- May 8, 2001
- 5,696
- 872
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
There's been a lot of hype and discussion going around this past week, so many opinions and a lot of anger. The controversy surrounding the Preliminary Final, the fallout from the SA Football Commission's decision and the possibility of legal action from the Eagles looked to have overshadowed the lead-up to the SANFL's showpiece event. If anything, it only intensified the public's interest, not just here in Adelaide but also interstate. Everyone was talking, it made headlines around Australia, in fact it wasn't the only league to have had an extra man issue! But in any case, like it or not, this decider was going to be one to remember. Were we going to see one side get another flag closer to the league record held by Port Adelaide, or would it be a case of a 27-year long drought coming to an end?
This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the last instalment of the SANFL Wrap-Up for the season... the 2018 Macca's League Grand Final.
Only a few short years ago, the Redlegs made themselves the second most decorated senior football club in Australia. Their triple treat of flags which took in the final years of league footy at Football Park and the return of the premiership decider to Adelaide Oval took their all-time tally to 30, one more than WA's East Fremantle and six adrift of their chief rivals Port Adelaide. Norwood have played in 38 Grand Finals and won 21 of them, meaning that nine of their flags were won the way the minor premiership is won today. The Roosters have won 13 premierships, with their last coming in the first year of the post-AFL era. The Adelaide Football Club was in its first year of existence and with that, the SANFL would never be the same again. That 1991 premiership triumph was especially sweet given the Bloods' futile attempts to unsettle the Roosters with their overly physical approach, the multiple brawls would see the game branded "the bloodbath Grand Final" in the end. These clubs, with their close proximity to each other, would develop a somewhat neighbourly rivalry. They have clashed in five premiership deciders, with North winning the first in 1920 and the Redlegs returning the favour in 1923. It would be another 29 years before they would meet in the Grand Final again, but the Redlegs would wish that never happened after the Roosters inflicted a massive 18-goal defeat on them. North would emerge victorious again in 1960, but vengeance finally came albeit 43 years later when the two clubs closed the book at West Lakes as the Redlegs pounded the Roosters by 40 points.
Which now brings us to today. Another new era for SA football and a renewal of neighbourhood hostilities on Grand Final day back at the Adelaide Oval. The Roosters' banner said it all -- "Adelaide Oval.. where legends are made". North have certainly etched themselves in the Oval's history books, other than the three victorious outings against Norwood they also became Australian champions on this ground. The old fires of rivalry were definitely stoked over the past week and as a result, a little over 40,000 SA footy-heads fronted up for what was going to be a fight. With both clubs scoring victories over each other during the regular season and not having faced off during the finals, this was the tie-breaker for the year. It would take just 40 seconds for the Roosters to bag the first major and within eight minutes, the Roosters would be up by almost three goals. The Redlegs were having a dog of a time stringing together goals, even when the Roosters coughed up in Norwood's attacking zone they still couldn't find the big sticks. But by quarter-time, the Redlegs were back to within a kick of the lead with the scoreboard reading Norwood 3.7 to North's five goals. That margin would go unchanged going into half-time as the two teams traded equal blows on the scoreboard in the second term. They kicked 4.4 each, the Roosters holding onto their five-point lead at the long break.
