2026 Adelaide Footy League - Division 5

[Down the Hill]

Technically a new club but born out of two clubs that were SAAFL affiliated in 2025. PNU and Goodwood Saints are previous examples. Did they have their new clubs fully constituted so soon after the previous season ended? BHOS and Brighton were a bit different because Brighton came from outside SAAFL. And I think Renown Park were part of the new Fitzroy but can’t recall if the other parts were in the SAAFL.

[bandar]

Technically a new club but born out of two clubs that were SAAFL affiliated in 2025. PNU and Goodwood Saints are previous examples. Did they have their new clubs fully constituted so soon after the previous season ended? BHOS and Brighton were a bit different because Brighton came from outside SAAFL. And I think Renown Park were part of the new Fitzroy but can’t recall if the other parts were in the SAAFL.

St Dominics were the other part and yes they were.

[Footy Chick]

If you go looking, I reckon there's a whole thread on it somewhere.

Can you look for me? I CBF

From memory (and please keep in mind that at the moment I can't remember why I walked into a room, in fact, I unknowingly nearly did a drive off this morning at X-Con but that's another story )

I think SPOS moved to Mawson Lakes a year before they actually changed name to Mawson Lakes - meaning they kept all history - and even still had the SPOS on the back of their jumpers for some time. It was just a name change as a result of the split with the school and wanting to plant roots in a (then) newly developing area. All honour boards, etc, remained with them.

I also recall something about them maybe sub-leasing the oval off of Kaurna Eagles (dont' quote me on that though)

Had they done it properly, they could've had juniors as big as the Big 4.

The mass confusion only came around when SPOS 2.0 came into the picture.

I also remember doing a Roots club visit there after the announcement. Now im normally a year off with this stuff but I reckon they moved to the oval in 09 and became the mozzies in 2010.

Yikes, it's just occurred to me how long I've doing this stuff for.

[Footy Chick]

Technically a new club but born out of two clubs that were SAAFL affiliated in 2025. PNU and Goodwood Saints are previous examples. Did they have their new clubs fully constituted so soon after the previous season ended? BHOS and Brighton were a bit different because Brighton came from outside SAAFL. And I think Renown Park were part of the new Fitzroy but can’t recall if the other parts were in the SAAFL.

St Dominics were the other part and yes they were.

St Doms
Renown Park
Brompton

= Fitzroy

[The Bedge]

I think SPOS moved to Mawson Lakes a year before they actually changed name to Mawson Lakes - meaning they kept all history - and even still had the SPOS on the back of their jumpers for some time. It was just a name change as a result of the split with the school and wanting to plant roots in a (then) newly developing area. All honour boards, etc, remained with them.

The mass confusion only came around when SPOS 2.0 came into the picture.

This was somewhat my recollection albeit hazy

[Beachboy]

On a side note. Greenacres were pretty impressive last year bar their prelim. Completely different team though with both Clark brothers playing. Kosta is a big loss. But their inclusions are handy. Fully expect them to be the front runners.

[The Bedge]

Pretty comprehensive email from the AdFL which includes everything about the ML / Greenacres situation.

[Look Good In Leather]

I thought Mawson Lakes Oval was meant to have some re-development done on it soon from the University

Yeah I believe that area will be redeveloped for housing as part of the uni merger deal

[Bluedemon]

Pretty comprehensive email from the AdFL which includes everything about the ML / Greenacres situation.

What was mentioned?

[The Bedge]

Mawson Lakes Football Club

o On Tuesday 28th October, the MLFC President informally advised the League they were navigating a suit of challenges
 The original advice to ML was we supported them until we know more.
 At that juncture, the advice was as per Rules and Regs, the conditions they can compete in 2026 and then what they must satisfy for 2027 to which is consistent to a handful of clubs in recent years.

o The League also sent an Email to several other clubs who had enquired on the future of MLFC and their players reinforcing the recently ratified 3 player transfer rule remains in effect
o In the ensuing days, MLFC advised they had entered discussions with several clubs with a focus of pursuing an Amalgamation.
 Paraphrasing but Amalgamation is a merging of IP between two entities.
 IP consists of Balance Sheets, History and members including playing members and crucially, other legacy considerations such as BRS.
o MLFC and the Greenacres FC have since offered an in-principal MoU for the League to refer.
o The League has in turn assumed control of the administration of the MLFC PHQ Platform until such time we have clear direction
o It needs to be made Clear to all others. The dissolution of a football club does not render the transfers limits moot.
o As with any other, regulations do not extend to placing restrictions on players to where they stay, simply limits from one club to another.
o As at today 4th November, the following has been offered to both clubs to consider.

