Not really the most entertaining game. However it's a real John Cahill masterclass. Ken Hinkley keeps going on about 'the pursuit of mastery', well this is what it's like when you've got it.
The wind was ferocious and was the key factor of the day. Every goal was kicked to the northern end. As a personal aside I find games like this very interesting because it helps to sort out who has got a football brain and who doesn't. (see 2015 North vs West Coast at Hobart for a modern day example).
South were coached by Hayden Bunton Jr, who is a bit of a forgotten man but did some legendary stuff in WA. He never played or coached in Victoria, but he was a formidable figure nonetheless. The fact he coached South Adelaide to a grand final is testimonial to his abilities.
But he got caught out on this day. Bunton was a old style 'skills' coach and you can see in this game how his South Adelaide side couldn't cope with the co-operative skills of the Port defense. He picked a side that was too big on the day- our small forwards and mids cut South to shreds.
It wasn't a day for big men but Tim Evans put on a masterly display of how to play and kicked four great goals. Bomber Clifford and Mark Dawson (who came from North Melbourne as part of the Russell Ebert deal) were livewires across half forward but it was the defenders; Sorrell, Phillips and Eckermann who shut the Panthers down completely.
Darren Cahill, Cunningham and Mark Williams smashed them in the midfield and the day was won.
Other curiousities...
Seemed like SACA had already put a cricket pitch in the centre, presumably in case the cricket civil war continued....
Hayden Bunton smoking a cigarette in the coaches bunker in the second quarter....
South Adelaide having actual fans....
Bruce Abernethy winning his first flag at age 17- was a triple premiership player by age 19....
General dodgy umpiring interpretations....
