South Adelaide star Joel Cross said SANFL players prepared to play for nothing to get season started
The state league players just want the season to start and they are prepared to make financial sacrifices to help the SANFL clubs.
SANFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from SANFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Central District captain Luke Habel generously makes donations to rival SANFL clubs
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
South Adelaide champion Joel Cross claims the vast majority of players would forgo payments to enable the financially challenged SANFL clubs to start the season.
The dual Magarey Medallist said money was not the motivating factor for most players in the state league and they were driven by a “love” for the game and a desire to play at the highest level they could achieve.
And while he said many players would be prepared to play for nothing, he understood there were those who needed the income and could be paid.
“I have a job (Flagstaff Hill Golf Club chief executive) so it is not a big deal for me, playing for nothing,” Cross said. “It would not concern me whatsoever.
“However, a lot of people who join the competition from interstate, like I did, rely on that income when you first come over. A certain number of people can get that opportunity to be paid.
“It is about playing the game. The vast majority of the playing group would play for nothing, would be happy to. For some people though, it is a financial challenge.”
The subject of playing for no pay was discussed by club captains at a video meeting also involving the SANFL and coaches.
The state league clubs, which rely heavily on game day revenue, have been hit hard financially after licenced facilities were ordered shut.
However, with the possibility of fans being banned from games when the season starts because of COVID-19, the clubs will lose a vital revenue stream. That has prompted senior players to make the call on no payments.
“At South Adelaide, we would certainly play for nothing,” Cross said. “We just want to play, get out there and enjoy ourselves.
“No one plays in the SANFL for the money, they play for the love and being the best they possibly can, have the best facilities and coaches. The money is just something on the side for the majority.
“We just want to get the season going. You miss seeing the boys and having that camaraderie. Training is hard work sometimes, but you certainly miss it when it is not there.”
The SANFL season has been postponed until at least May 31, although chief executive Jake Parkinson said it was working towards providing a more detailed update on matches and training by the end of April.
“This will include what a season could possibly look like for both state league and community football,” he said.
“We are working through what’s possible, exploring a range of modified fixtures and preparing modelling around innovative alternatives in our endeavours to get a season underway in 2020.”