INS & OUTS 2026

[norwood8]

Really need to get that salary cap up to make it worth the commitment playing SANFL requires.

We all know the disgraceful money being thrown around in the ammos/country footy will continue to be there.

[amber_fluid]

Really need to get that salary cap up to make it worth the commitment playing SANFL requires.

We all know the disgraceful money being thrown around in the ammos/country footy will continue to be there.

And reduce training commitments
Would there be any other non professional or even semi professional sport that trains as much as sanfl players?

[UK Fan]

Really need to get that salary cap up to make it worth the commitment playing SANFL requires.

We all know the disgraceful money being thrown around in the ammos/country footy will continue to be there.

didnt the SANFL introduce a salary cap to the ammos some years ago ??

[wenchbarwer]

This was a great article by Andrew Capel earlier in the year, worth a re-run, I feel. 16 football hours a week means a SANFL footballer is essentially working fulltime, every day of the week, for 39 weeks. Absolutely ridiculous...

My Two Cents: SANFL players’ association calls for CBA to keep the league sustainable | Andrew Capel

Most SANFL footballers are being paid only $8 an hour to play in Australia’s best state league competition, it has been revealed.

In an eye-opening report released by the SANFL Players’ Association, the staggeringly low money South Australia’s top suburban footballers are earning illustrates they are primarily playing for the love of the game, while also trying to achieve team success at a high level.

While many SANFL teenagers - and some mature-age prospects - are dreaming big and aspiring to play in the AFL, the majority of state league players are doing it tough as they combine their passion for the competition with full-time work.

The report - the brainchild of SANFLPA president and dual Sturt premiership player Matt Crocker - was compiled following a comprehensive, competition-wide survey conducted in April, with players from all eight standalone clubs invited to participate.

It revealed the typical SANFL player who played at least 18 games in 2024 was paid between $3001 and $5000 (including superannuation and before tax).

This is despite SANFL players committing an average of 16 hours a week, for 39 weeks a year (624 hours total), to their clubs to play in the league.

Their time commitment includes games, training, team meetings, gym and medical/physio appointments.

For a player paid $5000, his hourly pay is just $8.

The figure is even less for 35 percent of SANFL players, with that group earning between $1001 and $3000 last season.

While the very best or ‘marquee’ players at SANFL clubs can make up to $30,000 a year (15 players earned more than $15,000 in 2024), clubs have to spread their $335,000 in salary cap money among their entire playing list.

That is way less than the average AFL player, who played at least one game in 2024, earned ($493,592).

In the past 20 years, total player payments for AFL players has risen by 50 per cent (this year’s AFL salary cap is $17.7 million), while SANFL players’ pay has fallen (in real terms) by 50 per cent.

The SANFL salary cap sat at $400,000 from 2005-19 before being slashed completely during Covid in 2020 and slowly rising again since as the league recovers from the pandemic.

The SANFL, however, made a move three years ago to try to better reward its players by introducing a milestone payments system.

This started at $2500 for a player reaching 50 games and rising to $15,000 for 250 games.

The money, paid by the SANFL, sits outside clubs’ salary caps.

The report stated that while as many as 70 percent of SANFL players harboured dreams of being drafted to the AFL, retaining the best talent in the state league competition was challenging because of the greater money - and less time commitment - on offer in community and country leagues.

Of the players who replied to the survey, 80 percent had been approached to play in other competitions this season.

Crocker, who helped re-establish the SANFLPA in 2021, said the comprehensive report aimed to provide the league and public with an insight into the SANFL competition from the players’ perspective.

The findings revealed that 93 percent of players found it stressful to ask for time off for work or study to meet their SANFL commitments, while they also self-reported lower wellbeing than their AFL peers.

“These findings are of particular concern to the SANFPA and reflect the players’ calls over a number of years for a dedicated program to support players’ wellbeing,’’ Crocker said.

“At the SANFLPA’s AGM, the players identified wellbeing support as their top priority.’’

In February this year, the players voted in favour of pursuing a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the SANFL to work through their concerns.

Crocker, who played in Sturt’s 2016-17 premiership teams, said the report outlined the opportunity that a CBA presented.

He said it demonstrated that by including the players and giving them a stake in the competition it would foster collaboration and strengthen the league, helping it to remain the best competition outside the AFL.

“We’re focused on working with the SANFL to find opportunities to best support players’ workplace conditions and mental health and wellbeing,’’ Crocker said.

