SA Footy

What was the best SANFL GF you have been to any why?

I'll post my thoughts soon, stupid uni work taking too long

The obvious answer is 1973 because of the quality of game. From a personal point of view I loved the 1975 GF because it was the first premiership I'd seen Norwood win, and the 1984 GF was special because we came from 5th to win ... against Port.

then again .... coming back from 29 points down at 3/4 time to beat Sturt by 1 point in 1978 was pretty special as well

I've never been to a SANFL GF, but have every one since 1959 on video
and full game videos since 1972.
My favorite is 1984.
Two hated rivals going at each other.
One attempting something that had not been done in Australian senior football.
Close most of the day,great biffo, before and during the game.
Thomas' great mark and equally great goal in the last q.
Both teams looking gone during the game.
Have only watched 1973 once or twice so I must look at it again to appreciate it fully.
1999 comes third.

2002 GF Sturt V Centrals, nobody gave the double blues a real chance and that game fully converted me into a double blue supporter from another rival SANFL club who shall remain nameless.

1990 Port v Glenelg - the sweetest win of all.

1994 Port v Eagles - the most exciting win of all.

1993 v Norwood, 1st and only one for the Eagles (this version).

obvious I know... Central District Breaking the 40 odd year premiership drought... yipee! a great reward for 15 years of following each week..

I have been to: 1985, 86, 91, 92, 97, 2005.

If I suppress the Glenelg supporter within myself, I'd probably plump for 2005. All the others bar '85 were one-sided.

88 was the first one I went to. Cant remember too much about the day. I remember that they sang all the club songs before the match as part of the pre match entertainment and where I was sitting. I was 6 years old. I know we got there before the reserves started, and we got a balloon outside the ground. Thats about it.

89, again, I dont remember too much about the match. Twas my birthday the day before and I had my birthday party at Hungry Jacks on the old tram. I remember being sick the next day and again I remember where I sat. I remember bits and pieces of the match.

90 is the first that I remember parts of the actual game from when I was there. First time I truly understood what winning the premiership was all about and the emotion involved. I remember Hodges doing his knee and thinking 'great now we have Phelps at full forward'. I remember the cheer when Hodges broke the record.

92 I couldnt go as I had pnemonia. Was quite upset that I couldnt go...turned out to be an inspired decision from my mum as I probably would have ended up dead given the torrential downpour in the second half.

94 is the first premiership I went to that I remember almost everything about the day, the pre game, who we went with, the match, what happened during the match. Was also the first time I went back to the club to celebrate. I thoguht we were gone at 1/4 time. I remember I had one of those mini tvs and I was schecking out who was winning Bathurst all during the match. I remember thinking we were right back in the match at 3/4 time but didnt think we would get up. The last quarter was something else. Scotty Hodges finest quarter of football. Dishing out some abuse to the people we went with who were giving us crap and our players crap all day was fantastic. Still get tingles when I watch that last quarter.

95 was ruined for me because I had these arseholes behind me throwing food at me and kicking me in the back half the day. What sort of people think its fun to kick a 13 year old kid in the back is beyond me. The reason I hate most Centrals supporters with a passion. The pre game was great. I remember the 'ceeeeenntraalllss' chant going up about 15 minutes before the players ran out and it was loud...then a magpies chant went up which drowned it out. The most unbelivable crowd noise I had ever heard at the time. We pretty much led from start to finish

96 fell on my birthday. A great present. One of my favourite ever days. Didnt think we would win. no Pooley, hadnt beaten Centrals all year. Again, enter Scott Hodges and it was one of the most enjoyable matches. The second time I was ever emotional because of a win...the week before was the first.

98 was fun. Noone wanted us to win but we did. All the pre game hype thanks to Carmen talking about king hits etc.

99 was excellent and the most thrilling result of all the grand finals. I thought we had it won when Trigger kicked a goal early in the last. 5 minutes later Norwood was in front. Mcguiness kicked a 55 metre torp to win the match with about 2 minutes left.

Out of all of them...the favourites were definately 94 and 96. 1994 because of the last quarter. 96 because of the birthday and against the odds factor. In retrospect, 1990 would have been special had I been old enough to understand all the politics involved with that Grand Final and 1989 would have been amusing.

