Norwood Redlegs defeat Port Adelaide Magpies 82-78 in 2014 SANFL Grand Final

NORWOOD’S reign as the SANFL champion has stretched into a third successive year after the Redlegs conquered Port Adelaide by four points in the Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

21/9/14 SANFL Grand Final between the Port Adelaide Magpies and the Norwood Redlegs held at the Adelaide Oval. Norwood celebrate victory.

NORWOOD’S reign as the SANFL champion has stretched into a third successive year after the Redlegs conquered Port Adelaide by four points in the Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

In front of a massive crowd of 38,644, the Redlegs triumphed in an absorbing battle between the arch rivals in the first title decided at the ground since 1973.

Redlegs captain Keiran McGuinness led the side to glory with a superb performance in defence while midfielder Matthew Panos was named the Jack Oatey Medallist as the best-on-ground performer.

The Redlegs may have had a flood of changes in its side from last year’s premiership decider but the side settled into rhythm from the opening bounce to have the Magpies on the backfoot.

A dominance at stoppages enabled the Redlegs to secure plenty of ball and they used it effectively.

How the game went down

Many attacking raids were sparked by defenders McGuinness and Jace Bode and the side appeared to have much more space and time than their opponents.

The desperation of the Redlegs was evident in their relentless pressure and tackling and harassing created uncertainty among the Magpies.

Magpie Steven Summerton tackles Norwood’s Brady Dawe.

Kane Mitchell marks for the Pies. Picture: Mark Brake

While the Redlegs were composed and seemingly at ease under the brightest spotlights of the season, the Magpies were rushed with their work, especially in defence.

It took the Magpies 26 minutes to nail their first goal when youngster Karl Amun snapped truly. But the Redlegs had already bagged five goals to establish a handy 22-point buffer at quarter-time.

The statistics for the opening quarter did not lie — the Redlegs had 30 more possessions, nine more hit-outs courtesy of Sam Baulderstone and 10 more visits inside its attacking 50.

But this is a classy, well-drilled Magpies unit and the minor premiers were always going to ask questions of the opposition.

Darcy Byrne-Jones tackles Edward Smart.

When Magpie Mason Shaw lost his opponents with a swivel move and goalled 17 minutes into the second term the deficit had been cut to 10 points and Port Adelaide was on the march.

They were retrieving more ball and pushing forward with fluent movement and plenty of run to get the game more on their terms.

Magpies captain Steven Summerton’s influence lifted and he put his side in front when he marked and goalled after 22 minutes.

The Magpie defence, led by Tom Clurey, grew in stature as the game lengthened. The two sides traded blows in the third term and there was a steady flow of individuals acts of brilliance. Redlegs small forward Simon Phillips kicked his fourth goal from wide out on the boundary while at the other end of the ground John Butcher and Nathan Krakouer had their moments.

Callum Bartlett celebrates a goal in the second quarter. Picture: Mark Brake

Magpies defender Heath Campbell, who returned to the Magpies line-up for the finals after his third knee reconstruction in May, was helped from the ground late in the third quarter with more knee problems.

NORWOOD 5.1 7.8 11.8 12.10 (82)

PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 6.7 10.10 11.12 (78)

BEST - Norwood: Panos, McGuinness, Baulderstone, Kirwan, Webber, Smart, Roocke, Phillips. Port: Summerton, Mitchell, Clurey, Stevenson, Krakouer, Newton.

GOALS - Norwood: Phillips 4, Davis 3, Newton 2, Panos, Baulderstone, Donohue. Port: Krakouer 3, Newton, Shaw 2, Summerton, Hitchcock, Mitchell, Ah Chee.

UMPIRES - Medlin, Crosby, Deboy.

CROWD - 38,644 at Adelaide Oval.

JACK OATEY MEDAL - Matthew Panos (Norwood).

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