SANFL 2026

[DOC]

On the SANFL a website under News/History there is a fantastic set of stories well worth a read. Particularly liked the Ron Hartley story!

[Booney]

SANFL’s elite underage football pathway competitions have a new naming rights partner and new name in 2026, with longstanding SANFL partner AAMI extending its support of football in South Australia to all SANFL talent programs.

The AAMI Talent League for Under-18 girls, kicking off its inaugural season in February, and Under-18 and Under-16 boys, commencing in March, will continue to feature the best underage players from the eight SANFL Clubs.

SANFL announced the new partnership with Australia’s leading insurer today with the release of the full 2026 fixtures for the AAMI Talent League.

In addition, AAMI will support the Under-16 and Under-18 boys and girls State teams as naming rights partner in 2026, as well as the SANFL under-15 and under-17 intrastate youth carnivals held in July and October.

AAMI also will continue its support of the State Leagues and South Australian community football clubs in 2026 through the AAMI Rookies program and will remain an official partner of the THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships, to be held in the Barossa in July.

The talent partnership announcement comes on the back of South Australia’s successful AFL Draft result in 2025 which saw a record seven SANFL players selected by AFL clubs in Round One. This also followed the SA Under-18 boys winning the AFL National Championships title and the SA Under-16 girls team claiming its third consecutive national AFL Championships title.

SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said the expansion of AAMI’s partnership with SANFL was an enormous boost for talent development in South Australia.

“AAMI has been a proud supporter of football at all levels in South Australia and we are absolutely thrilled to have them come on board to support our talent development programs and the AAMI Talent League,” Mr Chandler said.

“The new partnership is set to take the AAMI Talent League to a new level in 2026 and further strengthen our premier underage competitions.

“The AAMI Talent League provides the best possible talent pathway for boys and girls, as well as coaches and umpires, giving them the best opportunity to participate at either SANFL or AFL level in the future.”

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/aami-t ... n0kufsqnnr

[Eagles2014]

In a worrying sign going forward for the SANFL, Channel 7 look like they will not be covering the VFL this year after 50 years of coverage. The comp will die a slow death if that ever happens here, and as much as people on here will disagree with this, if Crows and Port left the comp that would definitely be the end of Channel 7 showing SANFL

[DOC]

In a worrying sign going forward for the SANFL, Channel 7 look like they will not be covering the VFL this year after 50 years of coverage. The comp will die a slow death if that ever happens here, and as much as people on here will disagree with this, if Crows and Port left the comp that would definitely be the end of Channel 7 showing SANFL

They have ceased because the AFL plays EVERY VFL a game live on its channels, leaving C7 unable to make it viable.

[nwdfanparade]

In a worrying sign going forward for the SANFL, Channel 7 look like they will not be covering the VFL this year after 50 years of coverage. The comp will die a slow death if that ever happens here, and as much as people on here will disagree with this, if Crows and Port left the comp that would definitely be the end of Channel 7 showing SANFL

They have ceased because the AFL plays EVERY VFL a game live on its channels, leaving C7 unable to make it viable.

I would rather have the ABC telecast the SANFL. At least they broadcasted a game in every round (and no adverts.

[Pseudo]

In a worrying sign going forward for the SANFL, Channel 7 look like they will not be covering the VFL this year after 50 years of coverage. The comp will die a slow death if that ever happens here, and as much as people on here will disagree with this, if Crows and Port left the comp that would definitely be the end of Channel 7 showing SANFL

They have ceased because the AFL plays EVERY VFL a game live on its channels, leaving C7 unable to make it viable.

I would rather have the ABC telecast the SANFL. At least they broadcasted a game in every round (and no adverts.

^ this, with the further remark that I'd rather have any network other than seven, which diddles its coverage around afl commitments and thus wields influence over the SANFL schedule. Yet the SANFL pays for this. The cart is well and truly before the horse.

[Gozu]

A bit ominous.

Seven will discontinue broadcasting the VFL, ending a decade screening games, because it is no longer commercially viable.

The Australian reports the AFL is yet to make an official announcement but VFL and VFLW matches are set to screen only on the AFL’s own app.

Last year after a Foxtel deal impacted games on Seven, VFL matches were moved to 7mate on Saturdays nights.

