Mark_Beswick wrote:I had it from a 3rd source yesterday that
1. PAFC will have thier AFL side, SANFL League (Reserves) side AND have some commissioners backing them for a Reserves side in the SANFL Reserves
...
This isn't a matter of some whispered conspiracy involving "some commissioners". This is the
official deal for the Power running teams in the SANFL competition, in particular under this heading:
Academy team
• Port Adelaide Magpies to have an academy team in the SANFL reserves competition.
• Such players receive a maximum of $100 per match at reserves level.
The use of the phrase 'Academy team' is a strange and probably inaccurate euphemism (at this stage, I doubt whether there will be any 'academy' worthy of the name, not least because the AFL wouldn't allow it), but the effect is pretty clear. And yes, the question of where the **** they will get players to play SANFL reserves in 2015, when they have no juniors (and only a very limited pool of contracted SANFL players), is a very live question.
Logically, if they don't just dump the SANFL reserves competition when they realise the problems they've signed up for, they'll get hold of players by getting the SANFL to change the rules in some way. Allowing them free or near-free access to SANFL teams' overaged ex-U/18 players who haven't been added to the senior group, is just one of what will doubtless be a long list of awesome ideas that could help 'em out.
If the Crows decide they want to field a team in the SANFL reserves comp (and we already know that what they want, they get)... <shudder>.