The SANFL minor premiership is awarded to the team that finishes on top of the minor round ladder at the end of the Home and Away season.
There were no Grand Finals contested between 1877 (the inaugural season) and 1897, hence the Minor Premier was also the Premiership winner.
There were 3 exceptions - For 1877 the inaugural season - the two top teams were declared joint Champions.
In 1889 there was a play off as the two teams finished the season on the same points.
The winner of each round then competed in a Premiership playoff.