The 1954 SANFL Grand Final was played between Port Adelaide and West Adelaide. The match would be played on Saturday 2 October at Adelaide Oval. The victors were Port Adelaide by 3 points. This was the start of an unbeaten record for Port Adelaide, this was the first of 6 back-to-back grand finals, a record which is shared with Norwood. The match included a massive brawl where spectators were involved.
1954 Season[]
Port Adelaide[]
The Magpies finished the season on 15 wins and 3 losses. The Magpies were in great form some fans compared them to the 1914 side who were 'champions of Australia'.
West Adelaide[]
The Bloods finished second on the ladder on 13 wins and 5 losses.
Finals[]
Port Adelaide[]
Port Adelaide played in the second semi final against West Adelaide and won in a tight game winning by 11 points.
West Adelaide[]
The Bloods lost in the Second semi final progressing them to play West Torrens in the Preliminary final, they won by 39 points.
1954 SANFL Grand Final[]
First Quarter[]
The Bloods quickly dominated the ruck work and scored goals unanswered but the Magpie defenders Abley and Zucker the score would have been higher. But the Bloods had a terrific quarter on 7.7 51.
Second Quarter[]
The Bloods were scoreless in the second quarter as the Magpies caught up.
Second Quarter Fight[]
Controversy erupted just before the main break when Port midfielder Dave Boyd was flattened by West Adelaide captain Brian Faeshe just before the siren, leading to players on both sides getting into a heated on field brawl. Even the crowd was involved in the skirmish with a spectator hitting Faeshe in the jaw as he was entering the change rooms. The siren was drowned out by the roars of the crowd as players converged on the scene. Several minutes elapsed before the umpires were able to separate the fighting players. West players and officials were attacked as they made their way to the dressing rooms behind the stands. West coach Laurie Cahill dodged a punch from another assailant, who was quickly set upon by a former West player in the crowd and knocked to the ground with his eyebrow split. West room steward Johnny McCracken had 3 teeth broken when he was king hit as he walked to the rooms with his arm on the shoulder of Port captain-coach Fos Williams.
Third Quarter[]
The Magpies made plenty of changes to the line up which worked quite well and by three quarter time the Magpies were in 2 point of the Bloods.
Fourth Quarter[]
The last quarter was very eventful and most of the ball in the Bloods 50 but their scoring opportunities weren't great the Magpies won by 3 points.
Scores[]
| Port Adelaide | West Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 16 | Q1 | 7.7 55 |
| 3.6 24 | Q2 | 7.7 55 |
| 9.10 64 | Q3 | 9.12 66 |
| 11.13 79 | Q4 | 10.16 76 |
Goal Scorers[]
Goals: Zucker 4.1, Motley 3.1, Jaggard 1.4, Hall 1.1, Coldwen 1.0, Hayes 1.0. West Adelaide Unknown
Best on Ground[]
Best: Zucker. Williams, Hall, Whelan. Stevens. Boyd, Parham.
West Adelaide Unknown
Sources[]
http://australianfootball.com/seasons/season/SANFL/1954/
http://safootballvideoarchive.webs.com/grandfinals.htm
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