- May 8, 2001
- 5,695
- 869
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
I go away for a fortnight and what happens? The 2024 SANFL Finals Series kicked off two weekends ago and yes, I was missing in action but thanks to internet streaming I didn't miss the action... and some shocks were served up. Now usually I go into a bit of a monologue before I talk about the weekend's action, but this time we're going to start with a quick recap seeing as there hasn't been a wrap-up thread for the first two weeks of finals. The Eagles would be the first to bow out, their disastrous second half of the season culminating in a loss to the reigning premiers in the Elimination Final. But the biggest shock of the finals would be the Blues. Their strong finish to the year would end up meaning nothing as they were bounced from the finals in straight sets. It began with a defeat to the Bulldogs, a team that hadn't won against them since late 2021. Then came the Tigers in the 1st Semi-Final, who silenced the Blues in the final quarter with six unanswered goals to help them say goodbye to 2024. Lying in wait for the Bulldogs would be the minor premiers in the Redlegs, who took over after quarter-time to book the first Grand Final spot. It was a bit of an opportunity wasted for Centrals, especially after a good opening term. One last chance beckons, would the reigning premiers keep their title defence alive, or would the Bulldogs contest their first decider since 2011? Read on, my fellow SA footy-heads.
Welcome to the Week 3 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
The Preliminary Final as of late has been where champions have emerged from, with seven of the last nine winners going on to take out the premiership. It started back in 2015 when the Bloods defeated the Bulldogs and went on to win their first flag for over 30 years. Sturt proceeded to go back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, the Roosters in 2018, the Eagles in 2020 and Norwood in 2022. Glenelg did pull it off themselves in 2019, but two years later they would be the ones that broke the run of successful prelim finalists taking the prize. This fate would also befall the Blues in 2023. Historically, the best record in Preliminary Finals is shared between the Redlegs and the Magpies, who have each contested 31 such matches for 16 wins. Port also has the best score of 28.14 against the Roosters in 1990, while the best winning margin was by North against Sturt in 1973 by 93 points. As far as the two contestants for this year's edition, the Bulldogs have probably the worst record in the Preliminary Final, winning just one game from seven appearances, that being against the Redlegs in 1995. Their last entry was back in 2015, going down to eventual premiers West Adelaide. The Tigers on the other hand have played in 21 Prelims for 15 wins, their last was back in 2021 against the Panthers for a 28-point win. From those successful Preliminary Finals, the Bays have gone on to win the flag on three occasions -- 1934, 1986 and 2019. These two clubs have never before clashed in the last chance saloon, but have faced off on six other occasions. Their first finals stoush came in the 1982 Elimination Final, the Tigers' second and third terms putting an end to Centrals campaign of that year. The Bulldogs would suffer two subsequent losses against Glenelg in the 1984 Qualifying Final and the 1988 1st Semi-Final, but in the late 2000's the northerners would inflict some damage of their own. The 2008 and 2009 2nd Semi-Finals ended in Bulldog victories, the latter being quite embarrassing for the Bays having given up a 20-point three quarter-time lead to lose by two points. The other victory for Centrals was most sweetest of all though, winning the 2008 premiership at the Tigers' expense.
