CK's GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

2013 SANFL GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

Norwood v North Adelaide (AAMI Stadium) – Sunday 3.10pm

The matchup that many predicted all season would materialise arrives this Sunday when a surging Roosters meets the league benchmark in Norwood. The manner in which North clinically dismantled West in the preliminary final would have sent some warning signs to Norwood, particularly given that the Roosters have matched up reasonably well on the Redlegs over the last two seasons.

The ominous sign for Norwood is that West were completely stifled in their run by North last week, and the Roosters were also able to score heavily and at will, with 14 goals to 6 after quarter time to run right away in the contest. It will be a slightly different story this week, however, knowing that their opponents are highly adept at shutting down opposition on their terms and gradually strangling the life out of the contest while scoring freely themselves.

The ruck battle will be pivotal early. Acting North skipper Todd Miles has had a finals series to remember, being one of the premier players in all three finals with his outstanding leadership and clever tapwork to complement James Craig. How Norwood line up in ruck will be an interesting selection headache for coach Nathan Bassett, with Sam Baulderstone likely to lead, but a dilemma between selecting premiership player Brady Dawe or 2013 surprise packet Liam Davis as the resting ruckman/forward. The latter has been ultra impressive in contested marking and conversion this year and may almost edge out Dawe with the latter factors.

Just how Norwood structure up in defence will also be crucial, given so many tall Rooster forwards and a weather forecast for light winds and cloud, but no rain. Lewis Johnston shapes as a major key with his mobility and work up the ground, and it is possible that Norwood will spring a surprise and start Ben Warren with him, due to similar playing styles and engines. Alex Georgiou should get the role on Rooster Daniel Stewart, despite a size differential, and Norwood skipper Kieran McGuinness should start on Tom Langford, aiming to work around him with his creative defensive work. This leaves the likes of Leigh Ryswyk and Cohen Thiele to work as smaller options at their feet, so Norwood will want to push both out fairly wide into the pockets and flanks to limit their effectiveness.

The Redlegs, however, have plenty of forward options also to contain. Simon Phillips loves the big AAMI Stadium stage more than most and has the ability to light up a game with 15 minutes of brilliance. With Max Thring almost certainly ruled out for North after a hamstring injury, his matchup will be carefully assessed by North mentor Josh Francou. It is possible that Ben Williams or Patrick Boles will come in to replace Thring and may be handed one of the big jobs with Phillips. Whether Norwood opt to bring Mark Evans back in is also a conundrum for Bassett. His mobility and propensity to push up the ground has been vital this year for Norwood and he shapes as a potential key, particularly if North start Matthew Campbell deep in defence to play that hard running attacking defender role.




Some of the onball battles are intriguing also. Redlegs Mat Suckling, Tim Webber, Mitch Grigg and Magarey Medallist Matt Thomas going head to head with likely respective opponents in Chad O’Sullivan, Joe Anderson, Nick Amato and Brian Fenton could all be the keys that tip the game in either direction.

The day looks set for a genuine wildcard to swing it either way. North’s Nathan Gordon has relished the wide open spaces to move in the finals, and Redleg Matthew Fuller can also break a game open quickly. All season, Norwood have looked the team to beat, but North’s second halves this finals series – 35 goals to 14 by their opponents on the three second halves – give Norwood plenty to think about. On balance, however, I expect North to really take it up to them, but Norwood to triumph in the last SANFL Grand Final at Football Park

ABC:TV: Live from 3pm

RADIO: 5RPH, Life FM, 5AA, ABC891

Tip: Norwood 13-24

Jack Oatey Medal: Mitch Grigg (Norwood)

For SANFL Fans looking for pre-match parking and BBQ: Head to West Lakes Rotary Club, from 12.30pm, situated at Turner Drive, just adjacent to Football Park $15 for car parking, and can also buy a BBQ lunch pre-game.

With North losing Max Thring, the midfield battle leans strongly to Norwood to me. North will need Campbell and Ryswyk contributing heavily to even it up a bit. I've always rated Thiele and he got away from West, but Norwood have better options on him to do damage the other way.

North's defence also looks a bit vulnerable against class forwards, but North's attack will need Stewart clunking a few and that looks unlikely against Georgiou & Co.

History says Norwood should win easily. This year's form says Norwood should win by about 14 goals to 8 or 9.

It's a Grand Final, though, so anything can happen and North have fully deserved the right to challenge and will hopefully take it right up to the 'Legs.

Good luck to both teams and their supporters.