As a result of Norwood winning the toss, Port Adelaide's John McKenzie started the match and kicked north towards the scoreboard end.
Straight away both teams played at a frantic pace.
Following an even contest for the ball in front of the members' pavilion, Port Adelaide player Rudolph Ewers was thrown on the boundary-line.
As a result, umpire Trait paid him a free.
Ewers used this free to kick forward to George Davis, who himself would receive another free for a breach, and Hamilton obtaining from Davis with a beautiful kicked the first Grand Final's first goal.

2 Minutes: Norwood 0.0 (0) – Port Adelaide 1.0 (1)
After scoring the first goal, the Port Adelaide players settled to work quickly.
The dash of Port players had somewhat surprised Norwood, but they replied with an equally strong rush.
Port Adelaide defender Tomlin for a moment averted the danger posed by the Norwood's rush, but Charlie Woods, who was following, aided by Daly, landed the leather right forward, where it went out.
At the resulting throw in Charlie Woods was held and was awarded a free which he used to kick a goal and equalize the scores.

5.5 Minutes: Norwood 1.0 (1) – Port Adelaide 1.0 (1)
Rudolph Ewers of the Ports started the next play and beat his opponent Oswald Bertram forcing the Norwoods to quickly defend.
A little mark gave Harry Phillips a chance but the often reliable player missed.
Waldron and Rawson transferred to the centre, where Daly and McGrath sent it forward, bat Dempster was in the way, and the Ports with a fast rush stormed the Norwoods' citadel.
Charlie Fry passed to Davis, and again the red flag went up.

11 Minutes: Norwood 1.0 (1) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Both teams were making tremendous effort, and the football shown was of the highest quality.
The Norwoods, who were reserving some of their men, had Roberts and McGrath off following, Woods and Wilson taking their places.

Off again, Norwood with a quick, concerted movement, placed the Ports on the defensive.
Roberts tried a long shot, but the ball only landed in front.
Woods marked a good distance off, and with unerring aim sent the sphere clean through the centre.
Two goals each and no behinds.

Norwood 2.0 (2) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Again the eastern team, who were showing splendid, clean football, prevailed, Shaw being responsible for the sphere going forward.
J. Fry relieved to the pavilion, but an exchange of marks gave McGaffin the ball, and he sent to Waldron, the old veteran, who was playing a wonderful game, passed to Slattery, and he from the side sent the ball again between the posts, but the umpire was not in a position to see the ball going through, and gave it a behind.

Norwood 2.1 (2) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Nothing disheartened, the Norwoods returned to the attack, Charlie Woods sending it forward, and then Lowe made a mistake.
The ball came up to goal, and instead of kicking with the wind, he turned round and dispatched across.
The ball was rolling past the goal when Dixon making a desperate effort touched it with his foot, and it went through within six inches of the post.

Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
The play was next taken to the Ports' forwards, where Roachock stopped the attack, but two brilliant marks by Webb and C. Fry gave the latter a chance, and he kicked right into goal.
Bertram, relieved, and Phillips from a free gave Charlie Fry an opportunity which he fully capitalised kicking Port's third goal.

22 Minutes: Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 3.0 (3)
Roachock stopped another attack, and then Rawson, Dixon, and Guster made a forward movement.
Through the instrumentality of Kenneth McKenzie the ball was taken down to the centre, and J. Woods marked well.
The Ports, however, made a determined rush.
Miers and J. McKenzie gave Phillips a long shot, and he hit the post.

Quarter time: Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 3.1 (3)
At quarter-time the board showed scores were level.
As a result of Norwood winning the toss, Port Adelaide's John McKenzie started the match and kicked north towards the scoreboard end. Straight away both teams played at a frantic pace. Following an even contest for the ball in front of the members' pavilion, Port Adelaide player Rudolph Ewers was thrown on the boundary-line. As a result, umpire Trait paid him a free. Ewers used this free to kick forward to George Davis, who himself would receive another free for a breach, and Hamilton obtaining from Davis with a beautiful kicked the first Grand Final's first goal.
2 Minutes: Norwood 0.0 (0) – Port Adelaide 1.0 (1)
After scoring the first goal, the Port Adelaide players settled to work quickly. The dash of Port players had somewhat surprised Norwood, but they replied with an equally strong rush. Port Adelaide defender Tomlin for a moment averted the danger posed by the Norwood's rush, but Charlie Woods, who was following, aided by Daly, landed the leather right forward, where it went out. At the resulting throw in Charlie Woods was held and was awarded a free which he used to kick a goal and equalize the scores.
5.5 Minutes: Norwood 1.0 (1) – Port Adelaide 1.0 (1)
Rudolph Ewers of the Ports started the next play and beat his opponent Oswald Bertram forcing the Norwoods to quickly defend. A little mark gave Harry Phillips a chance but the often reliable player missed. Waldron and Rawson transferred to the centre, where Daly and McGrath sent it forward, bat Dempster was in the way, and the Ports with a fast rush stormed the Norwoods' citadel. Charlie Fry passed to Davis, and again the red flag went up.
11 Minutes: Norwood 1.0 (1) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Both teams were making tremendous effort, and the football shown was of the highest quality. The Norwoods, who were reserving some of their men, had Roberts and McGrath off following, Woods and Wilson taking their places.
Off again, Norwood with a quick, concerted movement, placed the Ports on the defensive. Roberts tried a long shot, but the ball only landed in front. Woods marked a good distance off, and with unerring aim sent the sphere clean through the centre. Two goals each and no behinds.
Norwood 2.0 (2) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Again the eastern team, who were showing splendid, clean football, prevailed, Shaw being responsible for the sphere going forward. J. Fry relieved to the pavilion, but an exchange of marks gave McGaffin the ball, and he sent to Waldron, the old veteran, who was playing a wonderful game, passed to Slattery, and he from the side sent the ball again between the posts, but the umpire was not in a position to see the ball going through, and gave it a behind.
Norwood 2.1 (2) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
Nothing disheartened, the Norwoods returned to the attack, Charlie Woods sending it forward, and then Lowe made a mistake. The ball came up to goal, and instead of kicking with the wind, he turned round and dispatched across. The ball was rolling past the goal when Dixon making a desperate effort touched it with his foot, and it went through within six inches of the post.
Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 2.0 (2)
The play was next taken to the Ports' forwards, where Roachock stopped the attack, but two brilliant marks by Webb and C. Fry gave the latter a chance, and he kicked right into goal. Bertram, relieved, and Phillips from a free gave Charlie Fry an opportunity which he fully capitalised kicking Port's third goal.
22 Minutes: Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 3.0 (3)
Roachock stopped another attack, and then Rawson, Dixon, and Guster made a forward movement. Through the instrumentality of Kenneth McKenzie the ball was taken down to the centre, and J. Woods marked well. The Ports, however, made a determined rush. Miers and J. McKenzie gave Phillips a long shot, and he hit the post.
Quarter time: Norwood 3.1 (3) – Port Adelaide 3.1 (3)
At quarter-time the board showed scores were level.
1889 SAFA Grand Final