Sturt: 7.12 (54)
The 2009 SANFL Grand Final would be contested between Central District and Sturt. Central District would win by 38 points claiming their eighth premiership. The Bulldogs evened the score after their 2002 grand final loss to Sturt.
Line Up[]
Central District[]
FF: Matthew Slade, Daniel Schell, Scott Dutschke
HF: Chad O'Sullivan, Daniel Havelberg, Chris Gowans
C: Adam Switala, James Gowans, Eddie Sansbury
HB: Paul Thomas, Yves Sibenaler, Richard Cochrane
FB: Andrew Hayes, Heath Lawry, Lee Spurr
Ruck: Jason Mackenzie, Ryan Williams, Ian Callinan
Interchange: Giles, Goodrem, Jenner, O'Hara, M. Westhoff
Coach: Roy Laird. Captains: Matthew Slade, Paul Thomas.
Sturt[]
B McGlone, Thurstans, McLeay
HB Cubillo, Coad, Wark
C Bode, Sheedy, Bratton
HF Herring, Johncock, Gum
F Trengove, Chambers, Evans
R Bowen, Nelson, Crane
INT: Kurtze, Fittock, Jaensch, Payne, Plant
Coach: Luke Norman Captain: Jade Sheedy
Match Report[]
Prelude[]
Central District were looking for their 8th grand final win and a trifecta premiership. Although the Bulldogs were very strong, some hope was given to the Double Blues due to their success in 2002 when they pulled an upset win in the grand final over the red, white and blue.
First Quarter[]
The grand final saw Sturt start better but waste opportunities, with two early points. Then the Eddie Sansbury show made a cameo, with two majors for the Bulldogs, the second a magnificent snap over his shoulder. Sturt managed to wrest some control with a couple of goals to close the gap to a single point, before the Doggies got on a run to boot four of the next five majors to go into quarter time with a 6-3 to 3-3 advantage. But one of the game’s early stars, Central’s Chad O’Sullivan, was lost for the day after falling awkwardly and breaking his leg shortly before quarter time. With eight possessions to that point, he had been the stand out performer.
Second Quarter[]
The second quarter was a grind, but proved to be the match-winning period for the Bulldogs, although only three goals were kicked. For the first 10 minutes the Blues realised just three behinds from a number of forward forays, while from one scoring shot, by Daniel Schell, Central kicked a goal! Half way through the term a piece of magic by Ian Callinan sent a clear message to supporters – start celebrating. Taking a clever mark after a Scott Dutschke under-pressure pass, Callinan played on and booted a ‘special’ long major around his body for the goal of the game. Another goal from Sansbury was followed by four consecutive behinds, as the Bulldogs appeared to have total control at half time, leading 9-8 to 3-6, after keeping Sturt goal-less through the period.
Third Quarter[]
Jason Mackenzie and Jonathan Giles were winning the rucks, Ryan Williams and the Gowans twins, Chris and James, were winning the hard ball, and Matthew Slade and Paul Thomas were leading by example – all the key elements were in place. Schell kicked his second goal early in the third quarter, then when Slade hammered home a major, Central was 52 points ahead and cruising. Yves Sibenaler had been a blanket on the dangerous Sturt full forward Bant Chambers, but half way through the term a ‘soft’ free to the opposition spearhead, gave Sturt its first goal since the 19 minute mark of the first quarter. Then another two majors in quick succession, saw the margin reduced to 34 points, and gave the Blues a glimmer of hope. But Chris Gowans stepped to the plate with an answering goal and snuffed out any hopes of a miracle fightback, as Central took a 12-12 to 6-7 lead into the final break.
Fourth Quarter[]
Although out on their feet, the Bulldogs had done enough to ensure victory, while Sturt wasn’t exactly fresh as daisies either. The first 10 minutes was a grind, with neither side kicking a goal, which ensured Central was home. Sturt managed the first major of the period at the 11 minute mark, with Sansbury kicking his fourth just before time on, as the Bulldogs ran out 13-14 to 7-12 victors.
Post Match[]
Trent Goodrem was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal for his fine job in quelling up-and-coming AFL star Jack Trengove. Matthew Slade announced his retirement in the change-rooms after the game – with his eighth premiership medallion hanging around his neck. Sansbury was a forward spark all game, Mackenzie was superb in ruck, with good support from Giles, the Gowans boys were tough and hard all game, and Ryan Williams was again a great finals contributor. The attendance was also the largest this decade with 35647 at AAMI Stadium beating the previous best 35187 in the 2002 SANFL Grand Final.
Score[]
Central District 6.3 9.8 12.12 13.14 (92 pts.)
Sturt 3.3 3.6 6.7 7.12 (54 pts.)
Goal Scorers[]
Central District: Sansbury 4, Schell 2, J. Gowans, Dutschke, Havelberg, O’Sullivan, Callinan, Slade, C. Gowans
Sturt: Coad, Chambers 2, Crane, Payne, Evans
Best on Ground[]
Central District: Goodrem, Slade, Thomas, Sansbury, Mackenzie, J. Gowans, Williams, Spurr, Dutschke, C. Gowans, Lawry.
See Also[]
| SAFA/SAFL/SANFL Grand Finals |
|---|
|
1889 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| Central District Football Club 2007/2008/2009/2010 SANFL Premiers |
|---|
| C. Gowans • J. Gowans • Callinan • Schell • Sibenaler • Mackenzie • Thomas • Dutschke • Hayes |
| Coach |
| Roy Laird |
Sources[]
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/sanfl-grand-final-2009-teams-broadcasters.640083/
http://www.sanfl.com.au/the_sanfl/grand_finals/
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/photos-e6frecgu-1225782690973?page=2