SANFL 2025

[Dutchy]

A bit more info here -

Dear Members,

Is everyone gearing up for SANFL super round this weekend against Glenelg at home. I hope so, despite the showers predicted, we’re set for a great day of footy. I want to start my message this week by acknowledging the outstanding efforts of our West Adelaide women’s team. With a big final game ahead, it’s important to reflect on the big year they’ve had, filled with ups and downs. The ups consisting of player culture and comradery and skill development being realised on field. The downs, reflected on the scoreboard, especially when the wins were insight only minutes before the final siren on gamedays. We all share their frustrations around their lack of facilities, at Richmond, and the solution from our landlords is constantly being discussed and we will push this to be realised as a key priority for both the WAFC and the City of West Torrens. No doubt the players all feel frustrated, as have coaching staff, when playing finals is no longer a reality, but the leadership in this group are truly incredible women and I hope for their futures to be secured at Westies. We will provide a supportive club for them to all look forward to a bigger and better season 2026. The tickets for their annual Best and Fairest have just been advertised so please get in quickly. It’s always such a fantastic night full of energy, comradery and of course a perfect opportunity for you along with the club to honour all our women and girls who choose to chase their dreams at West Adelaide.

Overall, it’s been another couple of big weeks for WAFC, last weeks results at league level, continue to cause unrest and disappointment. We acknowledge that we share in that, but look for the positives, and celebrate the small wins. Our other teams including 16’s,18’s and reserves all had wins, and we need to celebrate this as the pathways to league are getting stronger here at West Adelaide.

I know that a lot of questions have been asked about our Senior Men’s Coaching future so it’s time to share an important update regarding our senior men’s program. Following extensive discussions, the West Adelaide Football Club Board has made the decision to conclude Adam Hartlett’s coaching duties for the remainder of the 2025 season. This has been discussed with Adam, he has been consulted personally for his feedback on this messaging as the priority for the Club is to ensure that this communication is both factual and an accurate reflection of these discussions.

To be absolutely clear, this is not a termination of Adam’s employment. Adam remains a valued member of the Bloods, and this decision is being made out of support—both for Adam and for our playing group—as we navigate an unpredicted period of reflection and new opportunities for both Adam personally and our Club.

Over the recent weeks, Adam has requested personal leave. He used this time away from WAFC to reflect, reset, and focus on his wellbeing and strategies to ensure he could position himself as the best coach he can be in the future which we fully support.

Adam remains committed to his goal of continuing his career as a Head Coach and working in football in a senior capacity. The Club have advised Adam that given the circumstances of a much disrupted 2025, what is important is creating an environment with minimal further disruptions for the rest of this season. As part of that, Adam respects the fact that re-entering the coaching role at this stage, could potentially destabilise that vision for the playing group. While Adam remains a deeply respected and valued member of the West Adelaide community, both parties have agreed that now is the right time to create space for a new coaching direction moving forward.

Adam has poured his heart into this Club. He is deeply respected by players, staff, and community, and this step is not a reflection of his commitment or integrity. Rather, it is an opportunity to create space for Adam and the team to reset and look ahead with fresh perspectives.

Sam Elliot has been appointed as interim senior coach for the rest of season 2025 with blessing from both Adam and the playing group. We will be prioritising what opportunities this decision creates for both the Club and Adam and look forward to further supportive discussions with Adam directly to identify areas of interest and development that lie across areas like football administration, leadership, list management and analysis.

The Board will determine a process for securing a coach beyond 2025 as Adam’s employment contract will come to an end in the next few months. At this stage this is still being discussed however we will update you accordingly and as soon as possible. We need to ensure that we have the fit for purpose tools in place to set a Coach up for success. We know we have ongoing challenges in this space that need to be addressed. One we all know is the lack of financial resource hindering our ability to utilise the full salary cap. We are working through options on how to realise increased funds for this purpose at the speed of light without compromising on other areas of our club or member offerings.

I know I have offered a financial update, this is coming, so I thank you for your patience. Our CEO Adam has been reviewing the details, reforecasting, looking at budget detail, and realigning line items that reflect on our management reports. What I will offer when it is provided, will be a true and accurate reflection, the good, the challenging and the uncertainty that unfortunately has been a challenge for West Adelaide for many, many years. This is a work in progress and not a quick fix, however we remain positive to the cause, and committed to our course of short and medium term strategies to improve our overall position as a football club.

