Round 21 1999

Glenelg played with aggression and spirit not seen for years to humble top side Port by 50 points at the Bay. Perhaps this year's premiership isn't a foregone conclusion after all. Glenelg have now won six in a row and are the new form team of the comp.
 
After Fogden went off early with a knock to the knee, the unheralded Winstanley took over in ruck to send the Tigers streaming into attack. Glenelg stormed out to kick the first three goals of the match and surprised the Magpies with their hardness at the ball, or the player with it. The Magpies then dragged themselves back into the match as Phil McGuinness found plenty of Sherrin and Evans awoke on the forward line to kick a couple. Port got as far as nine points up late in the second term and it seemed as tho' they had weathered the early storm and would take control as expected. However Glenelg rallied again through Carr (two goals), Kelly (25 disposals, 5 tackles and a goal) and Chigwidden (29 possessions and a goal) to grab back the lead before half-time.
 
After such a pulsating and even first-half the second-half could not have provided more of a contrast. Glenelg ruled supreme in virtually every position on the field to rattle on ten goals to two after half-time. Picioane and Sherwood were coolly in control in defence, six-gamer Ben Howard gathered touches and ran away from his opponents at will, McEntee (four goals) did a Graham Cornes impersonation in the forward line and Brett Higgins lurked for three goals against his old team. Feddema (three goals) and Bartlett (two) rounded out things on the forward line. For Port, McGuinness (28 possessions, 2 goals) and Brown (18 possessions) were really the only two players to shine. Fiegert in defence was okay and Ricky O'Loughlin (18 handlings and a goal) showed a bit of spark up forward but there were too many Port players willing to leave the hard work to their teammates.
 
About the only consolations Port have are that they were ripe for a loss after virtually sealing the minor premiership last week, and that they will have quite a few AFL-listed players to choose from (plus the injured Leys and Carter) if they meet Glenelg again in the finals. Glenelg have to realise that the finals haven't started yet and they will need to keep winning for another month if they want to become the first team since South in 1964 to go from bottom to top in one year.