SANFL 2024 -- Grand Final Wrap-Up

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raboyle

Norm Smith Medallist
May 8, 2001
5,696
870
X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
AFL Club
Adelaide
Other Teams
CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...

We are at the end of the year, folks. It has been a remarkable year that has seen the typical ups and downs for the 10 clubs, not to mention that we had two victorious interstate clashes that cemented the SANFL's place as the standout state football competition in the land. Of course there was the huffing and puffing of the two AFL clubs that want to depart for "greener" pastures during the year, which got a little louder at the end of the minor round after one copped an unwanted gift to finish their season. But here we are, after 19 rounds of football and three weeks of finals we have our two remaining clubs to battle it out for the richest prize in South Australian football. The premiership sides of the last two seasons, the Redlegs and the Tigers, meet for only the fourth time in the league's 147-year history and said backstory isn't great reading for one side. The 'Legs are the ones with everything to lose with only three losses in 2024, while the Tigers' premiership defence has seen them rise from the sudden death zone to keep the dream of back-to-back flags alive. Who will be the last ones standing and leave with ol' Tommy?

THIS IS FINALS FOOTBALL.

Welcome to the final instalment of the SANFL Wrap-Up this year... the 2024 Hostplus League Grand Final.

We're back at the home of football in South Australia, the Adelaide Oval. It's the one day in September and today its the 2022 premiers and this year's minor premiers in Norwood, taking on the 2023 premiers from Glenelg. The Redlegs are just as steeped in South Australian football history as Port Adelaide and South Adelaide, formed in 1878 to join what at the time was the SA Football Association before it became known as the SANFL. They kicked off their existence with a bang, winning the next six premierships from inception up to 1883. Of course that was when a winner was decided by the old "first past the post" system. They would win 21 premierships from 38 Grand Finals, making Norwood the second most decorated football outfit in Australia behind their old rivals from Alberton and leading Western Australian club East Fremantle by just one flag on 31 senior premierships overall. They've featured in several landmark moments in Grand Finals past, such as the 1978 edition where they pipped Sturt at the post by the narrowest of margins. To add insult to injury to the Blues was the admission of an umpiring blunder years after the fact that may have been a telling factor. You also have to make mention of their 1984 side that became the first team to win the premiership from fifth, beating their bitter enemies in the Magpies. Norwood also had the remarkable honour of closing one chapter of SA football and beginning another, taking a triple-treat of flags in during 2012-2014, which saw the closure of Football Park and the return to Adelaide Oval. Their record for 2024 was 15 wins and three losses during the minor round, including their Round 2 win against the Tigers by four goals. They got the direct pass to the decider with their hiding of the Bulldogs in the 2nd Semi-Final.

The Tigers' record in the SANFL is not as loaded with accolades as the Redlegs, having lost more Grand Finals than they have won. For 100 years, they could only count the premierships that they accumulated on one hand. The Glenelg Football Club was born in 1920 but didn't actually play until the 1921 season. They endured four years on the bottom of the ladder and 56 consecutive defeats before finally winning their first game in 1925 against defending premiers West Torrens. It wasn't until 1934 that they secured their first league title, against their future pain-makers in Port Adelaide. Almost 40 years would pass before they felt that feeling again. Much like Norwood who saw the end of an era at West Lakes in 2013, it was the Tigers that triumphed in what many thought would be the last SANFL Grand Final at Adelaide Oval in 1973. This decider is probably the most famous in league history, winning by seven points against North Adelaide in a game that yielded 40 goals. However unlike the Redlegs, they couldn't ring in the new era at the new league headquarters out west in 1974. It wasn't the mid-80's that the club would win consecutive flags, a period that many considered one of the golden ages of Glenelg with all the champions they were churning out. It was the time of the rise of Graham Cornes as a coach, winning the 1985 and 1986 premierships. The jibes of being able to count such successes on one hand would come to an end last year when they downed Sturt for their sixth flag overall, which was quite special for the simple fact that they hadn't beaten the Blues in a decider on three previous occasions. It would seem as a good omen to put that old demon to rest last year. Which brings us to this other particular demon on their backs.

