Eagles win 2021 Statewide Super League Premiership

Woodville-West Torrens claimed back-to-back premierships for the first time in club history with a statement-making 67-point victory against Glenelg in the 2021 Statewide Super League Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

Becoming the first team since Norwood in 2014 to win the premiership from the Second Semi-Final, the Eagles were far more efficient entering their inside 50m arc in the first half.

This enabled the team of dual premiership coach Jade Sheedy to take charge early in the contest as elusive forwards Tyson Stengle and the Menzel brothers – Daniel and Troy – booted two goals each before the main change.

With Jack Oatey Medallist Jack Hayes dominant around the ground, the Eagles were irresistible, even without the supreme ball use of veteran Matthew Goldsworthy, who was unavailable after rupturing the tendon in his hamstring in the Second Semi-Final.

The early burst allowed the boys from Oval Avenue to dictate terms in the second term as they only allowed Glenelg to score a behind – to Marlon Motlop – deep into time-on while Stengle curled his second one through from a boundary line set shot.

More pain was piled on for the Tigers in the third quarter as Kobe Mutch found Angus Poole alone in the goal square in the opening minute.

By the time Hayes followed up with his first major in the fourth minute, the Eagles were well on their way to securing their fifth premiership since West Torrens and Woodville merged in 1991.

Hayes finished with 27 of a possible 27 votes to claim the award for best afield, finishing with 26 disposals, nine marks and seven clearances in a standout display.

The Menzel brothers – who crossed to the Eagles from Central during the off-season – had a huge part to play in the result, kicking seven goals between them as the Tigers managed just four for the match.

Former Crow Riley Knight (27 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles), Essendon recruit Kobe Mutch (26 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals) and hard-running Jimmy Toumpas (26 disposals) also played stirring roles in the Eagles’ memorable win.

Glenelg, seeking to become the first SANFL club to win the men’s and women’s competition in the same year, were pressured into uncustomary mistakes and were never able to get any fluency moving forward.

2019 Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Snook battled his heart out across four quarters for Glenelg, finishing with 22 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances through the midfield.

West Adelaide recruit Brett Turner had 22 disposals and snap goal in the third term while dashing defender Dylan Landt was the Tigers’ highest disposal-winner with 26.

The loss signalled the end of premiership forward Marlon Motlop’s career, with the Tiger giving his side an early spark with the first goal of the game.