SANFL statement: AFL Mid-Season Draft

Tuesday, June 1

SANFL congratulates the six Hostplus SANFL League players named in the AFL mid-season rookie draft who now have an exciting opportunity to play at the highest level of Australian football.

However, SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said the mid-season draft continued to present major challenges for SANFL Clubs who were impacted.

“We have a strong and vibrant men’s State League competition which is well worth protecting by the AFL to ensure the future strength and success of the national competition,” Mr Chandler said.

“We feel for the supporters, members, players, coaches, volunteers and administrators of the SANFL Clubs impacted tonight – there is a huge amount of investment in terms of resource, time and energy which goes into building a SANFL team in pursuit of ultimate success.

“The SANFL and its Clubs always encourage players to aspire to the highest level of Australian football and to play in our thriving State League as a pathway to achieving this.

“Collectively we invest significant time and resources to develop talented players from U13 to U18 level and then through to the Senior competition.  As a State, we take great pride in seeing young players progressing to AFL ranks.

“However, the AFL must work with State Leagues to allow players who are ready to play AFL football to move into the AFL system at a time or under conditions that reduces the impact on their SANFL Club.”

Mr Chandler said SANFL and SANFL Clubs were looking forward to the opportunity to discuss the pre-season and mid-season drafts and AFL Club list sizes, among a range of matters, when they meet with AFL representatives at a scheduled meeting later this month.