That trend continued when play resumed with yet another score-for-score quarter of footy, the Roosters holding onto their five-point lead at the final change with the two sides each scoring 5.4 in a term where neither side gave the other an inch. This was what finals football is all about, incredibly close and plenty of aggression. But of course, something had to give in the end. Many would be left wondering where the Redlegs' intensity had gone, they'd won the minor premiership and outlasted the Eagles in the 2nd Semi and went in the clear favourite. Their faithful would be left wanting as were their team, not even a late fightback from the 'Legs would save them. North finished off the afternoon with a 5.3 to 3.1 final quarter to win -- ironically -- by 19 points to take out their 14th senior premiership. It was every bit the Grand Final for the ages, even if it happened only through a technicality. In the best on ground category, former Centrals player Brock Castree amassed 24 disposals, Alex Barns kicked four goals but their best was Thomas Schwarz who got 26 disposals. The Redlegs had former Rooster Lewis Johnston on their best afield list with 29 disposals, but it was Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg who took out the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground overall. He had 31 disposals and almost dragged the Redlegs back in it himself in that final term with his pair of goals among his six majors.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK FOUR OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 23
2018 SANFL MACCA'S LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
North Adelaide 19.10 (124)
Norwood 15.15 (105)
40,355 @ Adelaide Oval
ROOSTERS RESSIES MAKE IT TWO FROM TWO
The Roosters were all over the Redlegs in the Reserves Grand Final as well, securing their 10th seconds premiership and their second in the last three seasons. Slowly but surely the Roosters put the result out of the 'Legs reach, starting with a 5.1 to 3.2 opening term then extending their lead to just under four goals by the half-time break. Inaccuracy in the third quarter kept the door relatively open for the Redlegs, but North's defence ensured a three quarter-time lead of 31 points after kicking 3.3 to two goals. The Roosters had to withstand a final term fightback from the Redlegs, they cut the gap back to two goals on the cusp of time on. But a pair of late goals put the stamp on the flag, winning by four goals. The best afield honours and the Bob Lee Medal would go to Jake Schwarz, who took 31 disposals. This was also Roosters' favourite Leigh Ryswyk's last hurrah, bowing out on a high after 12 seasons and 226 league matches for NAFC.
2018 RESERVES GRAND FINAL -- North Adelaide 16.8 (104) def. Norwood 12.8 (80)
SA COMMUNITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE -- List of Champions
The list below is comprised of the Division One Grand Finals results and league best & fairest medal winners from the various competitions under the umbrella of the South Australian Community Football League. The Keith Sims and Dutschke Medals are awarded to the Div-1 players adjudged as the standouts of the Channel Nine Adelaide Footy League Mens & Womens competitions, while the Mail Medal is awarded to each individual country league's best performers. The SACFL is sponsored by the Motor Accident Commission & the SA Government who are major partners, as well as corporate sponsors Clubs SA, National Australia Bank, Jones Harley Toole, Thomas Foods, Day2Day Rewards, Flag Factory, Practictioner Supplies, Defib Shop, PHN Country Australia, Australian Unity and West End Breweries.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE MEN'S DIVISION
Tea Tree Gully 13.15 (93) def. Rostrevor OC 9.9 (63)
Justin Sheedy (Athelstone)
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE WOMEN'S DIVISION
Salisbury 5.10 (40) def. Adelaide University 3.4 (22)
Brittany Perry (Salisbury)
ADELAIDE PLAINS
Two Wells 12.11 (83) def. Balaklava 6.7 (43)
Jordan Clements (Mallala)
BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER
Nuriootpa 12.6 (78) def. Tanunda 8.9 (57)
Dean Terlich (Tanunda)
EASTERN EYRE
Kimba Districts 14.11 (95) def. Eastern Ranges 4.11 (35)
Jack Kenny (Eastern Ranges)
FAR NORTH
Hornridge 12.9 (81) def. Roxby Districts 6.4 (40)
Ashley Baxter (Hornridge)
FAR WEST
Western United 19.12 (126) def. Koonibba 8.3 (51)
Jake Warmington (Western Districts)
GREAT FLINDERS
