Elizabeth Football Club chooses to remain in Adelaide Footy League D6 for 2024

A local SA footy club has rejected opponents’ wishes to relegate them to a lower grade despite suffering record breaking losses. Here’s why.

The Elizabeth Football Club has rejected moves by a number of opposition Adelaide Footy League clubs to have them downgraded to the reserves for the remainder of the season a week after copping a competition record 516-0 loss to Fitzroy.

The Eagles, who have conceded over 1400 points through their first four games this year, requested to be regraded to a lower division or grade after suffering a mass player exodus shortly before the start of the season but were rejected by the league and other clubs after it was concluded other outfits and divisions would be impacted as a result.

This masthead understands seven out of nine opposition div six clubs this week approached the AdFL in favour of Elizabeth dropping to the reserves for the remainder of 2024 as a solution to their situation.

It is understood clubs showed sympathy for Elizabeth and its struggles but also aired concerns around the impact potential recruitment of former big-name AFL or SANFL players by the Eagles for one-off games could have on the division.

The league then approached Elizabeth with the solution of moving down to D6 reserves, which the club has now refused, remaining in the A Grade competition.

The Elizabeth Football Club has refused the chance to be regraded and will remain in division six for the 2024 AdFL season. Picture: Facebook

The Adelaide Footy League had been working with Elizabeth regarding its situation since the pre-season but has not been able to find a solution which would suit all parties involved.

League chief John Kernahan said Elizabeth could not move themselves or be moved by others including the AdFL unless all parties agreed.

“There is a certain irony that the very regulations some were asking the league to circumnavigate to move Elizabeth from div six are now providing security for Elizabeth to stay in the division as against being forced to be regraded to division six reserves,” Kernahan said.

“At the very least, the league can’t be accused of contradicting the constitution that governs our league.”

Elizabeth football director, Tim Young said the club was content with staying in the division after the support it had received from the wider community and returning players following its big loss to Fitzroy.

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said all impacted parties had to agree to a regrading. Picture: Emma Brasier

“We would like to acknowledge the support from our opposing clubs who supported moving the Elizabeth Football Club from division six to division six reserves and we also thank the league for their willingness to facilitate this,” he said.

“However, the EFC is now in a much healthier position and we will be staying in division six.

“Thanks to the outpouring of support from past club members, and the community in general.

“We are extremely hopeful we can field a second side in the coming weeks.”

Elizabeth saw 35 players on the track during training this week and has also appointed new coach Matt Switala ahead of its clash with Adelaide Lutheran this weekend.