Since 1972 the NFL had run the end-of-season Champions of Australia tournament which was contested by the premiership winning teams of the VFL, SANFL, WAFL, and Tasmania. In 1976 this turned into a national night competition featuring top teams from each league. The VFL pulled out after 1976 and the competition did not survive much longer. Matches were played midweek during the season, primarily under lights at Norwood Oval in Adelaide, and broadcast nationally by the Channel Nine network.
Round 1
| Carlton | 8.4 (52) | 11.6 (72) | 16.11 (107) | 22.16 (148)
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| South Fremantle | 1.0 (6) | 1.3 (9) | 1.4 (10) | 3.5 (23)
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| June 8 | Norwood Oval, Adelaide | Tue (7:10pm) | Crowd: 1,500 |
Sixteen year old Jim Buckley kicked six goals for the Blues who thrashed South Fremantle by 125 points even while resting nine of the Blues best players.
Round 2
| Norwood | 2.6 (18) | 11.9 (75) | 13.14 (92) | 22.14 (146)
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| Carlton | 2.5 (17) | 2.5 (17) | 5.7 (37) | 5.10 (40)
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| June 22 | Norwood Oval, Adelaide | Tue (7:10pm) | Crowd: 7,500 |
In front of a home crowd Norwood dismantled the Blues to the tune of 106 points. Doubling down on the first game Carlton rested 11 stars and even their senior coach and severely underestimated their opposition.
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