Messenger Community News' Gurus look back on the year in local sport

FROM a slimming ruckman to outraged lawn bowlers, Messenger Community News' Gurus look back on the year that was in local sport.

The year that was in local sport

NORWOOD again stole the show in local sport in 2013, winning back-to-back SANFL premierships for the first time since 1922-23.

While most of the plaudits went to dual flag-winning coach Nathan Bassett and Jack Oatey medallist Brett Zorzi after the grand final win over North Adelaide, the Gurus would like to highlight two of the Redlegs' unsung heroes for praise.

Last year, ruckman Sam Baulderstone weighed 140kg and was playing in the Great Southern Football League for Mount Compass.

But a strict diet and training regime led the self-confessed fast food junkie to shed 28kg and play nine games in Norwood's charge to the flag.

Liam Davis first caught Bassett's eye when the former Crow played alongside him in an SA Amateur Football League division six match for Houghton Districts in 2011.

After the northeast club refused to give Norwood Davis' phone number, Bassett used Facebook to invite the forward to The Parade and a year later included him in his grand final-winning side.

Rostrevor Old Collegians won its maiden SAAFL division one flag in September, beating Salisbury North in the first top-flight grand final replay.

Amazingly, the division five grand final between Kenilworth and Woodville South also went to a replay after the Kookaburras' Josh Blyth hit the post with a kick for goal on the final siren.

Blyth had redemption a week later, booting three goals to win the flag.

In Premier League soccer, Campbelltown City won its first title since 1986, beating Blue Eagles in the grand final.

While Red Devils goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi capped his final match before retirement with a winner's medal, the next day, fellow custodian Fraser McLean broke SA soccer's games record when he played his 452nd match for Noarlunga United.

Incredibly the 43-year-old this month signed to continue his State League career with Seaford next season.

Cougars achieved a rare feat in Premier League netball finishing the season with -2 points.

The wooden spooners fielded an unregistered player in April and failed to win a game for the remainder of the campaign.

In basketball, Forestville won the men's State League title, while Norwood stormed to the women's flag after an undefeated season.

Glenelg ended a 39-year wait for Grade Cricket's two-day premiership when it defeated East Torrens in the 2012/13 decider.

But our favourite local cricket story was that of Eastern Park's Daniel Ryan who averaged 466 runs last season to make him statistically the best junior batsman in Australia last summer.

The talented teen is again on fire this campaign, having already blasted two centuries at an average of 329.

Finally, Bowls SA caused a stir in July when it axed the afternoon tea break from its midweek competitions.

Following threats of senior players quitting the sport and pressure from the Gurus, the governing body reinstated the mid-match interval to ensure tea and scones flowed freely once again at bowls clubs across Adelaide.