AHEAD of the 2019 SANFL Statewide Super League Grand Final between Port Adelaide and Glenelg, portadelaidefc.com.au looks back at the most recent season-deciding encounters between the two sides.
Port Adelaide and Glenelg have enjoyed a rich rivalry in the SANFL competition over the years, with Sunday’s grand final set to be the seventh time the clubs have met in the premiership-decider.
Port holds a 5-1 advantage over the Tigers in grand finals, with victories in 1977, 1981, 1988, 1990 and 1992, with the Bays winning the first ever grand final meeting between the two sides in 1934.
In 1990, the Magpies produced one of their best grand final performances in the history of the club.
In a year where Port Adelaide boldly put in a bid to join the AFL - turning most of the SANFL fraternity against them - they defeated the more-fancied Glenelg by 15 points in a classic contest.
The Bays had defeated Port in the second semi final to head into the decider on the back of a week off, and started the better of the two sides.
In a high-scoring and entertaining opening term, Glenelg took a two-point advantage into the first break.
The Magpies responded strongly in the second quarter, booting six goals to one, to take a strangle hold of the 1990 decider.
It didn’t come without a hitch, with key forward and 1990 Magarey Medallist Scott Hodges injuring his knee, while key playmakers Russell Johnston, Wayne Mahney, Tim Ginever and Stephen Williams all suffered injury complaints.
The third quarter quickly returned to a tight tussle, with both teams kicking three majors, as the Magpies took a 22-point advantage into the final term.
Memorably, Hodges returned to the field to break the record for most goals kicked in a single SANFL season, slotting his 152nd for the season in the third term.
When Hodges booted his sixth goal (his 153rd for the season) and Darren Smith had his second, the Magpies had blown their advantage out to 35 points.
The Bays kicked the final three majors to reduce the margin to 15 points, but it was Port who defied the odds to record a famous victory in front of 50,589 at Football Park.
George Fiacchi was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal for his best-afield performance from the back pocket.
Port’s 1990 premiership was its fourth against Glenelg, and the 30th in the club’s history.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 4.6 10.7 13.9 16.12 (108)
GLENELG 5.2 6.7 9.11 13.15 (93)
GOALS
Hodges 6, Settre 3, Smith, Wanganeen 2, Mahney, S. Williams, M. Williams
BEST
Fiacchi, Hutton, Ginever, Hodges
