1979 NFL Escort Cup

From Snoutslouts

While the NFL were still trying to have this series as a precursor to a truly national competition, the VFL, as they had in 1977 and 1978, ran their own rival competition - this time under a purpose-formed company: Australian Football Championships. The 1979 Escort Cup reflected the loss of WAFL and State sides to the AFC, and only had representatives from SANFL, QAFL and the VFA. This was to prove the last year of the NFL-run competition, with the VFL-run AFC competition becoming the harbinger of the eventual AFL.

The names of the NFL Cup contested changed with the sponsorship arrangements each season - 1979, like 1978, was named for a brand of cigarettes made by W.D. & H.O.Wills.

Round 1

Glenelg had a Bye.

Quarter Final

Norwood Oval, Adelaide. Tuesday 29 May. Crowd 2,027 (Night)

Best -

Glenelg: Caldwell, Hodgeman, Lihou, MacVicar, McInerney, Paech, Hercock, Holst

Central District: Mobbs, Maksimovic, Gillies, Vivian

Goals -

Glenelg: Copping 4, Paech 3, Holst 2, Hodgeman, Caldwell, Lihou, Rogers, Greenslade, Hurley

Central District: Mobbs 3, Ruclock 2, Gillies, McLay, Stevenson, Duckworth, Maksimovic, Beythien, Wilson

Semi Final

Norwood Oval, Adelaide. Tuesday June 26. Crowd 4,767.(Night)

Best -

Norwood: Palm, Craig, Michalanney, Armour, Dalwood, Jenkins, Aish, Nicholson

Glenelg: Copping, Weston, Kuhlmann, Carey

Goals -

Norwood: Palm 4, Craig 2, Woodcock, Zubrinich, Gallagher

Glenelg: Marshall 2, Lunniss 2, Hurley

Other

• South Adelaide defeated Norwood in the Grand Final, held on 10 July and played at Norwood Oval.