So there was history being made today as this would be the first time these sides have met in a Preliminary Final, before this in the regular season these sides traded victories. In Round 8 the Bays put down a spirited fight from the Dogs who found themselves in a bit of a slump, going down by eight points at Brighton Road. But then in Round 18 on a sodden Elizabeth deck, Centrals pulled a rabbit out of the hat. They were held goal-less for the first half and trailed by just shy of four straight kicks, but then proceeded to kick six goals to two in the second half to nick a one-point win. The Tigers responded to that shock defeat big-time over the following weeks though, finishing the minor round with a near 20-goal thumping of South, then winning consecutive cut-throat finals against the Eagles and the Double Blues. The Bulldogs finished the home and away season by belting the Magpies and then ending the Blues' streak in the Qualifying Final. However, the Redlegs ran over the top of them in last week's 2nd Semi-Final. The Dogs would still be without key player Harry Grant as well as goal-sneak Jake Gasper, in contrast the Tigers would welcome back proven goal scorer Lachlan Hosie after four months on the sidelines. The Tigers were all over the Dogs in the opening quarter, keeping them to three behinds while Hosie got the Tigers underway with the first major. He'd have a second by quarter-time, by then the defending premiers held a three-goal lead with the board reading 3.3 to 0.3. Hosie's third goal two minutes into the second term would be answered in quick measure by Centrals' pocket-rocket Isaiah Dudley, putting two goals in as many minutes not too long after. The Bulldogs had also upped their pressure, reeling back the Tigers' lead to a more managable gap by the long break. They could have done better though, they kicked 4.5 to three goals as the Tigers' lead was cut down to seven points come half-time. Aidan Grace and Kade Dittmar added themselves to the goal-kicker's column here for the Dogs, while Liam McBean had both of Glenelg's other second term majors.
Unfortunately for the Doggies, this is where the rot set in and the umpires weren't helping their cause either. After getting to within a point of the Tigers early in the third quarter, Centrals found themselves on the wrong end of some questionable decisions that were the complete reverse on the other side of the coin. In fact, by game's end at least four Tigers' free kicks were directly in front of goal and during the third term, it was taking a toll on the Dogs' mindset. Not to say that the Bulldogs weren't making things hard for themselves, a lot of panicked kicks out of their defensive zone and too many "hospital balls" often leading to costly rebounds. The Tigers' final goal of the term was particularly frustrating to Centrals' fans, given that marks are to be awarded to the man in front. Said goal put the Bays out to a 19-point three quarter-time lead, all scores counted it was 3.2 to 5.2. The five goals were shared between McBean, Will Chandler and Luke Reynolds. Evidently, their victory against the Blues two weeks ago was the Bulldogs' grand final as the Tigers sprinted away in the finish, Cole Gerloff, Billy Stretch and Archie Lovelock joining the goal kickers as the Bays booked their place in next week's premiership decider. The Dogs would only watch as it slipped away, managing only one goal to Hugo Munn, who may have played his last game with the club. Glenelg added a further 4.3 to 1.2, winning by 38 points. Hosie and McBean kicked four goals each, but the best on ground for the Tigers was James Bell who notched up 24 disposals, laid 10 tackles and had six clearances. Dittmar was the Bulldogs' standout, with 16 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances. Other honourable mentions from the Dogs was youngster Dyson Sharp, who laid 12 tackles of his own, while Kai Pudney had 21 disposals and five marks. Centrals coach Paul Thomas was disappointed, but not upset at the result, his message to his side ahead of 2025 pre-season was to keep pushing, this year's finish a stark contrast to two years ago and on the back of last year's 1st Semi-Final result.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 3 OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 15
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Glenelg 15.8 (60)
Central District 8.12 (98)
9,202 @ Adelaide Oval
OTHER GRADE FINALS -- Blues win juniors, Eagles pull off colts flag heist and 'Legs through to Reserves decider
The Double Blues' junior outfit brought some pride back to Oxford Terrace with their triumph in the Torrens Uni U-16 Grand Final on Sunday morning at Adelaide Oval, shaking off the inaccuracy bug in the final term to take out the premiership by four goals. The Panthers were more efficient in their forward forays, but everywhere else the Blues were more desperate. They peppered their goals for a return of 1.6 to South's 2.1 in the opening term, then led by nine points themselves by half-time with the board reading 4.11 to 4.2. Two kicks still separated them at the final change, the Panthers' dominating possession but not able to convert with both sides kicking a goal each. But then the Blues finished with a four goal to one final term for the win. The B.O.G award would go to South's Archie Van Dyk, who finished with 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. The mid-day U-18 Grand Final was an opportunity well and truly blown by the Bulldogs, who largely dominated the first half. They led by 19 points at half-time before the Eagles began to reel them back in, tying the scores at 59 points each by three quarter-time. The Dogs led by two points late in the final term before the Eagles landed the final blow just before time-on to win by four points. Eagles' captain Jett Hasting would take out the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield, finishing with 20 disposals, six marks, four clearances and seven tackles. Finally we come to the Reserves Preliminary Final on Saturday, where the Redlegs ended the Tigers' premiership defence with an eight-goal hiding at Thebarton Oval. The Bays were competitive only up until quarter-time, down by only four points. But the Tigers would only manage a further four goals after this, the Redlegs slowly but surely romping away with the other Grand Final berth with 11 goals of their own. They will face Sturt in the 11am showdown before the league decider.
