NORWOOD buried its ghost of 2024 with a pulsating 14-point triumph against arch-rival Sturt to claim its 32nd premiership in the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.
Winning their third consecutive Grand Final against arch-rival Sturt after successes in 1941 and 1978, the Redlegs shrugged off any doubts lingering from their shock loss to Glenelg two years ago as they kicked 5.3 to one behind in the final quarter.
NORWOOD v STURT Full match details and stats
Winning their third consecutive Grand Final against arch-rival Sturt after successes in 1941 and 1978, the Redlegs shrugged off any doubts lingering from their shock loss to Glenelg two years ago as they kicked 5.3 to one behind in the final quarter.
Rightly tagged premiership favourites after earning direct entry with a comfortable Second Semi-Final win for the second occasion in three years, the boys from The Parade stood tall in front of a bumper crowd of 38,340.
While classy Norwood midfielder Baynen Lowe was a fitting winner of the Jack Oatey Medal for his four-quarter performance, it was key forward Tristan Binder who proved the hero for the Legs in booting all four of his goals in the final term.
Well held for the majority of the match, Norwood’s No.45 swung the game in his team’s favour with a soccer off the ground from 30m, a clever bouncing goal from long range near the boundary before shrugging off a tackle to finish from 35m in front.
The belief instilled by master mentor Jade Sheedy – who claimed his third crown as coach after going back-to-back with Woodville-West Torrens in 2020-2021 – was significant for the Legs as they ran over the top of the brave Blues.
The 2002 Sturt premiership player, facing his old side from the coaches box, has made a noticeable impact on the playing group by landing a flag in just his second season at Woods Street after coming within a kick of last year’s Grand Final.
Sheedy now joins an illustrious group of SANFL coaches to win at least three titles, including Jack Oatey (10), John Cahill (10), Fos Williams (nine), Roy Laird (seven) and his rival in the Grand Final, Marty Mattner (three).
Stringing together their eighth win in succession, the Redlges finished the intense encounter with noticeable punch after only playing one match since Ausgust 22.
Jack Oatey Medallist Lowe finished with a game-high 27 disposals and two goals, his second – a 45m set shot – coming amid Binder’s blitz in the final quarter.
Fellow Legs midfielders Kade Dittmar and Nik Rokahr racked up 26 possessions each while bigmen Finn Heard (20 disposals, one goal) and Harry Boyd (18 disposals) were also prominent for the Premiers.
Sturt was full of heart considering it was taking a brusied and battered line-up into the title-decider and had played three finals in succession in the build-up.
Dashing half-back Zac Becker was creative and impactful with his 24 disposals and eight marks while Magarey Medallists Tom Lewis and Will Snelling each had 21 disposals for the Double Blues.
Casey Voss, who dislocated his shoulder in the Preliminary Final, held on for 19 disposals and six marks while Tom Emmett was efficient with his three goals from eight disposals.
Ash Johnson and Josh Hone kicked two goals each for Sturt, the latter denied his chance to win a fourth premiership after successes in 2016, 2017 and 2025.
Norwood started strongly as it looked to impose itself on its opponent early in the first quarter, establishing a 15-8 inside 50m advantage at the first change and having 34 more disposals for the opening quarter.
But costly misses close to goal ensured the Redlegs would only lead by eight points at the first change as the Double Blues kept in touch after Tom Emmett and Loch Rawlinson booted fine goals on the run.
Redleg Finn Heard snapped along the ground to bounce it through and open up a 13-point lead three minutes into the second stanza as his side again threatened to gain control.
It only served to spur Sturt back into the first-half arm wrestle though as Josh Hone goaled on the run in traffic before Ash Johnson converted his mark running back with the flight with a neat set shot from a tough angle.
This ensured the underdog Double Blues ran into the changerooms with a sense of purpose, having tied up the scores at half-time despite Norwood’s early dominance.
Sturt was dealt a blow when first-choice ruck Amos Doyle was a late withdrawal after the teamsheets had been lodged an hour before the bounce, prompting the inclusion of former Power forward Jed McEntee.
