Footy Fix: The Dees prove they're legit - and show how they can overcome their finals curse
When people say a home-and-away match is finals-like, they're usually referring, at least in part, to its quality. That was far from the case…
North Adelaide have put a tumultuous and controversial week behind them to win their first Premiership since 1991 against rivals Norwood.
In front of more than 40,000 fans, hardly anything separated the two teams all day as the Roosters and Redlegs traded goals in an all-time classic Grand Final.
North Adelaide jumped out of the blocks to begin the match, kicking the first three goals as key forwards Alex Barnes and Mitch Harvey looked dangerous.
After a sluggish start, the minor premiers soon started to work their way back into the match, as dual Magarey medalist Mitch Grigg led the way for his side.
However, Norwood failed to make the most of their chances due to inaccuracy in front of goal which allowed North Adelaide to steal back the lead entering the major break with two opportunistic goals.
The action continued to get fiercer in the second half as both teams kicked five goals apiece in a thrilling 10-goal third term.
The margin never extended past 12 points during the premiership quarter and a classy finish in the dying seconds from Cameron Shenton saw the Redlegs trail by just five points.
The Roosters looked to have exacted revenge for their 2013 Grand Final loss after undisciplined free kicks from Alex Georgiou and Sam Baulderstone saw the Redlegs fall behind by 24-points.
Grigg refused to let Norwood yield though, as his sixth goal during a best on ground performance, kept the Redlegs alive.
Sam McInerney sealed victory for the Roosters with his third goal of the match as Josh Carr’s men traded their wooden spoon from last year for this year’s SANFL Premiership trophy.
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When people say a home-and-away match is finals-like, they're usually referring, at least in part, to its quality. That was far from the case…
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