SANFL 2026

[Booney]

Both of you are correct, ignore the conspiracy theorist.

Perhaps the SANFL could do more to help West once Port pay back the $17M that nearly sent them broke.

One of the rare instances I read your bollocks. EAD. There is none.

Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson: "On 31 October, the club achieved a significant milestone – paying off the final $1m of historical debt.
From a peak debt of $12.5 million post-COVID, we've rebuilt a strong financial position largely through the wonderful support of our members and commercial partners, allowing us to build the financial base needed to fully fund our football programs. At the same time, we've also significantly transformed facilities at Alberton Oval, with the next stage due for completion in June 2026. These projects and the reduction in our debt position have improved the club's net asset position significantly to more than $60m.
This milestone represents more than debt reduction. It enables us to accelerate our strategic pillar of building a financially powerful Port Adelaide Football Club: creating a diversified asset base that generates non-core revenue while transforming our financial strength and ultimately maximising football program investment.
To our members and partners: this achievement is directly attributable to your incredible commitment through the most challenging period in our club's modern history. Your support has enabled us to emerge stronger, more focused, and strategically positioned to now capitalise on an important period of growth and consolidation. We've made excellent gains over the last five years, but the next five should be even more significant. We look forward to sharing more with you in the new year."

[DOC]

SANFL can’t afford West to fall over with the looming departure of Port and Adelaide.

A 7 team competition would not work.

I’m a die hard but even I’m a little disheartened and disillusioned.

EDIT, as WB said

The AFLW is losing $50m a year and Tasmania are on the horizon, an AFL reserves comp is a long, long way off.

I believe that loss will be around $70 million this year and as an aside, the AFLW players are the four highest consort of players of any sport in Australia now despite the game not earning anywhere near the figure to pay them..

[dedja]

Both of you are correct, ignore the conspiracy theorist.

Perhaps the SANFL could do more to help West once Port pay back the $17M that nearly sent them broke.

One of the rare instances I read your bollocks. EAD. There is none.

Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson: "On 31 October, the club achieved a significant milestone – paying off the final $1m of historical debt.
From a peak debt of $12.5 million post-COVID, we've rebuilt a strong financial position largely through the wonderful support of our members and commercial partners, allowing us to build the financial base needed to fully fund our football programs. At the same time, we've also significantly transformed facilities at Alberton Oval, with the next stage due for completion in June 2026. These projects and the reduction in our debt position have improved the club's net asset position significantly to more than $60m.
This milestone represents more than debt reduction. It enables us to accelerate our strategic pillar of building a financially powerful Port Adelaide Football Club: creating a diversified asset base that generates non-core revenue while transforming our financial strength and ultimately maximising football program investment.
To our members and partners: this achievement is directly attributable to your incredible commitment through the most challenging period in our club's modern history. Your support has enabled us to emerge stronger, more focused, and strategically positioned to now capitalise on an important period of growth and consolidation. We've made excellent gains over the last five years, but the next five should be even more significant. We look forward to sharing more with you in the new year."

Mmmmm, that kool-aid must taste nice.

Your club has lived all its life on handouts, but if you want to believe that you’re a sustainable entity, all power to you.

Everyone understands that it cost the SANFL at least $17M to prop up Port which had to be written off, well nearly everyone.

Anyway, this as an SANFL thread. West are an important part of the SANFL, and all true SANFL supporters wish them well. I know I certainly do.

Instead of worrying about the next West CEO, when is your club going to win another premiership? 26 years and counting.

[Bluedemon]

Any idea when the fixture will be released I’m guessing in the new year?

Should be released by Thursday 11th of December

[Pseudo]

I think it's fantastic that the smears have paid off all debt. Now they can do the socially responsible thing and start paying for the right to field a reserve team in league ranks, just like the clowns do.

[pmackk]

Fixture will be out tomorrow.

[pmackk]

7 news announced north sturt on good friday at prospect.

[Jim05]

7 news announced north sturt on good friday at prospect.

Unlike JC I can’t see North rising from the dead on Monday

[dedja]

What have the Romans ever done for us?