“At our AGM earlier this year, the players voted in favour of pursuing a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the SANFL and identified the need to establish a wellbeing program as their top priority.

“This report shows that there’s room to improve the players’ workplace and wellbeing and the SANFLPA will champion that cause for our members.

“All players, clubs and the league want a thriving SANFL as the best second-tier Australian football competition in the country.

“The players’ engagement and forthright responses through our surveying shows how deeply they care about the competition.

“This is a critical moment in time for the SANFL to harness the players’ enthusiasm and passion and to forge a genuine partnership, develop a shared vision for the future of the competition and guarantee the SANFL’s standing as the best state league in Australia.”

North Adelaide 209-game veteran Mitch Harvey - a 2018 SANFL premiership player and reigning Ken Farmer Medallist as league leading goalkicker - is one of the key players backing the SANFLPA’S push for better playing conditions.

A SANFLPA board member, he said the report highlighted the need for change.

“I’ve played in the competition for such a long time and over the years I’ve seen a lot of things change and a lot of players come and go and I want to make sure the SANFL continues to be the best competition outside the AFL,’’ said Harvey, 29, who was on Port Adelaide’s AFL list in 2014-15.

“Reading the report and looking at some of the numbers, which gives everyone some really good information, we have to make sure the competition remains sustainable for the players because it is a big commitment and I think at the moment the SANFL and all key stakeholders would probably acknowledge that the players aren’t paid well enough.

“The best players at each club are probably getting paid what they’re worth, but there is a list of 50-to-60 players at most clubs and the money drops off pretty quickly but the commitment doesn’t change.

“We need to keep encouraging good players to want to play in the SANFL, it’s something I’m really passionate about because I love the competition and want to make sure it remains sustainable, so hopefully we can work with the league to get a good outcome.’’

[amber_fluid]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

[wenchbarwer]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

If you're getting $5K a season, which is what they worked out the $8/hr on, that's 250 bucks a game. We all know there's more money in the AdelFL, let alone country leagues. For reserves players, where is the incentive to flog yourself for 16 hours a week when you'd be lucky to get a hundred bucks a game. Then you have mandatory private health on top of that (albeit at a discounted rate), club membership, additional club uniform costs, and you're essentially playing for nothing.

I don't begrudge these players leaving the SANFL one bit, something has to give if they want it to prosper.

[heater31]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

If you're getting $5K a season, which is what they worked out the $8/hr on, that's 250 bucks a game. We all know there's more money in the AdelFL, let alone country leagues. For reserves players, where is the incentive to flog yourself for 16 hours a week when you'd be lucky to get a hundred bucks a game. Then you have mandatory private health on top of that (albeit at a discounted rate), club membership, additional club uniform costs, and you're essentially playing for nothing.

I don't begrudge these players leaving the SANFL one bit, something has to give if they want it to prosper.

Don't forget as a semi professional there is tax taken out and there are expenses if you are injured.....

Standard rate for Reserves used to be $75 a game. $250 for a league game unless your contract stated otherwise.

[wenchbarwer]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

If you're getting $5K a season, which is what they worked out the $8/hr on, that's 250 bucks a game. We all know there's more money in the AdelFL, let alone country leagues. For reserves players, where is the incentive to flog yourself for 16 hours a week when you'd be lucky to get a hundred bucks a game. Then you have mandatory private health on top of that (albeit at a discounted rate), club membership, additional club uniform costs, and you're essentially playing for nothing.

I don't begrudge these players leaving the SANFL one bit, something has to give if they want it to prosper.

Don't forget as a semi professional there is tax taken out and there are expenses if you are injured.....

Standard rate for Reserves used to be $75 a game. $250 for a league game unless your contract stated otherwise.

There seems to be a lot more employment opportunities in local footy these days, too. Used to be that SANFL clubs had this as an inducement but I reckon the big local and country clubs more than have them covered in this regard, across a wide range of industries, too.

[gadj1976]

I've thought this for a while but the only reason you'd play SANFL is if you think you are going to make it to AFL level.

It's not true in all situations, but realistically I don't know why you'd bother. 4-5 nights a week vs 2. $200 a game vs maybe $1000. The SANFL clubs need to realise that despite them wanting professionalism of their players, they're being paid less then an amateur.

[PatowalongaPirate]

James Battersby on SEN SA at 3.30pm today, could be an interesting listen.

[UK Fan]

I've thought this for a while but the only reason you'd play SANFL is if you think you are going to make it to AFL level.