Also went to the 2000 and 2001 Grand Finals. The emotion involved with 2000 and Centrals first victory gave a good atmosphere in the last quarter.

Only been to two 1992 and 1999. I qualify that by saying I didn't see any of the 1999 GF as I was down in the rooms celebrating Sturts reserves win and then we went off to the Ed to celebrate properly.

So 1992 was the only league GF I've seen live. "Best" is not a word I associate with the experience. We had a two and a half goal lead early however, once the rain came we were shot ducks. Biuckley mark in the 3rd quarte over the pack was awesome depite the fact he had the sit still a great mark in wet conditions.

Port too good that day, best side in the comp that year and deserved the flag.

GFs I've been to:

1985
1986
1987
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
2003
2004
2005

Obviously I enjoyed North's wins but as far as close games go I'd say 1994 was probably the best. Another GF where I cheered for Port as I hated the merged side so much!

All winning GFs are great, but for me the special ones are:

1969 - blew glenelg of the ground in the 1st qtr, and especially after they paid Royce Hart
something like $3000 to play that day.

1974 - the first at footy park

1976 - against the odds

2002 - the first with my son.

Also, enjoyed 1966,1967,1968,1970.

Macca - did you not go to '97?

The ressies game was quite good that year

2000 was the best i went to i was drunk most of the day then got even more hammered at the Doggies party. I am and still is a westies supporter. 1991 was a terrible grand final for me as Westies lost but it was great for the fights.

Strawb07 wrote:2000 was the best i went to i was drunk most of the day then got even more hammered at the Doggies party. I am and still is a westies supporter. 1991 was a terrible grand final for me as Westies lost but it was great for the fights.

Speaking of the 91 GF, this would be a great photo for a revival of the Caption Competition!



"Sob Sob, Mummy spanked me as I stole money from her purse, Sob, Sob.".

Saw live: 82, 83, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99

I'd suggest the 84' GF but there's a fair bit of bias there ... From a neutral point of view then definitely the 1990 GF without doubt, great game, massive rivalry in the crowd - the dislike amongst supporters toward the opposition team was clear for all to see ... Great party back at Alberton until the riot police rudely escorted all patrons from the oval

Wedgie wrote:
I'd say 1994 was probably the best. Another GF where I cheered for Port as I hated the merged side so much!

How much were the Eagles up by in the 2nd quarter? if my memory serves me correct is was over 8 goals...

Ginevar, Williams, Carter et al were awesome in the 3rd and 4th quarters their relentless attack on the ball just pushing it back into the Forward line was sensantional...

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:
How much were the Eagles up by in the 2nd quarter? if my memory serves me correct is was over 8 goals...

Ginevar, Williams, Carter et al were awesome in the 3rd and 4th quarters their relentless attack on the ball just pushing it back into the Forward line was sensantional...

Not sure but from memory Port did score 11 goals to 2 in the second half to win by 5 odd goals.

umm, i have been to only 4...95, 96, 98 and 2000. 2000 i actually cheered for the dogs as it was their first....i missed 2002 as i was playing cricket that day...worst mistake ever

so the best was probably 2000 as it was a great tuff game....98 was heartbreaking but to see my double blues on the biggest stage was an honor and they didnt let me down depsite the result.

1989 would have been amusing.

Yes. Yes, it was.

(Perhaps the funniest moment was after the final siren when Nunan spat the dummy and had a go at a Footy Times snapper.)

But it was also the most boring game I've ever been to.

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:How much were the Eagles up by in the 2nd quarter? if my memory serves me correct is was over 8 goals...

Eagles opened with the first six goals of the match and I'm thinking: "Here we go, another belting." (The Eagles thumped us by 12 goals in the 2nd Semi.)

Late goals to Hodges and Ginever brought the margin back to four goals at quarter-time and gave us a flicker of hope.

There the margin remained, more or less, until we got a run on in the third. Willo's goal after the three quarter-time siren brought the margin back to 12 points.

Then came the final quarter avalanche.

The final margin was roughly six goals but it could have been so much more had we kicked straight in the third term 2.7.