1878 SAFA premiership list

[oldtimer2]

I am seeking advice from SA Footy Forum members about any official sources that provide confirmation of the 1878 SAFA premiership ladder.

Mr research has revealed that at the end of the season two different versions were published in Adelaide newspapers as follows:

Club Games Wins Losses Draws Goals For Goals Against
Norwood 12 8 0 4 16 1
Port Adelaide 12 6 2 4 13 4
Victorian 12 4 2 6 11 6
South Adelaide 12 5 4 3 8 4
Adelaide 12 4 4 4 14 10
South Park 12 1 7 4 2 14
Kensington 12 0 9 3 1 25


The Australian Star Newspaper and Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette and Sporting Chronicle published the premiership list above.

This was reached by allocating the unplayed South Park and Victorian match as a mutual draw and Port Adelaide as victors over Kensington.

This seems consistent with the method of calculating the 1877 premiership list where unplayed matches were allocated as wins for the team that was available ( ie matches against Bankers not played were allocated as wins)

The Observer Newspaper produced a version that indicate the difference in finishing positions for South Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Victorian.

Club Games Wins Losses Draws Goals For Goals Against
Norwood 12 8 0 4 16 1
South Adelaide 12 5 4 3 8 4
Port Adelaide 11 5 2 4 13 4
Victorian 11 4 2 6 11 6
Adelaide 12 4 4 4 14 10
South Park 11 1 7 3 2 14
Kensington 11 0 8 3 1 25

This version of the scoring list left the Port Adelaide and Kensington as an unplayed match and the Victorian match against South Park also as unplayed.

I have selected the first version as the list that places South Adelaide second creates a disadvantage to Port and Victorian compared to the other clubs.

In my book I have described both lists and given the reason for my choice.

The problem with this is that currently available history books use the second list.

Does anyone have information as to how the second list became the one that gained currency and used in today's publications?

Should I change my choice because of the fact of current publications?