SANFL Grand Final – Norwood v North Adelaide: A Picture Paints a Thousand Words!
The Norwood fans. Photo-John Emery
NORWOOD 8.11.59 DEF. NORTH ADELAIDE 8.10.58
Norwood- M Panos 2, B Lowe, D Hamilton, C McLean, M Carroll, J Richards, B Jarvis
North Adelaide- L Wilsdon, A Young 2, L Minervin, N Lockyer, H Elbrow, A Moore 1
Norwood- H Boyd, J Richards, J Heard, J Rantall, J Kennerley, M Panos, N Rokahr, S Morris, P Seymour
North Adelaide- C Combe, W Combe, C Craig, H Wigg, A Young, M Harvey, A Spina
Crowd 27,000 at Adelaide Oval
The Norwood banner.
Photo: John Emery
Norwood Football Club are the SANFL 2022 Premiers! Typing those words over a week later I can still scarcely believe it, I readily admit before the start of the season I thought we were a chance to sneak in to the 5 and after 6 games when we were 2 and 4 I wouldn’t have backed us with Fester’s pants on let alone my own! But that wasn’t counting on a young group with incredible self belief and desire to keep having a crack. There were doubts on our ability and structures on big grounds, compounded by a 55 point thumping in the qualifying final by Adelaide, but geez didn’t we rebound! The better side after quarter time v Glenelg in the 1st semi, coming from behind against Adelaide in the preliminary final and then amazingly coming from 17 points down nearly 18 minutes in to the last quarter – King Panos delivering the knockout blow with under a minute to go we win the flag by a point – you bloody beauty!
Working out how to write this report I decided on THANK YOU as the theme and a picture paints a thousand words!
The Players
#2 Henry Nelligan – Stepped up in the finals with some important touches, was clean, a really pleasing improvement- Henry has a real baby face and will still be asked for ID when he’s in his forties
#4 Matty Panos – The King delivered yet again with his left foot snapped goal now part of Norwood folklore- restricted to 9 games for the season he was a major factor in the club winning 8 of those games. Quoting a very well respected AFL figure – “Malcolm every AFL recruiter should be shot, Panos isn’t just a number at the end of a list he’s elite”
Micki & Paul Panos with son Matty
The King Matty Panos!
#5 Pierce Seymour – returned from injury for the grand final, was calm and assured especially in the 1st half, Pierce returned to the Parade after stints as a top up player for Adelaide and missing out on a spot for Woodville-West Torrens last season he certainly proved a point, the Payneham premiership player is now also a Redlegs flag member!
Pierce Seymour & Malcolm Ashwood
#6 Tom Donnelly – important part of our miserly defence and 3 votes re best off ground! When still in his full playing gear including boots and tape on Mad Monday did get a tad tired and emotional.
#7 Jay Rantall – had a hip injury but that didn’t stop him from gut running to contests and being very influential in the finals his 2 goals in the last quarter against Glenelg were important
#8 Sam Morris – aka Sir Smother, performed his role in defence solidly. But it was his smother, like an angel arriving from nowhere when North were seemingly about to deliver the knockout blow that will be remembered forever – no frills, no bullshit about Sammy he’s a ripper.
#9 Nik Rokahr – I am in awe of his ability to carry pain, he hurt his foot severely in the 2nd last minor round game, I watched Nik train on the Thursday night before the qualifying final and gave him no chance, he not only played in the finals he really performed, was our best player in the preliminary final and a solid contributor in the grand final – I’m told if that injury had been during the regular season he would have probably missed up to 12 games – extraordinary! (unfortunately the injury may well have cost him the Magarey medal, being runner up by 1 vote to North Adelaide’s Aaron Young)
#10 Declan Hamilton – pace and ability to carry the ball, helped kicked a nice goal in the grand final, improved dramatically re team aspects getting in the right spot structure wise, an important player for the ‘legs.
#11 Jacob Kennerley – massively impressed with his leadership, a huge part of this flag both on and off ground, moved on to Harrison Wigg who was the key link man for the roosters in the 1st quarter, Jacob’s footy smarts came to the fore with his superb block of Cameron Craig to enable King Panos to kick the winning goal.
