Road to the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood claimed its first Hostplus SANFL League minor premiership since 2018 as Central District qualified for the double chance and Woodville-West Torrens scraped into the top five as an eventful Super Saturday brought the home-and-away season to a close.

The Redlegs will take meaningful form into the Second Semi-Final, earning a week’s rest on the back of a statement-making 75-point win against the Eagles at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval as all five Round 19 matches unfolded simultaneously.

Despite their heavy loss to the Redlegs, the Eagles finished in fifth place as they had a 2.3 percent buffer on sixth-placed Adelaide, which succumbed to Sturt by 14 points at Thomas Farms Oval.

At X Convenience Oval, Paul Thomas’ Bulldogs made certain of their finals double chance after eclipsing Port Adelaide by 68 points, ensuring the Magpies would receive their first wooden spoon since 1900.

The Dogs will now tackle the Double Blues in next Sunday’s Qualifying Final from 3.15pm at Adelaide Oval.

Glenelg ensured it will take much-needed confidence into the major round after it ran over the top of South Adelaide by 118 points at Stratarama Stadium to finish in fourth spot.

Darren Revves’ men will now face an Elimination Final encounter against the Eagles at 12.15pm next Sunday at Adelaide Oval.

And in the so-called ”dead rubber” of the day, North Adelaide had something to celebrate when it not only recorded a 17-point win but also a Ken Farmer Medal victory for Mitch Harvey.

Harvey, the first Rooster since Daniel Hargreaves in 2002 to win the Ken Farmer Medal, kicked three goals to finish three ahead of Bulldog Aiden Grace, who kicked four majors against Port.