AFTER the recent events in South Australian National Football League (SANFL) the build up to last weeks Grand Final was huge. There was still plenty happening around young talent in SA footy, with future stars on display, plus some 2018 prospects performing on the bug stage

League:

Grand Final

NORTH  5.0  9.4  14.7  19.10 (124)
NORWOOD  3.7  7.11  12.14  15.15 (105)

Goals:

North: A. Barns 4, Woodcock, McInerney, Harvey 3, Hender 2, Young, Ramsey, Sweet, Wilkie.
Norwood: Grigg 6, Phillips, A. Wilson 2, Dawe, Fuller, Smart, Shenton, Bampton.

JACK OATEY MEDAL: Mitch Grigg (Norwood)

CROWD – 40,355 at Adelaide Oval.

After a tumultuous week in SANFL history and the end of the “19th man” saga, the excitement around the Grand Final of Norwood vs. North Adelaide was huge. To say the game was an absolute highlight is an understatement as the it was clearly the best game in SANFL League footy for a long time and quickly took the focus away from the prior week events.

A high-scoring game that ended with North Adelaide claiming the Premiership by 19 points (yes 19) with 34 goals scored for the whole game.

North put a strong four quarter effort together leading at every break and won an historic premiership from fifth position on the ladder. Best performed on the day despite an even spread of contributors were Thomas Schwarz and forwards Keenan Ramsey and Mitch Harvey, who hit the scoreboard. Young speedster Boyd Woodcock continued to shine on the big stage with three first half goals and finished with 15 disposals and two score assists for the Roosters. Meanwhile, fellow U18 talent Conor Rozee was quieter with only nine disposals. Young Roosters backman Mackenzie Slee who was brought into the Grand Final side broke lines from defence and was a standout.

For Norwood it was their top end talent that held them in the game, ex Adelaide Crows Mitch Grigg finished best afield with six goals and 31 disposals playing on the ball. Along with back-to-back Magarey medals Grigg must be eyeing of another crack at AFL spot. Mature ager Matthew Nunn again helped his draft prospects in an all round game for the Redlegs.

Reserves:

Grand Final

NORTH  5.1  9.3  12.6  16.8 (104)
NORWOOD  3.2  5.5  7.5  12.8 (80)

Goals:

North: Agorastos 5, Verity, C. Barns 3, Miller 2, Lower, Szekely, Ryswyk.
Norwood: Edmead 3, Viney, Surman, Hewson 2, Olsson, L. Charlton, Carter.

BOB LEE MEDAL: Jake Schwarz (North Adelaide)

It was certainly North Adelaide’s day with their Reserves side victorious by 24 points in an impressive display.

North’s side appeared to have the blend of experience and youth right for the game with all the ex league experience helping the side to victory alongside some talented younger players. Best for North was Jake Schwarz, along with Leigh Ryswyk and forward Strato Agorastas who finished with five goals.

Norwood suffered injury blows early which didn’t help their cause, but they fought all day and Zac Richards kept finding the footy finishing with 33 disposals.

Under 17 SANFL Future Stars

BLUE  2.3  5.8  9.11  11.13 (79)
YELLOW  0.1  1.1  3.1  5.5 (35)

Best:

Blue: K. Pickett, J. McEntee, C. Durdin, J. Sinderberry, H. Weeks.
Yellow: J. O’Brien, L. Edwards, W. Gould, K. Finlay, T. Wilfred, N. Hannagan.

Goals:

Blue: D. Sladojevic 3, K. Pickett, C. Horsnell, J. Westley, C. Taheny, J. Sinderberry, J. Cannizzaro, J. Coff, R. Thilthorpe.
Yellow: M. Riddle 2, C. Park, D. Hilder, W. Gould.

The 2019 South Australian prospects and beyond were on show early on Grand Final day, with a high standard game played by all. It was a great opportunity to see this talent against each other and certainly highlighted some players to watch for 2019. Kysiah Pickett who has had a good year at Eagles was best afield while fellow consistent performers from the season Jed Mcentee and Will Gould continue to impress.

SA under 16 captain Corey Durdin raises his standard in every game he plays, as does Luke Edwards (son of Tyson) with both being earmarked as future stars.

SANFL 2018 Powerade Breakthrough Player winner – Jackson Hately

There is no doubt Centrals 2018 crop of players is one of their most exciting bunches in recent years, with a scoop of awards in 2018.

The standout for the year was talent Jackson Hately (2018 draft prospect) who took his game to a new level playing League football consistently all year for the Bulldogs and earning himself the SANFL League Breakthrough player of the year. This award in in its eleventh year looks to recognise the best emerging talent at SANFL League level, who are under 23 and played less than 10 games at start of season.

Hately’s season is one to clearly put him high on the 2018 AFL Draft prospect, with some dominant performances at League level, and he has been an integral part of Centrals winning sides all year. Add to this his strong and consistent 2018 U18 National Championships, this strong midfielder looks ready to go at AFL level.

The full list of weekly nominees can be found here.