The 1997 SANFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football competition. Norwood beat Port Adelaide beat by a score of 126 to 53. John Cunningham, a Norwood player who had suffered a seemingly season-ending injury earlier in the year, would go on to win the Jack Oatey Medal as the player judged best afield. “Being fortunate enough to win the Jack Oatey Medal is obviously a once in a lifetime experience,” said Cunningham. “It justified the decision to try and come back before the season finished. To achieve such a wonderful individual honour, along with being lucky enough to be selected as one of the 21 players on the day, was an amazing experience. That team will go down as one of the all-time greatest.”