1995 Grand Final Port 13.16 94 d Central 6.10 46

The entire match from Football Park as well as presentations and victory lap. Match review: After securing their 2nd minor premiership, Central District could not overcome their (and everyone else’s!) finals nemesis, Port Adelaide in the second semi. They ground out a 24 point win over Norwood in the Preliminary, setting up their first Grand Final berth in their 32nd season. Roger Girdham, the Bulldog captain, won the toss and surprisingly chose to kick into a breeze deemed to be worth one or two goals. And it could have been disaster had Port not gone on a behind spree - five behinds were registered between the 4:37 and 6:41 time marks. But Port could manage only 3.7 to 0.2. When Central had their turn with the wind, the scores were closed in at half time, 3.11 to 3.6. A pivotal moment in the third quarter broke the game open for the Magpies. Port still leading by only 5 points, 12 minutes in, saw Rohan Smith kick into attack. Just off the play, John Abbott struck Darren Mead, who was shepherding for Smith. Abbott was reported, and Darren Smith, who received the free downfield, short passed to Stephen Carter, who goaled. This gave Port the lift needed to break the tight tussle open, and four minutes later had added another 2.1, to have a 24 point buffer. Another goal to Spiro Malakellis before three quarter time, left Central with the tough task of recovering a 31 point margin. But the momentum was all with the black and white, who added another 5.2 to 2.3, to annexe their 33rd premiership. Anthony Darcy, prolific ball winner all day, was a deserved Jack Oatey Medallist (36 disposals, 2 goals) and skipper Tim Ginever (with 14 possessions in the third quarter) were the Magpies best, while Rick MacGowan (32 possessions) and Scott Lee were the Bulldogs who were the Dogs’ standouts. Review courtesy of spell_check from SAfooty.