United Yeelanna 16.13 (109) def. Tumby Bay 3.4 (22)
Lachie Paech (Cummins-Kapinnie)
GREAT SOUTHERN
Langhorne Creek 15.11 (101) def. McLaren 10.17 (77)
Michael Ross (Victor Harbor)
HILLS
Hahndorf 13.15 (93) def. Uraidla 6.10 (46)
Sam Miles (Mt. Lofty)
KANGAROO ISLAND
Kingscote 6.10 (46) def. Western Districts 6.7 (43)
Rory Lovering (Kingscote)
KOWREE-NARACOORTE-TATIARA
Mundulla 8.8 (56) def. Keith 8.5 (53)
Tim McIntyre (Mundulla) & George Thring (Keith)
MALLEE
Border Downs/Tintinara 14.17 (101) def. Karoonda 6.7 (43)
Alex Stidiford (BDT)
MID SOUTH-EASTERN
Robe 9.10 (64) def. Mt. Burr 9.7 (61)
Daron McElroy (Pt. McDonnell)
MID WEST
Elliston 9.12 (66) def. West Coast Hawks 8.7 (55)
Mitchell Gum (Wirrulla)
NORTH EASTERN
BSR 8.10 (58) def. Blyth/Snowtown 4.7 (31)
Gareth Ottens (Blyth/Snowtown)
NORTHERN AREAS
Crystal Brook 10.8 (68) def. Orroroo 4.11 (35)
Campbell Combe (Crystal Brook)
PORT LINCOLN
Tasman 14.9 (93) def. Waybacks 7.13 (55)
Kingsley Bilney JR (Mallee Park)
RIVER MURRAY
Imperials 9.6 (60) def. Mannum 8.10 (58)
Taite Silverlock (Jervois) & Clint Diment (Mypolonga)
RIVERLAND
Waikerie 11.13 (79) def. Renmark 3.15 (33)
Jake Spencely (Waikerie)
RIVERLAND INDEPENDENT
Parina 9.8 (62) def. Sedan-Cambrai 8.12 (60)
Hayden Lofts (Sedan-Cambrai)
SOUTHERN
Flagstaff Hill 21.16 (142) def. Reynella 6.6 (42)
Nicholas Mott (Noarlunga)
SPENCER GULF
South Augusta 19.10 (124) def. Solomontown 9.9 (63)
Aziel Stewart (South Augusta)
WESTERN BORDER
Millicent 11.10 (76) def. East Gambier 11.6 (72)
Tom Hutchesson (Millicent)
WHYALLA
West Whyalla 10.13 (73) def. Weeroona Bay 2.4 (16)
Joel Howard-Bristow (South Whyalla)
YORKE PENINSULA
Moonta 15.12 (102) def. Central Yorke 4.4 (28)
Alex Kangur (Central Yorke)
And with that, that's the end of the 2018 season, looking forward to the 2019 season already. As always, I hope to continue these threads for your enjoyment next year. So until next season... that's a wrap.
NORTH ADELAIDE FC -- 2018 SANFL Premiers
There's been a lot of hype and discussion going around this past week, so many opinions and a lot of anger. The controversy surrounding the Preliminary Final, the fallout from the SA Football Commission's decision and the possibility of legal action from the Eagles looked to have overshadowed the lead-up to the SANFL's showpiece event. If anything, it only intensified the public's interest, not just here in Adelaide but also interstate. Everyone was talking, it made headlines around Australia, in fact it wasn't the only league to have had an extra man issue! But in any case, like it or not, this decider was going to be one to remember. Were we going to see one side get another flag closer to the league record held by Port Adelaide, or would it be a case of a 27-year long drought coming to an end?
This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the last instalment of the SANFL Wrap-Up for the season... the 2018 Macca's League Grand Final.
Only a few short years ago, the Redlegs made themselves the second most decorated senior football club in Australia. Their triple treat of flags which took in the final years of league footy at Football Park and the return of the premiership decider to Adelaide Oval took their all-time tally to 30, one more than WA's East Fremantle and six adrift of their chief rivals Port Adelaide. Norwood have played in 38 Grand Finals and won 21 of them, meaning that nine of their flags were won the way the minor premiership is won today. The Roosters have won 13 premierships, with their last coming in the first year of the post-AFL era. The Adelaide Football Club was in its first year of existence and with that, the SANFL would never be the same again. That 1991 premiership triumph was especially sweet given the Bloods' futile attempts to unsettle the Roosters with their overly physical approach, the multiple brawls would see the game branded "the bloodbath Grand Final" in the end. These clubs, with their close proximity to each other, would develop a somewhat neighbourly rivalry. They have clashed in five premiership deciders, with North winning the first in 1920 and the Redlegs returning the favour in 1923. It would be another 29 years before they would meet in the Grand Final again, but the Redlegs would wish that never happened after the Roosters inflicted a massive 18-goal defeat on them. North would emerge victorious again in 1960, but vengeance finally came albeit 43 years later when the two clubs closed the book at West Lakes as the Redlegs pounded the Roosters by 40 points.
