Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final Preview

2 years ago – September 14, 2022

Compiled by Zac Milbank

HOSTPLUS SANFL LEAGUE – GRAND FINAL

Match and Broadcast Details

Sunday September 18

By the Numbers - Since 1907

Overall Record
Played: 279
North: 119
Norwood: 154
Drawn: 6

Finals Record
Played: 17
North: 12
Norwood: 4
Drawn: 1

At Adelaide Oval
Played: 45
North: 27
Norwood: 17
Drawn: 1

Recent Encounters
Since the 2018 Grand Final, each team has won four matches across the previous eight encounters

2022 Meetings
Round 9 – North 9.9 (63) d Norwood 7.10 (52) at Prospect Oval
Round 14 – Norwood 17.8 (110) d North 11.8 (74) at The Parade

Recent Finals Meetings
2018 GF – North 19.10 (124) d Norwood 15.15 (105) at Adelaide Oval
2013 GF – Norwood 10.12 (72) d North 4.8 (32) at Football Park

Previous Grand Finals
1920 – North 9.15 (69) d Norwood 3.3 (21) at Adelaide Oval
1923 – Norwood 9.12 (66) d North 6.4 (40) at Adelaide Oval
1952 – North 23.15 (153) d Norwood 6.9 (45) at Adelaide Oval
1960 – North 14.11 (95) d Norwood 13.12 (90) at Adelaide Oval
2013 – Norwood 10.12 (72) d North 4.8 (32) at Football Park
2018 – North 19.10 (124) d Norwood 15.15 (105) at Adelaide Oval

Interesting Stat
North’s average score in the minor round was 87.6 (second) while Norwood’s was 70.9 (fourth)

Norwood’s average score against in the minor round was 61.2 (first) while North’s was 65.6 (fourth)

Key Match-Ups

Aaron Young (North) v Nik Rokahr (Norwood)

The best two midfielders in the Hostplus SANFL League this year are set to collide in the centre square in what looms as a pivotal match-up.

Young edged out Rokahr by one vote to win the Magarey Medal but Rokahr would prefer the Jack Oatey Medal if he shines on Grand Final day.

Importantly, Young will be freshened up by playing one game in three weeks while Rokahr has been soldiering on in stoic fashion since missing Round 19 with a foot injury and limping late in the Preliminary Final win.

Young’s penchant for kicking a goal could prove decisive, he has booted 23 for the season including the sealer against Adelaide in the Second Semi-Final.

Mitch Harvey (North) v Harry Boyd (Norwood)

Along with Adelaide’s Kieran Strachan, Harvey and Boyd have been the standout ruckmen in the Hostplus SANFL League this season.

Chiefly through necessity, Harvey has transformed himself admirably from a powerful key forward into a strong presence inside the centre square for his talented midfield.

He will take valuable Grand Final experience into the contest, being one of just four Roosters to play in the 2018 premiership while also lining up in the 2020 GF loss to the Eagles.

Boyd has also reinvigorated himself, from being a key forward/defender, into an influential ruckman who moves around the ground with great mobility.

The 24-year-old will look to run Harvey off his legs to counteract his opponent’s big-game experience.