Salisbury West Football Club takes next step in application for re-entry to Adelaide Footy League
A banned footy club has ramped up its move to return to the Adelaide Footy League next season as two other teams rule out a move to the competition.
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Salisbury West has ramped up its move to return to the Adelaide Footy League in 2020 as two other clubs rule out making a bid.
The Tigers, who were removed from the competition in August last year, have submitted the required documentation prior to the August 31 deadline.
The club’s fate is now in the hands of the league’s executive committee, which will rule on whether or not to allow it back.
Two other clubs – North Pines and Southern Football League side Hackham – had shown interest in joining the competition but did not formally apply before the required date.
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said a date for the executive committee to consider the Salisbury West bid was yet to be set, but it would likely take place after the 2019 season.
He said the club had provided all paperwork required by the league.
Salisbury West president Matthew Bates said the Tigers submitted a list of 55 players committed to play in 2020 along with six potential coaches who had flagged interest in the role.
“We’ve had a lot of ex-juniors playing at other clubs now who want to come back and with the interest already there should be no issue with fielding teams,” Bates said.
“At the moment we’re just waiting.
“On our side of things we want to get going and get cracking on getting back to football next year.”
S alisbury West was banned in August last year after its captain, Adam Jones, was suspended for 28 weeks following four separate incidents in the qualifying final against Trinity Old Scholars.
The Tigers had previously received warnings from the league for poor on-field behaviour.
Last month, the club stated its case for a return to The Messenger with self-imposed measures including employing security guards, video footage capturing every game and club officials having the power to drag unruly.
North Pines was also required to submit a 55-player list – enough to sustain two senior squads – in order to be considered for next season.
President Chad Buchanan said the club was unable to move forward without a commitment from the league that its bid would be accepted.
“We’re not giving up and we’ll aim for 2021,” Buchanan said.
“If anything, this will allow us to focus on our juniors, which will be better for the club in the long run.”
The Parafield Gardens-based Redbacks last played in the league’s division seven in 2017 but chose to withdraw its two senior men’s teams before the 2018 season, due to a lack of players and being owed more than $10,000 in fees.
Meanwhile, Hackham president Glenn Rowe said the Hawks would focus on returning to Saturday football in the SFL, rather than apply to the amateurs.
patrick.keam@news.com.au