Club News

Their threepeat performances

By Joseph Marciano

They are the men that featured in all three.

Jace Bode, Simon Phillips, Brady Dawe, Andrew Kirwan, Tim Webber and Ben Jefferies.

A unique group of Redlegs who played in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 premierships.

Following the Advertisers countdown of the best Grand Finals, we’ve looked back at those three golden days and how each featured player fared across the three games.

Jace Bode

Average disposals across the three GFs: 11.6

Total goals: –

Highest disposals: 2012 – 14 disposals, 4 marks, 11 kicks, 92.9% efficiency

Bode was a crucial member of the historic threepeat between 2012,13 and 14. Despite his highest possessions being in 2012, Bode’s defensive heroics in 2014 showed how good he was on the biggest stage against a tough opponent in the Port Adelaide Magpies.

“I think being fortunate enough to play in three Premierships was a highlight, the 2014 flag after the players that we had lost in 2013, a change in Coach and versing a pretty good team with a lot of AFL talent was probably the career highlight,”- Jace Bode.

Simon Phillips

Average disposals across the three GFs: 9.6

Total goals: 4

Highest disposals: 2014 – 11 disposals, 7 inside 50’s, three goals

‘Flipper’ had a quiet 2012 Grand Final, however, was a solid performer in 2013 and 14. In 2014, Phillips had his best number of disposals whilst kicking three crucial goals to give the Redlegs their third Premiership in a row. Phillips brought the house down when he kicked a crucial goal in the third quarter from an acute angle to swing the momentum in the favour of the Redlegs.

Ben Jefferies

Average disposals across the three GFs: 14.6

Total goals: –

Best performance: 2014 – 13 disposals, 11 kicks, 3 tackles

Jefferies was another consistent performer across the three Grand Finals. After collecting only six disposals in 2012, his 2013 Grand Final was excellent which saw him win the Best and Fairest in that year. Jefferies played as a predominant wingman in all three as a link man from defence to attack.

Andrew Kirwan

Average disposals across the three GFs: 11.6

Total goals: –

Highest disposals: 2014 – 15 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles,

The tough defender/midfielder was a key contributor in all three SANFL Grand Finals. In 2012 Kirwan collected 10 disposals and went at 100% efficiency in the 49-point win. Kirwan’s inside toughness at times allowed the likes of Panos, Allan, Grigg and Zorzi to get on the ball and get the Redlegs going offensively.

Average disposals across the three GFs: 11.6

Total goals: –

Highest disposals: 2014 – 15 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles,

The tough inside midfielder was a key contributor in all three SANFL Grand Finals. In 2012 Kirwan collected 10 disposals and went at 100% efficiency in the 49-point win. Kirwan’s inside toughness allowed the likes of Panos, Allan, Grigg and Zorzi to get on the ball and get the Redlegs going offensively.

Brady Dawe

Average disposals across the three GFs: 10

Total goals: – 0

Highest disposals: 2013 – 12 disposals, 6 marks, 17 hit-outs,

Big Brady Dawe always enjoyed a Grand Final. Played as a forward and second ruckman to Angus Clarke and Sam Baulderstone, Dawe was selfless with his ability to present himself and provide a contest for the small forwards around him. Dawe described 2014 as one of his favourites, playing in front of 38,000 at Adelaide Oval.

Tim Webber

Average disposals across the three GFs: 17.3

Total goals: – 1

Highest disposals: 2012 – 19 disposals, 8 clearances, 4 tackles, one goal

Tim ‘Doc’ Webber went about his business within the three Grand Finals with minimal fuss as per usual. Webber provided plenty of inside grunt, whilst collecting plenty of the footy at the same time. Webber collected 19 disposals in both the 2012 and 2014 Grand Finals, playing a selfless role which saw him always at the bottom of the contest, providing pressure as always.