The never ending No AFL in the SANFL whinge thread

[Jim05]

There is a strong view Victorian sides have an advantage over their South Australian and Western Australian rivals due to the superior strength of the VFL as a state league.







Utter horseshit. The SANFL is a far stronger comp than the VFL.
If you merged the comps then probably the top 4 would all be SANFL clubs

[Dutchy]

There is a strong view Victorian sides have an advantage over their South Australian and Western Australian rivals due to the superior strength of the VFL as a state league.







Utter horseshit. The SANFL is a far stronger comp than the VFL.
If you merged the comps then probably the top 4 would all be SANFL clubs

Spot on, its an excuse based business and something needs to be blamed for non performance. Remember when it was having their own SANFL team that was holding them back?

I can see them eventually getting to the VFL and then crawling back to the SANFL when they realise the time, money and effort to play interstate every 2nd week doesn't see results.

[Hazydog]

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-and-port-adelaide-staying-in-sanfl-next-season/news-story/cd156abf6b0074066b94db9a2bfe92cd

Adelaide and Port Adelaide staying in SANFL next season

Port Adelaide and Adelaide will remain in the SANFL next season after the league agreed to address the clubs’ long-held concerns about list concessions and fixture equality.

The clubs’ attempts to join a new national state league or the VFL will be shelved for 2025 after talks on Wednesday involving the AFL reached a resolution on key fronts.

It is a major development for South Australian football as the Power had led the mission to break with more than 155 years of history and exit the league over the past six months.

But key concessions remain central to a new agreement which will help the two clubs field stronger teams in the SANFL, and more broadly, help bolster the clubs’ development programs.

Port Adelaide and Adelaide occupy the last two spots on the SANFL ladder with only three wins between them for the year from 19 matches combined.

Importantly, the Power and Crows will be given more flexibility to add quality top-up players to their SANFL side next year in line with the Victorian’ clubs allowances in the VFL.

The two South Australian clubs have argued the restrictions on their top-ups are an impediment to their players’ development prospects and leave them with weaker sides.

There is a strong view Victorian sides have an advantage over their South Australian and Western Australian rivals due to the superior strength of the VFL as a state league.

Additionally, the two SA clubs are also expected to make strong requests around their SANFL fixtures for next year which will help them get more game time into their AFL-listed emergencies.

The two clubs are frustrated by clashes with their AFL and SANFL fixtures which sometimes prevent their AFL emergency players from playing at either level or on reduced game time.

It is expected the two clubs will be heard on their fixture requests for next year otherwise Port Adelaide and Adelaide will reconsider their position on the issue.

Both clubs have a contract to play in the SANFL next season but there was pressure on the AFL to either find a resolution to their problems or add them to the VFL 2025.

West Coast and Fremantle will stay in the WAFL as the AFL continues its work on a competitive balance review designed to overhaul the draft system and father-son and academy bidding.

The league is also expected to loosen some restrictions on the clubs in the trade period such as allowing them to trade future picks two years in advance.

Currently, clubs can only trade future picks one year in advance.

Port Adelaide has made clear it wants to stay competitive and push for finals every year rather than accept a rebuilding phase which includes a major draft focus and years at the bottom of the ladder.

It means the Power is again expected to be a key player in the trade period at season’s end as GWS Giant Harry Perryman weighs up interest from Victorian clubs including Hawthorn.

The Crows have come under pressure after a poor start to the season.

This was ALWAYS going to be the result (and main objective) of the posturing by Port and the Crows re leaving the SANFL and pushing for the AFL Reserves comp which they knew wasn’t and isn’t a priority for the AFL. I’m not even going to suggest the SANFL has been pressured into a corner with the concessions they’re going to offer as they are likely complicit with the whole sideshow…

[MW]

You mean two organisations tried to and succeeded in getting better conditions for their reserves teams to make it more viable to stay in the SANFL rather than leave for another comp? Shock horror.
What did you expect? Port and Crows to just sit at the bottom of the SANFL ladder with div 5 carpenters and plumbers playing for them as top ups each week?

[saintal]

Yep, time for the SANFL to willingly bend over again.

Had the displeasure of listening to Caroline Wilson (who wouldn’t know the Pondarosa from the Parade) and Chris Davies discuss this topic on radio in the past 24 hours. Perhaps if Davies wants their younger players developing around better quality teammates they can farm them out to SANFL clubs per the old structure

A lot of people seem to have short memories currently, given the Ravens have played in the past two prelims and the Power were finalists last season (with 3 GF appearances in past 9 seasons)

As Dutchy and others have mentioned, the top-up debate offers the AFL clubs a convenient distraction/excuse as to why their premiership droughts are now 20+ years.

Meanwhile SANFL clubs continue to operate within a $345K salary cap, less than what an average AFL player earns. And despite what some might think, they actually cop injuries too and have their depth tested..

[am Bays]

You mean two organisations tried to and succeeded in getting better conditions for their reserves teams to make it more viable to stay in the SANFL rather than leave for another comp? Shock horror.
What did you expect? Port and Crows to just sit at the bottom of the SANFL ladder with div 5 carpenters and plumbers playing for them as top ups each week?

My question is with inferior conditions in 2014-2017 I watched my club get belted by 25 goals in Rd 2 2014 (yes we were sh!t) and Port make 2/4 GFs and make another in 2019

Crows have a been a consistent finals performer up until this year and have made four prelims.

