SANFL to play more Sunday games in season 2018

MORE Sunday afternoon games, three Good Friday clashes and no Thursday night matches are features of next year’s SANFL fixture.

MORE Sunday afternoon games, three Good Friday clashes and no Thursday night matches are features of next year’s SANFL fixture.

The SANFL released its 2018 draw yesterday and has programmed more than half of its matches on Sunday afternoons.

SANFL football operations manager Tom Hurley told The Advertiser games on Sunday would increase average attendances because the league was not competing against junior sport.

Hurley said most Port and Crows AFL matches were also scheduled for Saturdays in 2018 so more Sunday state league games made sense to help boost attendances.

Sturt’s Zane Kirkwood and Jack Stephens celebrate. Picture SARAH REED

“The average crowd on Saturday games in 2017 was 1990 as opposed to Sunday games where there were 2544,” Hurley said.

“I think fans generally have more commitments on a Saturday afternoon and it may also be related to matches ongoing at Adelaide Oval in conflict with SANFL football.

“I also think Sunday is a better opportunity for families to get out and have a day activity and the SANFL presents a great opportunity to do that.”

Three games are scheduled for Good Friday, up from the two played in 2017.

South Adelaide will kick off the Easter weekend

– which is also round one

– when it hosts Glenelg on Good Friday (March 30) at 1.10pm.

SEE THE FULL DRAW HERE

Central District v North Adelaide and West Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens will also feature on Good Friday.

“The key blockbuster for us is the Easter weekend,” Hurley said.

“That’s a really exciting proposition for us and it’s the first time we’ll have three games and the first time West Adelaide will host a Good Friday game.”

The tradition to have the past season’s grand finalists face off on Anzac Day will continue next year when reigning champion Sturt plays Port Adelaide at Unley Oval at 1.10pm.

SANFLW players Ellie Kellock (Glenelg), Rebecca Owen (West), Jess Edwards (North), Bec McMahon (Norwood), Nikki Gore (South) and Paxton Davis-Mattner (Sturt).

Women’s league hits the prime time

WOMEN’S matches in prime timeslots and a two-week finals series are the big moves in next year’s SANFLW schedule.

The 2018 fixture includes five Friday night matches – up from two this year. Next season has been extended from six minor round games to 10 and all teams will play each other twice.

This follows the addition of two new teams – South Adelaide and Sturt.

They join Norwood, North Adelaide, Glenelg and West Adelaide.

The Panthers kick off the season with a clash against the Tigers at Noarlunga on Friday, February 2 at 6.30pm.

SANFL football operations manager Tom Hurley said South was keen to make its mark in the women’s competition and the league was looking forward to seeing the talent the club had put together.

“South has been eager to make its way into SANFL women’s and this is a great reward for all their effort to be involved,” Hurley said.

Happy Norwood players after their Grand Final win. Picture: ROGER WYMAN

The expansion of the league has led to a two-week finals series.

The minor premier will go straight into the grand final and second will face third in a preliminary final playoff.

There will also be three SANFLW games played as curtain-raisers to Crows AFLW matches

– all at Norwood Oval.

“It’s a great opportunity for us as a competition, but also for the players to showcase their talents on an AFL women’s stage in front of not only the Crows, but the opposition side,” Hurley said.

The women’s decider will be played after the traditional men’s Anzac Day clash between the past season’s grand finalists – Port and Sturt – at Unley Oval at 4pm.