FootballNews

Premier Jay Weatherill has taken up the fight with Adelaide Oval management over a better deal for the AFL clubs.

Stadium Management Authority (SMA) board – which is split evenly between the SACA and the SAFNL

Both the Crows and Port Adelaide are disgruntled about their share of the Oval spoils, despite enjoying record crowds this year.

The Age’s chief football reporter Caroline Wilson reported today that Weatherill “will deliver an ultimatum to the SANFL in the coming days that could ultimately lead to the restructuring of the prize stadium and alter the balance of power in South Australian football”.

That ultimatum is understood to involve a reshaping of SMA governance, but Weatherill hasn’t pulled the trigger yet. His spokesperson today denied such an ultimatum had been delivered.

Changing the make-up of the board would not be straightforward, and would represent a breach of agreements struck to get the SANFL on board with the Adelaide Oval redevelopment.

It would require legislative change, which would be potentially difficult to get through State Parliament’s Upper House.

With the SANFL no longer holding either AFL license, key figures in the State Government are questioning why the SANFL has such a dominant position on the SMA, given the Oval hosts only a few SANFL matches.

However, the SANFL gave up guaranteed AFL matches at its asset, Football Park, to return to Adelaide Oval, and will argue that to dilute its influence on the board would be a breach of faith.

A financial review of the Oval, chaired by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, has been grinding on since July this year.

The review has gained urgency in recent weeks, with dawning realisation at Adelaide that the club would make only a modest profit this year, despite record crowds and memberships. Port Adelaide is reportedly set to post a loss despite enjoying its most successful season in years. The Age’s Wilson believes the loss will be about $2 million.

Imori Miyuki wrote:Was the other sports forum closed?

The Age’s chief football reporter Caroline Wilson reported today that Weatherill “will deliver an ultimatum to the SANFL in the coming days that could ultimately lead to the restructuring of the prize stadium and alter the balance of power in South Australian football”.