Dear …………….,
The League Executive met for a scheduled Board Meeting last night. We have received an informal notice from a group of clubs requesting that all transactions, meaning any agreements relating to this matter be made public including this advice.
While we strongly support this amalgamation as a positive example of collaboration for the future, we must ensure it fully complies with our and any statutory governing framework.

Legal and Regulatory Context
The League has sought advice from AdFL Counsel to clarify the timing and compliance of the amalgamation in relation to our Rules, Constitution, and the Associations Incorporation Act.
Clauses 6 and 7 of our Constitution, mirrored in our Rules and Regulations, are the specific references that touch on membership and renewal. They outline how new clubs may be admitted and how existing members renew their affiliation. Notably, there is no specific reference to amalgamations in our Regulations. In such cases, the Associations Incorporation Act serves as the overarching legal framework and supersedes League rules.

However, from the AFL Laws of the Game
21. Clubs Merging
a) Where two or more Affiliated League Clubs merge into one new Club, the registered players of the Clubs which have merged shall be deemed to be players of the new Club formed by the merger for the purposes of the Clearance rules and regulations of the Affiliated League of which the new Club becomes a member.

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Guidance
Following an inquiry, likely initiated by a member club and I suspect you may consider it a member of your own club; The League has also received advice from Consumer and Business Services (CBS) outlining the process for amalgamation under the Associations Act. CBS confirms that:
1. Each club must pass a Special Resolution supported by at least 75% of voting members, approving:
o the terms of the proposed amalgamation, and
o the name of the new amalgamated association.
2. Both clubs must then lodge a joint application to CBS, including:
o copies of the Special Resolutions,
o the proposed constitution of the new entity,
o certificates of incorporation,
o details of the new Public Officer,
o a completed compliance checklist, and
o the relevant fee.
Key Constitutional Clauses
• Clause 6 – Membership: New Admissions
The Executive Committee has sole discretion to accept or reject applications for League membership.
• Clause 7 – Renewal of Membership: Member Clubs seeking renewal must meet eligibility requirements (fielding two senior men’s teams, being financial, not suspended or expelled). The Executive may reject an application, subject to appeal to the General Committee.

Behavioural Rating System (BRS)
A specific concern relates to the Behavioural Rating System (BRS), a cornerstone of League governance. The League and its member clubs rely on it to promote positive engagement. Mawson Lakes finished the 2025 season with a BRS rating of 5. The system allows for transitional relief between seasons, but for an amalgamated entity, the League must determine how to merge or carry over these values appropriately. For the sake of clarity, in 2026, the starting rating for GFC is 2 and MLFC is 3. The aggregate for both is 3 however at the lower end of that scale.
We must insist the Greenacres membership be armed with this key issue to consider with respect to voting to this Amalgamation.

Approved Player Points System (APPS)
Under Clause 11.4 of the Rules, the League recognises players who attended a school associated with a member club (three years or more) with a base player point rating of zero.
However, the League’s position at this stage is that the new entity will not retain the St Paul’s College player association currently recognised under the APPS as per its remit described in 11.4.b) such school-Member Club association shall be determined by The League. That resource now lies with the St Pauls Old Scholar’s Football Club and them alone.
We must insist the Greenacres membership be armed with this key issue to consider with respect to voting to this Amalgamation.

Conclusion
The Adelaide Footy League remains supportive of club amalgamations as a demonstration of collaboration and sustainability. However, compliance with the Associations Incorporation Act and the League’s own Rules and Regulations must remain paramount.
We appreciate the good faith and transparency shown to date particularly from Christopher and Mawson Lakes in what is undoubtedly a complex and sensitive process.
Clearly, we remain open to further enquiries and offering further assistance.

[livefooty]

bottom line is greenies can only take 3 players.

[The Bedge]

bottom line is greenies can only take 3 players.

