Former Western Bulldogs key forward Matt Panos was the star in Norwood's nail-biting Grand Final win over Port Adelaide on Sunday.  

In his new guise as a big-bodied midfielder, Panos finished with a game-high 28 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal in the Redlegs' four-point triumph at Adelaide Oval.  

The thrilling grand final drew a crowd of 38,644 at Adelaide Oval, the largest SANFL crowd since 1999, and the spectators watched Norwood claim its third successive premiership.

Panos, who is hoping to earn another chance at the top level, had 16 disposals and six clearances in the first half as Norwood established a seven-point lead at the main break.       

The Redlegs then held on against a Port Adelaide team stocked full of AFL-listed players. 

Panos has been invited to South Australia's state combine in October where AFL recruiters will look deeper into his transformation from a key forward to 193cm midfielder. 

The Magpies team included 19 Port Adelaide players in what was billed as a battle between full-time and part-time clubs. 

Kane Mitchell (24 possessions and a goal) and Sam Gray (21 and six rebound 50s) battled hard for Port. 

Mason Shaw and Aaron Young booted two goals each in a low-scoring game.

WAFL
 
West Coast's alignment team East Perth was trumped by Subiaco in the WAFL grand final, with the Lions recording a major upset to win by 16 points at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
 
AFL-listed defenders Blayne Wilson and Jacob Brennan were solid for the Royals, while Fraser McInnes kicked three goals, but it wasn't enough to stop an inspired Subiaco.
 
The Lions were just four points ahead of half time and went on to six goals to two in the third quarter to set up their win in front of 11,987 fans.
 
East Perth's team included Eagles ruckman Callum Sinclair (31 hit-outs), defender Sam Butler (20 possessions and eight tackles) and young midfielder Dom Sheed (11 and six).   
 
Subiaco midfielder Jason Bristow won the Simpson Medal as best on ground, finishing with 23 possessions and a goal.

VFL 

Western Bulldogs defender Brett Goodes was named the Norm Goss medallist for his best-on-ground performance in Footscray's VFL Grand Final win over Box Hill on Sunday

Goodes, the younger brother of Sydney Swans champion Adam, finished with 30 possessions, eight clearances and 10 tackles in the Bulldogs' 22-point win.    

AFL-listed forward Liam Jones was superb for the Bulldogs, kicking five goals to prove his worth after a disappointing season that saw him play his last AFL game in round 15. 

Recently re-signed Bulldog Lin Jong also starred, finishing with seven kicks and 24 handballs and highlighting why he has been elevated to the club's senior list. 

The Bulldogs kicked the last six goals of the game at Etihad Stadium to beat the Hawks in front of 23,816 fans. 

There was significant interest in Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli, who was pulled out of the contest at three-quarter time as the Hawks decide whether to recall him for next Saturday's AFL decider. 


Ruckman Ben McEvoy and midfielder Brad Sewell were withdrawn from Sunday's final team.  

Around the grounds

In the Tasmanian State League, former Collingwood and Fremantle forward Chris Tarrant was a key player in North Launceston's Grand Final win over Western Storm in the TSL. 

Tarrant booted four goals and proved he was still a high-flyer two years after his AFL career ended, taking a big pack mark in the third quarter. 

Ex-St Kilda pair Stephen Milne and Steven Baker played in Strathfieldsaye's first Bendigo Football League premiership on Saturday.

Milne, who retired from the AFL at the end of 2013, kicked six goals in the big win over Sandhurst, including his 100th for the season. 

In the Ovens and Murray Football League, former Carlton and Brisbane Lions forward Brendan Fevola booted six goals as the Albury Tigers beat Fevola's Yarrawonga by seven points.  

Former Blue Setanta O'hAilpin booted four goals for Albury in the thrilling decider, playing alongside his brother and former Carlton teammate Aisake