U-16 GRAND FINAL -- Sturt 9.16 (70) def. South Adelaide 6.10 (46)
U-18 GRAND FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 12.5 (77) def. Central District 11.7 (73)
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Norwood 14.11 (95) def. Glenelg 6.11 (47)
SPOILS SHARED ON MAGAREY NIGHT, BULLDOGS FLAG MASTERMIND ENTERS HALL
There would be dual winners of the 2024 Magarey Medal, with Norwood's Harry Boyd and Sturt's Will Snelling sharing the spoils. Snelling had actually pulled away by three votes deep into the count before Boyd polled the max points in Round 18 to draw level, neither player got any votes in the last round of the year. It's the fourth time there have been joint recipients in the previous 16 seasons, the last was the 2021 edition where Bryce Gibbs and James Tsitas shared the honour. West Adelaide's Kobe Ryan was second on 27 votes, while Cambpell Combe was third on 20. Boyd also secured the R.O. Shearman Medal as voted by the league coaches, edging out Snelling by nine votes. In the other divisions, Brad Jefferies would be the second Blues player in 30 years to win the Reserves Magarey Medal, winning it with a two-vote final round leap-frogging of Glenelg's Ben Ridgway. The Panthers' Kodah Edwards would win the U-16's B&F Medal, but it was the U-18 award that surprised many. The McCallum-Tomkins Medal would be end up being a four-way split on 18 votes, with the winners being Oscar Merrett (Sturt), Ben Camporeale (Glenelg), Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide), Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide). In the SA Football Hall of Fame, there would be four inductees for 2024.
The South Australian Football Hall of Fame would induct four more members for the 2024 ceremony, starting with one of North Adelaide's post-WW2 heroes in Lyle Griffin, a 190-gamer for the Roosters and South Australia. He was a member of the 1952 premiership side that crushed the Redlegs in the Grand Final by 110 points, a year that he also made the Advertiser's Team of the Year and the All-Australian side, as well as finishing runner-up in the Magarey Medal count. Former Crow Scott Thompson was next, a 300-plus gamer in the AFL for Melbourne and Adelaide over 17 seasons as well as lining up for the Crows in their SANFL side and winning that division's B&F award in 2017. Then came two of the SANFL's most known faces during the last 20 years, Jade Sheedy and Roy Laird. "Sheeds" was one of the Double Blues' favourite sons from 2000 up to 2012, a part of their breakthrough premiership victory in 2002 as well as sharing the Magarey Medal that year alongside team-mate Tim Weatherald. He played 260 senior games, five of them in the red of South Australia. He later took up the coaches role at the Eagles for two flags, as well as on the state arena. Finally we have the Bulldogs' seven-time premiership coach in Laird, who spent somewhat 50-50 of his playing time at Elizabeth between the league and reserves, the latter bringing him his first rewards as a coach in the 2002 Reserves premiership. When he took over the league side, he etched himself into the record books with seven flags during the Doggies' decade of dominance, joining the likes of Fos Williams, Neil Kerley and Jack Oatey as one of the all-time greats of the coaches' box.
