1981 SANFL Premiership season
The SANFL (South Australian National Football League) is the premier League and governing body for Australian Football in South Australia. Originally formed as the South Australian Football Association (SAFA) on 30 April 1877, the SANFL is the oldest surviving football league of any code in Australia and one of the oldest football competitions in the world. The 'home and away' season is played over 23 weeks from April to September. The top five teams then play off in a final series culminating in the grand final for the Thomas Seymour Hill Premiership Trophy.
1981 Ladder
| LP | Club | P | W | L | D | For | Agn | % | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenelg | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2769 | 2029 | 57.71 | 38 |
| 2 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2414 | 1983 | 54.90 | 30 |
| 3 | South Adelaide | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2296 | 2002 | 53.42 | 30 |
| 4 | Norwood | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2430 | 2096 | 53.69 | 27 |
| 5 | West Adelaide | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2526 | 2259 | 52.79 | 23 |
| 6 | Sturt | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2262 | 2286 | 49.74 | 23 |
| 7 | Central District | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2523 | 2233 | 53.05 | 22 |
| 8 | North Adelaide | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 2179 | 2558 | 46.00 | 14 |
| 9 | West Torrens | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 2020 | 2631 | 43.43 | 7 |
| 10 | Woodville | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1820 | 3162 | 36.53 | 6 |
| H&A | 110 | 108 | 108 | 2 | 23239 | 23239 | 50.00 | 220 | |
| Finals | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1191 | 1191 | 50.00 | 12 | |
| Total | 116 | 114 | 114 | 2 | 24430 | 24430 | 50.00 | 232 |
1981 Round by Round
Round
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
EF |
QF |
1SF |
2SF |
PF |
GF
Round 1[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Port Adelaide | 4.3 | 7.8 | 8.16 | 12.22 | 94 | Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 16,860 | |
| Glenelg | 4.4 | 8.7 | 14.9 | 22.17 | 149 | Glenelg won by 55 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 9.5 | 10.9 | 21.14 | 29.19 | 193 | Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 3,480 | |
| Woodville | 1.4 | 5.8 | 6.12 | 9.19 | 73 | West Adelaide won by 120 points | |||
| Norwood | 4.7 | 10.9 | 13.10 | 19.11 | 125 | Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 10,448 | |
| Sturt | 3.1 | 4.3 | 13.7 | 19.11 | 125 | Norwood drew with Sturt | |||
| West Torrens | 6.3 | 11.5 | 16.8 | 20.9 | 129 | Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 5,524 | |
| Central District | 4.2 | 10.4 | 12.7 | 17.11 | 113 | West Torrens won by 16 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 4.3 | 6.6 | 8.9 | 13.12 | 90 | Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 4,999 | |
| South Adelaide | 2.1 | 9.3 | 13.7 | 17.8 | 110 | South Adelaide won by 20 points | |||
Round 2[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Sturt | 4.2 | 8.9 | 14.11 | 18.15 | 123 | Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 15,859 | |
| Port Adelaide | 6.7 | 7.7 | 10.10 | 15.10 | 100 | Sturt won by 23 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 3.4 | 13.7 | 20.15 | 22.24 | 156 | Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 3,316 | |
| Woodville | 2.5 | 4.7 | 5.12 | 8.15 | 63 | South Adelaide won by 93 points | |||
| Central District | 2.6 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.9 | 63 | Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 5,587 | |
| North Adelaide | 4.7 | 7.11 | 11.16 | 14.23 | 107 | North Adelaide won by 44 points | |||
| Glenelg | 2.1 | 7.7 | 9.12 | 13.18 | 96 | Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 10,630 | |
| Norwood | 4.3 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 11.6 | 72 | Glenelg won by 24 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 3.6 | 13.7 | 16.10 | 26.12 | 168 | Sun 12-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 10,314 | |
| West Torrens | 4.4 | 7.6 | 10.13 | 16.15 | 111 | West Adelaide won by 57 points | |||
