Grand Final 1934

The Grand Final of 1934 was the first Grand Final contested by Glenelg. Although underdogs, they won a historic victory by 9 points over the more favoured Port Adelaide. The victory was even more memorable considering that Port had thoroughly thrashed Glenelg only a fortnight before in the Second Semi-Final.

Below are details on the match, including reviews written at the time.

GLENELG WIN PREMIERSHIP

(from The Sport)

SUCCESS EXTREMELY POPULAR FITTING REWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE Playing determined football all over the field, Glenelg gained a well-earned victory over the Port team at Adelaide in the Grand Final, before an enthusiastic crowd of spectators on Saturday. Jumping right into their stride, Glenelg soon gave the crowd the impression that ports were not going to have it all their own way. With every man doing his bit, they out-classed the Port team, and ended the first quarter with a handy advantage of three goals. Glenelg kept the pace on in the second term and, with Ports doing their utmost, the football enthusiasts were treated to one of the fastest exhibitions seen in Adelaide for years. The Bay team maintained their early accuracy at the goal front, whereas the magpies lapsed into a period of inaccuracy. During this quarter the Bay team kicked 5-4 to Port's 3-9. The final two quarters were fought out at a terrific pace, and teh excitement of both players and spectators was intense. With only ten minutes to go, Ports equalised the score, and moved forward again from the bounce, but "Blue" Johnstone, who had come into the limelight with magnificent marking, took a spectacular one and steaded (sic) the Bays, who went ahead again. Johnstone again took another brilliant mark, this time right in the goal-mouth, and scored full points. Towards the end of the game tempers became very frayed, and some of the Port players, in the excitement, allowed their tempers to get out of hand. The final bell found Glenelg nine points int he lead, and a mighty roar went up in the praise of Glenelg's success in their first premiership. Link and Colyer roved brilliantly for Glenelg, and their speed was one of the main factors in Port's defeat. Hill, Shakes and Leak also showed plenty of dash, while Sallis, at centre, put up another grand game. Johnstone, although handicapped with an injured knee, came to light in the last quarter with a brilliant display of high marking and long kicking. Others to shine were the new-comer, R. Birrel, Brock and Whitaker. Bergin played brilliantly on a half-forward wing. Dermody was the outstanding man for Port. His marking was faultless and his speed on the ground amazing. Quinn roved to perfection, and Hollingsworth, at half-forward, did good work, but missed badly when shooting for goals. Reval played his usual strong game, but did not dispose of the ball to advantage on all occasions. McFarlane, who was brought in from the Amatuer League for this match, took some beautiful marks in the last quarter, and R. Johnson and Eden did some good work in defence. Glenelg:   5.4 10.8 15.10 18.15 (123) Port: 3.4 6.13 11.17 16.18 (114) Goalkickers Glenelg - Goldsworthy 4, Owens, Johnstone, Colyer 3, Bergin 2, Link, Percy, Leak. Port - Quinn 5, Hollingsworth, Prideaux 4, Hender 2, Reval.

References

1. The Sport newspaper Thursday 11 October 1934.