Adelaide will be able to field a strong lineup in the Club’s first ever SANFL finals campaign, according to qualification rules set out by the League.

The SANFL Crows finished their home and away season in fourth position on the League ladder and defeated Central District in the Club’s first ever SANFL final.

Finals qualification rules for listed players at State League level only apply if/once Adelaide’s AFL team is eliminated from its own finals campaign.

Selectors’ only restriction in Week One of the SANFL finals series surrounded the 22 chosen for AFL duties the previous weekend. Players cannot feature at SANFL level if they played AFL the previous week and the senior team is not in action on the same weekend as the SANFL side.

For example, Ricky Henderson was called into Adelaide's AFL clash with West Coast in Round 23. He therefore was ineligible for SANFL selection for Adelaide’s first final against Central District during the AFL’s post-season bye. This rule originally excluded Cam Ellis-Yolmen from the SANFL Elimination Final, however the midfielder was granted an exception by the League.

If/once Adelaide falls out of the AFL finals race, SANFL qualification rules dictate players are only eligible for SANFL finals if they have played more SANFL matches than AFL games during the season, including three games after June 30. Development players are eligible if they have played one minor round game.

The Club can also apply for a permit for particular players in cases involving injury, suspensions or extenuating circumstances.

Qualification rules kick in immediately if/once the AFL team is eliminated from finals, meaning late changes may be required to Adelaide’s SANFL team if it plays after an AFL loss on the same weekend regardless of team selection earlier in the week.

Nineteen Crows listed players are currently qualified for SANFL finals under these rules.

Adelaide has also fielded 13 development players this season who are all eligible for finals selection.

SANFL Finals Qualification criteria for AFL-listed players
- Played more SANFL games than AFL games this season
- Played at least three SANFL games after June 30
- Club can apply for a permit in situations involving injury, suspension or extenuating circumstances

*Qualification rules only apply if/once AFL team is eliminated from finals


Crows listed players who have satisfied SANFL Finals Qualification criteria

PLAYER2016 SANFL GamesGames after June 30
Jonathon Beech167
Mitch Grigg188
Curtly Hampton77
Hugh Greenwood188
Cam Ellis-Yolmen166
Harrison Wigg167
Dean Gore188
Paul Hunter188
Harry Dear188
Tom Doedee178
Alex Keath116
Reilly O'Brien177
Keenan Ramsey166
Jake Kelly157
Andy Otten135
Luke Lowden133
Troy Menzel134
Wayne Milera108
Riley Knight73
Nathan van Berlo93


Crows development players who have satisfied SANFL Finals Qualification criteria

PLAYER2016 SANFL Games
Luke Carey13
Scott Spriggs12
Trent Heffernan10
Dylan Schoenmakers10
Matthew Leigh8
Matthew Spencely3
Mitchell Minns3
Brock Castree3
Josh Wittwer3
Wade Hancock2
Matthew Johncock2
Tyson Lindsay1
Dylan Ribbons1