2024 SA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES -- Official honours list
LYLE GRIFFIN (era 1931-1960)
179 games for North Adelaide from 1946 - 1957, 11 games for South Australia
NAFC Captain 1956 & 1957
1952 Premiership & club B&F
All-Australian 1951 & 1952
State team B&F vs VFL 1952
Magarey Runner-Up 1952
The Advertiser Team of the Year 1952
NAFC Most Consistent Award 1951, 1953, 1955
NAFC Life Member 1956
SANFL Life Member 1957
SCOTT THOMPSON (era 1991 onwards)
308 AFL games & 162 goals with Melbourne FC (2001 - 2004) and Adelaide FC (2005 - 2017)
Adelaide FC Club Champion 2011 & 2012, runner-up 2010
Adelaide FC SANFL Champion 2017
All Australian 2012
Phil Walsh (Showdown) Medal 2015
Adelaide FC Life Member 2014
AFL Life Member 2016
Port Adelaide FC Development Coach 2018 - 2020
Adelaide FC AFL-W Assistant Coach 2021
JADE SHEEDY (era 1991 onwards)
255 games and 117 goals for Sturt 2000 - 2012
SFC Captain 2007 - 2012 (2008 co-captain with Ben Nelson)
2002 Premiership
Five games for South Australia, captain 2008 & 2009
Sturt B&F PT Morton Medallist -- 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Magarey Medal 2002
Advertiser Team of the Year 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
SANFL Life Member 2009
SFC Life Member 2010
Woodville-West Torrens senior coach 2020 - 2023
Premierships 2020 & 2021
SA senior coach 2021 & 2022
Advertiser Team of the Year coach 2020
ROY LAIRD (era 1991 onwards)
191 games (87 league, 83 reserves, 21 U-19) for Central District FC
Assistant league coach 2000
Reserves coach 2001 - 2002
Reserves premiership 2002
CDFC senior coach 2003 - 2019 (357 games)
Premierships 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year Coach 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
SANFL Player/Coach Life Member 2019
CDFC Life Member 2019
So this is it folks... the last two and a bit hours of South Australian footy this year. Can the Tigers go back-to-back, or will it be a fourth time unlucky against the rampaging Redlegs? Get your tickets, come on over, get it on the box wherever you may be in the country however you can. Hoping for a big turnout and an even bigger audience!
Sunday September 22 @ Adelaide Oval
RESERVES GRAND FINAL
Norwood vs. Sturt; 11am
2024 SANFL HOSTPLUS LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Norwood vs. Glenelg; 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
I go away for a fortnight and what happens? The 2024 SANFL Finals Series kicked off two weekends ago and yes, I was missing in action but thanks to internet streaming I didn't miss the action... and some shocks were served up. Now usually I go into a bit of a monologue before I talk about the weekend's action, but this time we're going to start with a quick recap seeing as there hasn't been a wrap-up thread for the first two weeks of finals. The Eagles would be the first to bow out, their disastrous second half of the season culminating in a loss to the reigning premiers in the Elimination Final. But the biggest shock of the finals would be the Blues. Their strong finish to the year would end up meaning nothing as they were bounced from the finals in straight sets. It began with a defeat to the Bulldogs, a team that hadn't won against them since late 2021. Then came the Tigers in the 1st Semi-Final, who silenced the Blues in the final quarter with six unanswered goals to help them say goodbye to 2024. Lying in wait for the Bulldogs would be the minor premiers in the Redlegs, who took over after quarter-time to book the first Grand Final spot. It was a bit of an opportunity wasted for Centrals, especially after a good opening term. One last chance beckons, would the reigning premiers keep their title defence alive, or would the Bulldogs contest their first decider since 2011? Read on, my fellow SA footy-heads.