[wenchbarwer]

The aqueduct

[Spargo]

After almost six years, Glenelg CEO Justin Scripps is stepping down from his position.

[Booney]

https://sanfl-content.imgix.net/content ... ixture.pdf

[Booney]

By ZAC MILBANK

The 2026 Hostplus SANFL League season is primed for an electrifying start, with traditional rivals Norwood and Sturt clashing in the opening match ahead of a host of blockbusters in the opening rounds.

Tipped to be two of the early front-runners next season, the Redlegs and Double Blues will set the scene under lights at The Parade on Friday March 27 after the fixture was released on Wednesday.

The remaining four Round 1 matches will be played on Saturday March 28, with Central District and North Adelaide, together with Port Adelaide and Glenelg, featuring in twilight clashes from 4.10pm.

West Adelaide will begin a new era under coach Nathan Bassett at Richmond Oval against an Adelaide outfit which will likely unveil first-round draft pick Mitchell Marsh against his former club.

South Adelaide will host Woodville-West Torrens at Magain Stadium as two former AFL players in St Kilda’s Arie Schoenmaker (South) and Geelong’s Ted Clohesy (Eagles) prepare to make their Hostplus SANFL League debut.

Easter will again be a major highlight on the SANFL calendar as the Eagles and Adelaide collide from 7.40pm at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Thursday April 2 before four massive matches on Good Friday.

West will confront Central at Richmond Oval while South Adelaide will host the Magpies, now coached by Jacob Surjan, at Magain Stadium.

This year’s Preliminary Finalists, the Matthew Clarke-coached Glenelg and Norwood will do battle at Stratarama Stadium while the Roosters, with Josh Francou at the helm, will have star recruit James Battersby face his former teammates for the first time when Sturt lands at the newly-named Revo Fitness Oval.

Anzac Day looms as another exciting feature, including the traditional Grand Final rematch between 2025 Grand Finalists – Sturt and Glenelg – at Thomas Farms Oval on Saturday April 25.

The Double Blues and Tigers attracted a massive crowd of 34,426 in the 2025 title-decider, ensuring similar excitement will surround the first time they meet next season.

”We are really excited about the marquee match-ups, particularly in the opening rounds,” SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey said.

”It promises to be an intriguing start to the Hostplus SANFL League season with a host of new recruits, and coaches, sporting their new clubs’ colours for the first time. Scheduling these highly-anticipated clashes early in the fixture will maximise the potential for significant attendances amid the milder weather.

”Continuing to showcase the competition in South Australia’s regional areas is an important feature, providing our country followers with a chance to watch their favourite teams up close, in familiar locations.”

[Brucetiki]

Port and Adelaide have no intentions of leaving.

Afelaide are lobbying to play games against South and Centrals at Alberton citing logistical clashes with their league side. Port are on board with this having offered the venue. As an example they are asking to play their Good Friday game as one of these at Alberton at an earlier than normal time slot as their League side is at home on the same day at 6.45pm.


This will be a precursor to them playing the year after at Thebarton.

But wait. Are they not in the league on the understanding that they don’t get home games ( despite having played a number of home games at.AO over the last few seasons)?

Can Darren Chandler explain how this is in the constituent clubs best interests?

We will be shafted yet again I feel.

Doesn't look like this eventuated.

Adelaide play the Eagles at Woodviile on the Thursday night before Good Friday and both Centrals and South have both games against Adelaide at home.

[DOC]

My conspiracy theory rant on previous page does not come to fruition. Adelaide do get the Thursday night game at Easter which would be their preference.

I think this will be the first year since joining the comp that South have not played at Elizabeth.

South play the country championships game again. That is three years in a row.

With recruitment mostly done , the draw out and time on my side, I feel it’s time for some predictions.

[DOC]

Too quick for me. Completely agree as you can see.

[southernbulldog]

SANFLopening the season with Norwood v Sturt GF preview in Round 1

[Brodlach]

Why do West always get one of the AFL teams Round 1 when they are generally at their strongest?

[DOC]

You are at your strongest as well.

You beat Port last year round one.

[Brodlach]

And got smashed this year

Off to Port Lincoln again too.