SANFL 2025

[mots02]

Dual Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan quit Central District to join Port Adelaide’s SANFL team this year to boost his chances of being drafted for a second time.

On the weekend – just a month after he was overlooked in the AFL mid-season draft and saw his former Bulldogs teammate Mani Liddy claimed by the Power – McLennan found himself back playing country footy with his junior club.

In a strange scenario, McLennan, who is one of the SANFL’s best players and represented the state against the VFL at Tanunda in April, wasn’t selected for the Port Magpies for their clash against South Adelaide last Saturday because their side was jammed full of AFL-listed players.

Instead, the playmaking half-back was shunted to play with his former country club, Tanunda Magpies, in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association.
Nearly a decade since he last pulled on a Tanunda guernsey, the 24-year-old made his A-grade debut for the club against Central Gawler and starred, winning “a heap of the ball’’ and kicking a goal in the Magpies’ 132-point demolition of the Tigers.

Tanunda coach and former Power player Sam Colquhoun said McLennan, who played on the ball and at half-back, “looked a class above others, as you’d expect’’.
“It was probably a one-off but our boys loved having him in the side and played with an air of confidence that we probably haven’t seen this year,’’ Colquhoun said.

McLennan was originally named in Port’s extended squad to play struggling South at Noarlunga Oval before dropping out of the final team.
With the Power’s star off-season recruit Jack Lukosius returning from injury through the SANFL, Port, unusually, fielded 20 AFL-listed players against the Panthers.

The other two players who filled out the Magpies’ 22 were SANFL captain Nick Moore and McLennan’s fellow marquee player, midfielder and former North Melbourne VFL star Jack Watkins.

Under SANFL rules governing SA’s AFL clubs in the state league competition, Port and Adelaide must play their available AFL-listed players in their league team before calling on their SANFL-listed talent.

If not required by Port, overage players (aged above 21) have the option of playing in the SANFL reserves with their former league club or in another competition.

McLennan chose to play for Tanunda, rather than Central’s seconds.

Another Port top-up player, Rome Burgoyne, was also overlooked by the Magpies for SANFL selection on the weekend. But he was able to line up at league level for his former club Woodville-West Torrens because he is only 18 and on Port’s under-21 SANFL list.

Port was contacted about McLennan’s plight but politely declined to comment.

Incredibly, the stacked Magpies lost to ninth-placed South, which had only won one game for the season, by seven points in what Panthers coach Jarrad Wright described as “one of the best wins I have been a part of in my eight years at the footy club’’.

Another wanker trolling comment aimed towards the doggies fans…. Following multiple made on Liddy across the MSD.

No wonder you cop it from multiple posters in here, shame you can’t take it as well as you instigate it.

I can smell the smug

[Booney]

That might be old mates stale old stereotype he rolled out when he had nothing.

[dedja]

Says the racist.

Anyway, none of this nonsense is adding anything to this thread.

[gazzamagoo]

FWIW, Linke decided to play in the Barossa as well, and not with Central.

[Aerie]

The SANFL has had to ride some serious bumps over the last 40 years or so, but feel that the comp is now at the crossroads more than ever before.

I don't think there will be an SANFL league competition in 2030. There will be more investment and focus on the junior programs and the U18 competition will be the pinnacle for SANFL clubs. SA's version of the Coates Talent League.

That's a very pessimistic point of view, but kind of understandable.
What do you think would be the trigger for this?

It's often been claimed that a fully fledged AFL reserves comp would turn the SANFL (and WAFL) into "3rd tier" comps.
Yes, it probably would drain more players away, but would it end those leagues?
I doubt it.

The 150th year of the SANFL is coming up in 2027, I'm pretty sure it will get that far at least.

I think the trigger will be when the Power/Crows contract ends with the SANFL in 2028 and there will be an AFL Reserves competition. The VFL is a mess with too many teams. Port, Crows and West Coast were/are advocating for it as recently as last year. St Kilda announcing their separating from Sandringham the other day leaves only Melbourne, Hawthorn and Freo with affiliations. Casey are already Demons branded and Box Hill likewise for the Hawks.

The way the SANFL junior system is set up, with established country and metropolitan zones, and a clear pathway through to the AFL Draft along with SANFL club control/ownership of the SANFL, is a double edged sword for the men's league. It is already the perfect set up. There is a responsibility to fund as much as possible those junior programs. At what point is the junior part of the club a higher priority than the men's league part of the club? The reward of being drafted into the AFL system is becoming greater, whilst the reward and recognition of being an SANFL league footballer is diminishing.

