The South Australian Football Commission has green-lit a new and innovative strategy to propel local talent into the limelight, while securing the sustainability of the SANFL competition. Under the new structure, there will be expanded avenues for young local athletes to gain AFL experience.
Investment will be poured into various aspects of the sport such as talent for both male and female players, umpiring, coaching at the under-18 SANFL club level, and community coaching across the state.
AFL clubs will now be able to access top-age SA Under-18 Academy players, post the AFL National Championships, for a period of up to four weeks.
Under the new rules, Adelaide and Port Adelaide can now each sign up to six SANFL players under the new Talent Development List, plus two players from interstate 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.
In addition, for players aged 18 to 20 years who missed out in the AFL Draft, the expansion of the current SANFL Rookie Program will give them a unique opportunity to be in an AFL environment.
“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,” SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said.
Chandler says they plan to foster the growth of the SANFL’s eight clubs and maintain competitive integrity while accommodating AFL clubs’ needs.
“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,” Chandler said.
“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.”
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.
The decision follows an exhaustive six-month review and sets forward amendments beneficial to both Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs.
A key part of the review was the facilitation of a working group, which spanned a three-month period. Throughout the review, the input from all SANFL clubs, the two AFL clubs, and the AFL was pivotal in shaping a framework that addresses the requirements of all involved parties.
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 now 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. 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.
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, says 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,” she said.
“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, says it is important to ensure the integrity of the competition is upheld and to make sure the talent pathway is enhanced and funded appropriately.
“Playing every week against quality opposition is what will keep the SANFL competition as the best outside of the AFL,” he added.
These new regulations take effect immediately as preparation for the 2025 season gets underway. Alongside these changes, the AFL has committed to an increased investment in the 2025 season while conducting a national talent review to further enhance the structure and support of football development in Australia.
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.
