SANFL 2026

[bloods08]

Our reserves have a 5 oclock game on Friday after the league game
There is u18s girls game at 9.40am with nothing between it and the league match at 2.10pm
Seems odd why the reserves wouldnt start beforehand even if the league is pushed back by half hour or so

Women’s trial before the league game. Should be reserves and put the women’s afterwards.

[am Bays]

Clubs have two separate support groups for Women and Mens

Our reserves have a 5 oclock game on Friday after the league game
There is u18s girls game at 9.40am with nothing between it and the league match at 2.10pm
Seems odd why the reserves wouldnt start beforehand even if the league is pushed back by half hour or so

Women’s trial before the league game. Should be reserves and put the women’s afterwards.

Clubs generally have two separate support teams for the Men's and Women's program. So the scheduling would be based what is best for the volunteers, coaches and players by having the two womens teams playing then the two mens sides

[PatowalongaPirate]

Round 1 Match Review Panel -

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/round- ... iew-panel/

[PatowalongaPirate]

By ZAC MILBANK

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/2026-w ... -face-vfl/

The West End State team could have as many as 15 debutants when it seeks redemption against the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A 30-player squad has been released to face the Big V, as the Croweaters aim to turn the tables against their arch-rival after succumbing by 11 points in Tanunda last year.

With triple Sturt premiership coach Marty Mattner back in charge of the West End State team, the Double Blues have a league-high eight players named in the squad including possible debutants Jed McEntee, Tom Emmett, Zac Becker and Sam Conforti.

Norwood’s star recruit Aaron Francis and Eagles surprise packet Ethan Grace are among the fresh faces in the Hostplus SANFL League this year who could also don the cherished red guernsey for the first time.

Redlegs captain Jacob Kennerley, West Adelaide tall Tom Scully, Bulldogs utility Luca Whitelum and South Adelaide pair Oscar Clavarino and Ollie Davis could also make their first start in the clash at the Bay.

Dual Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan is Port Adelaide’s sole representative with every team except for Adelaide having players chosen for the 2.30pm contest which will be staged as part of Gather Round’s Festival of Footy.

[goddy11]

By ZAC MILBANK

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/2026-w ... -face-vfl/

The West End State team could have as many as 15 debutants when it seeks redemption against the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A 30-player squad has been released to face the Big V, as the Croweaters aim to turn the tables against their arch-rival after succumbing by 11 points in Tanunda last year.

With triple Sturt premiership coach Marty Mattner back in charge of the West End State team, the Double Blues have a league-high eight players named in the squad including possible debutants Jed McEntee, Tom Emmett, Zac Becker and Sam Conforti.

Norwood’s star recruit Aaron Francis and Eagles surprise packet Ethan Grace are among the fresh faces in the Hostplus SANFL League this year who could also don the cherished red guernsey for the first time.




Redlegs captain Jacob Kennerley, West Adelaide tall Tom Scully, Bulldogs utility Luca Whitelum and South Adelaide pair Oscar Clavarino and Ollie Davis could also make their first start in the clash at the Bay.

Dual Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan is Port Adelaide’s sole representative with every team except for Adelaide having players chosen for the 2.30pm contest which will be staged as part of Gather Round’s Festival of Footy.

8 from Sturt and 5 from each of Glenelg and Norwood. No players from Adelaide. A couple of their non-AFL side like Boyle and Drury, should have been considered. Drury had 26 possessions and 4.0 goals in round 1.

[PatowalongaPirate]

Round 2 Match Review Panel.

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/round- ... w-panel-6/

[TDJ44]

By ZAC MILBANK

https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/2026-w ... -face-vfl/

The West End State team could have as many as 15 debutants when it seeks redemption against the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A 30-player squad has been released to face the Big V, as the Croweaters aim to turn the tables against their arch-rival after succumbing by 11 points in Tanunda last year.

With triple Sturt premiership coach Marty Mattner back in charge of the West End State team, the Double Blues have a league-high eight players named in the squad including possible debutants Jed McEntee, Tom Emmett, Zac Becker and Sam Conforti.

Norwood’s star recruit Aaron Francis and Eagles surprise packet Ethan Grace are among the fresh faces in the Hostplus SANFL League this year who could also don the cherished red guernsey for the first time.