Round 3[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 8.2 | 16.8 | 19.12 | 30.19 | 199 | Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 5,565 | |
| Woodville | 4.3 | 9.6 | 12.10 | 12.10 | 82 | Glenelg won by 117 points | |||
| Central District | 3.2 | 5.8 | 10.10 | 15.13 | 103 | Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 9,580 | |
| Norwood | 3.7 | 9.11 | 12.16 | 13.20 | 98 | Central District won by 5 points | |||
| Sturt | 1.2 | 7.5 | 9.11 | 14.14 | 98 | Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 9,332 | |
| South Adelaide | 5.4 | 6.7 | 10.10 | 12.13 | 85 | Sturt won by 13 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 8.3 | 12.8 | 17.11 | 19.14 | 128 | Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 11,037 | |
| West Torrens | 4.2 | 8.6 | 14.8 | 18.11 | 119 | Port Adelaide won by 9 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 5.5 | 13.8 | 17.11 | 21.13 | 139 | Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 7,512 | |
| West Adelaide | 2.5 | 5.9 | 10.14 | 16.20 | 116 | North Adelaide won by 23 points | |||
Round 4[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Port Adelaide | 2.3 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 15.8 | 98 | Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 17,900 | |
| Norwood | 3.2 | 3.6 | 5.9 | 8.14 | 62 | Port Adelaide won by 36 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 4.2 | 9.7 | 14.10 | 17.11 | 113 | Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 6,631 | |
| West Adelaide | 1.3 | 3.5 | 7.8 | 9.8 | 62 | South Adelaide won by 51 points | |||
| Woodville | 0.9 | 2.13 | 3.16 | 9.24 | 78 | Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 3,710 | |
| Central District | 4.3 | 8.7 | 15.15 | 15.18 | 108 | Central District won by 30 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 2.7 | 4.14 | 15.21 | 20.25 | 145 | Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 7,522 | |
| West Torrens | 4.2 | 11.3 | 13.5 | 17.10 | 112 | North Adelaide won by 33 points | |||
| Sturt | 2.5 | 6.10 | 13.13 | 14.17 | 101 | Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 13,492 | |
| Glenelg | 1.4 | 6.9 | 11.10 | 18.14 | 122 | Glenelg won by 21 points | |||
Round 5[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| North Adelaide | 7.4 | 15.6 | 18.12 | 22.18 | 150 | Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 3,663 | |
| Woodville | 3.4 | 10.8 | 15.13 | 17.15 | 117 | North Adelaide won by 33 points | |||
| Norwood | 4.6 | 9.12 | 10.17 | 15.21 | 111 | Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 9,532 | |
| West Torrens | 3.1 | 5.4 | 12.6 | 16.11 | 107 | Norwood won by 4 points | |||
| Glenelg | 4.3 | 9.9 | 15.10 | 20.12 | 132 | Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 9,422 | |
| South Adelaide | 2.5 | 9.7 | 13.10 | 18.15 | 123 | Glenelg won by 9 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 3.6 | 7.14 | 12.18 | 19.24 | 138 | Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 6,157 | |
| Sturt | 3.4 | 4.5 | 7.7 | 11.11 | 77 | West Adelaide won by 61 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 0.5 | 3.8 | 9.10 | 14.18 | 102 | Sun 3-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 17,416 | |
| Central District | 7.5 | 9.8 | 13.11 | 14.12 | 96 | Port Adelaide won by 6 points | |||
Round 6[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Central District | 3.4 | 6.7 | 8.12 | 14.13 | 97 | Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 8,574 | |
| Glenelg | 6.7 | 12.9 | 17.14 | 17.21 | 123 | Glenelg won by 26 points | |||
| Norwood | 5.6 | 9.9 | 16.21 | 19.25 | 139 | Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 5,549 | |
| Woodville | 0.1 | 8.3 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 65 | Norwood won by 74 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 1.5 | 6.7 | 7.17 | 11.20 | 86 | Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 10,277 | |
| West Adelaide | 4.3 | 7.7 | 12.10 | 15.12 | 102 | West Adelaide won by 16 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 4.9 | 6.11 | 15.14 | 15.14 | 104 | Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 7,270 | |
| Sturt | 1.4 | 8.12 | 10.16 | 14.24 | 108 | Sturt won by 4 points | |||
| West Torrens | 2.3 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 45 | Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 4,065 | |
