Redlegs powerbrokers believe club has compelling AFL case

Norwood has quashed speculation it is preparing to lodge an audacious bid to become the AFL’s 20th club but strings are being pulled behind closed doors.

Ambitious SANFL club Norwood insists there is no official plan to lodge a bid to become the AFL’s 20th club but powerful Redlegs people are starting to pull some strings behind closed doors.

With Tasmania due to enter the national league competition in 2028, it is understood some influential Norwood supporters are keen to push their club’s case to become South Australia’s third AFL club, joining Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

Officially, “nothing has changed’’, according to Norwood chief executive James Fantasia, who a year ago described speculation that his club was preparing a bid to enter the AFL as “just an annoying rumour’’.

“It’s all speculation again,’’ Fantasia told The Advertiser on Thursday as Norwood Oval prepared to host two sellout AFL Gather Round matches for the second consecutive year – Friday’s Brisbane-North Melbourne and Sunday’s Richmond-St Kilda clashes.

“It’s based around the fact that with the 19th team getting closer it naturally gets people thinking about the odd program it will be and therefore the need for a 20th side.

“We are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australia but we are committed to the SANFL now and into the future.

Norwood players celebrate after winning the 2022 SANFL Grand Final against North Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Scott Starkey/SANFL

“It (the AFL) is not something we have pursued, we have had no conversations with the AFL and there’s not even a licence available right now, so there is no reason to discuss it any further at the moment.’’

Fantasia, however, last year said the Redlegs would be “derelict’’ in their duties not to pursue an AFL licence if one became available.

“No doubt all clubs would look at their options if a licence became available at any given time,’’ he said.

A SANFL powerhouse that has won 31 premierships – behind only Port’s 36 – Norwood put its hand up to enter the AFL before the Crows, whose first season in the national competition was in 1991, and Port (1997), were handed licences.

Ever since the thought of entering a team in the AFL has been on its mind, despite the complexities of SA having three teams in the main league.

The Redlegs have plenty of powerbrokers who would love to see their club play on the national stage, including winemaker Wolf Blass and the Cooper brewery family.

Norwood’s main function centre is named after Blass while its oval on The Parade is named Coopers Stadium.

Brisbane players train at Norwood Oval in preparation for Friday’s AFL clash against North Melbourne. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dual Redlegs premiership coach Neil Balme also has plenty of AFL influence, along with the club’s No. 1 ticket holder, Andrew Pridham, who is the Sydney Swans’ chairman.

Key Norwood people believe the club has a compelling argument to be considered for the AFL’s 20th licence.

This is on the basis of the Redlegs already being a strong, established club – as opposed to the AFL having to start a new franchise – the fact they have an oval that is being used for AFL (crowd capacity 10,500) and AFLW games, a strong sponsorship and membership base, influential backers, excellent lighting, LED signage around the ground and are close to the Adelaide CBD.

Norwood’s annual SANFL membership is about 5000 but people close to the club believe that would rise to 20,000 as soon as it was given an AFL licence while it would attract as many as 15,000 members from the Crows and 5000 from Port, giving it an early membership base of about 40,000.