Remarkably, the title was secured in a fashion West Adelaide fans could only dream about – at home in an Adelaide derby match against Adelaide City in the final round of the season. Needing a point to secure the title ahead of Eastern Suburbs, national team midfielder John Perin put City ahead with a 30 yard strike in the first half. With five minutes of normal time remaining, Vic Bozanic looped a ball over the goalkeeper to seal a 1–1 draw, and the championship, sending the 16,000-strong Hindmarsh Stadium crowd into raptures. The 1978 National Soccer League came 13 years before any South Australian side competed in the Australian Football League.