Top 10 local sports highlights of 2014
In a landmark and dramatic year for South Australian sport, InDaily correspondent Peter Argent picks his top 10 local sporting highlights of 2014.
AFL’s return to the city
Round two of the 2014 AFL season saw the inaugural SA showdown between Port Adelaide and the Crows on March 29, 2014 at a rebuilt Adelaide Oval.
A sell-out crowd of 50,397 crowd saw the Power collect first bragging rights, securing a massive nine-goal triumph.
Everyone, except the Crows fans, were happy with the event!
Anna Meares’ big year
Olympic champion cyclist and all round great human being Anna Meares raised more than $212,000 for the Little Heroes Foundation by shaving her head at the National Wine Centre in August.
At the Commonwealth Games, Meares won Australia’s first gold medal in Glasgow, clinching the women’s 500m time-trial for the third time in succession. Meares was also Australia’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony.
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The Adelaide Test
Revised as the first test of the summer after the sad loss of Phillip Hughes, the trio of Dave Warner (centuries in each innings), the obvious injured Michael Clarke and Steve Smith produced memorable hundreds, while former Redback Nathan Lyon spun the Aussies to victory with six wickets in the final session of the contest to finish with 12 for the match.
Tasmanian Jack Hale’s fast 100
Tasmanian talent Jack Hale, 16, took gold in the All Schools Track and Field Championships in Adelaide with the fastest time by an Australian this year of 10.13 seconds for the 100 metres sprint.
On the first Saturday in December, Hale achieved this feat at the Athletics SA stadium, although a strong tail-wind meant he couldn’t claim a new record.
SA’s under 18s footballers win back-to-back champs
The Brenton Phillips mentored SA side clinched the 2014 national under 18s crown with an inspiring win over Victorian Metro at Skilled Stadium. The team was marked by a level of camaraderie rarely matched in the competition. In an era in which AFL footballers are getting bigger and stronger, it was the SA mosquito fleet that won the day, led by captain Jake Johansen and stars Caleb Daniel, Josh Hone and Billy Stretch.
Adelaide United wins the first FFA Cup
Dominant from the outset, Adelaide United won the inaugural FFA Cup final thanks to a second half goal by Cirio over a 10-man Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium on December 16. In front of 16,142 delirious supporters, Adelaide grasped its first trophy since winning the A-League Premier’s Plate back in 2005-06.
Port stars win Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year
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Chad Wingard’s absolute hanger over St Kilda’s Sean Dempster in Round 12 at the Adelaide Oval, and Matt White’s incredible 100-metre sprint across Etihad Stadium to goal in Round 17 will be enduring highlights of the 2014 AFL season.
Norwood’s thrilling SANFL Grand Final win
In the first SANFL league Grand Final on Adelaide Oval since the 1973 thriller between Glenelg and North Adelaide, traditional rivals Port Adelaide and Norwood produced another heart stopper.
With the ball being moved into a dangerous position the Magpies forward line, the siren sound and Norwood were triumphant by four points, giving the Redlegs their first three-peat in more than a century. After being 1-5 early in the season, it was also a gong for first year coach Ben Warren, who played in the 2012 and 2013 victories.
Erin Phillips’ 2014 WNBA Championship victory with the Phoenix Mercury
The daughter of Port Adelaide and Collingwood football champion Greg, Erin Phillips is a basketball superstar. In September she collected a second Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship title, alongside Australian team mates Sandy Brondello and Penny Taylor.
Now 29, Phillips was also a member Australian Opals that won a bronze medal after defeating Turkey in the 2014 FIBA World Championship play-off.
Nick Cullen’s Masters win
Little known before the event, South Australian Nick Cullen secured a thrilling one-shot victory to become Australian Masters champion, beating our number one player Adam Scott. Cullen’s final round three-under-par 69 at Metropolitan Golf Club saw him finish with a nine-under 279 and don the gold jacket.
Honourable mentions
– Eleni Glouftsis, the SA female umpire, collecting an AFL development contract.
– The Power’s tremendous break-out season where they played in the penultimate game of the year, falling just short to eventual premiers Hawthorn.
– South Australian amateur golfer Anthony Murdaca winning a place in the US Masters at Augusta National in April
– Tim Ludeman’s brilliant and undefeated 92 form 44 balls, with his first 50 from 18 balls equalling David Warner’s Australian T20 record back in 2009.
– Adelaide jockey Clare Lindop’s winning return at first race meeting since serious fall in July.
– Eudunda born quick Kane Richardson returning to 50-over national cricket duties for his country.
