SA Football Commission approves new structure for SANFL competition

The South Australian Football Commission has today approved a strategy to enhance the development of talented young players in South Australia following a significant review of the structure of football in SA over the past six months.

The key outcomes of this review include:

• Rule amendments to provide Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs with greater flexibility to promote local talent on their playing lists
• Greater opportunity for young talented players to develop in an AFL environment
• Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the SANFL competition and SANFL clubs
• Increased investment from the AFL into male and female talent, umpiring, under-18 SANFL club coaching and community coaching in SA

The extensive review process was undertaken under the annual requirement of the two AFL clubs’ licence agreement to play in the SANFL, accelerated by the AFL’s Competitive Balance Review.

A working group was established to oversee the review over a three-month period.

This included representation from the SA Football Commission, SANFL management and SANFL clubs.

Throughout the review process, the views of all SANFL clubs, the two AFL clubs and the AFL were considered in establishing a position to ensure the structure of football in South Australia met the needs of all stakeholders.

”This review focused on the long-term growth of the SANFL competition and the sustainability of the eight SANFL clubs, while considering the AFL clubs and the best overall structure for football in South Australia,” SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said.

“SANFL provided a detailed submission to the AFL, highlighting that it does not support a National Reserves competition and that it believes the best structure for football in South Australia is to have the two AFL Clubs compete in the SANFL competition.

“As the oldest competition in the nation, we are extremely proud of the rich traditions of our State League competition and will ensure this is protected.

“We are also proud of SANFL’s reputation as being the best competition outside of the AFL, as demonstrated throughout the 2024 season, culminating in a grand final attended by over 35,000 people at Adelaide Oval and viewed by more than 130,000 viewers across the Seven broadcast.”

Mr Chandler said providing South Australian players in their Draft year with the opportunity to train with, and play for, Port Adelaide and Adelaide in the SANFL competition was important to give our two AFL clubs the best opportunity to prioritise home-grown talent.

AFL clubs will be able to access top-age SA Under-18 Academy players, post the AFL National Championships, for a period of up to four weeks.

In addition, for players aged 18 to 20 years who missed out in the AFL Draft, the new rules for the SANFL competition enable some of these players with a unique opportunity to be in an AFL environment, an expansion of the current SANFL Rookie Program.

Under the successful SANFL Rookie Program, both AFL clubs were able to access up to four rookies (aged 18-20 years). Under the new rules, Adelaide and Port Adelaide are now permitted to each sign up to six SANFL players under the new Talent Development List, plus two players from interstate.

“The successful promotion of Logan Evans to Port Adelaide’s AFL list, after joining the club from Norwood under the SANFL Rookie Program, highlights the opportunities which will be afforded to more of South Australia’s most talented players overlooked in an AFL Draft,” Mr Chandler said.

AFL clubs will be required to pay SANFL clubs a $2,500 loan payment fee upon signing a Talent Development Listed player, allowing SANFL Clubs to further invest in their own football programs.

Under-18 Father-Son and Next Generation Academy players, such as Tyler Welsh at Adelaide this year, will continue to be provided with an opportunity to join their AFL club for the season, leading into the AFL Draft.

AFL clubs also will be permitted to list up to four players aged over 21 from SANFL clubs, or from interstate competitions such as the VFL, WAFL or AFL, which will replace the current marquee player, 10-year AFL player and interstate player regulations.

However, only one mature-age player can be listed from each SANFL club at any one time across both AFL clubs, with current transfer fees to apply.

AFL clubs can continue to list community club players.

A salary cap will also apply to both AFL clubs, which is proportionate to SANFL Clubs and is in line with both the WAFL and VFL regulations.

The new regulations come into effect immediately as clubs prepare for the 2025 season.

As part of the overall strategy for football in SA, the AFL have committed to additional investment in 2025, while they complete a national talent review.

AFL Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane today said:

“The SANFL is a historic and important part of not only South Australian football, but in the development of AFL and AFLW players. The AFL is pleased to now be closer aligned on key areas of football, including umpiring, diversity, game development and talent with the SANFL and we thank them, Adelaide and Port Adelaide for their ongoing support.

“The growth of football and development of players from South Australia is an important part of the national footprint of the AFL.”

North Adelaide Chief Executive Craig Burton, who was a member of the review working group, said:

“It was important to ensure the integrity of our competition is upheld and to make sure the talent pathway is enhanced and funded appropriately, which is a key outcome of this process.

“Playing every week against quality opposition is what will keep the SANFL competition as the best outside of the AFL.”

The SANFL will now work with the AFL and two AFL Clubs to put in place the best structure for SANFL Academy programs, male and female, in preparation for the 2025 season and AFL National Championships.