In 1977 the SANFL celebrated its centenary, commemorating 100 years since the inaugural 1877 SAFA season.[4] All SANFL clubs that year wore a patch commemorating the milestone.[5]
Port Adelaide's premiership drought
The 12-year period leading up to the 1977 SANFL Grand Final included six grand final losses for Port Adelaide, with four to Sturt and two to North Adelaide.
The 1977 Grand Final was a physical affair with Port Adelaide wingman Bruce Light reported for striking, Kym Kinnear was concussed by Graham Cornes and taken from the ground, and several other players sustaining injuries throughout the match. Twenty players were involved in a brawl at the half-time siren.
Twenty-four-year-old Randall Gerlach retired after the game after playing for two years with kidney problems.
End of 12-year Premiership Drought for Port Adelaide
The 1977 premiership marked the end of a 12-year period for Port Adelaide without winning a premiership (a long time by club standards). The 1977 premiership was the first of four premierships in five years for Port Adelaide, with premierships in 1979, 1980 and 1981. Port Adelaide supporters voted the 1977 SANFL Grand Final as the fourth-greatest moment of the club's history at Football Park in August 2013.[6]
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