But clubs were told audiences were smaller than what they had been in the previous Sunday afternoon slot on the main channel.

“The reality is, we didn’t rate. It was a ridiculous time slot,’’ one official said.

Seven’s decision signals the end of VFL on Free to Air television after more than 50 years.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2026/01/seven- ... e-vfl.html

[BoomBabyDagger]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

[CENTURION]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

It's even worse when they get stolen mid-season.

[whybother]

And the Eagles have had both

[southernbulldog]

I know this is bit early do we know when trial game dates will be released

[northerner]

And the Eagles have had both

As did centrals last season. Along with a rookie drafted and the usual drafts; and a mid year draftee.

5 ways of being pillaged. And we were done in everyone of them. And to top it off a 6th method of taking talent dropped this year when we lost Cochrane to the Academy Group 12 months before he was due to be drafted; because miraculously Port dug deep and found some indigenous blood existed.

No membership for me this season for the first time since Adam and Sonny Morey were playing back pockets.

[Spargo]

No membership for me this season for the first time since Adam and Sonny Morey were playing back pockets.

That’s to the detriment of your club for things that are out of their hands…

[Mr Fuller]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

Is this the same situation as Norwood last year who were supposed to have had McAndrew play for them but Adelaide invited him to train with them late and eventually signed him up as SSP? Not sure whether McAndrew had actually signed with Norwood though.

But yes, Norwood weren't able to replace him that late in the pre-season. And likewise no way Eagles will be able to replace Clohesy.

When an SANFL club puts all their time, money and efforts into targeting a player post AFL draft to plug a clear deficiency only to have that player taken from them at the last minute by the AFL it really kills the upcoming season for the SANFL club.

[northerner]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

Is this the same situation as Norwood last year who were supposed to have had McAndrew play for them but Adelaide invited him to train with them late and eventually signed him up as SSP? Not sure whether McAndrew had actually signed with Norwood though.

But yes, Norwood weren't able to replace him that late in the pre-season. And likewise no way Eagles will be able to replace Clohesy.

When an SANFL club puts all their time, money and efforts into targeting a player post AFL draft to plug a clear deficiency only to have that player taken from them at the last minute by the AFL it really kills the upcoming season for the SANFL club.

Exactly my point in my previous post.

In 2024 Mani Liddy was an okay SANFL footballer doing well enough at the Dogs, but no one was ever drafting him.
Over the pre-season he worked hard at the Club and had clearly found another level. His early season form was sensational. He became the run and carry guy we had been missing to link up with our clearance winners and deliver our forwards with quick delivery. He was exciting to watch and the Club had a spring in the step and could be congratulated on their role in this players development.

Mid year draft and our major playmaker is gone and our season is significantly derailed.

We have lost 15 league players in 15 months to afl through 6 different methods (no other club has lost players through more than 4 different methods).

I greatly admire those that can remain steadfast in their emotional and physical investment at Club level despite so many more Snakes than Ladders in this landscape.

[Mr Fuller]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

Is this the same situation as Norwood last year who were supposed to have had McAndrew play for them but Adelaide invited him to train with them late and eventually signed him up as SSP? Not sure whether McAndrew had actually signed with Norwood though.

But yes, Norwood weren't able to replace him that late in the pre-season. And likewise no way Eagles will be able to replace Clohesy.

When an SANFL club puts all their time, money and efforts into targeting a player post AFL draft to plug a clear deficiency only to have that player taken from them at the last minute by the AFL it really kills the upcoming season for the SANFL club.

Exactly my point in my previous post.

In 2024 Mani Liddy was an okay SANFL footballer doing well enough at the Dogs, but no one was ever drafting him.
Over the pre-season he worked hard at the Club and had clearly found another level. His early season form was sensational. He became the run and carry guy we had been missing to link up with our clearance winners and deliver our forwards with quick delivery. He was exciting to watch and the Club had a spring in the step and could be congratulated on their role in this players development.

Mid year draft and our major playmaker is gone and our season is significantly derailed.

We have lost 15 league players in 15 months to afl through 6 different methods (no other club has lost players through more than 4 different methods).

I greatly admire those that can remain steadfast in their emotional and physical investment at Club level despite so many more Snakes than Ladders in this landscape.

