Benchwarmer wrote:An interesting format ... a sort of "iron-man" setup. For seventh or eighth to win would have been quite a feat with two elimination games before the final whilst Port (as loser of the EF) naturally got the easiest run, with just one successful contest to win the prize.
Imagine if Torrens had got up with Port having the week off in between ... nearly happened too.
On a similar topic, I picked up a copy of the Datsun Cup Budget from 1975(?) at Melbourne Sports Books when I was on holiday - does anyone remember this comp? Was it that unpopular that it was canned or was it just a special one-off ... the Budget doesn't give much of a hint but I do know that it was a knockout for the top eight sides at a certain date during the season.
Also, wasn't there some sort of competition where the top two teams played off for cash and/or a trophy during their second clash in that season - something like the President's Cup competitions in Queensland club rugby league still play for (the top two teams after one completed round play a game on the Queen's Birthday Sunday for cash and a trophy).
I believe the Datsun Cup was not that popular, due to it being in the middle of the season and interrupting it on a couple of occasions. And it
was in 1975, I think that's part of the reason that there were only 18 minor round matches in that year. The Series was a knockout one, contested by the top 8 teams after Round 6. The Qualifying Matches were played between Round 6 and 7, the Semis between Round 9 and 10 and I reakon the final was played on the Queens Birthday, which was also in that break.
The Qualifying Matches were worked out as this: 1st Glenelg vs 8th South, 2nd Sturt vs 7th North, 3rd Central vs 6th Port, 4th Norwood vs 5th West.
The SANFL in response to the criticism of this competition, opted for the NFL Night Series the next year, played during the weeks. The VFA clubs replaced the VFL clubs in 1977; that continued until 1979. In 1980 and 1981 SANFL clubs participated in the VFL Night Series; then in 1982, the SANFL Night Series. (Along with the Grand Finalists from the previous year in the VFL Night Series until 1986) That continued until 1993, then in 1994 it was just a final, played between the top two teams after Round 9 on the following Tuesday Night (Eagles and Central). This was the last time a night competition match has been played in the SANFL.
