The SANFL season will kick off on June 27 with four teams set to contest in this year’s finals, starting at Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval will be the home of SANFL football for the opening fortnight of the new season, which the state league announced would start at the end of next month.

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Adelaide Oval will be the home of SANFL football for the first two weeks of the revamped season after the league revealed its competition would start on June 27.

Months of uncertainty because of COVID-19 came to a halt yesterday when the league confirmed a 14-round season and a three-week finals series.

The grand final will be played on the weekend of October 17-18.

And the reserves, under 18s and women’s league will also be in action from June 27. The women have six games remaining to complete the minor round.

While the opening two rounds, double-headers at Adelaide Oval, will be played without crowds, SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson is optimistic fans will still get to attend games.

The announcement came a day after the eight clubs were cleared to introduce body contact into training from Monday, though it will be restricted to groups of up to 20 with a maximum of 80 players on the field.

Norwood training in mid-May. Picture: Matt Loxton.

“It’s exciting to have a season start date and this means a lot to many, many people,” Parkinson said.

“We are so proud to have the best state league competition in the nation kick off in four weeks, earlier than any other state, and at our iconic and world-class Adelaide Oval.

“It is important to have a date for the fans, the clubs, players and umpires. Initially, supporters will have to watch the game from home.

“We will take supporters whenever we can have them.

“What I would like to have is supporters back in a very safe environment.”

The draw has yet to be released, though there is a possibility more games could be played at Adelaide Oval.

There will be a longer break between games at the same ground with the change rooms needing to be thoroughly cleaned.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s reserves teams have withdrawn after the AFL banned listed players from appearing in state league games this year.

However, the Thomas Seymour Cup will be presented to the grand final winner, while players can still claim the Magarey Medal, the competition’s most prestigious individual honour.

“Hopefully all the community leagues can get started at a time when it is appropriate to them,” Parkinson said.