With deafening cries from the partisan supporters of both teams, the players took to the field and went into work at a great pace.
The Norwoods had evidently reserved themselves for a big final stanza.
A series of marks by Rawson, Daly, and McGrath gave Shaw an opportunity, and the game looked all over as the ball went right up to the goal, but it fell short, and J. Fry secured.
Taking it around the gate wing the Ports called upon the Norwoods to defend.
Hamilton dispatched to Hills, who kicked a behind.

Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 4.8 (4)
Shortly after John McKenzie kicked Port Adelaide's ninth behind.

Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 4.9 (4)
The Norwoods played wonderfully well together, successfully executing long kicks and marks.
They transferred the play to the Ports' end, where Webb defended.
Sending it along the pavilion wing Hills gave Phillips another chance, and he made amends for previous misses by equalizing the score.

Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
With time rapidly drawing on the teams were urged on by their supporters, and the Norwoods made a gallant effort, whilst the Ports defended in equal style.
The Norwood's however, seemed to have a little bit in hand, and by some good marking Waldron forwarded to McGaffin, and his kick put the Norwoods a goal ahead.

Norwood 6.3 (6) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (7)
At this time in the game H.G. Hamilton seized up with the cramp and struggled to contribute for the rest of the game.
Resuming, the Norwoods again attacked, and their combined play was too good for their opponents.
In a scrimmage some distance from the goal C. Woods put his foot to the sphere and sent it between the uprights.
The umpire thinking a Port man had kicked it did not give a decision, and nothing was registered.
By Mr Traits order the ball was kicked off from behind, and then some hot play ensued in the Ports' quarters.
K. McKenzie got away from two Norwoods, but Roachock outwitted him.
Rawson, Roberts, and Gaster kept the ball forward, and Daly missed a running shot.
Then O. Bertram also tried a running shot, and a loud cheer greeted another Norwood goal.

Norwood 7.4 (7) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
With everything to gain the Ports started off again, but before anything serious had eventuated the bell rang out, and the great contest was over, leaving the Norwood team premiers of 1889.

Full-time: Norwood 7.4 (7) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
The final score was Norwood—7 goals 4 behinds.
Port Adelaide—5 goals 9 behinds.
With deafening cries from the partisan supporters of both teams, the players took to the field and went into work at a great pace. The Norwoods had evidently reserved themselves for a big final stanza. A series of marks by Rawson, Daly, and McGrath gave Shaw an opportunity, and the game looked all over as the ball went right up to the goal, but it fell short, and J. Fry secured. Taking it around the gate wing the Ports called upon the Norwoods to defend. Hamilton dispatched to Hills, who kicked a behind.
Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 4.8 (4)
Shortly after John McKenzie kicked Port Adelaide's ninth behind.
Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 4.9 (4)
The Norwoods played wonderfully well together, successfully executing long kicks and marks. They transferred the play to the Ports' end, where Webb defended. Sending it along the pavilion wing Hills gave Phillips another chance, and he made amends for previous misses by equalizing the score.
Norwood 5.3 (5) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
With time rapidly drawing on the teams were urged on by their supporters, and the Norwoods made a gallant effort, whilst the Ports defended in equal style. The Norwood's however, seemed to have a little bit in hand, and by some good marking Waldron forwarded to McGaffin, and his kick put the Norwoods a goal ahead.
Norwood 6.3 (6) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (7)
At this time in the game H.G. Hamilton seized up with the cramp and struggled to contribute for the rest of the game. Resuming, the Norwoods again attacked, and their combined play was too good for their opponents. In a scrimmage some distance from the goal C. Woods put his foot to the sphere and sent it between the uprights. The umpire thinking a Port man had kicked it did not give a decision, and nothing was registered. By Mr Traits order the ball was kicked off from behind, and then some hot play ensued in the Ports' quarters. K. McKenzie got away from two Norwoods, but Roachock outwitted him. Rawson, Roberts, and Gaster kept the ball forward, and Daly missed a running shot. Then O. Bertram also tried a running shot, and a loud cheer greeted another Norwood goal.
Norwood 7.4 (7) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
With everything to gain the Ports started off again, but before anything serious had eventuated the bell rang out, and the great contest was over, leaving the Norwood team premiers of 1889.
Full-time: Norwood 7.4 (7) – Port Adelaide 5.9 (5)
The final score was Norwood—7 goals 4 behinds. Port Adelaide—5 goals 9 behinds.
1889 SAFA Grand Final