Adelaide’s current position of seeking to be the tenth team in the SANFL league competition is based on what we and the SA Football Commission believe is best for South Australian football.
Now that the Commission has endorsed the negotiated proposal, the Adelaide Football Club will in the coming days meet with all the SANFL clubs with a view to working with them all to find solutions to any specific issues and to provide as much information as possible about the benefits to the SANFL competition.
SANFL club members have had had very little information and some are understandably nervous about how the model could impact their clubs and competition. We are determined to provide each club board with the depth of information required to make a sound decision.
It is our view that our involvement would enhance the SANFL competition and below are some of the positives we will discuss with the clubs.
We have met with all the SANFL clubs in the past fortnight and we have a genuine desire to continue to co-operate respectfully with the SANFL clubs while protecting the integrity of the competition.
Benefits to SANFL and its clubs
Fixed guarantee sum to each of the SANFL clubs
This annual payment does not include any match day revenues from our 18 games (all to be played at the grounds of the SANFL clubs).
Fixed advertising/promotion budget to each Club
Equitable fixture: 18-game season (each team plays all other sides twice)
Keeps AFL-listed players in SANFL
Less disruption to SANFL clubs with interchange of AFL players (selection, training etc)
Increased media coverage and promotion
Opportunity for free-to-air TV coverage and online streaming of SANFL games
Exposure to new audience
Re-engage SANFL fans who reduced their interest to follow the AFL club
Potential partnerships with AFC (use of facilities, zone resources etc)
Adds to status of competition
Benefits to Adelaide Football Club
Keeps Crows-listed players together, coached by our staff
Player retention
Strong competition for our players
Cost-effective solution (no travel)
Q&A
Why does the Adelaide Football Club want a reserves team?
We need to provide our coaches and players with the best possible environment to be successful. Introducing a support team under our banner is a key part of this strategy. The main benefits for us revolve around the advantages of having our own players together, playing with team-mates and being coached by our coaches and development staff. It’s clearly the best way to prepare our players and the team for AFL competition. It will also help with player retention, as we strive to integrate players from all over Australia into our Club. A strong and successful Adelaide Football Club is critical for the health of South Australian football. And we will continue to work with the SANFL and the clubs to get the best possible outcomes for all involved.
The current system seems to have worked for more than two decades? Why change now?
There have certainly been some benefits from having our players being hosted by all nine SANFL clubs, playing in a strong club-based competition. Some players have thrived in the different environment, others have struggled. But we strongly believe the clear best option now and for the future for the Adelaide Football Club is to have our own support team from the 2014 season, with our players under our control and playing together.
Will there be any interest in following a Crows support side?
No doubt. Many Crows fans already keep an eye on the SANFL to see how our listed players are performing. We know many of our supporters will be excited about the opportunity to watch these players represent the same team. There will also be some solid media interest in the side and we will also promote it strongly through the Club’s communication streams.
Will the support team play to win?
We want to play for premiership points, we believe that’s important. Development is a focus but the competitive spirit within the group must and will be strong.
Where are the extra “top-up” players going to come from?
Some of these finer details still need work but we believe there are a range of options and we commit to working with the SANFL clubs to find the best approach for them.
