Port Adelaide’s AFL reserves team, who are a 155-year member of their state competition the SANFL – and their cross-town rivals the Adelaide Crows, are set to depart their state in the seek for equality.
The Eagles are firmly believed to join their South Australian rivals in the near future too, while as reported exclusively last month, Fremantle is far less willing.
The move would see them join a league with 14 other AFL clubs, in a competition where each of their clubs’ second-tier team would play each other on a weekly basis.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun’s Jay Clark provided an update on the news that has been speculated for months.
“Port Adelaide are quite open about their plans to exit the SANFL – 150 years of history – (it’s) certainly a massive story in South Australia,” Clark said.
“Adelaide have followed suite, so they both want to exit that league and be part of a national second-tier competition, which will involve all 18 clubs.”
If the Power and Crows’ exit becomes a reality, it would leave West Coast – and particularly Fremantle – with an important decision to make.
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“I think this will happen, and they’re pushing for it to happen next year – so I think we get used to that idea that SANFL, potentially the WAFL, is going to be missing those traditional clubs,” Clark added.
“I think for the fairness and the quality of the whole competition, that really needs to happen.”
While established in the AFL before Port Adelaide’s top side, the Crows have only been playing a reserves side in the state competition since 2014 – leaving behind very minimal history compared to the Magpies.
West Coast have previously voiced their interest in the league, while Fremantle’s somewhat unwillingness is due to their strong relationship and foundation with WAFL club the Peel Thunder.
Heading into this evening’s SANFL Showdown, the Magpies are winless from their four games this season, while the Crows had their sole win over South Adelaide back in Round 1.
Source Agencies
