Redlegs and Tigers have defied the odds to set up their first grand final showdown in 42 years | Andrew Capel

They might be some of the most decorated names in recent SANFL history but they’ve both taken the hard road to the grand final, writes Andrew Capel.

They are the past two SANFL premiers but Norwood and Glenelg’s paths to their grand final showdown on Sunday – the first between the high-profile clubs in 42 years – have been anything but smooth.

A year ago, the Redlegs were examining what had gone so drastically wrong after they had slumped from premiers in 2022 to seventh in 2023 after losing their first eight games.

A month ago, 2023 premier Glenelg was scratching its head at its maddening inconsistency after it blew the coveted double chance in the finals by suffering consecutive defeats to North Adelaide and Central District, where it lost a 29-point lead, to slump to fourth.

Now the two clubs will clash in a grand final for only the fourth time, following their meetings in 1950, 1975 and 1982, which were all won by the ‘Legs.

“I said to the players recently that 2023 was one of my proudest years because of the challenges it presented,’’ said Norwood coach Jade Rawlings, who has been at the helm at The Parade since 2021.

“You haven’t coached until you have coached a team that is going no good because that is when we all get tested.

“Our senior leaders kept the group galvanised and we didn’t fracture, so the part of it, which I think helped set up this year, is the way we continued on last year and performed in the second half of the season (winning six and drawing one of their last 10 games).

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings (left) and Glenelg coach Darren Reeves with the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership trophy at Adelaide Oval before the two clubs lock horns in Sunday’s SANFL grand final. Picture: James Elsby/SANFL

“It gave us some momentum going into this year and I’m very proud of the club because it takes a lot of people to do a lot of things right to be in the position we’re in now of being a competitor in the grand final.

“To this year have two teams in the grand final (league and reserves) is a huge deal for

our club and supporters.’’

The Redlegs enter Sunday’s grand final at Adelaide Oval as warm favourites after winning the minor premiership (with a 15-3 win-loss record) for the first time since 2018 and thrashing the Bulldogs by 10 goals in the second semi-final to advance to their seventh premiership decider in 15 years.

But their road hasn’t been easy.

Last year, Norwood not only went from premier in 2022, when it beat North by one point in an epic grand final, to missing the finals after it had a late start to pre-season training and copped a bad injury run, but it had to deal with the shock death of premiership player Nick Lowden.

Adding to their woes was that in the off-season they lost star premiership midfielders, captain Matthew Nunn and Nik Rokahr, leading to doubts about their flag credentials.

But the ‘Legs responded with their best home-and-away season since 2013, when they posted a 17-3 record in a 20-round campaign.

Glenelg premiership mentor Darren Reeves, who has led the Bays to grand finals in each of his two years in charge, described the differences between the Tigers’ seasons as like chalk and cheese.

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings inspires his troops during the second semi-final against Central District at Adelaide Oval. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Last year they steamrolled their way to the minor premiership, losing only three games, and played only one final before the big dance, where they beat Sturt by four goals.

This year Glenelg finished fourth at the end of the minor round with an 11-7 win-loss record and has played three consecutive knockout finals, beating the Eagles, Sturt and Central to set up a grand final date with Norwood.

When the Tigers were told after Round 7 that star full forward Lachie Hosie needed surgery to repair a wrecked right knee and could be lost for the season, Reeves – who was already without lead ruckman Cam McGree (who broke his collarbone in Round 1) – thought his side’s premiership hopes might be shot.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity this year and there were times, particularly when we found out that ‘Hose’ (Hosie) was no good – on the back of McGree being out and some other guys being banged up – where I was thinking that maybe it’s not meant to be for us this year,’’ Reeves said.

“I never lost faith in what we were doing – I have great faith in this group – but things weren’t going quite right for us and I knew it was going to be a helluva challenge from that point.

“Apart from the injuries, we weren’t going as well as we’d hoped and were playing blokes who were carrying injuries because of the situation we were in.

“Last year, while there were some challenges, we had a pretty perfect run, but this year we’ve had to dig deep at different times, look inside ourselves, challenge each other – the players have had to challenge me at times – but we have kept on learning along the way and been able to find a way over the course of the year.

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves addresses his players during the Round 17 game against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

“That’s been a bit of a theme for us really, that no matter what the situation is we just have to turn up and find a way.

“To the boys’ credit, they’ve been phenomenal with what they’ve been able to do and have been able to play some really strong football (in the finals).

“Now we’re in a position where we’re healthy (including Hosie, who returned in the preliminary final, and McGree) and ready to attack the last day of the year, so there is genuine excitement about what’s ahead.’’

In beating Central by 38 points in the preliminary final, Glenelg became the first team since North in 2018 to make the grand final from the elimination final.

Norwood, which lost the 2018 decider to the Roosters, famously became the first SANFL side to win the flag from the elimination final in 1984 when it upset hot favourite Port Adelaide.

Reeves is confident the Tigers, who squared their two contests with the Redlegs this season, can also upset the apple cart against the favoured ‘Legs.

“Absolutely we can,’’ he said as Glenelg prepared for its fourth grand final in six years.

“They (Norwood) are a great football team, I have great respect for how they go about it and it’s going to be a helluva contest.

“Both teams like to score and have really strong defences and midfields, so it’s going to be a helluva battle and I hope a massive crowd turns up to see what could be an epic grand final.’’

Ken Hinkley delivers that spray after the Power sent Hawthorn home with nothing. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

NUMBERS GAME

44

Points deficit Brisbane overcame to beat GWS in the AFL semi-final – the equal-second greatest comeback in VFL-AFL finals history.

8

Total points that decided the two AFL semi-finals, with Port Adelaide defeating Hawthorn by three points and Brisbane beating GWS by five.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“That’s the best win I’ve ever been involved in.’’ – Brisbane coach Chris Fagan after his side’s comeback against GWS.

“He’s a 60-year-old man, act your age. You don’t go and start stuff like that.’’– Hawthorn great Luke Hodge on Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley’s post-game taunting of young Hawk Jack Ginnivan.

In pictures: 2023 SANFL Grand Final

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Originally published as Redlegs and Tigers have defied the odds to set up their first grand final showdown in 42 years | Andrew Capel