| South Adelaide | 3.3 | 3.4 | 8.9 | 10.12 | 72 | South Adelaide won by 27 points | |||
Round 7[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Sturt | 1.2 | 5.13 | 9.15 | 13.22 | 100 | Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 8,472 | |
| West Torrens | 4.2 | 5.4 | 11.5 | 13.7 | 85 | Sturt won by 15 points | |||
| Central District | 5.4 | 9.8 | 11.12 | 13.14 | 92 | Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 5,862 | |
| South Adelaide | 3.1 | 11.1 | 14.2 | 17.3 | 105 | South Adelaide won by 13 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 1.3 | 5.9 | 9.10 | 15.12 | 102 | Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 8,032 | |
| Norwood | 4.6 | 8.10 | 15.16 | 21.16 | 142 | Norwood won by 40 points | |||
| Glenelg | 7.7 | 15.11 | 19.16 | 25.25 | 175 | Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 8,965 | |
| North Adelaide | 2.4 | 4.8 | 7.12 | 9.15 | 69 | Glenelg won by 106 points | |||
| Woodville | 3.6 | 8.12 | 10.15 | 14.21 | 105 | Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 6,482 | |
| Port Adelaide | 6.5 | 11.12 | 14.19 | 16.23 | 119 | Port Adelaide won by 14 points | |||
Round 8[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Central District | 5.4 | 8.8 | 15.9 | 20.12 | 132 | Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 5,312 | |
| West Adelaide | 3.1 | 6.7 | 9.10 | 10.12 | 72 | Central District won by 60 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 3.3 | 5.8 | 8.12 | 11.16 | 82 | Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 9,014 | |
| North Adelaide | 5.4 | 9.8 | 15.13 | 19.18 | 132 | North Adelaide won by 50 points | |||
| Norwood | 2.1 | 6.3 | 10.7 | 19.9 | 123 | Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 8,621 | |
| South Adelaide | 4.5 | 9.7 | 11.10 | 13.17 | 95 | Norwood won by 28 points | |||
| West Torrens | 5.3 | 6.9 | 12.13 | 15.14 | 104 | Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 5,919 | |
| Glenelg | 4.4 | 8.8 | 14.9 | 22.15 | 147 | Glenelg won by 43 points | |||
| Woodville | 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 45 | Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 3,844 | |
| Sturt | 6.6 | 17.12 | 23.16 | 31.20 | 206 | Sturt won by 161 points | |||
Round 9[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Norwood | 2.6 | 6.10 | 10.15 | 17.19 | 121 | Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 10,935 | |
| North Adelaide | 2.1 | 5.2 | 7.2 | 13.5 | 83 | Norwood won by 38 points | |||
| Woodville | 3.4 | 11.8 | 21.12 | 25.18 | 168 | Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 4,312 | |
| West Torrens | 9.2 | 12.4 | 17.6 | 20.11 | 131 | Woodville won by 37 points | |||
| Sturt | 4.5 | 9.10 | 15.13 | 20.17 | 137 | Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 8,182 | |
| Central District | 3.1 | 8.4 | 10.10 | 16.15 | 111 | Sturt won by 26 points | |||
| Glenelg | 10.3 | 13.6 | 16.13 | 21.15 | 141 | Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 8,503 | |
| West Adelaide | 3.3 | 8.7 | 12.13 | 17.15 | 117 | Glenelg won by 24 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 0.2 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 13.11 | 89 | Sun 31-May-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 12,912 | |
| South Adelaide | 8.2 | 10.5 | 14.7 | 15.7 | 97 | South Adelaide won by 8 points | |||
Round 10[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Norwood | 5.4 | 6.9 | 9.12 | 12.15 | 87 | Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 19,240 | |
| Glenelg | 4.0 | 8.4 | 11.6 | 13.10 | 88 | Glenelg won by 1 point | |||
| South Adelaide | 6.4 | 13.9 | 20.14 | 27.20 | 182 | Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 4,002 | |
| Woodville | 2.3 | 5.7 | 7.7 | 12.8 | 80 | South Adelaide won by 102 points | |||
| West Torrens | 1.3 | 4.10 | 6.12 | 9.15 | 69 | Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 5,179 | |
| West Adelaide | 4.5 | 7.7 | 12.13 | 15.18 | 108 | West Adelaide won by 39 points | |||
| Sturt | 2.4 | 4.7 | 6.15 | 9.17 | 71 | Mon 8-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 26,107 | |
| Port Adelaide | 1.4 | 9.7 | 12.10 | 15.15 | 105 | Port Adelaide won by 34 points | |||
