2023 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final Preview

Head to Head – Overall
Played – 267
Glenelg – 121
Sturt – 144
Drawn – 2

Head to Head – Finals
Played – 18
Glenelg – 10
Sturt – 8

At Adelaide Oval
Played – 48
Glenelg – 22
Sturt – 26

Last Finals Meeting
2022 Elimination Final – Glenelg 8.13 (61) d Sturt 6.9 (45)  at Adelaide Oval

Last Three Meetings
Round 9 2023 – Glenelg 23.12 (150) d Sturt 6.9 (45) at Stratarama Stadium
Round 1 2023 – Sturt 12.8 (80) d Glenelg 7.7 (49) at Wigan Oval
2022 Elimination Final – Glenelg 8.13 (61) d Sturt 6.9 (45)  at Adelaide Oval

Last Three Grand Finals
1969 – Sturt 24.15 (159) d Glenelg 13.16 (94) in front of 55,600 at Adelaide Oval
1970 – Sturt 12.13 (85) d Glenelg 9.10 (64) in front of 48,757 at Adelaide Oval
1974 – Sturt 9.16 (70) d Glenelg 8.7 (55) in front of 58,113 at Football Park (First Grand Final at Football Park)

Lachie Hosie (Glenelg) v Will Coomblas (Sturt)
Glenelg’s Ken Farmer Medallist Lachie Hosie regularly matches up against Sturt defender Will Coomblas, who is similar in stature to the Tigers’ high-flier. Coomblas didn’t play against the Tigers in Round 9 due to suspension, when Hosie booted four goals in the Tigers’ 105-point win. Hosie will be nicely refreshed after enjoying the week off with direct entry to the title-decider while Coomblas returned to the Double Blues’ line-up in the Preliminary Final to restrict dangerous Crow Lachlan Gollant to just two goals. This duel will have a huge impact on the outcome of the match.

Matt Allen (Glenelg) v Steven Slimming (Sturt)
Glenelg gamebreaker Matt Allen booted six goals in a best-on-ground display when his side last clashed with the Double Blues on the King’s Birthday Holiday, making him one to watch on Sunday. If Allen – who boasts exceptional running power – starts on the wing, he could match up on Sturt”s Steven Slimming, who has the ability to clamp down defensively on his opponents. Slimming knows what it takes on the big stage having played in the Double Blues’ thrilling premiership against Port in 2017. If he can curtail Allen’s influence, it will be of significant benefit to his team’s chances.

Alex Martini (Glenelg) v Josh Hone (Sturt)
One of the unheralded members of the Bays’ back six, Alex Martini goes about his defensive role with minimum fuss each week, regardless of his opponent. He is likely to be assigned the task of quelling Sturt’s duel premiership goalsneak Josh Hone, who has the ability to turn a match with a handful of touches. Hone could have put a huge imprint on the Preliminary Final if he kicked straight, finishing with 1.4 against the Crows from his 11 disposals and five marks. If he has his kicking boots on in the title-decider, it will give his team plenty of momentum.