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Glenelg claims SANFL minor premiership

Glenelg were made to work hard for the SANFL minor premiership by a gritty, undermanned Norwood at Glenelg Oval on Sunday.

The Tigers led for the first minute then again at the main break with a goal after the siren but it was level with Norwood on 61 points apiece 20 minutes into a tough and rugged final quarter.

With sheer persistence and the luxury of two big forwards, Glenelg squeezed 3.1 in the final eight minutes while a spent Redlegs failed to score in the red-hot contest.

For three quarters fifth-place Norwood, which faces arch-rival Port Adelaide in Sunday’s elimination final, had more disposals in each term and the Redlegs led their opponents to the ball for most of the first half.

In the final quarter, the Tigers began being first to the contest, which resulted in a run of seven frees to two in heavy rain.

It ended the day with a 33-21 free-kick count in favour of Glenelg but not all were hard won.

However, the Tigers saved their best till last to claim their first minor premiership since 1981 with Ty Allen, Matthew Bode (who announced he would retire a the end of the season last week), Luke Panozza and Adam Fisher standouts in the win.

Norwood debuted little knowm Matt Fuller, but was disadvantaged without key defenders Brett Zozi (calf), Matthew Davis (ankle) and Nick Jackman (back), and midfielder Ben Speight (ankle) ruled out before the bounce.

Therefore Norwood needed to plug holes in defence with goalkickers Jamie Vlatko and Jesse Aish, which left them lacking punch in attack. 

But it was not short on heart with ruckman Stephen Doyle (22 hitouts) dominant and skipper James Gallagher (27 disposals), Tim Weatherald (22), Brendan Littler (20) and David Trotter (24) clearing the ball from the centre with regular monotony in the first half.

Glenelg earned the weeks break with the gut-wrenching 11.14 (80) to 9.7 (61) triumph.

Stephen O’Loughlin/The Advertiser