| Central District | 2.4 | 6.5 | 12.8 | 17.15 | 117 | Mon 8-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 9,240 | |
| North Adelaide | 0.5 | 7.13 | 11.16 | 11.21 | 87 | Central District won by 30 points | |||
Round 11[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| South Adelaide | 7.6 | 10.7 | 17.14 | 21.15 | 141 | Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 4,248 | |
| North Adelaide | 3.1 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 11.6 | 72 | South Adelaide won by 69 points | |||
| Central District | 2.3 | 10.10 | 23.15 | 31.21 | 207 | Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 5,253 | |
| West Torrens | 6.5 | 8.6 | 10.10 | 15.12 | 102 | Central District won by 105 points | |||
| Sturt | 2.4 | 7.8 | 12.13 | 15.17 | 107 | Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 10,691 | |
| Norwood | 4.2 | 6.7 | 11.7 | 12.8 | 80 | Sturt won by 27 points | |||
| Glenelg | 4.6 | 6.10 | 7.13 | 9.14 | 68 | Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 14,953 | |
| Port Adelaide | 0.1 | 6.7 | 10.7 | 13.11 | 89 | Port Adelaide won by 21 points | |||
| Woodville | 2.3 | 4.7 | 10.8 | 13.10 | 88 | Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 2,522 | |
| West Adelaide | 6.5 | 13.10 | 16.17 | 23.22 | 160 | West Adelaide won by 72 points | |||
Round 12[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Sturt | 2.1 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 8.9 | 57 | Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 7,149 | |
| South Adelaide | 3.5 | 6.5 | 11.8 | 13.10 | 88 | South Adelaide won by 31 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 4.12 | 10.15 | 16.21 | 21.24 | 150 | Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 8,996 | |
| West Torrens | 0.2 | 6.7 | 9.7 | 15.7 | 97 | Port Adelaide won by 53 points | |||
| Central District | 3.2 | 10.11 | 17.14 | 26.21 | 177 | Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 8,798 | |
| Norwood | 2.0 | 5.2 | 8.6 | 11.9 | 75 | Central District won by 102 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 7.5 | 15.10 | 22.15 | 27.23 | 185 | Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 3,541 | |
| North Adelaide | 2.3 | 8.9 | 12.13 | 17.19 | 121 | West Adelaide won by 64 points | |||
| Woodville | 2.2 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10.9 | 69 | Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 3,435 | |
| Glenelg | 2.7 | 5.12 | 11.17 | 17.20 | 122 | Glenelg won by 53 points | |||
Round 13[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 6.5 | 7.8 | 10.12 | 15.14 | 104 | Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 10,254 | |
| Sturt | 2.3 | 8.8 | 12.11 | 14.12 | 96 | Glenelg won by 8 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 6.5 | 7.9 | 12.16 | 15.18 | 108 | Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 5,119 | |
| West Adelaide | 3.0 | 7.5 | 9.9 | 14.13 | 97 | South Adelaide won by 11 points | |||
| Norwood | 1.6 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 8.10 | 58 | Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 12,442 | |
| Port Adelaide | 2.0 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 8.11 | 59 | Port Adelaide won by 1 point | |||
| West Torrens | 2.1 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 10.2 | 62 | Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 3,156 | |
| North Adelaide | 3.2 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 61 | West Torrens won by 1 point | |||
| Central District | 3.3 | 4.7 | 10.9 | 10.13 | 73 | Sun 28-Jun-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 4,543 | |
| Woodville | 7.8 | 8.11 | 9.13 | 13.18 | 96 | Woodville won by 23 points | |||
Round 14[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| West Torrens | 3.0 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 12.8 | 80 | Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 6,545 | |
| Norwood | 1.1 | 1.1 | 5.3 | 13.5 | 83 | Norwood won by 3 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 0.1 | 6.3 | 9.5 | 10.9 | 69 | Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 8,270 | |
| Glenelg | 4.8 | 8.12 | 11.18 | 16.23 | 119 | Glenelg won by 50 points | |||
| Central District | 3.0 | 6.5 | 12.8 | 13.12 | 90 | Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 11,189 | |