The Redlegs have conquered the Tigers in the big dance on three previous occasions. The first was in 1950, where the 'Legs went from four kicks up at half-time to win by just shy of eight goals. The 1975 decider was another opportunity missed for the Tigers, their third straight Grand Final appearance resulting in a two-goal defeat after a lowly final term. Then came the 1982 hiding, the Glenelg forwards misfiring in the most horrid way to go down by 62 points. History was well and truly against the men of Brighton Road, but then again it was like that last year before they finally put one over the Blues. There was also their Round 16 win at home, holding Norwood to one of their lowest scores this year to win by 34 points. Their minor round finish was not without faults but their finals campaign was something else, keeping their flag defence alive with three straight finals series wins. The Tigers would go into the game largely unchanged from their win last week against the Bulldogs and would actually run out in their heritage guernsey in a nod to the inaugural heroes of 70 years ago. But during the week, it was the Redlegs' shock inclusion of comeback king Matt Panos that surprised many after sitting out the bulk of this year with an ACL problem and coming back through the reserves. Furthermore, this would be his 150th and last outing in the red & blue, having announced his retirement at season's end during the week. Manpower would be an early issue for the 'Legs with a casualty not long into the game, but took first blood on the board through Jackson Callow after seven minutes. Cooper Murley got their second much later, sandwiching Tigers' goals to Cole Gerloff and Liam McBean. The 'Legs had other opportunities to really exert their authority, but would have to settle for a two-point lead at quarter-time. It became a bit of an arm-wrestle in the second quarter, the two sides taking then surrendering the lead. McBean and Callow got their second individual goals during this time.

Then during added time, the Redlegs put kicked three goals to close out the first half, Baynen Lowe's major making it a three-goal advantage to the Redlegs at the long break as the Tigers started to show some big-day jitters. Norwood had by this time lost two players through injury, the earlier loss was Jack Heard, but prior to half-time would also lose brother Finn. The Redlegs still had much more run, with the likes of Lowe and cult figure Billy Cootee creating plenty of headaches for the Bays, while Magarey Medal winner Harry Boyd was a big hand in the middle as usual. The Redlegs added a fourth-straight goal nine minutes into the second half to lead by 25 and at this time, there were a lot of hanging heads wearing yellow and black in the crowd. But a revival was in the making, it was a slow build-up but the Tigers weren't done by a long shot. By the final change, that gap was reduced to a more manageable 13 points, which could have been much less had Will Chandler's shot on goal landed true just before the three quarter-time siren. Then the influence of Glenelg mid-field trio Corey Lyons, Matt Snook and James Bell really came into play and like their GF hoodoo against Sturt, this one was also about to come to an end. They found McBean a lot more and Lachlan Hosie, who was up until now was being held in check by Norwood's backs, would kick two of his three goals to take a 10-point early into time-on. The last minutes made this game an absolute classic as the Redlegs actually bagged a goal with around seven minutes remaining. Desperate defending by the Tigers, including a chase-down of an errant Glenelg kick out of Norwood's attack and smothering effort by Chandler was one highlight. Time would run out for the Redlegs though, the Tigers putting another old curse to rest to win by five points.