I can see the SANFL clubs attracting AFL funding for their junior programs, which facilitate for every young footballer in SA and this becoming a priority over a men's league which has become merely a feeder to an AFL Reserves competition - therefore two steps away from the dream of AFL. A step too far. And not enough recognition or financial reward to keep from community level clubs.

So, I think the writing is already on the wall. There is AFL and community level football and no room for in between. If it is to be that way, then this is what I would do to make sure we can watch our clubs battle it out against each other on a Saturday afternoon well into the future.

1) Restructure ownership and control of the SANFL, making a deal with the current SANFL clubs to relinquish control.

2) Replace the SANFL U18 & U16 competition with an elite 4-6 team underage program that caters for the entire state and feeds the State junior squads and AFL draft.

3) SANFL clubs fall back to community level.



4) Restructuring of community football as follows:



SANFL League - (10 Teams, promotion/relegation, inclusive of 8 current SANFL clubs initially)

SANFL Division 2 - (10 Teams, promotion/relegation, fed mainly by Adelaide Footy League, but capability for country clubs to earn their way in)

Adelaide Footy League becomes larger and takes in greater Adelaide.

 Therefore the TS Hill Premiership Trophy becomes the pinnacle for community football clubs in South Australia. Each club can get to a level that is sustainable for them at the time. The support may be smaller, but the competition is meaningful, relevant, fair and sustainable.

 Those with AFL ambitions do so through newly formed junior clubs feeding the State junior squads and the second tier AFL Reserves, but with an affiliation with their community club, not necessarily a current SANFL club.

[northerner]

FWIW, Linke decided to play in the Barossa as well, and not with Central.

Linke has no tie with the Dogs as he was at Barossa last year.

Likely that McLennan read the room well in deciding to play in the Barossa and not with the Dogs ressies side.

[saintal]

Ex-Power Reserves top-up player Kyle Marshall has seen the light and will play at South for the remainder of 2025.

[Hazydog]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

[Booney]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

I'd have made my position clear well before Saturday. Either way.

[Hazydog]

Fair answer.. and do we know if that scenario had already played out? I suspect so but have no know information at all on that.

[dedja]

The SANFL has had to ride some serious bumps over the last 40 years or so, but feel that the comp is now at the crossroads more than ever before.

I don't think there will be an SANFL league competition in 2030. There will be more investment and focus on the junior programs and the U18 competition will be the pinnacle for SANFL clubs. SA's version of the Coates Talent League.

That's a very pessimistic point of view, but kind of understandable.
What do you think would be the trigger for this?

It's often been claimed that a fully fledged AFL reserves comp would turn the SANFL (and WAFL) into "3rd tier" comps.
Yes, it probably would drain more players away, but would it end those leagues?
I doubt it.

The 150th year of the SANFL is coming up in 2027, I'm pretty sure it will get that far at least.

I think the trigger will be when the Power/Crows contract ends with the SANFL in 2028 and there will be an AFL Reserves competition. The VFL is a mess with too many teams. Port, Crows and West Coast were/are advocating for it as recently as last year. St Kilda announcing their separating from Sandringham the other day leaves only Melbourne, Hawthorn and Freo with affiliations. Casey are already Demons branded and Box Hill likewise for the Hawks.

The way the SANFL junior system is set up, with established country and metropolitan zones, and a clear pathway through to the AFL Draft along with SANFL club control/ownership of the SANFL, is a double edged sword for the men's league. It is already the perfect set up. There is a responsibility to fund as much as possible those junior programs. At what point is the junior part of the club a higher priority than the men's league part of the club? The reward of being drafted into the AFL system is becoming greater, whilst the reward and recognition of being an SANFL league footballer is diminishing.

I can see the SANFL clubs attracting AFL funding for their junior programs, which facilitate for every young footballer in SA and this becoming a priority over a men's league which has become merely a feeder to an AFL Reserves competition - therefore two steps away from the dream of AFL. A step too far. And not enough recognition or financial reward to keep from community level clubs.

So, I think the writing is already on the wall. There is AFL and community level football and no room for in between. If it is to be that way, then this is what I would do to make sure we can watch our clubs battle it out against each other on a Saturday afternoon well into the future.

1) Restructure ownership and control of the SANFL, making a deal with the current SANFL clubs to relinquish control.

