Adelaide Footy League reveals plan to restructure 2022 competition

The Adelaide Footy League will consider eight-team divisions and fewer games for 2022 to reduce the impact of lockdowns. Do you support it?

A significant redraw of the Adelaide Footy League’s men’s divisions is on the cards for next season in a bid to offset potential Covid lockdowns.

The proposal to reduce each division to eight teams is set to be considered by the competition’s 67 clubs in the coming months.

The motion will also be discussed at a general committee meeting on Monday night, however it will not be voted on until after a consultation period ends on October 1.

It follows a decision by the league’s executive committee last week to slash all its upcoming men’s finals series in half and reduce to a top four format across all divisions.

Adelaide University midfielder Ryan Marini evades Brighton’s Nigel Osborn during Adelaide Footy League division one match earlier this season. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A report sent to clubs on Monday said the significant restructure had been proposed “to mitigate the potential loss of weeks during a Covid interruption and the impacts on the integrity of competition (promotion and relegation) and the league’s finances”.

“The proposal, considerations and consequences are complex, but the navigation of the risks and threats are as equally complex,” it read.

“Advice from SA Health is that there remains a high likelihood of further lockdowns to navigate in 2022.

“It is believed a reduction in team numbers to eight teams per division offers significant relief to ongoing risks.”

Three options have been proposed to clubs:

■ Eight-team divisions with 14 minor rounds

■ Eight-team divisions with 14 minor rounds, plus an additional three rounds if the season is not interrupted by lockdowns

■ Competition remains as is

The league has recommended the first two options.

All of the league’s men’s divisions would be affected should clubs vote to move to eight-team divisions. Picture: Keryn Stevens

However in an email to clubs, chief executive John Kernahan said he and the league executive were not “bolted on” to any option.

He said any changes would apply to 2022 only and the structure would be reviewed at the end of that season.

Under the proposal for eight-team divisions, clubs would be graded on their finishing position at the end of the current season.

The move would likely extend the league’s A grade divisions from seven to nine.

Women’s divisions, which are already either six or eight-team competitions, would not be affected.