SANFL set to face WAFL in Showdown curtain-raiser at Adelaide Oval

THE SANFL says playing this weekend’s state game as a Showdown curtain-raiser at Adelaide Oval will help it reach a wider audience, despite local fans facing higher ticket prices to attend.

The SANFL state team celebrates its win over the VFL at Adelaide Oval in 2016. Picture: Tom Huntley

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THE SANFL says playing this weekend’s state game as a Showdown curtain-raiser will help it attract a wider audience, despite local fans facing higher ticket prices to attend.

And the governing body said Saturday’s clash with WA might become an annual fixture, given the reluctance of other states to participate in representative matches.

Interstate football returns to SA after a two-year absence when the Croweaters take on the Sandgropers at Adelaide Oval. Unlike previous stand-alone state team contests, the 1.10pm match will be played prior to Port Adelaide’s meeting with Adelaide at 4.40pm.

SANFL general manager Adam Kelly said the move would ensure a bigger crowd than the 4319 which attended SA’s last appearance at the venue against Victoria in 2016.

“If I look back at recent history, when we played a (Showdown) curtain-raiser state women’s game there was in excess of 20,000 people by game’s conclusion,” Kelly said.

“The crowd would be significantly more at points in the (state) game, so that will be good. It should be a fantastic day for footy in the state to have a state game going into a Showdown. That opportunity has never been presented before.”

The state team has used Adelaide Oval or Football Park for nine of its 11 home matches under the SANFL banner since 1991. Kelly said hosting SA games at Adelaide Oval gave them a higher profile. But Saturday’s contest being played before the Showdown meant fans needed buy to an AFL match ticket, starting at $35.

By contrast, the 2016 clash with Victoria cost $14 and was free for SANFL club members.

“The opportunity we’ve been able to provide to players does come at a cost with respect to accessibility for fans,” said Kelly, who revealed the game would be streamed for free online.

“That is something we have been cognisant of.

“But if you’re a local (player) aspiring to reach the SANFL, these are the opportunities that help solidify how significant the competition is and how significant representative football is.

“That was the main aim for us, to provide the opportunity for players to have the experience of being able to play on Adelaide Oval.”

Luke Thompson from the Eagles during the 2016 state game. Picture: Tom Huntley

Zane Kirwood celebrates a goal against the VFL. Picture: Tom Huntley

The state team’s history is traced back to the first intercolonial match between the South Australian Football Association and the Victorian Football Association in 1879.

But the SA v WA match is the only representative game scheduled for this year.

Kelly said the SANFL was committed to continuing the tradition of state football and had locked in a fixture against the WAFL in WA next year.

“While we’ve got players who are absolutely committed to representative football, both organisations want to support those aspirations by providing the opportunity,” he said.