2) Replace the SANFL U18 & U16 competition with an elite 4-6 team underage program that caters for the entire state and feeds the State junior squads and AFL draft.

3) SANFL clubs fall back to community level.



4) Restructuring of community football as follows:



SANFL League - (10 Teams, promotion/relegation, inclusive of 8 current SANFL clubs initially)

SANFL Division 2 - (10 Teams, promotion/relegation, fed mainly by Adelaide Footy League, but capability for country clubs to earn their way in)

Adelaide Footy League becomes larger and takes in greater Adelaide.

 Therefore the TS Hill Premiership Trophy becomes the pinnacle for community football clubs in South Australia. Each club can get to a level that is sustainable for them at the time. The support may be smaller, but the competition is meaningful, relevant, fair and sustainable.

 Those with AFL ambitions do so through newly formed junior clubs feeding the State junior squads and the second tier AFL Reserves, but with an affiliation with their community club, not necessarily a current SANFL club.

The SANFL are already funding a $25M talent facility at the artist formerly known as Football Park do develop male & female juniors and indigenous talent, so are well aware of the AFL focus in this area.

Apart from the AFL sides in the comp, the SANFL is doing a reasonable job of appearing to be a sovereign league whilst actually being at the behest of the AFL. The SANFL is in good shape financially, so this can be managed … just need to find a suitable solution for the reserves teams without dropping their pants (faark them off whilst not upsetting the AFL, but they are actually doing the AFL a favour with the current state, despite the squealing like a stuck pig from Kock).

[beef]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

I'd have made my position clear well before Saturday. Either way.

When Jez told Thomas or whoever he told at the club they were leaving for Port. Wouldn't the reply have been how disappointed they were but welcomed back if it didn't work out. Thats how i would operate and put the needs of the club over my anger about leaving. I guess everyone is different though

[wenchbarwer]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

I'd have made my position clear well before Saturday. Either way.

When Jez told Thomas or whoever he told at the club they were leaving for Port. Wouldn't the reply have been how disappointed they were but welcomed back if it didn't work out. Thats how i would operate and put the needs of the club over my anger about leaving. I guess everyone is different though

This is a good point. Makes him possibly returning next season a bit harder now.

[dedja]

Thommo may not be there next year though …

[wenchbarwer]

Thommo may not be there next year though …

He wouldn't be the only one making selection/list management decisions, no?

I mean, I know SANFL coaches have much more input than AFL coaches, but there'd be other voices too.

[Booney]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

I'd have made my position clear well before Saturday. Either way.

When Jez told Thomas or whoever he told at the club they were leaving for Port. Wouldn't the reply have been how disappointed they were but welcomed back if it didn't work out. Thats how i would operate and put the needs of the club over my anger about leaving. I guess everyone is different though

Yes. You'd think given the modern footy landscape that would create mature conversations.

"We're disappointed but understand, best of luck and we hope it goes well for you and if it doesn't work out you know where we are".

[Booney]

Fair answer.. and do we know if that scenario had already played out? I suspect so but have no know information at all on that.

I don't know, I'd be surprised if ( as my comment above to beef ) Centrals have not been willing to welcome him back.

[dedja]

So a question to you Booney.. if you’re Paul Thomas and Jez had come to you (as I understand ) at late notice and mentioned he was available to play ressies, what would you have done?

I'd have made my position clear well before Saturday. Either way.

When Jez told Thomas or whoever he told at the club they were leaving for Port. Wouldn't the reply have been how disappointed they were but welcomed back if it didn't work out. Thats how i would operate and put the needs of the club over my anger about leaving. I guess everyone is different though

Yes. You'd think given the modern footy landscape that would create mature conversations.

"We're disappointed but understand, best of luck and we hope it goes well for you and if it doesn't work out you know where we are".

No idea regarding this situation at Central, but if they’re not, it’s definitely not the norm. SANFL clubs generally have a very good working relationship with Port and the Crows, and definitely encourage and celebrate any of their players getting drafted.

[wenchbarwer]

It's the same with players getting moved on to amateur/country footy.

They keep tabs on them for quite a while after they leave, just in case.

[northerner]

You can be absolutely certain that the Club would have ensured Jezza knew the door was open and that their best wishes were passed on as he followed his dream.
It would be human nature for the playing group to possibly not be as understanding (as opposed to their reactions towards Dudz and Mani for instance)