| Port Adelaide | 1.3 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 9.13 | 67 | Central District won by 23 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 3.6 | 5.8 | 8.14 | 10.15 | 75 | Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 2,408 | |
| Woodville | 2.1 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.12 | 48 | North Adelaide won by 27 points | |||
| Sturt | 2.4 | 5.7 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 62 | Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 5,455 | |
| West Adelaide | 2.2 | 4.7 | 10.10 | 13.15 | 93 | West Adelaide won by 31 points | |||
Round 15[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| West Torrens | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.10 | 5.13 | 43 | Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 4,134 | |
| South Adelaide | 2.2 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 10.9 | 69 | South Adelaide won by 26 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 1.5 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 8.10 | 58 | Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 9,745 | |
| Port Adelaide | 0.6 | 3.9 | 6.14 | 8.19 | 67 | Port Adelaide won by 9 points | |||
| Woodville | 1.4 | 2.7 | 3.10 | 8.11 | 59 | Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 4,147 | |
| Norwood | 3.4 | 8.4 | 11.5 | 13.7 | 85 | Norwood won by 26 points | |||
| Glenelg | 4.4 | 10.6 | 14.8 | 17.9 | 111 | Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 8,232 | |
| Central District | 3.3 | 8.7 | 9.11 | 14.16 | 100 | Glenelg won by 11 points | |||
| Sturt | 5.3 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.16 | 52 | Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 5,096 | |
| North Adelaide | 2.6 | 6.7 | 10.9 | 13.13 | 91 | North Adelaide won by 39 points | |||
Round 16[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| West Torrens | 3.3 | 9.6 | 12.12 | 17.16 | 118 | Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 6,983 | |
| Sturt | 7.4 | 10.10 | 17.11 | 18.16 | 124 | Sturt won by 6 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 2.5 | 5.8 | 10.12 | 16.14 | 110 | Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 7,416 | |
| Central District | 3.1 | 6.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 93 | South Adelaide won by 17 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 10.3 | 20.6 | 28.10 | 34.13 | 217 | Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 6,898 | |
| Woodville | 3.3 | 5.9 | 6.11 | 11.14 | 80 | Port Adelaide won by 137 points | |||
| Norwood | 3.8 | 9.14 | 16.17 | 22.21 | 153 | Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 9,809 | |
| West Adelaide | 0.2 | 3.7 | 7.13 | 16.18 | 114 | Norwood won by 39 points | |||
| Glenelg | 4.5 | 12.9 | 14.13 | 21.18 | 144 | Sun 19-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 9,960 | |
| North Adelaide | 5.6 | 8.10 | 10.17 | 13.19 | 97 | Glenelg won by 47 points | |||
Round 17[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| West Adelaide | 3.2 | 9.9 | 14.12 | 19.17 | 131 | Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 2,257 | |
| Woodville | 3.4 | 5.6 | 9.9 | 16.11 | 107 | West Adelaide won by 24 points | |||
| South Adelaide | 6.3 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 15.10 | 100 | Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 4,361 | |
| North Adelaide | 1.5 | 5.11 | 9.15 | 13.21 | 99 | South Adelaide won by 1 point | |||
| Port Adelaide | 2.5 | 7.10 | 7.14 | 9.18 | 72 | Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 14,966 | |
| Glenelg | 3.0 | 3.0 | 10.2 | 16.2 | 98 | Glenelg won by 26 points | |||
| Central District | 5.7 | 8.12 | 10.20 | 19.22 | 136 | Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 5,272 | |
| West Torrens | 0.5 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 8.11 | 59 | Central District won by 77 points | |||
| Sturt | 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 10.13 | 73 | Sun 26-Jul-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 15,860 | |
| Norwood | 6.6 | 12.8 | 17.14 | 22.16 | 148 | Norwood won by 75 points | |||
Round 18[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| South Adelaide | 1.8 | 2.9 | 4.13 | 6.17 | 53 | Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 10,774 | |
