The player safety issue remained at the forefront of SAWLA, its member clubs and players. There was pressure from the National body to ban helmets late in the season. The 1988 A-Grade season finished with no finals being played. Burnside were declared the premiers without taking the field.
The 1989 World Cup was held in Perth. Jenny Williams was named co-captain and was joined by Cath Flett, Shirley Ploog, Cheryl Crowe, Barb Day, Justine Hurst, Vicki Ingham, Di Hoban and, Janet Maitland.
Despite high hopes, Australia finished with the bronze medal after England defeated Australia in the minor round.
Disappointed to lose a grand final berth on goal differences only, Australia emphatically beat Canada 10-1 for the bronze.
South Australia led the way in terms of significant rule changes. Boundaries were introduced during this decade (1st in the world to do so). This sharpened SA players’ skills and proved an advantage at National and International level. Other States soon followed and then it was adopted Internationally.
