Adelaide reiterates desire to stay in SANFL but admits decision could be taken out of its hands
The Adelaide Crows want to remain in the SANFL competition, but chief executive Andrew Fagan has conceded the decision may not remain with the club.
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Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan has reiterated the club’s desire to keep a team in the SANFL, but concedes the decision might be taken out of its hands.
While expecting the club to have the finances to continue to support a SANFL side – the financial battle appears bigger at South Australian AFL rival Port Adelaide where the Port Magpies are fighting for their future – Fagan warned that AFL list sizes could determine whether the local league becomes an eight-team competition.
“We think our participation in the (SANFL) competition has been fantastic, we have loved being a part of it and were looking forward to participation this year,’’ Fagan said as football deals with severe cost-cutting measures because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our intent, as it stands today, is that we will be a part of it next year.
“If list sizes are the same, at this stage I can’t assume that our development program and participation in the SANFL will change.
“It’s more if there is a greater structural change across the industry. That’s the thing I am uncertain of.
“We have to wait for these other things to work their way through.’’
The AFL is considering dramatically cutting player list sizes next year – possibly from 44 to 35 – as part of its new model as clubs are forced to rein in their expenditure.
This would make it virtually impossible for clubs to field their own second-tier team and leave the Crows and Port dropping out of the SANFL.
Fagan said it was too early to understand how next year might play out.
“Our focus has been on the now because we are in a fight for survival, along with the other clubs, so our focus has been on our people, our members, fans and just trying to get through this,’’ he told ABC Grandstand.
“Attention will begin to turn to how the industry will reframe itself, the funding mechanism and what will become the new normal from 2021.
“The AFL will obviously be integrally involved in all of that, not just state leagues around the country but the pathway system, the draft, list sizes, all of those things will get thrown on the table.
“Until we understand what the structural overload looks like then it’s hard to work your way through it.
“Hopefully we get some clarity with that in the next few months.’’
Fagan rejected calls that the AFLW competition could be in trouble because of financial stress, saying “I don’t see the AFL backing away from it’’.
“I think it’s been such an extraordinary step that the league has taken (to start a women’s competition) and it’s come on board really quickly,’’ he said.
“Obviously for our club it’s been amazing in terms of the impact it’s had. Two flags are nice but more importantly the role the AFLW has played in the rapid growth of young girls participating in the sport.
“I don’t see the AFL backing away from that. The only thing that will be on the table is that if any plans need to slowed up or do things need to be reshaped in order to deal with the fallout from the issues we are facing right now
“It’s not just about 2020, this impact is so significant there is going to be extraordinary debt and things are going to take a while for all clubs to work their way through it. We are going to have to cut costs.’’