Smithfield Football Club begins recruitment, faces battle to join Adelaide Footy League in season 2023

A local footy club says it’s ready to return to competition after a two-year hiatus, but the Adelaide Footy League warns it faces an uphill battle to get there for season 2023.

A local footy club has launched a bid to rejoin the Adelaide Footy League after two years on the sidelines but faces a challenge to be accepted for season 2023.

The Smithfield Football Club elected to sit out of both the 2021 and 2022 seasons after a hit to playing troops and volunteers on the back of Covid-19.

Despite its recent challenges, vice president Jess Collis said the 110-year-old northern club would be ready to return to senior men’s competition by next year.

“We’ve been looking to recruit new and old players and with a list of 55 players at minimum needed we’ve already got 45 names ready to go,” Collis said.

Smithfield Football Club's division five team in 2019, one of the last seasons the club fielded a senior men’s side. Picture: Supplied, Smithfield Football Club

“Right now we’re really keen to fill the basic A and B Grade sides for next season and build off that.”

The club has been fielding junior sides during its hiatus from senior play throughout 2021 and 2022 and has been able to consistently compete at that level.

However, Collis admitted the Panthers still faced hurdles to re-enter the Adelaide Footy League in 2023 despite a reinvigoration within their walls.

“Things are feeling really different this year with juniors really developing for the future and we’re really pushing a healthy culture and image change within the club – something myself and president Ryan Hocking are passionate about.

Ryan Hocking – president and Dwayne Nisbet – football development manager are eager for the Smithfield Football Club to return to the Adelaide Footy League in 2023. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“At the moment we are looking really healthy.

“We are hopeful we will be accepted back to the Adelaide Footy League but we still have to convince the league that we can be successful and that our return would not be at the detriment of surrounding clubs.”

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan admired Smithfield’s hunger to return to play but said league regulations and concern for other northern clubs would create a challenge for the Panthers.

“We certainly appreciate the Smithfield Football Club’s appetite to reinvigorate their club and we accept that football clubs are crucial to community engagement,” Kernahan said.

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said Smithfield would face a challenge to be eligible for season 2023. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Our regulations regarding admission to the League are split in two – existing and new (clubs) – and by default and sheer circumstance, Smithfield is no longer a club applying as an existing member.

“The league cannot accept nomination for any club if they did not compete in the season before they are making application, which is based on a common understanding that we are overpopulated by clubs in general.

“If Smithfield is to return, it cannot be at the demise of neighbouring and existing member clubs – it serves no purpose to grant it a spot if it means a Central United, Eastern Park or Brahma Lodge are forced into recess at worse or diluting viability at best because their players are enticed to a new club.”

Smithfield will continue to push for eligibility ahead of season 2023.