Full 2016 SANFL Draw

[JohnnyG]

Hey, they got rounds 2, 4 and 18 perfect at least.

[VALE PARK]

Worse than I could have dreamed.
5 weeks when teams does not play.
5 wasted weeks.
23 rounds and 18 games!
What a joke.
No new membership for me in 2016.
Why do the clubs let it happen?

[FlyingHigh]

Only three rounds that don't have byes? What a crock.

And if they have to be obsessed with sticking byes in almost every week, you'd think that the SANFL could at the very least avoid putting one in the last round.

Agree.
Even though there's even numbers of teams, don't mind them factoring in a bye for each team, perhaps through last June-July, but to have them starting in round 2 is a joke.

[FlyingHigh]

Having a closer look, 4 Byes each. Serious? WTF?
Eagles have byes in rounds 6, 9, followed by state game, then 12, and from start of May to last week of June only play 4 games

[RB]

Crows v Sturt at Thebby? I thought they weren't having home games?

Could we conclude Sturt lose money on a Crows game and didnt want it with their additional costs for fencing etc?

@Spelly, has their ever been an SANFL game at Thebby not featuring WT or WWT?

I seem to recall North Adelaide playing a home match against the Eagles there in about 2006.

[daysofourlives]

Could be worse, we could have the GF after the AFL which would mean another 2 rounds of byes

There can be no doubt now that the entire comp is run to suit the 2 AFL clubs. If it wasnt for the historical status of the league it would be completely irrelevant. The rest of the state is being made to suffer because the SANFL is trying to cling on to its former status.

[Bounce of the ball]

The clubs wanted the byes and the SANFL wanted 20 games.

[Power From Port]

When will the Reserves and Under 18's Fixtures be released?

[saintal]

For sale: Four light towers, suitable for football, one owner, cost a gazillion but will take best offer.

Do we get a refund on our " I saw the light" tee shirt?

Disappointing. Knee jerk reaction to the debacle against the Ravens? Whilst I prefer day games, I think the club should have looked at hosting at least two night games.

[Pseudo]

There can be no doubt now that the entire comp is run to suit the 2 AFL clubs.

^ This.

[VALE PARK]

I hate to think how the reserves fixtures will look.
North reserves had 3 weeks between their first and second games this year!
More of this in 2016 I would expect!

[Big Phil]

Worse than I could have dreamed.
5 weeks when teams does not play.
5 wasted weeks.
23 rounds and 18 games!
What a joke.
No new membership for me in 2016.
Why do the clubs let it happen?

At least you can watch Rostrevor on the weeks off...

[VALE PARK]

Will do Phil.
Also it is pretty clever programming norwood v port the same night as the World Cup qualifier at the Adelaide Oval

[Reddeer]

If the comp wasn't already dead, it IS now!!!
Who are the fat cat boffins that run this league, AFL insiders?

[Magellan]

I was interested to read the Crows' reaction to the draw, so I thought I'd pluck up some courage and log onto the Crows website.

There's three articles, one about the Sturt - Crows match at Thebby; http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-12-19/crows-to-host-thebarton-clash


Adelaide’s SANFL team will play a second home game next season against Sturt at Thebarton Oval.

The Round 15 clash on Saturday, July 9 will be the first time the Club has hosted a home State League match in Adelaide. The Crows have previously played one home SANFL game each year against Port Adelaide in regional South Australian communities.

The match was originally scheduled for Sturt’s traditional home at Peter Motley Oval in Unley, but was relocated following proactive discussions between the two clubs.

Sturt will retain all gate and catering revenue from the match while Adelaide will cover the majority of match day costs.

Double Blues members and Crows ticketed members will receive free entry to the game.

GM of Football Administration Phil Harper said the move was a win for both clubs.

“This is a great opportunity for our members to come down and support our State League team at a ‘home’ game,” Harper said.

“The Sturt Football Club should be commended for looking outside the square to try and help boost the profile and attendances for this match.

“We hope a big crowd turns up and fans of both teams get down to Thebarton to enjoy the action and reward the Double Blues for having the foresight to try something new and exciting.”

Thebarton Oval was home of the West Torrens Football Club from 1922 to 1990 and last hosted a SANFL game in the opening round of the 2012 season. Adelaide won a NAB Challenge match against Fremantle at the venue the year prior.

The match will be the only opportunity for fans to see the Crows in action in Adelaide that weekend, with the Club’s AFL team to play Carlton in Melbourne the following day.

The fixture is a one-off agreement between the two clubs with no plans for games to be shifted from Unley in future seasons.

Pre-match entertainment will include a junior lightning carnival and other family friendly activities.


As is Crows members are going to attend a putative 'home' game at Thebarton Oval. Most Crows fans would be hard pressed to know that a venue called Thebarton Oval exists ot its relevance in SANFL terms.

As someone said earlier, it's more like Sturt are minimizing the bleeding by hosting this nonsense at their own ground by getting the Crows to foot the bill. In fact, Harper's language reeks of a patronising attitude. Shifting venues is hardly 'the foresight to try something new and exciting.' The Crows know they don't pull in crowds and are a liability for the true SANFL clubs, they know Sturt have financial obligations on match day (e.g. temporary fences, etc), and feel sorry for them and have allowed them a one-off chance to not go deeper into the red. The costs for hosting this game for the Crows would be a tiny drop in their financial ocean. I reckon you'll get a typical attendance of 95% Sturt fans, and zero atmosphere. I also expect the weather to be trotted out as an excuse if the crowd is extra disappointing, even if it's a fine day.

My prediction for season 2016 is this: the Crows promote this game amongst themselves as a Crows 'home' match. This will result in a small group of Crows season ticket-holders turning up at Adelaide Oval on match day. They will ask the staff at the gate that they have arrived to see 'the game against Sturt', or if a regular league player has been dropped or injured, 'the game where {insert players' name} is playing'. They will be turned way, because there will be no game on for them to watch. They will grizzle about it, blame everyone else except the Crows, and it will make front page news.

[Big Phil]

Will do Phil.
Also it is pretty clever programming norwood v port the same night as the World Cup qualifier at the Adelaide Oval

The season opener would have already been locked in, WELL before the soccer game was scheduled...

[VALE PARK]

I have a simple answer.
Just change it!
Not rocket science to me.

[Jim05]

If the comp wasn't already dead, it IS now!!!
Who are the fat cat boffins that run this league, AFL insiders?

Yep, will only be a few years before the AFL take over the comp. Plans are already in place for the U18's and U16's to be removed from the SANFL within the next few years

[VALE PARK]

Someone just pointed out to me,
North's and Power's last match would round 21 on 21st of August if they don't make the finals.
If North or Power finish top they will have 3 weeks twiddling their thumbs waiting for their first final!
Amazing programming indeed.

[Magellan]

Well after more than half a century of supporting SANFL, it looks like they are forcing me to take a permanent bye.

Putting aside the ineptitudes of my club's on and off field performances, the SANFL and my club are really trying my faith in this competition.

For those familiar with the comedy of Andrew Dice Clay, I can't help but think the SANFL have wholeheartedly adopted Ford Fairlane's philosophy to picking up women:

"Some people play hard to get. I play hard to want."