Gil and Jan Hornaby with grandson Jacob Kennerley
#12 Ben Jarvis – returned to the club after being at the Cats, is still very much a young and developing key forward, Neville “Rocky” Roberts’ work on his goal kicking paid off, kicking the sausage roll to bring us with in 5 points late in the last quarter.
Ben Jarvis & Malcolm Ashwood
#13 Cam Ball – aka Humphrey B Bear as he is so quiet, is often asked to match up in defence out of his height or weight division but gets the job done with a minimum of fuss, a vital part of the club’s future.
#14 Matty Nunn – the skipper returned from a significant foot injury during the finals, his experience, run and toughness at the contest were what the doctor ordered. Nunny is now a premiership captain (that was enjoyable to type)!!
#15 Brodie Carroll – came in to the side late in the season fighting back from significant injuries, his run from half back helped our balance, first brothers since Brett and Roger James to play in a premiership side
Mitch and Brodie Carroll
#25 Connor McLean – arrived from Central Districts and was our leading goal kicker, big step up from playing in the dogs magoos. Awkwardly effective, not easy to play as a key forward in modern footy on a small ground playing a fair few night games. Connor’s personal moment was his 2 goals late against the Crows in a very important win in the minor round.
#29 Josh Richards – his skills and composure are very important mechanics of the Norwood side, the collect snap and goal bringing us back from 17 pts down at the 17 minute mark of the last quarter was Rolls Royce.
#31 Harry Boyd – winner of the Michael Taylor medal (Best & Fairest) and Jack Oatey medallist for best on ground in the grand final – What a year! A man who truly gets it, came along on the Friday night to support the making of the grand final banner, extremely professional, does a lot of homework on his opposition, and is immensely respected.
#33 Luke Surman – The difference, made an unexpected return from Alberton during the year and what a welcome return it was, giving Harry a necessary chop out in ruck and providing that necessary imposing target.
#35 Jack Heard – aka Riewoldt, had a huge year just so consistent and yes very much a personal favourite having been assistant coach to Tim Weatherald when Jack was part of our winning East Adelaide side (hey Riewoldt no need for a Princes kid to show character and play the grand final with a broken scaphoid), seriously huge effort mate and in my opinion our player of the final series – appreciated after the game as well mate.
Jack Heard & Malcolm Ashwood
#42 Baynen Lowe – the pocket rocket with his 4 goals in the preliminary final, a massive part of enabling us to make the big dance. There has been interest from AFL level, I honestly believe another year at SANFL level will help him in the long run, I don’t say that from a selfish Norwood perspective either, best wishes either way.
#44 Jack Kelly – son of Sydney Swans legend Paul, arrived from Centrals, his ruthless attack on the ball and body and determination was what was required (we will return to the moment)
#48 Mitch Carroll – came back into the side for the preliminary final, an inspired selection, his run was vital, kicked big goals in both the prelim and grand final – whenever the selection group is challenged they can just smile and answer Mitch bloody Carroll. Now just because you 2 are league premiership players there was no need to leave the Chicken shop, to say you are missed is an understatement. Your superstar mum
Sonya hasn’t stopped smiling yet!
#50 Nick Lowden – added that desperately needed big bodied midfielder, a very welcome recruit from Victoria, he’s the tough modern mid.
Rest of the squad
#1 Cam Teheny – injuries restricted him from reaching his best in 2022, hopefully he’ll return bigger and better in 2023.
#17 Mac Bower – loved and respected at the Parade, always gave his best, good luck in the future having retired from SANFL ranks.
#19 Cory Stockdale – hurt his knee at Elizabeth and only just failed to make it back, solid contributor mainly on a wing
#20 Jai Larkins – another pre season will see him become an important player, gut running to the contest I predict will see Jai a regular member of our midfield.
#21 Xavier Trantha – had his moments with his pace and defensive action in the forward line will hopefully improve his decision making and kicking for goal.
