds and dogs

The best piece of advice given by your coach? Keep on pushing!

sanfl.com.au

21

SEASON STANDINGS 2024 2024 HOSTPLUS SANFL MEN’S LEAGUE

2024 RESERVES

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 19)

Team

(POSITIONS AT THE END OF RD 19)

P W L

D

A

%

Pts

Norwood

18 15 3

0 1491 948

61.13

30

Norwood 18 14 4

Sturt

18 15 3

0 1340 896 59.93 30

Sturt

18 12 5

Central

18 12 6

0 1267 1146 52.51 24

Glenelg

Glenelg

18 11

0 1426 1186 54.59 22

South

Eagles

18 8 10 0 1383 1288 51.78

16

Eagles

Adelaide

18 8 10 0 1290 1315 49.52 16

North

North

18 8 10 0 1306 1402 48.23 16

Central

18 6 11

West

18 5 13 0 1109 1433 43.63 10

West

South

18 4 14 0 1080 1558 40.94

8

Port

18 4 14 0 1078 1598 40.28

8

7

F

Team

P W L

D

%

Pts

0 1295 934

58.1

28

1 1324 997

57.04

25

18 12 6

0 1336 1029 56.49

24

18 9

8

1

977 1224 44.39

19

18 9

9

0

1175 1125 51.09

18 7

11 0 1193 1315

RESERVES

UNDER-18

PRELIMINARY FINAL Norwood 14.11 (95) d Glenelg 6.11 (47)

1

1079 1232 46.69

13

18 1 16 1

805 1328 37.74

3

GRAND FINAL Sturt 9.16 (70) d South 6.10 (46) GRAND FINAL Eagles 12.5 (77) d Central 11.7 (73)

People first in every case.

At Andersons, putting people first is second nature. No matter who you are, or what your problem is, we’re here to shoulder the burden and are committed to finding the right solution for you, every time.

For advice in Commercial Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Claims, Wills & Estates or Conveyancing, get in touch with us at one of our 6 locations across South Australia.

Andersons.com.au 22

sanfl.com.au

18 14

SANFL HOSTPLUS MEN’S LEAGUE UNDER-16

A

47.57

LAST ROUND’S RESULTS ADELAIDE OVAL PRELIMINARY FINAL Central v Glenelg Glenelg 15.8 (98) d Central 8.12 (60) Crowd: 9202

F

Photo: Roy Vandervegt

2024 RESULTS ROUND 1 Easter Weekend

Norwood 11.11 (77) d Sturt 7.8 (50) Central 14.9 (93) d North 9.12 (66) Adelaide 13.18 (96) d South 14.7 (91) Eagles 20.13 (133) d West 10.9 (69) Glenelg 23.12 (150) d Port 13.6 (84)

AFL GATHER ROUND

ROUND 6

Norwood 10.12 (72) d Adelaide 7.12 (54) Sturt 11.10 (76) d Central 6.5 (41) North 18.11 (119) d Port 5.5 (35) Eagles 11.11 (77) d South 11.6 (72) Glenelg 10.10 (70) d West 6.7 (43)

ROUND 11

Norwood 18.14 (122) d Port 5.9 (39) Sturt 10.15 (75) d North 9.9 (63) Glenelg 16.12 (108) d West 8.8 (56)

KIA STATE GAME

ROUND 16

Glenelg 11.15 (81) d Norwood 6.11 (47) Central 12.2 (74) d North 9.8 (62) Sturt 9.14 (68) d Port 6.9 (45) South 10.11 (71) d West 7.8 (50) Adelaide 11.10 (76) d Eagles 8.12 (60)

BYE WEEKEND

SANFL 10.5 (65) d VFL 7.9 (51)

Sunday 19 May SANFL 16.13 (109) d WAFL 5.16(46)

ROUND 2

ROUND 7 First Nations Rounds

ROUND 12

ROUND 17

ROUND 3

ROUND 8 First Nations Rounds

ROUND 13

ROUND 18

Adelaide 11.9 (75) d Central 5.9 (39) Sturt 11.9 (75) d South 7.12 (54) Glenelg 9.13 (67) d Eagles 8.7 (55) Norwood 17.13 (115) d West 6.5 (41) Port 13.8 (86) d North 8.9 (57)

Norwood 18.10 (118) d North 9.9 (63) Central 6.9 (45) d Glenelg 6.8 (44) Eagles 17.16 (118) d South 9.7 (61) Sturt 13.11 (89) d West 4.8 (32) Adelaide 19.10 (124) d Port 6.11 (47)

ROUND 4 Anzac Weekend

ROUND 9 King’s Birthday Weekend

ROUND 14

ROUND 19

ROUND 5

ROUND 10

ROUND 15

FINALS

Norwood 10.11 (71) d Glenelg 7.5 (47) Eagles 21.12 (138) d North 7.4 (46) Central 15.7 (97) d Adelaide 5.12 (42) West 12.11 (83) d Port 11.13 (79) Sturt 16.9 (105) d South 5.10 (40)

Central 14.9 (93) d South 10.7 (67) North 10.3 (63) d Sturt 8.9 (57) Glenelg 16.10 (106) d Adelaide 10.8 (68) Norwood 6.14 (50) d West 5.7 (37) Eagles 12.11 (83) d Port 8.9 (57)