Dunno how you got that haha

a) Where two or more Affiliated League Clubs merge into one new Club, the registered players of the Clubs which have merged shall be deemed to be players of the new Club formed by the merger for the purposes of the Clearance rules and regulations of the Affiliated League of which the new Club becomes a member.

[livefooty]

yea i seen that but as it stands right now they can only take 3.

[redyellow&blue]

bottom line is greenies can only take 3 players.

Dunno how you got that haha

a) Where two or more Affiliated League Clubs merge into one new Club, the registered players of the Clubs which have merged shall be deemed to be players of the new Club formed by the merger for the purposes of the Clearance rules and regulations of the Affiliated League of which the new Club becomes a member.

Merger requires a few things which i can't see greenacres doing.

[Oldboy1]

Money talks! And greenacres have plenty!

[redyellow&blue]

Money talks! And greenacres have plenty!

Money won't change the outcome.

[The Bedge]

Wont lie, initially I was a little dirty - mostly because I was hopeful of luring a few across to Ingle Farm.. but also a lot of is was FOMO on what Greenies were (potentially) getting - players, sponsors, money, equipment, volunteers..

But the longer the week goes on, the more content I feel - partly because Greenies aren't in D6 for starters - but for too long it's been spoken that we have too many clubs (particularly in that North-East region) and every year it's clubs fighting over players. Mawson Lakes have done well to survive as long as they have with no juniors and no atmosphere at their ground.

This merger / acquisition whatever you want to call it, won't make Greenacres some magical powerhouse, but it will make them structurally stronger and it'll hopefully have a flow on to other clubs in the area with one less club to compete for players with.

[Beachboy]

Wont lie, initially I was a little dirty - mostly because I was hopeful of luring a few across to Ingle Farm.. but also a lot of is was FOMO on what Greenies were (potentially) getting - players, sponsors, money, equipment, volunteers..

But the longer the week goes on, the more content I feel - partly because Greenies aren't in D6 for starters - but for too long it's been spoken that we have too many clubs (particularly in that North-East region) and every year it's clubs fighting over players. Mawson Lakes have done well to survive as long as they have with no juniors and no atmosphere at their ground.

This merger / acquisition whatever you want to call it, won't make Greenacres some magical powerhouse, but it will make them structurally stronger and it'll hopefully have a flow on to other clubs in the area with one less club to compete for players with.

Stop being so positive and bring back angry Bedge. Dont let the A grade coaching role change you.

[Footy Chick]

Wont lie, initially I was a little dirty - mostly because I was hopeful of luring a few across to Ingle Farm.. but also a lot of is was FOMO on what Greenies were (potentially) getting - players, sponsors, money, equipment, volunteers..

But the longer the week goes on, the more content I feel - partly because Greenies aren't in D6 for starters - but for too long it's been spoken that we have too many clubs (particularly in that North-East region) and every year it's clubs fighting over players. Mawson Lakes have done well to survive as long as they have with no juniors and no atmosphere at their ground.

This merger / acquisition whatever you want to call it, won't make Greenacres some magical powerhouse, but it will make them structurally stronger and it'll hopefully have a flow on to other clubs in the area with one less club to compete for players with.

Stop being so positive and bring back angry Bedge. Dont let the A grade coaching role change you.

Yeah, i'm not sure that post was written, spoken and authorised by M. Bedgegood

[Bluedemon]

Wont lie, initially I was a little dirty - mostly because I was hopeful of luring a few across to Ingle Farm.. but also a lot of is was FOMO on what Greenies were (potentially) getting - players, sponsors, money, equipment, volunteers..

But the longer the week goes on, the more content I feel - partly because Greenies aren't in D6 for starters - but for too long it's been spoken that we have too many clubs (particularly in that North-East region) and every year it's clubs fighting over players. Mawson Lakes have done well to survive as long as they have with no juniors and no atmosphere at their ground.

This merger / acquisition whatever you want to call it, won't make Greenacres some magical powerhouse, but it will make them structurally stronger and it'll hopefully have a flow on to other clubs in the area with one less club to compete for players with.

Stop being so positive and bring back angry Bedge. Dont let the A grade coaching role change you.

Yeah, i'm not sure that post was written, spoken and authorised by M. Bedgegood

done by chatgpt??