Booney wrote:The SANFL History Exhibition at the State Library provides an opportunity to bring SANFL fans together to consider topics of interest today.
Join the SANFL History Committee in a discussion about the current state of the SANFL Football with consideration of the challenges of the future.
The public forum will be hosted by John Halbert, MBE, AM - Magarey Medallist, Premiership player and Captain of Sturt, State Player, SANFL Hall of Fame and AFL Hall of Fame in conversation with Darren Chandler, General Manager of SANFL.
DATE
Wednesday 21 September 2022
TIME
12 to 1pm
Here is my suggestion for when the Power and Crows transition to a full AFL Reserves competition, or join the VFL.
The aim would be for the SANFL competition to be the pinnacle of grass roots football in this State. I believe there is still passion for grass roots football amongst the people, not so much "development" in senior competition.
Firstly, create 6 new junior clubs servicing all regions of Country SA and Metro Adelaide in the mould of the NAB U18 Cup over in Victoria. These are Development Clubs and players will feed through to the AFL and SANFL from here, mainly.
SANFL clubs to have all grades align with SANFL Juniors (i.e. ages 7 to 17).
The SANFL to consist of 8 current clubs and Grand Finalists of Adelaide Footy League Division 1 in first year after Crows and Power exit, keeping a ten team competition.
From each season forward from there, there would be opportunity for every club involved in a "major" competition in SA to reach the SANFL.
The SANFL Grand Final would be shifted back to the October Long Weekend and all Country and Metro competitions would have their Grand Finals on the last weekend in August, allowing the Premiers of each competition/region a chance to play a knockout 4 weeks of football, culminating in a Final on SANFL Grand Final Day to gain promotion to the SANFL.
The SANFL competition would consist of the strongest 10 clubs in the State forever more and in September you'd have not only the Finals of the SANFL, but a Champions League of sorts, as well. That should ensure the Grand Final remains a significant event with Statewide interest.
This 4-week "Champions League" to gain promotion to the SANFL would be the premiers, or best teams, from the following regions and leagues, as well as the bottom placed SANFL team who could keep their place in the SANFL by winning:
1. SANFL Wooden Spooner
2. Adelaide Footy League Div 1 Premier
3. Southern League Premier
4. Great Southern League Premier
5. Hills Div 1 Premier
6. Barossa Light & Gawler Premier
7. Riverland Premier
8. River Murray Premier
9. Adelaide Plains Premier
10. Whyalla Premier
11. Spencer Gulf Premier
12. Yorke Peninsula Premier
13. Western Border Premier
14. Port Lincoln Premier
15. Winner of Mid South East vs KNT
16. Winner of North Eastern vs Northern Areas