Sturt and Norwood to play in SANFL grand final in Australia
Australian clubs Sturt and Norwood will play in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) grand final on Sunday at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. The match has again drawn attention to the 1978 final, in which Norwood won by one point after a controversial umpire decision late in the game, ABC News Australia reports.
The controversial moment of 1978
In the 1978 final, Sturt were favourites, having lost only one match during the season. After the first quarter, the team led with 5 goals and 9 points to Norwood's 1 goal and 5 points. In the final quarter, Norwood, trailing by 29 points, fought back and briefly took the lead, after which Sturt scored another goal.
Later, Sturt defender Colin Casey kicked the ball out of the opposition's attacking area, and Norwood player Phil Gallagher tried to catch it but dropped it. Field umpire Des Foster stopped play. Commentators at the time suggested that he had awarded a soft free kick, but Foster later explained that he had awarded Gallagher a mark. The umpire acknowledged that the decision was mistaken because other players had blocked his view at the crucial moment.
Gallagher scored a goal and put Norwood ahead in front of more than 50,000 spectators and a television audience. Sturt had about three minutes remaining: the team entered the opposition's 50-metre area several times but scored only one point. SANFL senior media producer Zach Millbank noted that the defeat could not be explained solely by Foster's error, given Sturt's inaccuracy throughout the match.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Norwood enter as favourites
This time, Norwood are considered favourites. The club won the regular season and defeated Sturt by 19 points in the second semi-final two weeks earlier. Norwood coach Jade Sheedy said the team had prepared well for the decisive match and that the players remained fresh.
Sturt, who finished the regular season in third place, played three finals matches on their way to the grand final and will defend their 2025 title. Midfielder Jared Dakin injured his hamstring, defender Casey Voss dislocated his shoulder, and ruckman Amos Doyle missed the previous game due to a neck injury. Coach Marty Mattner said Doyle could still play after training on Wednesday, while Voss's participation is unlikely.
The 2026 SANFL grand final will start on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. local time. Australian rock band The Superjesus will perform before the match.
