Footscray have brought a nine-year premiership drought to an end on Sunday afternoon, defeating a valiant Southport by 10 points in the 2025 VFL Grand Final.
Meanwhile in Adelaide, Sturt has downed back-to-back reigning premiers Glenelg for their first piece of silverware since 2017.
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Footscray have brought a nine-year premiership drought to an end on Sunday afternoon, defeating a valiant Southport by 10 points in the 2025 VFL Grand Final.
The minor premiers burst out of the blocks to kick the first six goals of the match in a first quarter blitz, before the Sharks eventually broke even early in the final term to draw scores level.
But the Western Bulldogs’ reserves team proved too strong in the final 25 minutes of the match, with dead-eye accuracy in front of goal seeing them home 14.5 (89) to Southport’s 11.13 (79) at Ikon Park.
Southport threatened one final charge in the closing minutes, but a Josh Dolan goal sealed the deal in wet conditions after a torrential downpour after half time. Unfortunately for the Sharks, the loss marks three grand final losses in four years.
The Dogs fielded an eye-watering 18 AFL-listed players in their line-up for the clash, including the likes of 2024 All-Australian Adam Treloar (25 disposals), retiring veteran Taylor Duryea and out-of-contract stalwart Liam Jones.
59-game AFL player Anthony Scott was among the best for Footscray kicking two goals from 23 disposals, while top-up players Billy Crofts and Cooper Craig-Peters — who was awarded the Norm Goss Medal for best-on-ground — were immense.
Former Port Adelaide small forward Boyd Woodwock had an enormous game for Southport in a losing side, amassing 31 disposals — 19 contested, 13 clearances and three goals.
Perennial VFL performer Brayden Crossley, Zac Foote and 2025 J.J Liston Trophy winner Jacob Dawson were also valiant in defeat.
STURT RUN RIOT ON ADELAIDE OVAL TO WIN SANFL FLAG
Sturt has downed back-to-back reigning premiers Glenelg for their first piece of silverware since 2017 with a comprehensive 31-point win.
The Double Blues led at every interval on Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, with a seven-goal third term securing the ultimate success to eventually win 16.9 (105) over the Tigers’ 11.8 (74).
Former Essendon and Port Adelaide gun Will Snelling was monumental in the cause for Marty Mattner’s side, kicking a goal from 20 disposals and 14 tackles.
The 28-year-old helped lead the charge alongside former AFL players Flynn Perez (North Melbourne) and Martin Frederick (Port Adelaide), with strong performances also from best-on-ground and Jack Oatey Medallist Angus Anderson (24 disposals, one goal) alongside fan favourite Josh Hone (four goals).
Former North Melbourne mid-season draftee Lachie Hosie was valiant for Glenelg with five goals in a losing cause, while former Brisbane draftee Corey Lyons (26 possessions) was honourable alongside brother and three-club AFL player Jarryd (27 disposals).
The flag is Mattner’s third as coach of the Double Blues, after leading the suburban club to premierships in 2016 and 2017, putting him in rare air amid the SANFL coaching greats
Incredibly, Sturt lost just one match the entire season — a two-point loss to Adelaide’s reserves in the last round of the home-and-away season.
Glenelg’s best side was hit with the mid-season drafting of defenders Harrison Ramm (Port Adelaide) and Oscar Adams (Gold Coast). The Double Blues blooded plenty of youth themselves throughout the season, after the retirement of Steven Slimming and departure of other key figures post their 2024 straight sets exit.