The year we won our second premiership

PREMIERS 1879

Season Review

After winning the premiership in its inaugural year, Norwood approached 1879 with confidence.
 
New recruits included Frank Chapman (South Adelaide), Ted Colbey (South Adelaide), Joe "Curly" Pollock (Hotham Hill), Harry Thurgaland (South Adelaide), and Alf "Topsy" Waldron (Carlton),
 
The Association comprised of the same clubs as the previous season : Adelaide, Kensington, Norwood, Port Adelaide, South Adelaide, South Park and Victorian.
 
For the second successive season Norwood went through undefeated. Playing 11 games, winning 10, and drawing 1.
 
Joe Osborn was again captain, with the home games being played on the East Parklands.
 
"Norwood backed up as the premier club with a very powerful team.....  The play of the premier team was even better than in 1878, as the club proved to be a titon among minnows, due to the manner that it time after time disposed of its opponents, although it did meet some strong resistance from Port Adelaide.
 It was regarded as creating a monopoly of talent in the colony, and its reputation was one of invincibilty" *
 
The club's better players for the season included : Joe Traynor, Joe Pollock, Alf McMichael, "Topsy" Waldron, William Dedman, Billy Bracken,.Julian and Ted Woods.
 
Dedman was the Association's leading goalkicker, with Traynor runner-up.
 
During the season South Australia played its first game against Victoria, on the East Melbourne Ground where Norwood was represented by Alf McMichael (capt), Tom Blinman, William Bracken, George Giffen, Tom Green, Joe Pollock, Lou Suhard, Joe Traynor and Julian Woods.
 
* Gyss, Trevor 1879 South Australian Football Season Records and Statistics ( Adelaide, the author, 2012)
 
Page prepared by R Cialini, Aug 2012

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