The modern "Page" four team finals system, last seen at SANFL League level in 2003 after a 30 consecutive years of the "Final 5", was used in the SANFL from 1931 to 1972.
For what it's worth, below is an attempt to put the finals system used before 1931, as I understand it, into perspective - within the scope of my source (earliest 1907). Happy to be corrected on any omissions or misinterpretations.
In the early 20th century, the SAFL / SANFL consisted of just seven sides (8 teams from 1921 onwards) and the seasons were much shorter than they are today, apparently starting - for the most part - in early to mid June.
Source Acknowledgement: Finals match dates and results (1907 to 1977) and corresponding Premiership tables presented in "League Football in South Australia" (official SANFL publication), circa 1978, containing statistical content by Mr. Ern Kolosche.
Assume teams A, B, C and D finished 1st to 4th respectively after the minor round. The SA(N)FL finals - circa September - arrangement was:
- Code: Select all
Semi Final (see note #1) A vs C Winner: into "Final"
Loser: if C, eliminated if A, into "Challenge"
Semi Final (see note #1) B vs D Winner: into "Final"
Loser: eliminated
Final Semi Final Winners: Winner: if A, then Premier: if B, C or D, into "Challenge"
Loser: if B, C or D, then Runner Up if A, into "Challenge"
Challenge If required Winner: Premier
Loser: Runner Up
All drawn matches replayed.
note #1: 1st vs 3rd played as 1st week Semi Final in years 1907 and 1912 - 1926 (competition suspended 1916 to 1918). For the years 1908 - 1911 and 1927 - 1930, 2nd vs 4th played their Semi Final in the 1st week.
From this - for the flag:
Minor Premier: Were guaranteed a place in the "Challenge" if needed, though became Premiers earlier by winning their semi final and then the "Final".
Minor 2nd & 4th: Eventual winner of their Semi Final required to then win both the "Final" and the Challenge.
Minor 3rd: required to defeat the minor premier, then win both the "Final" and the Challenge.
An example:
Using the 2008 year minor placings, assuming match results as per last meetings this year, Semi Final weeks as per 1908.
1st Semi Final - Sturt (minor 2nd) d Port (minor 4th) - Port eliminated
2nd Semi Final - Centrals (3rd) d Glenelg (1st)
Final - Centrals d Sturt - Sturt eliminated
Challenge - Centrals d Glenelg
Personal opinion (FWIW): 2nd, 3rd and 4th all had to win 3 times. As far as I can tell, a glaring anomaly under that system was the the requirement of minor 3rd, but not necessarily 4th, to defeat the minor premier twice (Semi and Challenge).
Academically, perhaps inverted Semi Finals of 4th/1st and 3nd/2nd (ala the first week of modern finals elsewhere) would have been fairer?
