We are in a brand new era of SANFL football, but this season’s deciding clash stirs up memories of the rich local history between teams from different ends of our city.

Port Adelaide and Norwood share 65 out of the 131 SANFL League Premierships decided.

Port Adelaide pushed South Australian football into the AFL era, and then beat Norwood for the second franchise that was awarded.

Since finals started 125 years ago, with a match to decide the title – between Norwood and Port Adelaide – they have met in more finals (51) and premiership deciders (14) than any other SANFL clubs.

In these grand finals, Norwood has the edge, collecting Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy eight times compared to Port’s six.

This year, in a team full of AFL-listed players, a lad from the local district and a junior from North Haven, Steve Summerton, wants to live a childhood dream and lift the premiership cup for the Port Adelaide Magpies.

His coach is one of the modern stars of the game, Garry ‘Buddha’ Hocking.

Across town up at The Parade, a former Victorian Kieran McGuinness is looking to lift up ‘Thomas Seymour’, with his off-field leader being a teammate in that final success at AMMI Stadium last year, Ben Warren.

Both sides have selection issues to consider.

Over at The Parade the main person of contention is triple Magarey medallist, in his first year at the club, James Allan.

“Jimmy provides outside run and that’s a component were looking for,” Warren confirmed.

“He’s in the initial 23 we’ve picked.

“But we’ve won 10 of our past 12 games and everyone has performed well in the second semi and all are fit at this stage.

“Steve Baldasso has played all but two games in the seniors and he’d in the XXIII as well.”

Another who came under consideration was the unlucky Mark Evans, who kicked six goals in the Redlegs reserves preliminary final loss.

“The strength of our group is the inside ‘mids’ and the big man strength we have through (Sam) Baulderstone, Brady Dawe, Michael Newton and Liam Davis,” Warren continued.

“Because of the lack of certainty with the Port Adelaide side, we’ll need to deal with structures and match ups on the day.

“In the end 95 per cent of my focus is on what we are doing.

“At the stoppages we need to keep the game on our terms for the majority of the afternoon.

“Port showed what they were capable of during the third quarter of the second semi final.”

“We need to produce effort and concentration across the full four quarters.

“If there is a let-off in this area, the Magpies, with their outside run they can quickly impact the contest.”

A great fillip for Port is that Aaron Young is guaranteed to play in the SANFL Grand Final, not being one of three emergencies travelling with the Power to Melbourne.

Much maligned big man John Butcher is poised to play his first league in a month, to help combat the Norwood talls.

The heart breaking story from a Magpies perspective could be Mallala lad Angus Bruggemann, who could be squeezed out, after playing every game of the season so far.

The most recent time these clubs faced off in a decider was back in 1999 when Port 14.17 (101) defeated Norwood 14.9 (93) by eight points in a thriller, in front of 39,135 patrons at AMMI Stadium (Football Park).

Back in 1889 – 125 years ago this season – Norwood and Port tied for top spot and played a single final to decide the premier.

On Adelaide Oval the Redlegs were triumphant that year.

Expect the same result this Sunday afternoon.

In the end Norwood big man strength and outside pace, should be too much of for a young Magpies group.

Peter’s Prediction: Norwood by 13 points