AN incredible SANFL preliminary final has reportedly been marred by a controversy surrounding a team having 19 men on the field - the second such controversy on Sunday.

North Adelaide stormed home from 47 points down to stun Woodville-West Torrens by five points at the Adelaide Oval, putting them a win away from going from last (in 2017) to first. They will face Norwood in the SANFL Grand Final.

However the Roosters reportedly had 19 players on the ground for a five minute period during the final quarter of the win, in that time kicking at least one goal - more than the final margin.

Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply >

MORE AFL NEWS

OVER 160K? Mega matches could be footy’s biggest prelims ever

STATE OF PLAY: Where will star Giant Shiel be playing in 2019?

13TH TO A PRELIM: The ‘moment it all changed’ for Magpies

‘HE KEPT PUNCHING ME’: How Pie found pure joy amid torrid night

FINALS FIXTURE: Full details on two massive prelims

MAGPIES PLAYER RATINGS: Pie shuts Greene up, De Goey colossal

GIANTS PLAYER RATINGS: Star trio among 12 failures

‘YOU NEVER FEEL ALONE’: Varcoe praises entire AFL community

‘HE WON THE CONTEST CONVINCINGLY’: Bucks lauds defender’s role

Remarkably this comes just hours after Southport won the NEAFL Grand Final over Sydney after breaking the same rule.

The Sharks had 19 men on the field for a small period early in the fourth quarter of their 55-point win, but did not have their score wiped.

The AFL Laws of the Game state that if a head count is called and a team is found to have more than 18 players on the field, their score shall be wiped.

In the NEAFL game, it was determined that the incident was instead an interchange infringement.

A head count was not called in the SANFL preliminary final seemingly leaving the league with the options of either fining North Adelaide or having them forfeit the match.

Yep so SANFL currently deliberating on what to do, apparently north had 19 players on in last q for about 5 mins, to their credit Eagles aren’t pushing it and reckon they lost fair and square, but options for #SANFL include forfeit or a fine — David Penberthy (@penbo) September 16, 2018

Because Eagles captain and or official didn't make umpire aware it's a fine , if they did a count Eagles win ...... North kicked 2 goals with 19 on the field ...... jeeeez #SANFL — David Penberthy (@penbo) September 16, 2018