#22 Matt Vardanega – son of 1984 history maker Glenn, solid contributor and improved during the season mainly in the 2’s. Will hopefully progress.
#23 Mitch Cotter – injured during the season, returned for the qualifying final were we probably had too many players returning from injury and was then squeezed out.
#24 Lachy Pascoe – returned from a knee reconstruction which is bloody hard during the season, geez had a cult following amongst the supporters, needs a huge pre season and work on his agility.
#26 Jed Spence – a real hard luck story, had established himself as an important member of the side in the midfield rotations with his 2 sided disposal, a joy to watch only to yet again hurt his knee grrrrr.
#27 Mitch Wilkins – established in defence and a senior member of the side only to seriously hurt his ankle – a gutsy long goal just before 3 quarter time at Woodville as the painkillers were wearing off personified Mitch, worked his backside off to get back only to fall agonisingly short
#32 Tom Wagner – the Payneham Norwood Union product carried a shoulder injury for a large part of the season unfortunately it popped one too many times.
#36 Nick Pedro – had huge concussion issues, Nick respect you greatly but please make a life decision for the best.
#45 Tristan Binder – an important player in 2021 with his athleticism a highlight, will hopefully rebound in 23 quite possibly in defence.
#52 Max Michlanney – son of Jim aka Piano, came in to the side in place of Pierce Seymour when Pierce was injured during the finals incredibly hard to play for so many sides during a season and virtually having to learn structures on the run, will be a good AFL player backing himself in and being more aggressive demanding the ball will come in time.
The moment
A free kick was paid against Jack Kelly by Mitch Scott just before 3 quarter time for supposedly grabbing Harrison Elbrow by the throat, as an experienced umpire myself, yes while technically a correct decision was poor umpiring, it wasn’t proactive getting amongst the players blowing the whistle to take control it was reactive, lacking feel of the game, sadly a huge percentage of umpires haven’t played adult footy and geez it shows. Yet again the retaliator was penalised. While I’m at it and being honest coaching has to be better as well, Jack Kelly I’m not letting you off either I DETEST the majority of the players not knowing the rules inside out, don’t give the umpire the opportunity to pay a free kick.
The win was a win for James Fantasia and the board and staff, even just the decision to recruit Luke Surman was just so vital – having lost so many players we had to recruit big time, overall it worked big time in the end.
Marc Robinson (team manager of the millennium) with Malcolm Ashwood
It’s a win for the trainers, volunteers and loyal supporters- a picture paints a thousand words – THANK YOU!
*All photos courtesy Malcolm Ashwood unless noted
Jade Rawlings and Malcolm Ashwood
The Rawlings family
To the North Adelaide Football Club massive respect- Craig Burton you thought Norwood were the danger early in the year, we know what it feels like from 2018, greatly appreciate the congratulatory messages (footnote huge condolences to Sam-Mitch and the Grigg family – and the massive number of friends Chris had we have lost a extraordinary human being xxx).
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Always best to say thankyou, Rulebook. Well done!
Don’t forget Cam Taheny.
What a day, what a moment, what a heart-pumping, nerve-wracking final minute, and what a joyous celebration! You’ve captured the mood beautifully Malcolm. Go the Legs. Unforgettable
Hi Malcolm,
Bet you’re still grinning from ear to ear! How exciting, so proud of the mighty Legs! And by a point too… reminds me of that very special GF against our nemesis, Sturt, back in the 70s where we beat them by a point. I was there that day, never forget it!
Great article, thanks for sharing.
How good is an unexpected flag! Actually, as a Collingwood supporter I wouldn’t know.
Great photos Malcolm, love your passion for the club, congratulations to everyone at the Norwood FC.
