| 1981 NSL Cup final | |
| Event: | 1981 NSL Cup |
| Team1: | Brisbane Lions |
| Team1score: | 3 |
| Team2: | West Adelaide |
| Team2score: | 1 |
| Stadium: | Bruce Stadium |
| City: | Canberra |
| Referee: | Chris Bambridge |
| Attendance: | 6,132 |
| Previous: | 1980 |
| Next: | 1982 |
The 1981 NSL Cup final was the final match of the 1981 NSL Cup, the fifth season of the National Soccer League Cup. It was played at Bruce Stadium in Canberra on 20 September 1981 between Brisbane Lions and West Adelaide.
Brisbane Lions won the match 3–1 for their first NSL Cup title.[1] As winners, Brisbane Lions qualified for the 1982 Charity Shield, which they lost to National Soccer League champions Sydney City.
It was decided that the final would be hosted in Canberra as part of a gala weekend featuring annual press awards.[2]
See main article: 1981 NSL Cup.
| Brisbane Lions | Round | West Adelaide | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposition | Score | Opposition | Score | ||
| Townsville United (A) | 3–0 | scope=row style="text-align:center" | 1st | Para Hills (H) | 3–0 |
| Grange Thistle (H) | 2–0 | scope=row style="text-align:center" | 2nd | Cumberland United (H) | 3–1 |
| St Kilda Hakoah (H) | 1–0 | scope=row style="text-align:center" | QF | Brisbane City (H) | 4–2 |
| Marconi Fairfield (A) | 3–2 | scope=row style="text-align:center" | SF | Adelaide City (H) | 1–0 |
| Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue | |||||
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| Assistant referees [3] | Match rules
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Shraga Topaz
Vic Smythe