Glenelg ends SANFL grand final pain in style against nemesis Port Adelaide
Glenelg has ended a run of five consecutive grand final losses to its bitter arch rival Port Adelaide by beating the Magpies at their own game.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tiger time: Glenelg snaps 33-year premiership drought
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
This was payback for 42 years of pain and misery inflicted on it by Port Adelaide.
Glenelg on Sunday ended a run of five consecutive grand final losses to its bitter arch rival, dating back to 1977, by beating the Magpies at their own game.
Where once the Tigers were made to look like pussycats by their nemesis in grand finals, this time the tables were turned.
Glenelg — under master coach Mark Stone, in just his second year in charge — produced the tough, aggressive football that has been the hallmark of Port in big games in its glorious history.
Without a flag since 1986 and having been on life support financially just three years ago — the doors were close to being shut — the Tigers used the fighting spirit of their coach, president Nick Chigwidden and a strong board, to play with a fierce determination that won the game against a power-packed team fielding 17 AFL-listed players.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“They reminded me of how Port Adelaide usually plays in grand finals,’’ said six-times Magpies premiership player and triple premiership-winning coach Stephen Williams on ABC radio.
“They were great, they didn’t give Port a sniff.
“Every player was totally committed to the cause, they sacrificed their bodies for their teammates and played great team footy.
“It was a superb, team-oriented grand final performance. They were measured, they never panicked, they held their nerve and they all did their job, which is what you have to do to win on grand final day.’’
Glenelg — just like it did in the preliminary final against Adelaide — jumped out of the blocks.
Former Magpie Luke Reynolds got the ball rolling for the underdog when he kicked truly under pressure from 40m.
Wingman Carl Nicholson booted his first goal for the season with a wobbly punt after some smart work from teammate Darcy Bailey.
Brad Close and Josh Scott (from a strong, juggled mark in the goalsquare) then put the Tigers four goals up as they booted the only four goals of the first term.
When Reynolds, who bagged five in last week’s win against the Crows, snapped brilliantly at the northern end of the ground in the opening minute of the second term, Glenelg’s lead was out to 28 points.
But — under serious pressure and with the game in danger of slipping out of their grasp — the Magpies suddenly lifted.
Joel Garner won some key defensive contests and Billy Frampton started to impose himself on the game at the other end.
He used his physicality and aggression to push opponents out of the way and be involved in Port’s first two goals.
The Pies drew to within 13 points in the second term but a goal in the first 45 seconds of the third quarter to Scott pushed the Bays clear again.
They never gave the Magpies another sniff, despite captain Cam Sutcliffe’s third quarter heroics when he kicked all three of Port’s goals for the term to keep it alive.
But when Scott goaled in the first minute of the final term, the game was over.
Suddenly, the number of Glenelg premiership players rose from 63 to 84.
Port laid 14 more tackles.
But the Tigers laid the ones that counted most.
When they wrapped their arms around a black and white jumper they held tight.
“Our primary measure is effort,’’ a jubilant Stone said after the 28-point win.
“Our tackling was great and so was our pressure around the ball, we just wouldn’t let the ball out.
“We never lost belief this year and we deserved this.’’
The Tiger army is roaring again.