Which now brings us to today. Another new era for SA football and a renewal of neighbourhood hostilities on Grand Final day back at the Adelaide Oval. The Roosters' banner said it all -- "Adelaide Oval.. where legends are made". North have certainly etched themselves in the Oval's history books, other than the three victorious outings against Norwood they also became Australian champions on this ground. The old fires of rivalry were definitely stoked over the past week and as a result, a little over 40,000 SA footy-heads fronted up for what was going to be a fight. With both clubs scoring victories over each other during the regular season and not having faced off during the finals, this was the tie-breaker for the year. It would take just 40 seconds for the Roosters to bag the first major and within eight minutes, the Roosters would be up by almost three goals. The Redlegs were having a dog of a time stringing together goals, even when the Roosters coughed up in Norwood's attacking zone they still couldn't find the big sticks. But by quarter-time, the Redlegs were back to within a kick of the lead with the scoreboard reading Norwood 3.7 to North's five goals. That margin would go unchanged going into half-time as the two teams traded equal blows on the scoreboard in the second term. They kicked 4.4 each, the Roosters holding onto their five-point lead at the long break.
That trend continued when play resumed with yet another score-for-score quarter of footy, the Roosters holding onto their five-point lead at the final change with the two sides each scoring 5.4 in a term where neither side gave the other an inch. This was what finals football is all about, incredibly close and plenty of aggression. But of course, something had to give in the end. Many would be left wondering where the Redlegs' intensity had gone, they'd won the minor premiership and outlasted the Eagles in the 2nd Semi and went in the clear favourite. Their faithful would be left wanting as were their team, not even a late fightback from the 'Legs would save them. North finished off the afternoon with a 5.3 to 3.1 final quarter to win -- ironically -- by 19 points to take out their 14th senior premiership. It was every bit the Grand Final for the ages, even if it happened only through a technicality. In the best on ground category, former Centrals player Brock Castree amassed 24 disposals, Alex Barns kicked four goals but their best was Thomas Schwarz who got 26 disposals. The Redlegs had former Rooster Lewis Johnston on their best afield list with 29 disposals, but it was Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg who took out the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground overall. He had 31 disposals and almost dragged the Redlegs back in it himself in that final term with his pair of goals among his six majors.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK FOUR OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 23
2018 SANFL MACCA'S LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
North Adelaide 19.10 (124)
Norwood 15.15 (105)
40,355 @ Adelaide Oval
ROOSTERS RESSIES MAKE IT TWO FROM TWO
The Roosters were all over the Redlegs in the Reserves Grand Final as well, securing their 10th seconds premiership and their second in the last three seasons. Slowly but surely the Roosters put the result out of the 'Legs reach, starting with a 5.1 to 3.2 opening term then extending their lead to just under four goals by the half-time break. Inaccuracy in the third quarter kept the door relatively open for the Redlegs, but North's defence ensured a three quarter-time lead of 31 points after kicking 3.3 to two goals. The Roosters had to withstand a final term fightback from the Redlegs, they cut the gap back to two goals on the cusp of time on. But a pair of late goals put the stamp on the flag, winning by four goals. The best afield honours and the Bob Lee Medal would go to Jake Schwarz, who took 31 disposals. This was also Roosters' favourite Leigh Ryswyk's last hurrah, bowing out on a high after 12 seasons and 226 league matches for NAFC.