| Norwood | 1.1 | 7.9 | 10.13 | 21.14 | 140 | Norwood won by 87 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 2.4 | 4.5 | 9.8 | 13.13 | 91 | Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 9,037 | |
| Port Adelaide | 4.5 | 13.10 | 14.13 | 21.19 | 145 | Port Adelaide won by 54 points | |||
| Central District | 2.7 | 5.12 | 9.14 | 13.16 | 94 | Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 6,027 | |
| West Adelaide | 4.1 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 11.7 | 73 | Central District won by 21 points | |||
| Glenelg | 0.2 | 2.7 | 4.11 | 6.14 | 50 | Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 5,403 | |
| West Torrens | 2.6 | 3.10 | 4.12 | 5.13 | 43 | Glenelg won by 7 points | |||
| Sturt | 3.4 | 4.7 | 10.9 | 13.10 | 88 | Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Unley Oval | 2,784 | |
| Woodville | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 26 | Sturt won by 62 points | |||
Round 19[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 2.4 | 8.8 | 10.10 | 17.17 | 119 | Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 8,717 | |
| West Adelaide | 2.7 | 2.8 | 11.19 | 12.22 | 94 | Glenelg won by 25 points | |||
| West Torrens | 5.2 | 7.5 | 12.8 | 18.10 | 118 | Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 3,463 | |
| Woodville | 3.4 | 6.9 | 12.12 | 18.15 | 123 | Woodville won by 5 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 8.6 | 8.10 | 14.16 | 15.17 | 107 | Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 10,461 | |
| South Adelaide | 2.0 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 10.3 | 63 | Port Adelaide won by 44 points | |||
| Central District | 4.1 | 7.11 | 8.13 | 13.16 | 94 | Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 9,298 | |
| Sturt | 4.6 | 6.8 | 11.14 | 17.16 | 118 | Sturt won by 24 points | |||
| Norwood | 5.4 | 9.6 | 15.11 | 19.16 | 130 | Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 8,280 | |
| North Adelaide | 0.2 | 3.8 | 4.10 | 7.13 | 55 | Norwood won by 75 points | |||
Round 20[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Norwood | 4.2 | 12.4 | 16.8 | 20.13 | 133 | Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 17,046 | |
| Glenelg | 4.5 | 9.10 | 15.12 | 15.15 | 105 | Norwood won by 28 points | |||
| Port Adelaide | 4.2 | 7.5 | 15.10 | 19.16 | 130 | Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Alberton Oval | 11,537 | |
| Sturt | 3.1 | 8.2 | 10.4 | 12.9 | 81 | Port Adelaide won by 49 points | |||
| North Adelaide | 2.1 | 4.7 | 6.11 | 10.14 | 74 | Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Prospect Oval | 4,075 | |
| Central District | 8.8 | 8.10 | 14.14 | 17.19 | 121 | Central District won by 47 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 7.16 | 58 | Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 3,022 | |
| West Torrens | 4.2 | 7.2 | 8.3 | 9.4 | 58 | West Adelaide drew with West Torrens | |||
| Woodville | 1.4 | 4.4 | 7.5 | 8.7 | 55 | Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Woodville Oval | 1,839 | |
| South Adelaide | 4.3 | 8.4 | 10.5 | 17.11 | 113 | South Adelaide won by 58 points | |||
Round 21[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| South Adelaide | 5.1 | 16.5 | 21.7 | 25.11 | 161 | Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 7,120 | |
| Sturt | 3.9 | 9.12 | 14.13 | 16.16 | 112 | South Adelaide won by 49 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 6.4 | 12.7 | 17.12 | 22.19 | 151 | Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 3,839 | |
| North Adelaide | 3.5 | 9.5 | 12.12 | 17.14 | 116 | West Adelaide won by 35 points | |||
| Norwood | 7.5 | 15.7 | 20.11 | 29.18 | 192 | Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Norwood Oval | 11,846 | |
| Central District | 5.1 | 12.4 | 14.10 | 20.13 | 133 | Norwood won by 59 points | |||
| Glenelg | 4.5 | 15.9 | 21.18 | 33.26 | 224 | Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Glenelg Oval | 4,645 | |
| Woodville | 3.4 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 11.9 | 75 | Glenelg won by 149 points | |||
| West Torrens | 2.3 | 4.5 | 7.7 | 10.10 | 70 | Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 7,007 | |
| Port Adelaide | 6.7 | 10.15 | 23.17 | 27.27 | 189 | Port Adelaide won by 119 points | |||