Welcome to the Week 3 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
The Preliminary Final as of late has been where champions have emerged from, with seven of the last nine winners going on to take out the premiership. It started back in 2015 when the Bloods defeated the Bulldogs and went on to win their first flag for over 30 years. Sturt proceeded to go back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, the Roosters in 2018, the Eagles in 2020 and Norwood in 2022. Glenelg did pull it off themselves in 2019, but two years later they would be the ones that broke the run of successful prelim finalists taking the prize. This fate would also befall the Blues in 2023. Historically, the best record in Preliminary Finals is shared between the Redlegs and the Magpies, who have each contested 31 such matches for 16 wins. Port also has the best score of 28.14 against the Roosters in 1990, while the best winning margin was by North against Sturt in 1973 by 93 points. As far as the two contestants for this year's edition, the Bulldogs have probably the worst record in the Preliminary Final, winning just one game from seven appearances, that being against the Redlegs in 1995. Their last entry was back in 2015, going down to eventual premiers West Adelaide. The Tigers on the other hand have played in 21 Prelims for 15 wins, their last was back in 2021 against the Panthers for a 28-point win. From those successful Preliminary Finals, the Bays have gone on to win the flag on three occasions -- 1934, 1986 and 2019. These two clubs have never before clashed in the last chance saloon, but have faced off on six other occasions. Their first finals stoush came in the 1982 Elimination Final, the Tigers' second and third terms putting an end to Centrals campaign of that year. The Bulldogs would suffer two subsequent losses against Glenelg in the 1984 Qualifying Final and the 1988 1st Semi-Final, but in the late 2000's the northerners would inflict some damage of their own. The 2008 and 2009 2nd Semi-Finals ended in Bulldog victories, the latter being quite embarrassing for the Bays having given up a 20-point three quarter-time lead to lose by two points. The other victory for Centrals was most sweetest of all though, winning the 2008 premiership at the Tigers' expense.
So there was history being made today as this would be the first time these sides have met in a Preliminary Final, before this in the regular season these sides traded victories. In Round 8 the Bays put down a spirited fight from the Dogs who found themselves in a bit of a slump, going down by eight points at Brighton Road. But then in Round 18 on a sodden Elizabeth deck, Centrals pulled a rabbit out of the hat. They were held goal-less for the first half and trailed by just shy of four straight kicks, but then proceeded to kick six goals to two in the second half to nick a one-point win. The Tigers responded to that shock defeat big-time over the following weeks though, finishing the minor round with a near 20-goal thumping of South, then winning consecutive cut-throat finals against the Eagles and the Double Blues. The Bulldogs finished the home and away season by belting the Magpies and then ending the Blues' streak in the Qualifying Final. However, the Redlegs ran over the top of them in last week's 2nd Semi-Final. The Dogs would still be without key player Harry Grant as well as goal-sneak Jake Gasper, in contrast the Tigers would welcome back proven goal scorer Lachlan Hosie after four months on the sidelines. The Tigers were all over the Dogs in the opening quarter, keeping them to three behinds while Hosie got the Tigers underway with the first major. He'd have a second by quarter-time, by then the defending premiers held a three-goal lead with the board reading 3.3 to 0.3. Hosie's third goal two minutes into the second term would be answered in quick measure by Centrals' pocket-rocket Isaiah Dudley, putting two goals in as many minutes not too long after. The Bulldogs had also upped their pressure, reeling back the Tigers' lead to a more managable gap by the long break. They could have done better though, they kicked 4.5 to three goals as the Tigers' lead was cut down to seven points come half-time. Aidan Grace and Kade Dittmar added themselves to the goal-kicker's column here for the Dogs, while Liam McBean had both of Glenelg's other second term majors.