It's not true in all situations, but realistically I don't know why you'd bother. 4-5 nights a week vs 2. $200 a game vs maybe $1000. The SANFL clubs need to realise that despite them wanting professionalism of their players, they're being paid less then an amateur.

It’s an issue the league should have fixed years ago.

The SANFL itself should fund the clubs to increase the cap and stop this happening. The AFLPA should also be consulted as the above scenario should be seen as unacceptable. The SA GOV should also contribute imho. How many people now reside in SA due to an involvement with the SANFL. How much does that contribute to the local economy etc….

I’ve said it for nearly a decade and every time I mention raising the cap I get the naysayers/afl fans stating “west Adelaide CANT afford it”.

If subsidised what’s the issue ??

[UK Fan]

I'm hearing the Bays might have a real new Edge with their incoming coach.

Have heard it’s Matty Clarke. Glenelg waiting till the crows women finish up before announcing it.

X2

[wenchbarwer]

I've thought this for a while but the only reason you'd play SANFL is if you think you are going to make it to AFL level.

It's not true in all situations, but realistically I don't know why you'd bother. 4-5 nights a week vs 2. $200 a game vs maybe $1000. The SANFL clubs need to realise that despite them wanting professionalism of their players, they're being paid less then an amateur.

Even less incentive if you're in the reserves, which really does explain some of the names you see running around. I admire their work ethic greatly, but the moment would come pretty quickly when you realise "bugger this..."

[Pseudo]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

If you're getting $5K a season, which is what they worked out the $8/hr on, that's 250 bucks a game. We all know there's more money in the AdelFL, let alone country leagues. For reserves players, where is the incentive to flog yourself for 16 hours a week when you'd be lucky to get a hundred bucks a game. Then you have mandatory private health on top of that (albeit at a discounted rate), club membership, additional club uniform costs, and you're essentially playing for nothing.

I don't begrudge these players leaving the SANFL one bit, something has to give if they want it to prosper.

That's the same reason I never became a sperm donor.

[knowledge]

Good article
Cheers for reposting it
I didn’t realise how little sanfl players were paid.
No wonder the ammo’s/country is more appealing

If you're getting $5K a season, which is what they worked out the $8/hr on, that's 250 bucks a game. We all know there's more money in the AdelFL, let alone country leagues. For reserves players, where is the incentive to flog yourself for 16 hours a week when you'd be lucky to get a hundred bucks a game. Then you have mandatory private health on top of that (albeit at a discounted rate), club membership, additional club uniform costs, and you're essentially playing for nothing.

I don't begrudge these players leaving the SANFL one bit, something has to give if they want it to prosper.

Don't forget as a semi professional there is tax taken out and there are expenses if you are injured.....

Standard rate for Reserves used to be $75 a game. $250 for a league game unless your contract stated otherwise.

Can't speak for other clubs, but, these are picked up by the club. There are no medical expenses for player's injured playing/training if they stay within the club medical structure.



There seems to be a lot more employment opportunities in local footy these days, too. Used to be that SANFL clubs had this as an inducement but I reckon the big local and country clubs more than have them covered in this regard, across a wide range of industries, too.

[wenchbarwer]

You still need to pay for your own private health insurance, it's mandatory. Sure, it's subsidised and the clubs will use their own doctors to ensure there's no gap, but you're still buying your own insurance.

[am Bays]

You still need to pay for your own private health insurance, it's mandatory. Sure, it's subsidised and the clubs will use their own doctors to ensure there's no gap, but you're still buying your own insurance.

Doesnt matter where you play. If you don't have your own private health insurance and you're wanting/expecting $$$ to play footy you need your head read.

So that's a universal expense you have to pay at any level of footy.

[wenchbarwer]

You still need to pay for your own private health insurance, it's mandatory. Sure, it's subsidised and the clubs will use their own doctors to ensure there's no gap, but you're still buying your own insurance.

Doesnt matter where you play. If you don't have your own private health insurance and you're wanting/expecting $$$ to play footy you need your head read.

So that's a universal expense you have to pay at any level of footy.

Not mandatory though, is it? That's my point...

They're already on peanuts.

[Dutchy]

Believe it or not there are still plenty of footballers who want to play the highest level they can, while they can. To them it is more than money, to retire one day and look back knowing they gave it their all and got the most out of their talent.

These are the ones we need to celebrate more, they are within their clubs but externally they need more recognition imo.

[Armchair expert]

Interesting interview on SEN this afternoon with James Battersby

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NTETP6 ... 2283352725