Redlegs captain Jacob Kennerley, West Adelaide tall Tom Scully, Bulldogs utility Luca Whitelum and South Adelaide pair Oscar Clavarino and Ollie Davis could also make their first start in the clash at the Bay.

Dual Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan is Port Adelaide’s sole representative with every team except for Adelaide having players chosen for the 2.30pm contest which will be staged as part of Gather Round’s Festival of Footy.

8 from Sturt and 5 from each of Glenelg and Norwood. No players from Adelaide. A couple of their non-AFL side like Boyle and Drury, should have been considered. Drury had 26 possessions and 4.0 goals in round 1.

Drury only had 4 pos against Eagles,must be injured.

[goddy11]

A fairly strong VFL side named with some familiar faces to SANFL


https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/west-e ... her-round/

[Thunderstruck]

That has got to be the weakest state side I've ever seen. Our sides have certainly dwindled over the years, the midfield looks like it will be really up against it. Some very strange selections and equally strange omissions.

VFL on the other hand looks pretty solid across the board, but especially in the middle.

VFL by 35

[Booney]

Sounds like it's been an interesting week at SANFL HQ with their bosses in town.

[goddy11]

Are there any injuries coming out of yesterday's state match?

[dedja]

Sturt release a statement to counter the ridiculous claims by the ‘Friends of Unley’ Facebook group. The person running that group is on another planet.

Well done to the club for the investments they have made to the Oval and their continued financial and on field success.

The SANFL is a much better place when clubs raise the bar.

https://sturtfc.com.au/beyond-the-fence ... -straight/

As the perimeter fence project nears completion, we are proud to highlight the Club’s ongoing investment in the Unley Oval precinct. Since 2014, the Club has contributed close to $3,000,000 in leasehold improvements, that recently includes training shelters, behind-goal netting, electronic scoreboard, and the new perimeter fence (currently being installed) enhancing facilities for our Club, community groups, and other users of the Oval.

Equally significant is the contribution of our volunteer group, The Baggies, who have dedicated an estimated 12,000 hours to maintenance and improvement works. Their efforts continue to play a vital role in presenting Unley Oval as a high-quality regional facility.

The successful delivery of Stage I & II of the Grandstand redevelopment was made possible through government and AFL funding, sourced by the Club, and tied to female football facility upgrades reflecting our strong commitment to inclusivity and the growth of the game.

Importantly, the SANFL has confirmed that no other club has invested $3,000,000 of its own funds into leasehold facilities an achievement that speaks to our long-term commitment to Unley Oval.

Beyond football, Jack’s on Unley continues to give back locally, providing monthly $500 grants to community groups within the City of Unley, contributing over $17,000 to date.

It is important to address recent claims made by a minority group of residents suggesting the Club is seeking to take control of Unley Oval. These assertions are both absurd and baseless. The Club operates strictly within its lease agreement, which includes 500 hours of oval usage annually for training, significantly less than football clubs within the City of Unley and surrounding councils.

Similarly, claims circulated via the “Friends of Unley” Facebook group regarding the removal of a mature tree to accommodate the perimeter fence are incorrect. No tree has been, or will be, removed as part of this project. The project team have worked closely with qualified arborists to ensure the protection of existing trees, including careful consideration of root systems to avoid any damage.

While a small minority group may continue to question the Club’s intent, the facts remain clear. Our use of Unley Oval is approximately 6% annually (14% during daylight hours), yet our financial and social contribution to the local community is substantial.

As the saying goes, “Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”

In addition to our operational commitments, the Club pays rent across other sites, including 39 Oxford Terrace and Jack’s on Unley, along with applicable commercial Council rates. Further to this, the Club has over 2,000 members and partners who reside in the City of Unley, all ratepayers including our management, players and officials. This represents a significant and direct contribution to the local community and does not include the amount of supporters within the area.

The economic impact we generate, welcoming over 40,000 attendees across match days each season, delivers meaningful benefit to local businesses within the City of Unley.

We have called Unley Oval home longer than any living resident and remain deeply committed to supporting and strengthening our local community.

We are Unley born and bred.

Thank you for your continued support.

