Norwood defeats Sturt to claim 2026 SANFL premiership

Norwood has won the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League premiership, defeating Sturt by 14 points at Adelaide Oval after taking control of a tightly contested grand final in the closing quarter.

The Redlegs entered the decider as favourites and finished strongly, scoring 5.3 to Sturt’s one behind in the last term. The result delivered Norwood’s 32nd premiership and its third grand-final victory over Sturt, following previous wins in 1941 and 1978.

SANFL.com.au reported that 38,340 people watched the contest, which also marked Norwood’s eighth consecutive victory. The triumph removed some of the disappointment surrounding the club’s unexpected defeat by Glenelg in 2024.

Binder breaks the deadlock

Norwood forward Tristan Binder became the decisive figure despite being contained for much of the match. He kicked all four of his goals in the final quarter, turning a close contest into a Norwood celebration.

His first came when he soccered the ball through from about 30 metres. He then produced a bouncing finish from distance near the boundary before breaking free from a tackle to goal from roughly 35 metres directly in front.

Binder’s final kick came after the siren, from 30 metres. It was a notable moment for the forward, who had missed a late set shot near the end of Norwood’s preliminary-final loss the previous year.

Midfielder Baynen Lowe also played a central role in the victory. He collected a match-high 27 disposals, kicked two goals and received the Jack Oatey Medal for the best performance on the ground. His second goal was a 45-metre set shot during Binder’s decisive final-quarter burst.

Kade Dittmar and Nik Rokahr each recorded 26 disposals for Norwood. Finn Heard contributed 20 disposals and a goal, while Harry Boyd finished with 18 possessions.

Sturt stays in touch

Norwood made the better start, holding a 15-8 advantage in inside-50 entries at quarter-time and having 34 more disposals in the opening period. However, inaccurate finishing prevented the Redlegs from building a substantial lead.

They were eight points ahead at the first break, with Sturt remaining within reach after running goals from Tom Emmett and Loch Rawlinson. Heard extended Norwood’s advantage early in the second quarter by snapping a ground-level goal, but Sturt quickly responded.

Josh Hone scored while under pressure in traffic, and Ash Johnson followed with a composed set shot after marking while moving back with the flight of the ball. Those goals allowed Sturt to enter half-time level with Norwood, despite the Redlegs’ early territorial advantage.

Sturt’s resistance was particularly notable given the condition of its squad and the demanding path to the grand final. The Double Blues had played three successive finals before the premiership decider. Their starting ruckman, Amos Doyle, was also withdrawn late after the teamsheets had been submitted, with former Port Adelaide forward Jed McEntee added to the side.

Zac Becker was one of Sturt’s most influential players, using 24 disposals and taking eight marks from half-back. Magarey Medallists Tom Lewis and Will Snelling each gathered 21 possessions, while Casey Voss produced 19 disposals and six marks despite dislocating his shoulder in the preliminary final.

Emmett finished with three goals from eight disposals. Johnson and Hone added two goals apiece, although Hone’s defeat ended his bid for a fourth premiership after titles in 2016, 2017 and 2025.

Sheedy adds another title

The premiership was the third for Norwood coach Jade Sheedy. He previously guided Woodville-West Torrens to consecutive flags in 2020 and 2021, and now joins the group of SANFL coaches who have won at least three championships.

That list includes Jack Oatey and John Cahill, with 10 premierships each, Fos Williams with nine, Roy Laird with seven and Sturt coach Marty Mattner with three.

Sheedy faced his former club in the coaches’ box: he was part of Sturt’s 2002 premiership team. His arrival at Norwood has produced a flag in his second season at Woods Street, after the club came within a kick of last year’s grand final.

Norwood’s victory also came after a relatively short preparation, with the Redlegs having played only once since 22 August. Despite that limited match exposure, they finished the contest with the greater attacking force, helped by Lowe’s midfield work and Binder’s extraordinary final quarter.