Why has it all gone pair shape in 2024?

As Dutchy says its an excuse industry and both clubs have been competitive until now so I would argue some introspection especially with list management (crows) and player development (lack of basic competitive defensive mindset in the mids - Port) are the two biggest factors on their current performance in both the SANFL and AFL

[Ronnie]

You mean two organisations tried to and succeeded in getting better conditions for their reserves teams to make it more viable to stay in the SANFL rather than leave for another comp? Shock horror.
What did you expect? Port and Crows to just sit at the bottom of the SANFL ladder with div 5 carpenters and plumbers playing for them as top ups each week?

They obviously didn't want to stay in the SANFL, until the AFL told them to go away,

The AFL Reserves sides are hardly ever in the bottom part of the ladder, they both have decent enough records, ones that a West Adelaide would be envious of.
The Crows in particular have had some good top up players, Riley Clamp for one would have made any SANFL side. However, for a serious footballer, do they really want to play for a side where playing to win isn't everything? The Crows go deep in finals, but Matt Crouch back when he was playing mainly SANFL doesn't make himself available, or Sam Jacobs is too busy shopping himself to GWS. That's the model that a decent top up is expected to commit to. No wonder they don't hang around.

[Hazydog]

You mean two organisations tried to and succeeded in getting better conditions for their reserves teams to make it more viable to stay in the SANFL rather than leave for another comp? Shock horror.
What did you expect? Port and Crows to just sit at the bottom of the SANFL ladder with div 5 carpenters and plumbers playing for them as top ups each week?

I think others have answered for me .. a Prelim last year for the Crows and Port being two kicks away from 2 flags says it all really

[Jim05]

What did you expect? Port and Crows to just sit at the bottom of the SANFL ladder with div 5 carpenters and plumbers playing for them as top ups each week?

Yes, that’s exactly what I expect.
Who cares if they come bottom every year. I’m sure the legitimate teams couldn’t care less.
And FWIW the VFL clubs top ups get paid even less and are worse hence why any that are half decent look to come to the SANFL

[knowledge]

Statement from SANFL CEO Darren Chandler
1 MIN AGO – JUNE 21, 2024
June 21, 2024

In response to the AFL Competitive Balance Review, SANFL has continued to review the structure of the SANFL competition, in particular the conditions that apply to the Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs.

This review has focused on the long-term growth of the SANFL competition and the sustainability of the eight SANFL clubs, while considering the AFL Clubs and the best overall structure for football in South Australia.

We are continuing to work closely with the AFL and have been in regular discussion over the past six months about the best structure for football in SA and how the strength of the SANFL competition and its clubs can be maintained. Consideration also has been given to the different conditions that apply to AFL Reserves teams in the various competitions that they compete in around the nation.

Every year, the SANFL reviews the rules that apply to the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs. This year, the review has been accelerated on the back of the AFL Competitive Balance Review.

In reviewing these rules, the League remains committed to ensuring we continue to have the best competition outside of the AFL, and one in which every club can be competitive and have very chance of winning a premiership.

SANFL has provided its detailed submission to the AFL, highlighting that it does not support a National Reserves competition and that it believes the best structure for football in South Australia is to have the two AFL Clubs in the SANFL competition.

SANFL met with representatives of the AFL, Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club this week to better understand the initial findings from the Competitive Balance Review, as it relates to second tier competitions, with a specific focus on the two SA based AFL Clubs.

No decisions were made at this meeting, with the feedback to be discussed with all SANFL clubs and the SA Football Commission to determine what is best for the SANFL competition and football in South Australia.

SANFL will complete its review over the coming months, which will involve discussions with SANFL clubs, the AFL, Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs, other State Leagues and clubs around the nation.

As the oldest competition in the nation, established in 1877, we are extremely proud of the rich traditions of our State League competition and will ensure this is protected. We are also proud of SANFL’s reputation as being the best competition outside of the AFL and are committed to maintaining this position into the future.

[dedja]

SANFL has provided its detailed submission to the AFL, highlighting that it does not support a National Reserves competition and that it believes the best structure for football in South Australia is to have the two AFL Clubs in the SANFL competition.

No shit Sherlock, just keep lubing your arse.

[Booney]

SANFL has provided its detailed submission to the AFL, highlighting that it does not support a National Reserves competition and that it believes the best structure for football in South Australia is to have the two AFL Clubs in the SANFL competition.

[dedja]

Foe function busted champ?

[MW]

He's not quoting you, he's quoting from the post before you.

[Pseudo]

He's not quoting you, he's quoting from the post before you.

I'm just quoting this so dedja can see it outside of his foe function...

[dedja]

He's not quoting you, he's quoting from the post before you.

I'm just quoting this so dedja can see it outside of his foe function...

[mighty_tiger_79]

Just a staggering take from the SANFL

[knowledge]

Oh, well. Reserves at Elizabeth and League at the other end of the planet remains a live option. No wonder clubs find it hard to get and retain volunteers. Pure exploitation…….,

[knowledge]

Oh, well. Reserves at Elizabeth and League at the other end of the planet remains a live option. No wonder clubs find it hard to get and retain volunteers. Pure exploitation…….,

[mots02]

He's not quoting you, he's quoting from the post before you.

I'm just quoting this so dedja can see it outside of his foe function...