2018 RESERVES GRAND FINAL -- North Adelaide 16.8 (104) def. Norwood 12.8 (80)
SA COMMUNITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE -- List of Champions
The list below is comprised of the Division One Grand Finals results and league best & fairest medal winners from the various competitions under the umbrella of the South Australian Community Football League. The Keith Sims and Dutschke Medals are awarded to the Div-1 players adjudged as the standouts of the Channel Nine Adelaide Footy League Mens & Womens competitions, while the Mail Medal is awarded to each individual country league's best performers. The SACFL is sponsored by the Motor Accident Commission & the SA Government who are major partners, as well as corporate sponsors Clubs SA, National Australia Bank, Jones Harley Toole, Thomas Foods, Day2Day Rewards, Flag Factory, Practictioner Supplies, Defib Shop, PHN Country Australia, Australian Unity and West End Breweries.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE MEN'S DIVISION
Tea Tree Gully 13.15 (93) def. Rostrevor OC 9.9 (63)
Justin Sheedy (Athelstone)
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE WOMEN'S DIVISION
Salisbury 5.10 (40) def. Adelaide University 3.4 (22)
Brittany Perry (Salisbury)
ADELAIDE PLAINS
Two Wells 12.11 (83) def. Balaklava 6.7 (43)
Jordan Clements (Mallala)
BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER
Nuriootpa 12.6 (78) def. Tanunda 8.9 (57)
Dean Terlich (Tanunda)
EASTERN EYRE
Kimba Districts 14.11 (95) def. Eastern Ranges 4.11 (35)
Jack Kenny (Eastern Ranges)
FAR NORTH
Hornridge 12.9 (81) def. Roxby Districts 6.4 (40)
Ashley Baxter (Hornridge)
FAR WEST
Western United 19.12 (126) def. Koonibba 8.3 (51)
Jake Warmington (Western Districts)
GREAT FLINDERS
United Yeelanna 16.13 (109) def. Tumby Bay 3.4 (22)
Lachie Paech (Cummins-Kapinnie)
GREAT SOUTHERN
Langhorne Creek 15.11 (101) def. McLaren 10.17 (77)
Michael Ross (Victor Harbor)
HILLS
Hahndorf 13.15 (93) def. Uraidla 6.10 (46)
Sam Miles (Mt. Lofty)
KANGAROO ISLAND
Kingscote 6.10 (46) def. Western Districts 6.7 (43)
Rory Lovering (Kingscote)
KOWREE-NARACOORTE-TATIARA
Mundulla 8.8 (56) def. Keith 8.5 (53)
Tim McIntyre (Mundulla) & George Thring (Keith)
MALLEE
Border Downs/Tintinara 14.17 (101) def. Karoonda 6.7 (43)
Alex Stidiford (BDT)
MID SOUTH-EASTERN
Robe 9.10 (64) def. Mt. Burr 9.7 (61)
Daron McElroy (Pt. McDonnell)
MID WEST
Elliston 9.12 (66) def. West Coast Hawks 8.7 (55)
Mitchell Gum (Wirrulla)
NORTH EASTERN
BSR 8.10 (58) def. Blyth/Snowtown 4.7 (31)
Gareth Ottens (Blyth/Snowtown)
NORTHERN AREAS
Crystal Brook 10.8 (68) def. Orroroo 4.11 (35)
Campbell Combe (Crystal Brook)
PORT LINCOLN
Tasman 14.9 (93) def. Waybacks 7.13 (55)
Kingsley Bilney JR (Mallee Park)
RIVER MURRAY
Imperials 9.6 (60) def. Mannum 8.10 (58)
Taite Silverlock (Jervois) & Clint Diment (Mypolonga)
RIVERLAND
Waikerie 11.13 (79) def. Renmark 3.15 (33)
Jake Spencely (Waikerie)
RIVERLAND INDEPENDENT
Parina 9.8 (62) def. Sedan-Cambrai 8.12 (60)
Hayden Lofts (Sedan-Cambrai)
SOUTHERN
Flagstaff Hill 21.16 (142) def. Reynella 6.6 (42)
Nicholas Mott (Noarlunga)
SPENCER GULF
South Augusta 19.10 (124) def. Solomontown 9.9 (63)
Aziel Stewart (South Augusta)
WESTERN BORDER
Millicent 11.10 (76) def. East Gambier 11.6 (72)
Tom Hutchesson (Millicent)
WHYALLA
West Whyalla 10.13 (73) def. Weeroona Bay 2.4 (16)
Joel Howard-Bristow (South Whyalla)
YORKE PENINSULA
Moonta 15.12 (102) def. Central Yorke 4.4 (28)
Alex Kangur (Central Yorke)
And with that, that's the end of the 2018 season, looking forward to the 2019 season already. As always, I hope to continue these threads for your enjoyment next year. So until next season... that's a wrap.
NORTH ADELAIDE FC -- 2018 SANFL Premiers
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There were quite a few red and white Grand Final winners too including the mighty Crystal Brook Roosters...I think that’s premiership number 23.