A very nice summation, as per usual, of a very exciting Grand Final. Would you believe the SA Grand Final Day, 18th September, was the 29th anniversary of my father, Colin Bennett’s passing ? Like Me, he was a very passionate Norwood fan. Another most interesting thing was that Jack Heard played with a broken scaphoid hand in his wrist, He had it securely strapped up before the game. Many, many years ago a youthful Colin Bennett was a handy spin bowler. In his team’s Grand Final during the final day, Dad hurt his bowling hand when fielding but played on with a little discomfort. He personally had a great game in his team’s win, taking 10 wickets for the match. However, during the after match celebrations, the pain in his wrist became intense. Driving himself to the Royal Adelaide hospital, still in his whites, the nurse in Emergency offered him some aspirin and told him to go home. Well Dad refused her “kind” offer and insisted on seeing a doctor. Finally he got his wish. After an x ray it was revealed, like Jack many years later, Dad had played on, bowling also, with a broken scaphoid bone. Finally he received appropriate treatment.. How I wish my Dad had been with me to witness the Redlegs’ wonderful victory. By the way, my son David is also a very passionate Redlegs’ fan.
Outstanding RB. What a cracking victory. Ripper snaps too.
Gee your player summaries are detailed. You must have watched every move!!
Congrats.
Well done RB & boys on a wonderful & resilient win! Great finals performances after tough start!
Love it Malcolm, nice way of summing up the final – nice comment that Panos has been overlooked by recruiters as this is entirely true.
Not that you would have wanted him to leave but there are clearly SANFL players who could easily play at the AFL level who unfortunately never get a look in.
I just had a re read of your explanation of that controversial goal awarded to North just before the three quarter siren. The cameras didn’t pick up the incident, leaving many of the viewers non plussed. A very good explanation, thankfully it didn’t affect the end result.
A great victory.
A great report.
And great photos.
Just great all round, RB !!
Malcolm,
I have been following the finals this year and caught up with John Wynne after the prelim win.
GF reminded me of 1978 !!..Go Gags !!
As a side note…West Perth are in all 3 grades Grand finals this weekend.
All going well, this would cap off a good year for both teams I played for.
Bloody awesome still buzzing. So happy for the whole playing group. Well written Malcolm
Thanks Malcolm, a great tribute to the players and a game that was one for the ages
An incredible result considering reading your article, it reminds me of the 1 point win against Sturt in 1978 which was a come from behind win, 29 points down at 3/4 time if I remember correctly! Go the Legs!
I’ve just moved to the country was supposed to start work Monday 19th September. 6 weeks out from the GF I said to myself what if we make the GF let alone win it there’s no way I’m starting on that day well as it’s turned out my planning for the unknown was spot on thankfully we win the game I celebrated accordingly and started work on the Tuesday
Well written Malcolm a fantastic account if the big day and overall finals series, it was an absolute privilege to be a part of the whole year well done to the club and everyone that was part of the success a very satisfying win cheers M8 ??????
The most comprehensive player report of any grand final I have read. Well done. As a former umpire myself I couldn’t believe that free kick at the end of the third quarter. Thoroughly enjoyed reading. I am sure you are still on cloud nine.
Unbelievable game and once again Rulebook you have summed it up comprehensively and and with great insight. An entertaining read. Go the ‘Legs!!
Read it twice well written can feel the passion in your words love it Malcolm
RB well done gr8 summary for what was an unexpected premiership win to the norwood fc….as a loving redlegs supporter from birth (fathers passion for the club) there was always that if only we can get into the 5 we are a chance….and as my brother (roberto) would say “cream will rise to the top”……..after the crows loss I placed a $20 bet on the legs to win the premiership at 6/1…….just thought it was the loss we needed to get that passion back…….
Well played ‘Book – the passion lights up every word of this.
Another great read – and a great game to be at. Really good atmosphere and an awesome comeback from the Legs
Malcolm
As always a great read. Firstly to you Malcolm thank you for the passion and love you have for the players and the club in general.I too was a little concerned with the turn over of personnel. To the players,Twig ,Rob, Fanta,Paul,Justin ,all the coaches and board members thank you all for the many hours and hard work. Grand Finals wins are all special but for me this was the finest. A team that had belief and a resilience that I hadn’t seen before. To be honest I find it difficult to articulate exactly how I feel. The joy seeing our club do what they did on the 18th of September 2022 will stay with me every day. I probably need to stop coming home turning on the TV selecting the last two minutes of the game and turning the volume up to maximum level. To hear that roar of the crowd when that final siren sounded well as Brian Taylor would say WOW WE!