The Tigers now have their seventh premiership overall and coach Darren Reeves joins AFL Hall of Famer Graham Cornes as their second back-to-back mastermind. The Jack Oatey Medal would end up going to seven-goal hero Liam McBean, his haul making up the bulk of the Tigers' overall tally. Stats wise, Glenelg's all-round worker was Corey Lyons, who finished with 24 disposals, five tackles as well as six clearances and free kicks. Other prime contributors for the yellow & black included Snook, Chandler and Bell with 21 tackles between them out of the team's 70. For the vanquished Redlegs, their standout man was Baynen Lowe with 23 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. Mitch O'Neill had 25 disposals, Boyd had the bulk of the centre hitouts as well as nine clearances, while Izaak Twelftree, Cootee and Declan Hamilton were the pressure men for Norwood. There were over 35,000 SA footy-heads on hand to see this absolute banger, along with more than 100,000 watching on Seven television. As for national streaming that unfortunately is unknown, but they would have witnessed probably one of the best Grand Finals since the pandemic. Also folks, don't forget the traditional chimney unveiling ceremony will take place on Tuesday 24th from 11am at the former Hallett kiln site in the Brickworks Centre at Thebarton.

FINAL SCORES IN WEEK FOUR OF THE SANFL FINALS...

Sunday September 22
2024 SANFL HOSTPLUS LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

Glenelg 12.9 (81)
Norwood 11.10 (76)
35,129 @ Adelaide Oval


REDLEGS RESSIES TAKE OUT FLAG
While the senior side was unable to bring home the bacon, the Redlegs did come out on top in their Reserves Grand Final earlier in the day at Adelaide Oval against the Double Blues, despite having been dealt a 67-point hammering two weeks ago in their 2nd Semi-Final meeting. They did it the hard way though, missing an absolute swag of chances on goal. The Blues didn't find the mark at all in the opening term, held to just one minor score while the 'Legs kicked to a quarter-time lead of 15 points with their 2.3. Sturt did manage to bring the gap back to two straight kicks going into the rooms at the long break, but due to their two goals being bracketed by five behinds, Norwood's 1.3 was enough to ensure they went into half-time with a seven-point lead. The Blues would have another period of wasted opportunities in the third quarter, kicking six behinds and no goals as the Redlegs added 3.2 to take their lead out to 21 points going into the final change. The lack of scoreboard pressure over three quarters would cost the Blues dearly, despite the Redlegs now having to deal with the inaccuracy bug as well. The Blues outscored them in the final term, but would only chip five points off the earlier deficit as the Redlegs claimed the Reserves premiership with a 16-point win. Norwood's Isaac Saywell was voted best afield overall, winning the Bob Lee Medal with 30 disposals and five marks to his name. Liam Robinson and Jay Polkinghorne kicked five of the combined seven goals for the 'Legs, while Jacob Jones inflicted nine tackles. Brad Jefferies was Sturt's best on ground with 28 disposals and 11 marks.

RESERVES GRAND FINAL -- Norwood 7.14 (56) def. Sturt 4.16 (40)


SA COMMUNITY FOOTBALL -- Premiers and Medallists
The list below consists of the Grand Final results as well as the individual award winners from the various football leagues under the SANFL's Community Football Leagues umbrella. The Sims and Dutschke Medals are awarded to those adjudged best and fairest in the Adelaide Footy League's Men's and Women's divisions respectively, while the Mail Medal has been an institution for the country leagues alongside pre-existing B&F awards such as the Madigan Medal of the Spencer Gulf league, the Barossa Light & Gawler league's Schluter Medal and the Johnston Medal in the Broken Hill league. The Community leagues are assisted by major partners Think! Road Safety and the Government of South Australia. Corporate partners are Clubs SA, West End, Kia, the Fleurieu Milk Company, SA Power Networks and APM Employment Services. Apparel partners are O'Neills, ISC, Belgravia Apparel, Nelson Teamwear, Sports Centre and Viva Global.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE MEN'S
Port District 9.9 (63) def. Glenunga 7.3 (45)
Abe Davis (Glenunga)

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE WOMEN'S
SMOSH West Lakes 5.2 (32) def. Morphettville Park 3.8 (26)
Abby Klaebe (Payneham-Norwood Union)

ADELAIDE PLAINS
Two Wells 16.13 (109) def. Balaklava 11.6 (72)
Jakob Thomson (Two Wells)

BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER
Willaston 11.14 (80) def. Angaston 12.5 (77)
Nicholas Gregurke (Nuriootpa)

BROKEN HILL
Norths 11.6 (72) def. Souths 10.10 (70)
Jayden Kelly (Norths)

EASTERN EYRE
Central Eyre Utd 7.7 (49) def. Ranges 6.8 (44)
Tom Laas (Ports)

FAR NORTH
Miners 14.2 (86) def. Hornridge 8.7 (55)
Jack Rigden (Hornridge), Liam Murphy (Roxby Districts) & Tyson Hornhardt (Olympic Dam)

GREAT FLINDERS
United Yeelanna 10.11 (71) def. Lock 4.10 (34)
Adam Murnane (United Yeelanna) & Harlee Chandler (Cummins)

GREAT SOUTHERN
Myponga-Sellicks 10.8 (68) def. Victor Harbor 9.13 (67)
Jesse McKinnon (Victor Harbor)

HILLS
Hahndorf 3.14 (32) def. Nairne-Bremer 3.9 (27)
Dylan Matsen (Hahndorf)

KANGAROO ISLAND
Western Districts 24.18 (162) def. Wisanger 4.2 (26)
Sam Jonas (Western Districts)

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA
Mundulla 6.9 (45) def. Kybybolite 5.3 (33)
Zac Richards (Border Districts)

LIMESTONE COAST
West Gambier 11.7 (73) def. Millicent 7.5 (47)
Harry Tunkin (Millicent) & Emerson Marks (South Gambier)

MURRAY VALLEY (formerly Riverland Independent)
Murrayville 22.10 (142) def. Browns-Well 9.6 (60)
Tarquin Schulz (Wunkar)

MID SOUTH-EAST
Hatherleigh 10.15 (75) def. Robe 7.9 (51)
Henry Lawrie (Robe)

NORTH EASTERN
BSR Tigers 10.5 (65) def. Southern Saints 5.7 (37)
Blake Launer (Eudunda-Robertstown)

NORTHERN AREAS
Broughton-Mundoora 10.12 (72) def. Orroroo 6.12 (48)
Will Combe (Crystal Brook)

PORT LINCOLN
Lincoln South 11.6 (72) def. Marble Range 8.10 (58)
Billy Haebich (Tasman)

RIVER MURRAY
Coorong Cats 19.9 (123) def. Mypolonga 5.3 (33)
Malakai Kartinyeri (Ramblers)

RIVERLAND
Renmark 7.10 (52) def. Barmera-Monash 4.11 (35)
Kade Hilton (Waikerie)

SOUTHERN
Reynella 6.14 (50) def. Flagstaff Hill 5.10 (40)
Sam Whitbread (Reynella)

SPENCER GULF
Prop Risdon 15.7 (97) def. Solomontown 9.13 (67)
Nick Kraemer & Anthony Oliphant (Prop Risdon)

WESTERN EYRE
Western United 15.11 (101) def. Thevenard 4.9 (33)
Kingsley Bilney Jnr (Koonibba)

WHYALLA
Roopena 8.7 (55) def. Central 2.7 (19)
Kyle Crompton (Roopena)

YORKE PENINSULA
Moonta 21.15 (145) def. CMS Crows 6.4 (40)
Ryley Maitland (Moonta)


And so the 2024 season is now at a close. Can the Tigers fight on for a first time ever triple treat of flags? Will Norwood bounce back to make it 32? Expectations at the Ponderosa are high, as are those at Oxford Terrace. But most of all... how much longer will the two AFL clubs continue in the absolute, undisputed, best state league in Australia? It's a long off-season, answers to those questions will have to wait six months when we all go at it again for Season 2025. Until then, my fellow SA footy-heads... that's a wrap.

GLENELG FOOTBALL CLUB -- 2024 SANFL Premiers
 
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SANFL 2024 -- Grand Final Wrap-Up

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