Former Port Adelaide SANFL captain Steven Summerton hopes to end flag drought playing for Angaston in Barossa competition
Steven Summerton only ever played for Magpies before this year. On Saturday, he’ll be desperate to beat a Magpies team as he chases his first flag in more than 20 years.
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It is ironic that Steven Summerton will have to beat the Magpies on Saturday to win his first premiership since under-9s.
Before joining Angaston Panthers this season, the former SANFL star had only ever played for Magpies teams – North Haven, where he won that junior flag, Port District and Port Adelaide, which he captained in two losing grand finals in 2014 and 2017.
But to end that premiership drought, Summerton, 31, and the Panthers will first have to beat Tanunda Magpies in the Barossa, Light and Gawler decider at Freeling.
“It was a little bit weird when we played against them in round two because I’m so used to kicking the footy to black and white,” says Summerton, a 226-game midfielder in the SANFL.
“It’s been a long time between drinks (since last flag) so to say I’m due is an understatement.”
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Summerton retired from the SANFL at the end of last season and opted to join Angaston, where his close friend and former Port teammate Jay Shannon became player/coach.
Playing in a more relaxed environment with cars parked around ovals tooting their horns after goals has refreshed the duo.
“I’ve absolutely loved it,” Summerton says.
“Towards the end of my SANFL career, you almost fall into a bit of a pattern where you fall out of love with the game a little bit and I couldn’t commit (to training) with my new job out at the wharf, which is all shiftwork.
“I’ve been really surprised at the (Barossa) standard – I was a bit worried coming out of the SANFL – but it’s been really good and there’s some ex-AFL and SANFL players out in the competition.
“If we’re lucky enough to be able to win one (flag) and be able to share that with one of my good mates in Jay and all the teammates I’ve become extremely close with in a short period of time, it’d be the ultimate.”
Summerton’s 2019 campaign included winning competition’s coaches award and racking up 50 possessions in a game.
“That’s what our stats man said but I had my long sleeve (guernsey) on and there were about 10 of us wearing long sleeves, so who knows,” he jokes about the disposal count.
Angaston and Tanunda have both lost only one game this season and those defeats were inflicted by each other.
The Magpies recorded a 21-point win over the Panthers in the second semi-final before Angaston triumphed in its preliminary final against Nuriootpa.
As Summerton fights for a long-awaited flag, his former team is one victory away from SANFL success.
He has been following Port ”religiously” and attended a handful of its games this year as a supporter.
“The Maggies will always be a love of mine and a big part of my life,” he says.
“I still speak to plenty of the boys out there and their form this year has been unreal.
“I’m absolutely stoked they’re in the GF so hopefully we can win one and the weekend after I can go watch them win one – that’d be ideal.
“But if I don’t happen to win, I’d still be extremely happy for the Maggies to win and will still be out there next week.
“I’ll be Magpies till the day I die.”