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Under 19s show the way for Glenelg

Posted on October 7, 2008, 3:03pm

Glenelg’s hope of breaking its 22 year senior SANFL premiership drought ended in disaster on Sunday.

The Tigers had been one of the best sides in the competition this season, but failed to produce on grand final day when they were crushed by a Central Districts side that won its seventh premiership this decade.

But, the day was not all bad for the club, as the under 19s won the premiership with a spirited 18 point victory over Sturt.

Three South East players — Drew Clayfield (Penola), Jack Redden (Keith) and Nick Cane (Lucindale) — were part of the premiership winning side.

Redden was named third best for the Tigers, while Cane also made the best players list.

Clayfield kicked two goals and Redden added one in the memorable and historic victory.

Sunday was the last time the under 19 SANFL competition would be contested, as the league is adopting an under 18 AFL approved competition next year.

The under 17 and under 19 competitions are being replaced with a reduced under 16 competition and a main under 18 division from 2009.

Glenelg, along with Port Adelaide, Central Districts and the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles strongly opposed the change to the junior competitions.

Glenelg officials argued the shift from under 17s and 19s to under 16s and 18s would mean fewer boys will get a chance to play at the SANFL level.

In the seniors Glenelg went into the season decider confident and ready in its first grand final appearance since 1992.

Led by skipper and former Kalangadoo premiership player Ben Mules, the Tigers desperately wanted to again be the best side in the state, but the proven Bulldogs did everything right in the second half to storm to another victory and stamp itself as one of the most successful clubs in the competition.

As reported in The Border Watch on Friday, nine former South East players represented the Bays on grand final day.

They were Mules, Luke Panozzo (Tantanoola), Ty Allen, Matthew Duldig (Millicent), Mark Ruwoldt (South Gambier), Tom Holmes (West Gambier), Josh Willoughby (Bordertown), Lucas Block (Naracoorte) and John Hinge (Mundulla).

Glenelg has increased its involvement within the region in recent years and this has certainly paid off for the club.

After years of underachievement, the Tigers returned to the finals last year under the guidance of former Adelaide Crows player Mark Mickan and played off in the premiership decider on Sunday.

Centrals, after its second semi-final victory over the Tigers were favourites leading up to the match, but Glenelg was right in the contest in the first half.

The retiring Matthew Bode, Adam Fisher and Allen were in good touch early as the side trailed by just one point at quarter time and actually led by nine points early in the second term.

The Bulldogs responded to regain the lead and went to half time in front by four points.

The third quarter, like it was in the second semi-final, proved to be Glenelg’s downfall, as the Bulldogs kicked seven goals to two to set up a match winning lead.

Centrals also outscored the Tigers in the final term to take the 2008 flag by 42 points.

Most of the former South East boys were down on their usual production.

Allen, who finished third in the Magarey Medal voting this season, went into the match with question marks on his fitness and he certainly wasn’t at his best.

He finished with six kicks and 10 handballs for the day. He also kicked a goal.

Mules started slowly, but always put his body on the line and made a contest every time he needed to.

He ended with 11 kicks, 12 handballs and six marks and started the match across half back.

Duldig began at full forward and managed one goal. He had four kicks and three handballs.

Block, who started in the middle, was good early before leaving the ground injured. He had eight kicks and three handballs for the match.

Holmes opened the match on the wing and finished with 11 possessions (eight kicks and three handballs) and five marks.

Panozzo started across half back, but was beaten by his opponent early and finished the match as a forward.

He had 10 kicks, nine handballs, five marks and kicked a late goal for the Tigers.

Hinge was quiet with 13 possessions and seven marks and Willoughby came off the bench to have 12 possessions.

Ruwoldt also came off the bench and had 13 touches and four marks.

ADAM BLOM

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