Sturt versus Norwood stirs up 1978 controversy ahead of SANFL final
Free kick or mark, the call that helped Norwood to a SANFL grand final victory has been contentious for 48 years, but the eastern suburbs rivals are about to set the record straight.
The 1978 clash between Sturt and Norwood in the SANFL Grand Final sparked controversy, with several contentious moments still remembered by fans today. One of the most debated incidents was the winning goal, where Sturt's Phil Gallagher controversially converted a free kick for Norwood, despite being called a mark by field umpire Des Foster.
Foster later admitted it was the wrong decision, but by then, Norwood had won the match. The 1978 final also saw a rough contest in Norwood's forward pocket, involving Redleg Phil Gallagher, who kicked the ball into Sturt fullback Colin Casey's hands. This incident caused a skirmish among players and officials before umpires intervened.
Another memorable moment happened when Norwood's John Wynne overran the ball, ending up inside the Redlegs' territory, causing a brawl. Sturt, who had only lost one game all season, was the favored team, but Norwood went on to win the 1978 premiership. In the 2025 Grand Final, Norwood are the favored team, having won the minor premiership and the second semi-final against Sturt.
Sturt, however, is not to be underestimated, as they have defended their 2025 premiership with a slightly different list due to injuries.
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