Love the story Rulebook. I think there is a culture developing at the Parade where there will be much success in years to come.
This was the 7th Premiership I have seen us win since I first went to a Norwood Grand Final in 1980. And by far the most rewarding. I loved my first in 1983, I loved the History Makers in 1984, I loved 1997, and 2014 was special for beating Port with a list of AFL listed players. But 2022 was in another league.
I have nightmares about being on the losing end at the hands of Port and Central over the years to the kind of performance we put on ourself this time.
I celebrated king and hard after 1997 and two weeks since this flag was won, I am still buzzing. Most of our team were names that most people outside of Norwood wouldn’t know or recognise. It was never a team that had “premiership team” shining down on it. And yet that’s what it became. And that’s what it is – a premiership team.
Well done Malcolm.
Every GF is unique in many ways and the people of Norwood FC always add colour and flavout to that. We headed over from Melb for it, my sons’ first gf and the first one my wife has seen us win. Catching up with long standing (I wont say “old”) friends, some of whom Ive seen us win several flags together now. Then back at the Club, from Harry Boyd to Michael Aish – everyone views everyone as part of the Norwood footy club and that, in essence, is why we are a bloody good footy club. Couldnt be prouder to be a Norwood family. DC
Great article book. What an amazing day. Celebrations continuing at the Friday lunch yesterday too with Twig and many players in attendance. Hats off to our coach too, he’s done an incredible job. Surprising he wasn’t mentioned for the bombers job actually
Enjoyed reading your player analysis, Malcolm! It took me several days before the reality of the premiership sank in. You can never make up for 2018, but at least it had some feeling of retribution and making amends. Agree that the recruitment of Surman was a key point in the season. Finishing in the top three enabled the club to take the risk to give match practice to Panos and Nunn in particular … and how important did that turn out to be!
One of the best grand final wins I have ever seen. I loved 2014 but this one pips it at the post. I have been lucky to have now seen 4 Norwood premierships since 2012 and only the 1 loss in 2018 while seeing 2 u18s premierships and reserves in 2019 and the 2022 one was the best of the lot. It was an emotional win as 12 minutes into the final term North Adelaide were 17 points up in a low scoring game but those 3 goals including the one by Matt Panos with a minute to go were so special. So glad they hung on in that final minute. Revenge for the 2018 grand final and what better way to do it by coming from behind and pinch it at the death.
The season started not so good but so did 2014. The big loss in the Qualifying final did not look good but boy did we see a turnaround. The Eagles did it in 2011 so I knew it was possible and it happened. So proud of this team. They won it because they had a lot of heart.
Go Legs!
Thanks for your work (again) Rulebook. A great summary. It was nice to read some background on some of the players and their contributions I hadn’t been aware of. This was a really special flag. I gave us no chance at the start of the year with a team including only a couple of ‘names’ and a collection of (as it seemed from the outside) amateur, country, and recycled SANFL players I hadn’t heard of. Credit though to the recruiters and coaches who compiled a team of committed goers who simply never gave up. To win 3 consecutive finals, all difficult, and the last two from behind all day embodied “Fortis in Procella”. Congratulations and thankyou to everyone who played a part.
I loved reading this, and with a huge smile on my face. I think it’s one of the greatest victories I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing. It’s so easy for a team to start hanging their heads when down by 3 goals with minutes to play, but the mental strength and desire to win is what turned the key and started the engine revving like we have so rarely seen before. That umpiring decision before 3 quarter time had me screaming til I was hoarse, with many north supporters giving me the bird, but to be honest, that was a distant memory 30 minutes later. We notch up our 31st flag in epic style.
What a game Rulebook!! After the loss to the Crows in the finals it was a very impressive turnaround. Congrats to the Coaching staff and players for showing the fighting spirit and determination to win a memorable flag. Now for another 3 peat!!
