Almanac Books: The sports books you wish had been written.

The sports books you wish had been written.

 

Earlier this year, a WA Footy Almanac gathering examined unwritten sports books. Various fascinating examples were discussed, including the Australian-West Indies Test series of 1975/76 and 1992/93, as well as a Western Australian Sunday league football competition.

 

 

My personal journey inspired me to write The Story of 78: How Norwood Gave Sturt the Blues. It was a book I always wanted to read, about the 1978 SANFL grand final and what followed. As a 15-year-old, I was there at Football Park on that clear September day when the favourites, Sturt, scored 14.26 but lost by just one point.

 

I spoke with many former players and officials, and a consistent story surfaced: a young team overwhelmed on the day, a legendary coach who hadn’t kept up with the times, and how Norwood’s persistence overcame Sturt’s early dominance. It was also about how a significant, unexpected loss can affect players over the long term. Having dominated the SANFL during the 1960s and 1970s, Sturt didn’t win a premiership for another 24 years, and one reason was the lingering effects of this grand final defeat.

 

If I were to recommend a book to be written, it would be about the captivating 1973 SANFL season. This was the year when Glenelg coach Neil Kerley urged his side to treat time-on as an extra quarter. The Bays dominated throughout, losing only one minor round game before steamrolling into the grand final against North Adelaide.

 

My personal memories of the finals that year are vivid. Sturt’s surprising exit in the preliminary final, and the distinctive use of the Parade as a major round venue. The grand final was also a key milestone, as it was the last before the switch to Football Park.

 

Graham Cornes’ mark and goal in the final moments of the game at the northern end of the ground became legendary in SANFL history. Similarly, his alleged muttering of ‘why me, why always me’ while returning to take the kick that gave Glenelg the lead also became part of footy folklore.

 

More broadly, South Australia, under Don Dunstan’s progressive Labor government, was moving toward becoming a more cosmopolitan and refined place, with the arts community thriving again and a burgeoning multicultural area emerging. Adelaide was still healing from the horrific disappearance of the Beaumont children seven years earlier. Sadly, these fears were reignited when Joanne Ratcliffe, 11, and Kirste Gordon, 4, went missing during a football match at Adelaide Oval in August 1973.

 

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The WA Footy Almanac friends will gather on Wednesday, 29 October, at The Wembley Hotel. We’re thrilled to invite all sports fans to join us for an evening of drinks, a tasty meal, and a lively chat about the latest topic. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with fellow fans and share your passion for sports history and storytelling.

 

As an Aussie sports fan, you might have ideas for books you want to see written. If so, we’d love to hear them! Please share your thoughts and book suggestions in the comments below.

 

Barry has three shows booked around Adelaide in Cup week:

 

You can hear Barry speak at:

 

Nov 4   State Library of SA        More info:
https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/events/tuesday-talks-books-my-life-barry-nicholls

 

Nov 5   ASSH
Details and RSVP: Bernard Whimpress       [email protected]

 

Nov 6   Payneham CC
Details and RSVP: Malcolm Ashwood          [email protected]

 

You can read more from Barry Nicholls Here

 

 

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