Round 22[Round Review]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Port Adelaide | 5.5 | 9.11 | 14.18 | 16.23 | 119 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 35,213 | |
| Norwood | 5.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 12.1 | 73 | Port Adelaide won by 46 points | |||
| Sturt | 5.4 | 8.11 | 13.13 | 22.14 | 146 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Adelaide Oval | 10,669 | |
| Glenelg | 6.5 | 11.10 | 16.11 | 20.13 | 133 | Sturt won by 13 points | |||
| Central District | 5.5 | 12.9 | 21.14 | 26.17 | 173 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Elizabeth Oval | 4,654 | |
| Woodville | 5.2 | 10.5 | 13.9 | 18.10 | 118 | Central District won by 55 points | |||
| West Adelaide | 5.5 | 10.9 | 16.12 | 20.14 | 134 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Richmond Oval | 4,109 | |
| South Adelaide | 1.2 | 6.3 | 9.5 | 12.11 | 83 | West Adelaide won by 51 points | |||
| West Torrens | 8.9 | 13.16 | 17.18 | 23.20 | 158 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Thebarton Oval | 2,787 | |
| North Adelaide | 3.3 | 8.7 | 15.9 | 18.13 | 121 | West Torrens won by 37 points | |||
1981 Ladder
| LP | Club | P | W | L | D | For | Agn | % | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenelg | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2769 | 2029 | 57.71 | 38 |
| 2 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2414 | 1983 | 54.90 | 30 |
| 3 | South Adelaide | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2296 | 2002 | 53.42 | 30 |
| 4 | Norwood | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2430 | 2096 | 53.69 | 27 |
| 5 | West Adelaide | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2526 | 2259 | 52.79 | 23 |
| 6 | Sturt | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2262 | 2286 | 49.74 | 23 |
| 7 | Central District | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2523 | 2233 | 53.05 | 22 |
| 8 | North Adelaide | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 2179 | 2558 | 46.00 | 14 |
| 9 | West Torrens | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 2020 | 2631 | 43.43 | 7 |
| 10 | Woodville | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1820 | 3162 | 36.53 | 6 |
| H&A | 110 | 108 | 108 | 2 | 23239 | 23239 | 50.00 | 220 | |
| Finals | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1191 | 1191 | 50.00 | 12 | |
| Total | 116 | 114 | 114 | 2 | 24430 | 24430 | 50.00 | 232 |
Finals Week 1[Finals Week 1 Review]
Elimination Final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Norwood | 5.4 | 11.6 | 18.12 | 25.13 | 163 | Sat 12-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 23,843 | |
| West Adelaide | 5.1 | 12.6 | 13.7 | 20.10 | 130 | Norwood won by 33 points | |||
Qualifying Final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Port Adelaide | 5.10 | 11.12 | 15.19 | 18.22 | 130 | Sun 13-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 24,570 | |
| South Adelaide | 3.2 | 6.7 | 8.10 | 12.17 | 89 | Port Adelaide won by 41 points | |||
Finals Week 2[Finals Week 2 Review]
First Semi-final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| South Adelaide | 0.1 | 2.8 | 3.11 | 6.14 | 50 | Sat 19-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 23,719 | |
| Norwood | 7.8 | 8.10 | 12.16 | 19.19 | 133 | Norwood won by 83 points | |||
Second Semi-final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 1.4 | 4.4 | 9.9 | 13.15 | 93 | Sun 20-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 35,002 | |
| Port Adelaide | 4.9 | 13.10 | 18.12 | 22.15 | 147 | Port Adelaide won by 54 points | |||
Finals Week 3[Finals Week 3 Review]
Preliminary Final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 6.6 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 12.14 | 86 | Sun 27-Sep-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 29,711 | |
| Norwood | 0.1 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 31 | Glenelg won by 55 points | |||
Finals Week 4[Finals Week 4 Review]
Grand Final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Glenelg | 1.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 44 | Sat 3-Oct-1981 2:10 pm | Football Park | 52,659 | |
| Port Adelaide | 6.5 | 8.6 | 12.10 | 14.11 | 95 | Port Adelaide won by 51 points | |||