2025 Hostplus SANFL League Elimination Final Preview

Elimination Final – Sunday August 31

Central District v Norwood | 12:15pm | Live and free on Seven & 7Plus | Live radio on 1629 SEN SA & SEN App and FIVEAA

Head to Head – Overall
Played – 157
Central – 74
Norwood – 83
Drawn – 0

Head to Head – Finals
Played – 14
Central – 8
Norwood – 6

Recent Form
Central has won the past two matches, Norwood the previous four

Last Finals Meeting
2024 Second Semi Final – Norwood 14.10 (94) d Central 5.5 (35) at Adelaide Oval

2025 Meetings
Round 13 – Central 13.6 (84) d Norwood 9.11 (75) at X Convenience Oval
Round 7 – Central 13.6 (84) d Norwood 10.13 (73) at The Parade

There’s more than one way to get where you’re going.

But it’s actually hard to believe Central District and Norwood are coming face-to-face in the elimination final considering the different routes they’ve taken to arrive at Adelaide Oval to kick off this highly-anticipated major round.

One of these sides never looked like missing finals. The other rarely seemed in the hunt to play them.

Central District was only out of the five after one round of footy – way back in Round 2. Norwood was only in the five after one round – Round 18 – before last week’s ‘elimination final’ to reach the actual elimination final, against Port Adelaide at The Parade.

And on the ‘live ladder’ the Redlegs again spent most of the day outside the five, Port leading by as many as 35 points in the second quarter.

No wonder coach Jade Sheedy could hardly contain his excitement on the boundary when the final siren sounded 90 minutes later because, remarkably, Norwood was 10 points to the good.

After losing the first five games of Sheedy’s first season in charge, unable to string together successive victories until the final three rounds, the Legs again had lived their Fortis in Procella – or strength in adversity – theme. And who would discount them as anything but a real chance to progress further into the finals.

While Central finished with an 11-7 record compared with Norwood’s 8-10 campaign, their percentages paint a different picture – the Bulldogs’ 51.5, the Redlegs’ 52.7.

We’ve heard plenty about the Legs’ troubles in ruck since the departure of Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd.

But, wow, did Finn Heard step up when it was needed in the second half against Port, turning the game – and for Norwood and Port, the season – completely on its head, earning 32 disposals, 18 clearances, 22 hit-outs and 10 inside-50s.

Typical of the Legs’ year and ruck dramas, Heard looked set to miss the elimination final after copping a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct with Port’s Aidan Turner.

But he successfully had his impact grading lowered from medium to low by the SANFL tribunal and instead accepted a fine and reprimand, providing another lifeline for Norwood’s campaign.

It was fitting inspirational captain Jacob Kennerley finally locked in a finals berth with the only goal of a hard-fought final quarter, prompting Sheedy to say: “It’s a great day for our footy club.”

Redlegs supporters with long memories will be looking back to their historic 1984 campaign when they charged to the premiership after losing five of their first six games.

They were struggling in seventh place after losing to Central by 95 points in Round 14, having not been in the five at any stage in the season. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Only there’s a big hurdle straight up.

The Bulldogs have won both their clashes against Norwood this season. And their side is looking far more formidable than it was in last week’s loss to Glenelg.

Among important inclusions are Kyle Presbury, ruckman Kobe Annand – the Dogs have had plenty of injury issues with their big men over the past few years – Aiden Grace and Billy Iles.

Central’s most recent win against Norwood was by 19 points just six games back when the Legs seemingly needed the win to qualify for finals.

But Central had to show the sort of never-say-die spirit that’s become a trademark under coach Paul Thomas to take the points in what was a hot contest, kicking the last two goals of the game in the final five minutes to secure the win.

The Dogs’ first success against Norwood came in Round 7 at The Parade but they only sealed an 11-point win when Nick Lange booted the last goal at the 30-minute-mark of the last quarter.

So they were both tight tussles between teams – and clubs – refusing to concede. It’s pretty clear what we’re expecting again here.