More than 30,000 people have so far attended the exhibition that showcases 145 years of SANFL history and features rare and treasured objects from both the SANFL and the State Library.

Many of these are displayed in the “Treasures Wall”, a series of glass cases containing items and photographs of considerable historical value.

The State Library and SANFL, through the History Centre, share a common goal to collect and preserve the history of South Australia. Together the exhibition tells the stories and provides insight into the social history of South Australia.

Trophies are on show including one of the smallest – the 1877 “Downs gold football” from the first intercolonial game. There are two Magarey Medals donated by the families of the 1929 winner Bob Snell, and Max Pontifex who won in 1932, as well as information on the history of the Magarey Medal, which dates to 1898 – 26 years before the Brownlow medal; along with the sketchbook from GW Cox Jewellers with original designs of the medals over many years.

On display are scrapbooks, a fraction of the History Centre collection, which was recently boosted with the donation of 23 scrapbooks of Gordon Schwartz; and also, SA Football Budgets, first published in 1914 and still sold at SANFL games today.

Over the past few years, the History Centre has acquired videotapes from South Australian television stations, as well as 16-millimetre films and other media. In a significant project, these have all now been digitised, preserving thousands of hours of football history. There are more than 4,000 video files in the collection.

A related exhibition at the Migration Museum features players and their families with diverse migration backgrounds and how they have contributed to the sport. It includes memorabilia from former footy players Peter Phillipou and Bohdan Jaworskyj.

The National Wine Centre is showcasing the remarkable caricatures of South Australian Lionel Coventry. These caricatures fall into three categories – prominent university graduates, wine industry figures… and, of course, footy legends.

And Adelaide Oval is hosting Football Tours on Sundays from October, featuring the “Chairman’s Room” with its display of 128 years of Magarey Medals.

The State Library exhibition shows until November 30, the Migration Museum until November 6.

Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card are proud sponsors of the Exhibition.

Click here for your chance to win tickets to the SANFL Grand Final on Sunday 19 September.