Northerner - I feel your pain. That's basically 3/4 of a footy team. Forgive me, but without being close to your team I could only think of the obvious ones - Liddy, McLennan, Cochrane, Sharp, Dudley. Who are the 10 other League players who have gone to AFL lists or their State team?

From what I can remember the different methods to lose a team's players to the AFL (inc. the State league sides) are as follows. As regards the Eagles, the only method that we have not been victim to (yet) in the last four years is the SANFL list concession (Open Age).

- Main AFL draft (November)
- Rookie Draft
- Supplement Selection Period (SSP)
- Mid-season draft
- SANFL list concessions - Open Age
- SANFL list concessions - Father-son
- SANFL list concessions - Next Generation Academy

[northerner]

Ted Clohesy training with Port for a potential SSP spot. That'll hurt this deep into pre-season.

Is this the same situation as Norwood last year who were supposed to have had McAndrew play for them but Adelaide invited him to train with them late and eventually signed him up as SSP? Not sure whether McAndrew had actually signed with Norwood though.

But yes, Norwood weren't able to replace him that late in the pre-season. And likewise no way Eagles will be able to replace Clohesy.

When an SANFL club puts all their time, money and efforts into targeting a player post AFL draft to plug a clear deficiency only to have that player taken from them at the last minute by the AFL it really kills the upcoming season for the SANFL club.

Exactly my point in my previous post.

In 2024 Mani Liddy was an okay SANFL footballer doing well enough at the Dogs, but no one was ever drafting him.
Over the pre-season he worked hard at the Club and had clearly found another level. His early season form was sensational. He became the run and carry guy we had been missing to link up with our clearance winners and deliver our forwards with quick delivery. He was exciting to watch and the Club had a spring in the step and could be congratulated on their role in this players development.

Mid year draft and our major playmaker is gone and our season is significantly derailed.

We have lost 15 league players in 15 months to afl through 6 different methods (no other club has lost players through more than 4 different methods).

I greatly admire those that can remain steadfast in their emotional and physical investment at Club level despite so many more Snakes than Ladders in this landscape.

Northerner - I feel your pain. That's basically 3/4 of a footy team. Forgive me, but without being close to your team I could only think of the obvious ones - Liddy, McLennan, Cochrane, Sharp, Dudley. Who are the 10 other League players who have gone to AFL lists or their State team?

From what I can remember the different methods to lose a team's players to the AFL (inc. the State league sides) are as follows. As regards the Eagles, the only method that we have not been victim to (yet) in the last four years is the SANFL list concession (Open Age).

- Main AFL draft (November)
- Rookie Draft
- Supplement Selection Period (SSP)
- Mid-season draft
- SANFL list concessions - Open Age
- SANFL list concessions - Father-son
- SANFL list concessions - Next Generation Academy

What stings most about the players you listed is only one was through Draft Day. We also lost a host of 18yos who were playing senior footy (at the expense of an U18 premiership I might add).
I havent seen these methods laid out as such. Cheers... we have suffered losses in every single method.
I didn't realise you had lost a player in the mid-season draft; I just checked and I see Beecken was taken in 2024.

It certainly hinders every Club. One player taken in these post Draft methods can change everything. Norwood were destroyed with Boyd taken late last season. Especially when his Redleg apprentice had signed in the meantime for North.

Treated with disdain at every turn. Who cares?

[Mr Fuller]

Beecken was a massive loss for us via the mid season draft. The year prior to that we lost Mitch Hardie through the mid season draft. Two players who were basically State level players. Each time post the mid-season draft our team has crashed.

Besides the mid-season draft we've also lost a few to the ridiculous SANFL list concessions prior to them being drafted - Tyler Welsh (Father-son) and both Burgoynes (Indigenous Academy) although arguably their impact has been minimal.

[DOC]

For South

- Trial 1: Saturday, March 14th - vs. North @ Magain Stadium, League 2:10 PM, Reserves 11:30 AM
- Trial 2: Saturday, March 21st - vs. Adelaide Crows @ Magain Stadium, League 2:10 PM, Reserves 11:20 AM (vs. Glenelg

The club has announced that Oscar Clavarino will be our Captain and Oliver Davis his deputy.

These two have been fantastic for us and I think are the ideal choice.