Unfortunately for the Doggies, this is where the rot set in and the umpires weren't helping their cause either. After getting to within a point of the Tigers early in the third quarter, Centrals found themselves on the wrong end of some questionable decisions that were the complete reverse on the other side of the coin. In fact, by game's end at least four Tigers' free kicks were directly in front of goal and during the third term, it was taking a toll on the Dogs' mindset. Not to say that the Bulldogs weren't making things hard for themselves, a lot of panicked kicks out of their defensive zone and too many "hospital balls" often leading to costly rebounds. The Tigers' final goal of the term was particularly frustrating to Centrals' fans, given that marks are to be awarded to the man in front. Said goal put the Bays out to a 19-point three quarter-time lead, all scores counted it was 3.2 to 5.2. The five goals were shared between McBean, Will Chandler and Luke Reynolds. Evidently, their victory against the Blues two weeks ago was the Bulldogs' grand final as the Tigers sprinted away in the finish, Cole Gerloff, Billy Stretch and Archie Lovelock joining the goal kickers as the Bays booked their place in next week's premiership decider. The Dogs would only watch as it slipped away, managing only one goal to Hugo Munn, who may have played his last game with the club. Glenelg added a further 4.3 to 1.2, winning by 38 points. Hosie and McBean kicked four goals each, but the best on ground for the Tigers was James Bell who notched up 24 disposals, laid 10 tackles and had six clearances. Dittmar was the Bulldogs' standout, with 16 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances. Other honourable mentions from the Dogs was youngster Dyson Sharp, who laid 12 tackles of his own, while Kai Pudney had 21 disposals and five marks. Centrals coach Paul Thomas was disappointed, but not upset at the result, his message to his side ahead of 2025 pre-season was to keep pushing, this year's finish a stark contrast to two years ago and on the back of last year's 1st Semi-Final result.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 3 OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 15
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Glenelg 15.8 (60)
Central District 8.12 (98)
9,202 @ Adelaide Oval
OTHER GRADE FINALS -- Blues win juniors, Eagles pull off colts flag heist and 'Legs through to Reserves decider
The Double Blues' junior outfit brought some pride back to Oxford Terrace with their triumph in the Torrens Uni U-16 Grand Final on Sunday morning at Adelaide Oval, shaking off the inaccuracy bug in the final term to take out the premiership by four goals. The Panthers were more efficient in their forward forays, but everywhere else the Blues were more desperate. They peppered their goals for a return of 1.6 to South's 2.1 in the opening term, then led by nine points themselves by half-time with the board reading 4.11 to 4.2. Two kicks still separated them at the final change, the Panthers' dominating possession but not able to convert with both sides kicking a goal each. But then the Blues finished with a four goal to one final term for the win. The B.O.G award would go to South's Archie Van Dyk, who finished with 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. The mid-day U-18 Grand Final was an opportunity well and truly blown by the Bulldogs, who largely dominated the first half. They led by 19 points at half-time before the Eagles began to reel them back in, tying the scores at 59 points each by three quarter-time. The Dogs led by two points late in the final term before the Eagles landed the final blow just before time-on to win by four points. Eagles' captain Jett Hasting would take out the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield, finishing with 20 disposals, six marks, four clearances and seven tackles. Finally we come to the Reserves Preliminary Final on Saturday, where the Redlegs ended the Tigers' premiership defence with an eight-goal hiding at Thebarton Oval. The Bays were competitive only up until quarter-time, down by only four points. But the Tigers would only manage a further four goals after this, the Redlegs slowly but surely romping away with the other Grand Final berth with 11 goals of their own. They will face Sturt in the 11am showdown before the league decider.
U-16 GRAND FINAL -- Sturt 9.16 (70) def. South Adelaide 6.10 (46)
U-18 GRAND FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 12.5 (77) def. Central District 11.7 (73)
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Norwood 14.11 (95) def. Glenelg 6.11 (47)
SPOILS SHARED ON MAGAREY NIGHT, BULLDOGS FLAG MASTERMIND ENTERS HALL
There would be dual winners of the 2024 Magarey Medal, with Norwood's Harry Boyd and Sturt's Will Snelling sharing the spoils. Snelling had actually pulled away by three votes deep into the count before Boyd polled the max points in Round 18 to draw level, neither player got any votes in the last round of the year. It's the fourth time there have been joint recipients in the previous 16 seasons, the last was the 2021 edition where Bryce Gibbs and James Tsitas shared the honour. West Adelaide's Kobe Ryan was second on 27 votes, while Cambpell Combe was third on 20. Boyd also secured the R.O. Shearman Medal as voted by the league coaches, edging out Snelling by nine votes. In the other divisions, Brad Jefferies would be the second Blues player in 30 years to win the Reserves Magarey Medal, winning it with a two-vote final round leap-frogging of Glenelg's Ben Ridgway. The Panthers' Kodah Edwards would win the U-16's B&F Medal, but it was the U-18 award that surprised many. The McCallum-Tomkins Medal would be end up being a four-way split on 18 votes, with the winners being Oscar Merrett (Sturt), Ben Camporeale (Glenelg), Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide), Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide). In the SA Football Hall of Fame, there would be four inductees for 2024.