[Ronnie]

It's tremendous to see all ovals in recent years undergo upgrades.
The person who runs the FOUU site seems to do so with a couple of trusty lieutenants (one of whom disgraced himself earlier in the debate) and a wider group who broadly come mainly from the dog walkers group who frequent the oval. They act as her on line cheer squad and boost her along. That's in very basic terms how it's run. It's a grievance page, first world problems blown up to insane levels. The gender card sometime played, and soft interviews with the ABC can be arranged. The broad narrative is that the football club with the connivance of the council is setting itself up with ratepayer funds and is preparing to dominate the oval and ruin public access. No evidence is provided just fear mongering. To guard against this 'threat' the football club is, as a matter of routine, given a good online kicking for its troubles. After all, if they weren't so nasty, it would be harder to target them. It's all very lacking in reason and facts but it doesn't matter.

It's important to keep a sense of perspective, as most posters, for or against the fence, are sensible enough, even though some of the posts are clearly idiotic and inflammatory, but there appear to be 3 or 4 who relentlessly use and abuse social media. It seems to me the site must skate on thin ice, given the statements that often get posted on there. I've never seen any retractions or apologies.
Normally who really cares about the malcontents blowing up the keyboard, but it's probably gone past that now, it's clearly stoking some divisions and the football club has been compelled to issue a statement. Whether it makes any difference to the narcissistic personalities responsible, probably not.

[heater31]

It's tremendous to see all ovals in recent years undergo upgrades.
The person who runs the FOUU site seems to do so with a couple of trusty lieutenants (one of whom disgraced himself earlier in the debate) and a wider group who broadly come mainly from the dog walkers group who frequent the oval. They act as her on line cheer squad and boost her along. That's in very basic terms how it's run. It's a grievance page, first world problems blown up to insane levels. The gender card sometime played, and soft interviews with the ABC can be arranged. The broad narrative is that the football club with the connivance of the council is setting itself up with ratepayer funds and is preparing to dominate the oval and ruin public access. No evidence is provided just fear mongering. To guard against this 'threat' the football club is, as a matter of routine, given a good online kicking for its troubles. After all, if they weren't so nasty, it would be harder to target them. It's all very lacking in reason and facts but it doesn't matter.

It's important to keep a sense of perspective, as most posters, for or against the fence, are sensible enough, even though some of the posts are clearly idiotic and inflammatory, but there appear to be 3 or 4 who relentlessly use and abuse social media. It seems to me the site must skate on thin ice, given the statements that often get posted on there. I've never seen any retractions or apologies.
Normally who really cares about the malcontents blowing up the keyboard, but it's probably gone past that now, it's clearly stoking some divisions and the football club has been compelled to issue a statement. Whether it makes any difference to the narcissistic personalities responsible, probably not.

Other councils face the same issues. Not just SANFL grounds.

One western suburb council is dealing with this outrage in 2 different projects yet not one person or group has batted an eyelid at the Council's SANFL ground.

[Ronnie]

not SA but East Fremantle facing a similar 'fence' fight for it's home ground

[am Bays]

This is getting some feedback too https://www.prospect.sa.gov.au/__data/a ... 6.2025.pdf

RIP The Taj...

[dedja]

This is getting some feedback too https://www.prospect.sa.gov.au/__data/a ... 6.2025.pdf

RIP The Taj...

Yep, that one is ruffling a few feathers (see what I … oh, never mind), but to be fair, it’s a $60+M masterplan for Prospect Oval and surrounding areas as opposed to just putting up a permanent fence at Unley, so reasonable that there’s some debate about it.

[DOC]

Good to see the fence going up, but as far as the statement made by Sturt, it contains two points that, well,

No other club has invested over $3 million in leasehold improvements.

Well that is just not true. South have invested more. I know that claim was, according to the statement verified by the SANFL, so the fault lies with them .

Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.

Probably better to not have psychological warfare with unarmed people. Arguing with idiots should be left to this forum…..

[am Bays]

We cope....

[locky801]

This is getting some feedback too https://www.prospect.sa.gov.au/__data/a ... 6.2025.pdf

RIP The Taj...

Yep, that one is ruffling a few feathers (see what I … oh, never mind), but to be fair, it’s a $60+M masterplan for Prospect Oval and surrounding areas as opposed to just putting up a permanent fence at Unley, so reasonable that there’s some debate about it.

Locals fighting hard to get it scrapped