Sturt meets Norwood in grand final, 48 years after disputed call
Norwood won the 1978 grand final by one point on a mark call Foster later admitted was wrong.
Sturt and Norwood play this weekend's SANFL Grand Final, 48 years after a one-point finish still disputed by fans. In 1978, Norwood won when umpire Des Foster ruled that Norwood's Phil Gallagher had marked the ball, though Gallagher had dropped it.
Foster later admitted the call was wrong: his view was blocked by players. The mark let Gallagher kick what became the winning goal.
Sturt had been clear favourites and dominated early, but Norwood fought back hard in the last quarter. The moment remains one of Football Park's most talked-about decisions.
Media producer Zac Millbank said there had been lots of commentary online, proving the moment was very much 'still on people's minds'.
- One point
- 1978 margin
- More than 50,000
- Spectators present
- 14 goals and 25 points
- Sturt's final tally
- Only one loss before grand final
- Sturt's season record
Why it mattersSturt has a rare chance to undo a 48-year-old defeat still marked by a controversial call that fans argue about.
AustraliaSouth Australian football fans will debate the 1978 decision all week, and Sturt finally has a chance to reverse the defeat.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 d ago