Sturt 11.16 (82) d Glenelg 6.8 (44) West 17.10 (112) d South 6.9 (45) Central 14.6 (90) d Eagles 11.9 (75) North 12.12 (84) d Adelaide 10.8 (68) Norwood 8.13 (61) d Port 6.7 (43)

Adelaide 16.7 (103) d Port 8.14 (62) Norwood 10.7 (67) d North 8.11 (59) Central 9.12 (66) d West 6.9 (45) Glenelg 9.16 (70) d South 6.7 (43) Eagles 12.11 (83) d Sturt 11.9 (75)

West 13.9 (87) d North 8.8 (56) Norwood 16.11 (107) d Central 8.9 (57) South 17.15 (117) d Yartapuulti 7.2 (44) Sturt 15.12 (102) d Kuwarna 6.5 (41) Glenelg 11.12 (78) d Eagles 10.7 (67)

Sturt 6.15 (51) d Yartapuulti 4.3 (27) Glenelg 11.12 (78) d Central 10.11 (71) West 11.8 (74) d Kuwarna 7.12 (54) North 14.10 (94) d South 8.8 (56) Eagles 15.9 (99) d Norwood 8.12 (60)

South 8.14 (62) d Adelaide 8.7 (55) Central 8.12 (60) d Eagles 7.12 (54) Glenelg 12.12 (84) d North10.12 (72) Sturt 9.11 (65) d Norwood 5.7 (37)

Weekend of Saturday 3 August Central 12.6 (78) d Port 7.11 (53) North 8.15 (63) d Eagles 6.4 (40) Sturt 10.10 (70) d West 3.7 (25) Adelaide 15.6 (96) d Glenelg 7.15 (57) Norwood 9.16 (70) d South 4.7 (31)

Norwood 14.18 (102) d Adelaide 5.9 (39) Port 9.7 (61) d Glenelg 6.11 (47) Sturt 8.14 (62) d Eagles 8.6 (54) Central 11.5 (71) d West 10.5 (65) North 9.18 (72) d South 10.4 (64)

Central 14.8 (92) d South 4.5 (29) Norwood 12.14 (86) d Central 6.8 (44) Port 15.7 (97) d West 10.17 (77) West 12.6 (78) d Eagles 5.9 (39) Eagles 15.12 (102) d Adelaide7.7 (49) Adelaide 14.9 (93) d North 7.13 (55) Sturt 14.8 (92) d Glenelg 10.12 (72) South 14.11 (95) d Port 12.8 (80)

Norwood 16.11 (107) d South 7.10 (52) North 16.7 (103) d Glenelg 10.15 (75) Sturt 12.14 (86) d Central 8.4 (52) Adelaide 17.9 (111) d West 6.7 (43) Port 15.13 (103) d Eagles 8.11 (59)

Glenelg 21.22 (148) d South 3.12 (30) Central 15.14 (104) d Port 5.6 (36) Norwood 19.8 (122) d Eagles 6.11 (47) North 17.7 (109) d West 13.14 (92) Sturt 7.18 (60) d Adelaide 5.16 (46)

Elimination Final Glenelg 19.17 (131) d Eagles 8.12 (60) Qualifying Final Central 8.2 (50) d Sturt 5.9 (39) First Semi-final Glenelg 14.5 (89) d Sturt 9.4 (58) Second Semi-final Norwood 14.10 (94) d Central 5.5 (35) Preliminary Final Glenelg 15.8 (98) d Central 8.12 (60) Sunday 22 September Grand Final

Legend

AO

Key: Bold = home team

A - Alberton Oval, AO - Adelaide Oval, CO – Centenary Oval, CS – Coopers Stadium, Norwood, FUS – Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga, HS – Hisense Stadium, Richmond, JP – Johnstone Park, MTKO – Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville, PO - Prospect Oval, R – Riverland, VH – Victor Harbor, SS – Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg, XCO – X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth Oval, TFO – Thomas Farms Oval, Unley

PUBLISHER

EDITOR Peter Cornwall

PHOTOGRAPHY Cory Sutton & David Mariuz

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

MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR Zac Milbank zac.milbank@sanfl.com.au

COVER

BACK COPIES | FOOTBALL & CORPORATE OPERATIONS P (08) 8424 2200 E admin@sanfl.com.au

DESIGN Henry Rivera & Patrycja Whipp

Norwood captain Jacob Kennerley and Glenelg skipper Liam McBean at Adelaide Oval eyeing off what’s up for grabs – the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership trophy. Photo: David Mariuz

sanfl.com.au

23

Hostplus is a top-performing super fund that puts members first.

That’s why we’re proud to have been named Money magazine’s Best Super Fund 2024. Judged on strong performance, value for money, and an ongoing focus on members, we’re thrilled to receive this recognition.

Compare Hostplus

OFFICIAL SUPERANNUATION PARTNER Best Super Fund 2024 is awarded by Money magazine. Visit moneymag.com.au for awards criteria. Awards and ratings are only one factor to consider when choosing a super fund. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. General advice only. Consider the relevant Hostplus PDS and TMD at hostplus.com.au and your objectives, financial situation and needs, which have not been accounted for, before deciding. Issued by Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 as trustee for the Hostplus Superannuation Fund, ABN 68 657 495 890. HP2810