To our loyal members and supporters—thank you. Your belief in your club in a forever changing landscape, is what continues to drive us forward. We remain focused on building a stronger, more united West Adelaide, and we know that your continued support will be vital.

Kind Regards
Alison

Alison Surjan

President, West Adelaide Football Club

[Jim05]

Wouldn't it be best for Dyson Sharpe if he plays the rest of the year at Port given that’s where he he’s likely to be next year…

He won’t be at Port.
Will go top 3 and possibly 1. West Coast and Richmond both all over him

[Wolf Pack]

Westies last competitive season was 2018.
They are broke and nothing will change unless:

They relocate somewhere else or they merge.

If neither of those things happen, they should close the club down.

[Hazydog]

Meanwhile not a good day to spruik the competetivness of the league..

Sturt and Glenelg both paying $1.01on Ladbrokes..

South at $3.15 not bad value though!

[UK Fan]

Westies last competitive season was 2018.
They are broke and nothing will change unless:

They relocate somewhere else or they merge.

If neither of those things happen, they should close the club down.

Merge with Goody Saints!!

[Wolf Pack]

That would be a good move.
Straight in to the Amateur League.
They might even win a few games…..

[PatowalongaPirate]

Strut last 2 games have kicked 49.28 vs 11.17.

Surely the printing is in full swing

[dedja]

Strut last 2 games have kicked 49.28 vs 11.17.

Surely the printing is in full swing

Pffft … Bays kicked 49.23 to 11.13 in one

[mots02]

Strut last 2 games have kicked 49.28 vs 11.17.

Surely the printing is in full swing

We’re just trying to rebalance the 1995 season in one year

[StrayDog]

Strut last 2 games have kicked 49.28 vs 11.17.

Surely the printing is in full swing

Pffft … Bays kicked 49.23 to 11.13 in one

Go 'Legs.

[gadj1976]

Strut last 2 games have kicked 49.28 vs 11.17.

Surely the printing is in full swing

Have we played anyone?

[am Bays]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

[UK Fan]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

Are you suggesting Koch was bluffing.

Didnt pick that

[Booney]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

The AFL's broadcast rights for the next seven seasons - from 2025 to 2031 - sit with the Seven Network and Foxtel after a $4.5 billion deal agreed to in September, 2022.

They're ok.

[am Bays]

I know they’re OK

I’m just saying compared to the womens comp, soft cap demands from clubs and Tassie on the horizon a reserve comp is not on their list of priorities.

Not too mention the AFL Exec has just expanded by two so that’s an extra Mill the AFL has to find with all the on costs.

[MW]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

should be a triple header... AFLW, AFL ressies, AFL seniors

[Dogs64]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

should be a triple header... AFLW, AFL ressies, AFL seniors

That's okay for afl club members that get in to the sanfl for free. Maybe for a showdown or aflw, but not for legitimate sanfl teams v an afl reserves team.

[Jim05]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

should be a triple header... AFLW, AFL ressies, AFL seniors

The stadiums are dead against it so can’t see it happening

[Ye Olde Place Kick]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

should be a triple header... AFLW, AFL ressies, AFL seniors

Won't happen, it would ruin their goal of dominating the media and thus sponsorship money.
AFLW starting late allows them to go deep into the summer, although that might get a rethink as the interest is dropping.

[Hazydog]

If you want more proof on why there wont be an AFL reserves competition anytime soon: https://www.3aw.com.au/the-worrying-figures-behind-current-state-of-aflw-revealed/

Yeah we'll just fund an extra men's competition while our flagship women's competition flounders not too mention the government women's sport funding we'll h jeopardise as well.

The AFL's broadcast rights for the next seven seasons - from 2025 to 2031 - sit with the Seven Network and Foxtel after a $4.5 billion deal agreed to in September, 2022.

They're ok.

I wonder how secure Foxtels contribution is? The original pay TV subsrcription model is surely on very shaky ground given the alternatives available nowadays which shows with the inflated cost they are charging for Kayo which might wear a bit thin with punters in challenging economic times?