Crows, Port AFL players unite over unfair treatment in SANFL

Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide contracted players have called for action to stamp out the prejudice they face in the SANFL.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide players have called for the SANFL to take control of the prejudice towards their reserve teams amid claims of unfair fan behaviour and umpiring.

Several AFL contracted players – on and off record – have voiced their frustration with some claiming the fan behaviour was putting pressure on umpires to the point where their decision making was impacted.

Players said the unfair treatment stemmed from 2014 when the Crows and Power entered reserves teams and SANFL clubs lost access to AFL contracted players.

Many angry fans were opposed to AFL clubs playing in the competition and, for some, that fury exists to this day and creates a divide.

Adelaide defender Josh Worrall, who has played 33 matches in the SANFL said action needed to be taken against unruly fans for the betterment of the competition.

“The abuse I have copped from the sideline this season has been unacceptable,” Worrell said.

“It is time the league took a stand on these fans who come to the footy and do the wrong thing because umpires feel the pressure and it has an impact on them.”

Josh Worrell (left) made an impressive return to AFL football in round 20 against Carlton where he held his spot in the side for the rest of the season. Photo: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Worrell said supporters needed to remember most of the AFL contracted players in the reserve side were under the age of 20 or were yet to debut at senior AFL level.

Another player, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the umpiring was “blatantly” impacted.

The Crows reserves side this season, which finished second on the ladder, have lost the free kick count in all games except for two.

In 2019, shocking statistics revealed Adelaide, since entering the SANFL competition, had the worst free kick differential at -498.

Port Adelaide were ranked second bottom at -307.

The next-ranked team was Norwood at -84.

Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes said the opposition towards AFL players playing in the SANFL was adding extra pressure on umpires.

“The umpire goes to the game, he has to focus on his job but then he has got those guys yelling from the sideline,” Hayes said.

Sam Hayes of the Power takes on Tom Stewart of the Cats in the ruck. Photo: Michael Klein

“A lot of stuff can get thrown at them so they have got to deal with a lot of things.

“I think it certainly affects them for sure.”

Hayes said he had copped unfair treatment recalling a game against Central Districts where fans spat on him and abused his side as they walked off.

In Adelaide’s qualifying final on August 28 this season, Billy Frampton was fined $750 for ‘flipping the bird’ to a spectator, which Crows SANFL coach Mick Godden described as a “great interaction”.

Fans made complaints to the SANFL in 2018 after offensive and abusive comments towards players, most notably Power-listed midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper, were made and supporters were investigated by the SANFL.

The league warned supporters at the time and closed its investigation into some unruly incidents as they were unable to identify any offenders.

In 2019, Hamish Hartlett opened up accusing the SANFL of being biased after Billy Frampton and Aidyn Johnson were both offered bans for separate striking incidents.

“Could the SANFL make it any more obvious that they don’t want us to win a premiership?” Hartlett wrote on Facebook.

“Free kick counts are a disgrace (for both AFL reserves teams) every week, now suspensions for minor indiscretions like these. Pathetic.”

Worrell is set to be included in this week’s Adelaide reserve side which take on Norwood in a preliminary final this Sunday at Adelaide Oval.

The SANFL has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Crows, Port AFL players unite over unfair treatment in SANFL