The South Australian Football Hall of Fame would induct four more members for the 2024 ceremony, starting with one of North Adelaide's post-WW2 heroes in Lyle Griffin, a 190-gamer for the Roosters and South Australia. He was a member of the 1952 premiership side that crushed the Redlegs in the Grand Final by 110 points, a year that he also made the Advertiser's Team of the Year and the All-Australian side, as well as finishing runner-up in the Magarey Medal count. Former Crow Scott Thompson was next, a 300-plus gamer in the AFL for Melbourne and Adelaide over 17 seasons as well as lining up for the Crows in their SANFL side and winning that division's B&F award in 2017. Then came two of the SANFL's most known faces during the last 20 years, Jade Sheedy and Roy Laird. "Sheeds" was one of the Double Blues' favourite sons from 2000 up to 2012, a part of their breakthrough premiership victory in 2002 as well as sharing the Magarey Medal that year alongside team-mate Tim Weatherald. He played 260 senior games, five of them in the red of South Australia. He later took up the coaches role at the Eagles for two flags, as well as on the state arena. Finally we have the Bulldogs' seven-time premiership coach in Laird, who spent somewhat 50-50 of his playing time at Elizabeth between the league and reserves, the latter bringing him his first rewards as a coach in the 2002 Reserves premiership. When he took over the league side, he etched himself into the record books with seven flags during the Doggies' decade of dominance, joining the likes of Fos Williams, Neil Kerley and Jack Oatey as one of the all-time greats of the coaches' box.
2024 SA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES -- Official honours list
LYLE GRIFFIN (era 1931-1960)
179 games for North Adelaide from 1946 - 1957, 11 games for South Australia
NAFC Captain 1956 & 1957
1952 Premiership & club B&F
All-Australian 1951 & 1952
State team B&F vs VFL 1952
Magarey Runner-Up 1952
The Advertiser Team of the Year 1952
NAFC Most Consistent Award 1951, 1953, 1955
NAFC Life Member 1956
SANFL Life Member 1957
SCOTT THOMPSON (era 1991 onwards)
308 AFL games & 162 goals with Melbourne FC (2001 - 2004) and Adelaide FC (2005 - 2017)
Adelaide FC Club Champion 2011 & 2012, runner-up 2010
Adelaide FC SANFL Champion 2017
All Australian 2012
Phil Walsh (Showdown) Medal 2015
Adelaide FC Life Member 2014
AFL Life Member 2016
Port Adelaide FC Development Coach 2018 - 2020
Adelaide FC AFL-W Assistant Coach 2021
JADE SHEEDY (era 1991 onwards)
255 games and 117 goals for Sturt 2000 - 2012
SFC Captain 2007 - 2012 (2008 co-captain with Ben Nelson)
2002 Premiership
Five games for South Australia, captain 2008 & 2009
Sturt B&F PT Morton Medallist -- 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Magarey Medal 2002
Advertiser Team of the Year 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
SANFL Life Member 2009
SFC Life Member 2010
Woodville-West Torrens senior coach 2020 - 2023
Premierships 2020 & 2021
SA senior coach 2021 & 2022
Advertiser Team of the Year coach 2020
ROY LAIRD (era 1991 onwards)
191 games (87 league, 83 reserves, 21 U-19) for Central District FC
Assistant league coach 2000
Reserves coach 2001 - 2002
Reserves premiership 2002
CDFC senior coach 2003 - 2019 (357 games)
Premierships 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year Coach 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
SANFL Player/Coach Life Member 2019
CDFC Life Member 2019
So this is it folks... the last two and a bit hours of South Australian footy this year. Can the Tigers go back-to-back, or will it be a fourth time unlucky against the rampaging Redlegs? Get your tickets, come on over, get it on the box wherever you may be in the country however you can. Hoping for a big turnout and an even bigger audience!
Sunday September 22 @ Adelaide Oval
RESERVES GRAND FINAL
Norwood vs. Sturt; 11am
2024 SANFL HOSTPLUS LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Norwood vs. Glenelg; 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