Bill thanks for picking up that oversight appreciated,Daddsy thank you.Charmaine thank you.Luke I reckon this is the 1st flag we’ve won when having no where near the most ability bloody sensational feeling.Fisho yes a eery similarity appreciated.Dips appreciated I was worried I hadn’t been detailed enough ironically.Ducks thank you.Scott it has me stuffed re the king out and out incompetence that,Panos is not a established afl player.Fisho poor umpiring and silly by,Kelly.Smokie greatly appreciated thanks folks
Palmy yes shades of 78,glad you and 28 catch up regularly and go,West Perth.James thank you,Wynton definitely.Andrew yep and thank you.Dwayne good planning ! Andrew yes the free kick would have got far more publicity if the legs had lost.Smack and Rob thank you Joe love your passion and well done re gutsy bet.
Swish thank you.Campbell agree re great atmosphere- thanks folks
Great summary of the list. The bit that stands out for me is the number of players that have been overlooked at other clubs, yet have come together here to win themselves a premiership. The coaches and club leaders deserve a lot of credit here.
Seeing blokes like Panos being passed over at AFL level reminds me that there used to be a time when the main question for recruiters would be “can this bloke play footy?”.
Another good read and summary Mal, felt like being there again, sounds like a big thank you must go to the medical staff to get some of the boys up.
Pretty spot on mate, I didn’t think we would make finals either after pretty average start.. yep as you said Surman was a game changer when he come back.. awesome team effort on the day. Loved being on the hill celebrating around all the North cheersquad.
Love the passion Book. Disappointed there weren’t more photos of you…
Well told Book.
Outstanding win against the odds.
Great summation Rulebook we spent the last 1/4 on the hill, by around the 15 min mark the North supporters had already won the game singing and gloating…..it was a very satisfying result!
Michael massively appreciated love your passion for the legs also has never waned.Raj we wait and see who gets picked up but certainly some youth building.Chris likewise and because imo it’s the 1st flag we’ve won with no where near the most talented side in the competition makes it even more special.Dave v well put thank you.Sam thank you and couldn’t agree more I’m glad,Twig wasn’t tho.Martin thank you likewise re 2018,
Luke was vital and yes double chance enabling us to get match practice in to Nunny and the King was vital.
Cameron no where as talented group as 14 but incredible self belief and resilience certainly made this flag v v special.Harry thank you and,Fortis in Procella absolutely nails it.Tim love your enthusiasm also and while we quite rightly are heralding the King how good was Josh Richards take so clean and then the snap to give us a chance just brilliant still so bloody pumped.RAF well said and that would be bloody awesome just enjoying this one first.Greg A spot on and yes incompetent that,Nos isn’t a 100 game afl player.Schmally v good point a incredible effort by the medical team to get that team on the park and managing to nail the pain killing injections was a incredible achievement in itself and then the guts of the players to deliver just remarkable.
Rino thank you and certainly seemed a few supporters on the hill loved the comeback win for several reasons.
TC superb.Heeepsy bloody oath.Doug as I said above think there were a few redlegs supporters v much in the same boat thanks folks go the legs
Fester here. You wouldn’t fill the front of my pants enough!!?
Hindsight is a marvellous thing BUT at the start of the year when I was angry after losses l kept getting told , we’re young, we’re rebuilding, we need to gel, etc, etc.
CRAP!!
A whole lot of excuses.
Can’t cover everything with sugar, flaws need to be pointed out sometimes.
I believed that we had the makings of a team to go deep in the finals, and we did.
Kudos to all, and yes indeed THANK YOU.
p.s. I told young Sam from now on I’ll be referring to him as ” The Dirty Smother F$*&er!!?
Excellent review Rulebook
So many young players (almost kids) stepping up when needed. Extremely impressed with the playing group and hopefully they stick together. Geez it was a great day!!!!
Already looking forward to 2023.
Thank you to Paul and Micki Panos for getting married and having kids !!!
Q : Does Matthew Panos get into the Greek team of the century or the Italian one??
Well done R-Book keep up the good work