The 1889 SAFA Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Norwood and Port Adelaide, held at the Adelaide Oval on the 5 October 1889. The match is recognised as "the first ever grand final in Australian football". The game resulted in a victory for , who beat by two goals, marking the club's ninth premiership and third in a row.
Norwood's captain, Alfred Waldron, was considered the best player on the ground by field umpire John Trait. The match was attended by an estimated 11,000 people.
Background
The match was required after Port Adelaide and Norwood had ended with an identical win–loss–draw record at the conclusion of the regular 1889 SAFA season. Port Adelaide's two losses both were at the hands of Norwood. Meanwhile, Norwood's losses were one game to Port Adelaide and another to Adelaide. In Round 14 both clubs played the only draw of the 1889 SAFA season.
1889 SAFA Ladder
John Trait
Victoria's top Australian rules football umpires John Trait was employed for the special match. In Melbourne media he was referred to as the "Prince of Umpires". When Trait took to the field he was greeted by a loud cheer. The match was considered the best of the season in South Australia and partial credit was given to John Trait's umpiring helping facilitate the spectacle. James Shaw, the mayor of Adelaide at the time, complimented Trait after the match for his umpiring. After the game William Bushby approached Trait and said that himself and "all his team were quite satisfied" with the umpires decisions.
Additional trains
The state government put on additional trains on the Port Adelaide line in anticipation for the large attendance for the match.
Wagers
A large amount of money was bet on the game compared to normal for football matches in Adelaide at the time. Overall Port Adelaide were favourites with punters early, especially with smaller bets. However, by the time the game started Norwood had been backed into favouritism as a result of some late large stakes.
Police clear Switchback rollercoaster
Extra police were deployed for the match and post game reports suggest that there was little incident apart from the need to clear the switchback railway of people trying to garner a vantage point of the match.
Match summary
Norwood won the toss and elected to kick with the wind towards the Riverbank end.
First quarter
As a result of Norwood winning the toss, Port Adelaide's John McKenzie started the match and kicked north towards the scoreboard end. Straight away both teams played at a frantic pace. Following an even contest for the ball in front of the members' pavilion, Port Adelaide player Rudolph Ewers was thrown on the boundary-line. As a result, umpire Trait paid him a free. Ewers used this free to kick forward to George Davis, who himself would receive another free for a breach, and Hamilton obtaining from Davis with a beautiful kicked the first Grand Final's first goal.
After scoring the first goal, the Port Adelaide players settled to work quickly. The dash of Port players had somewhat surprised Norwood, but they replied with an equally strong rush. Port Adelaide defender Tomlin for a moment averted the danger posed by the Norwood's rush, but Charlie Woods, who was following, aided by Daly, landed the leather right forward, where it went out. At the resulting throw in Charlie Woods was held and was awarded a free which he used to kick a goal and equalize the scores.
Rudolph Ewers of the Ports started the next play and beat his opponent Oswald Bertram forcing the Norwoods to quickly defend. A little mark gave Harry Phillips a chance but the often reliable player missed. Waldron and Rawson transferred to the centre, where Daly and McGrath sent it forward, bat Dempster was in the way, and the Ports with a fast rush stormed the Norwoods' citadel. Charlie Fry passed to Davis, and again the red flag went up.
Both teams were making tremendous effort, and the football shown was of the highest quality. The Norwoods, who were reserving some of their men, had Roberts and McGrath off following, Woods and Wilson taking their places.
Off again, Norwood with a quick, concerted movement, placed the Ports on the defensive. Roberts tried a long shot, but the ball only landed in front. Woods marked a good distance off, and with unerring aim sent the sphere clean through the centre. Two goals each and no behinds.