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Australian rules football in South Australia

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Australian rules football in South Australia
The 2014 South Australia National Football League Grand Final at the Adelaide Oval
Governing bodySouth Australian Football Commission
Representative teamSouth Australia
First playedAdelaide 1877; 147 years ago (1877)
Registered players63,969 (adult)
28,692 (child)[1]
Clubs367 (30 competitions)
Club competitions
Audience records
Single match66,987 (1976). SANFL Grand Final. Sturt vs Port Adelaide. (Football Park, Adelaide)

In South Australia, Australian rules football is traditionally a popular participation and spectator sport. It is governed by the South Australian Football Commission which runs the South Australia National Football League in the capital Adelaide, the highest profile competition among the 24 spread across the state. Participation has fallen substantially in recent years to a current rate of 4.1% and 63,969 adults and 28,692 children less than a quarter of which are female.[1] Prior to 2019 it was the most participated team sport in the state, however it dropped to third after both basketball and soccer there surpassed it in 2024.[1]

Forms of football were played very early in the history of the Colony of South Australia pre-dating the organisation of Australian rules football in Victoria and rivalled football's popularity there. In 1877, the colony officially adopted the code in order to compete in the very first intercolonial representative football match in Australia against Victoria. The first governing body, the South Australian Football Association (now SANFL) formed on 13 April 1877, remains the oldest in Australia. Its clubs rivalled Victoria's in popularity and won 9 of 19 Championship of Australia titles from 1888 to 1975. Even with its current semi-professional status, it remains the second most popular and third strongest competition in the world in the sport.

The South Australian state football team (the "Croweaters") have defeated every state in Interstate matches in Australian rules football and has an intense rivalry with Victoria inspiring the popular catchcry "Kick a Vic". The state has the second most State of Origin titles. 3 time South Australian captain Russell Ebert has the most caps in State of Origin. Adelaide hosted national carnivals in 1911, 1930, 1953, 1969, 1975, 1980 and 1988.

South Australia has two fully professional teams competing in the Australian Football League (AFL) and AFL Women's (AFLW), both based in the capital Adelaide: the Adelaide Football Club (1990) and Port Adelaide Football Club (1870), the latter having the distinction of being the only pre-existing club to have entered the AFL from another league, as a founding member of the SAFA (SANFL). These two clubs compete against each other in the "Showdown". South Australia was chosen to host 'Gather Round' a special round where all AFL matches are played in one state annually between 2023 and 2026.

It is the most watched sport and has the second largest television audience in the country.[2] From 1976 to 2003 the SANFL held the record for the largest attendance in the sport outside of Victoria. South Australia holds the world record for a non-VFL/AFL attendance with the 1976 SANFL Grand Final drawing an estimated 80,000 spectators which remains the record crowd for any code of football in the state and the third highest official attendance outside of Victoria. The SANFL remains the second most attended league worldwide in the sport and attracts a television audience larger than that of some AFL clubs. Since 1991 South Australia has attracted an average AFL premiership season attendance of 35,919, second in the country, boosted with the 2014 upgrade of the Adelaide Oval the state's flagship venue.

The state has produced some of the greatest Australian Footballers of all time, including the Australian Football Hall of Fame legends: Barrie Robran, Malcolm Blight, Jack Oatey and Russell Ebert. In addition, it has produced almost a thousand born and raised AFL/AFLW players, most notably: AFL players Craig Bradley who has the most games with 375 and Stephen Kernahan who has the most goals with 738. In women's Australian rules, AFLW player Erin Phillips is most notable with 2 league best and fairests, while Ebony Marinoff has the most games and Ashleigh Saint has the most goals.

History

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See also: South Australian National Football League

Early examples of football (1843–1853)

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Advertisement in the Southern Australian newspaper dated 17 March 1843 for an upcoming Irish Football game to celebrate St Patricks Day.
Football challenge advertisement that appeared in the 22 March 1853 calling for fellow Irishmen to join in a game of football in Thebarton

The first recorded game of any "football" in South Australia was that of 'Caid' played in Thebarton by people of the local Irish community in 1843 to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

In 1844 there was debate amongst the South Australian Legislative Council whether it be allowed that "foot-ball" be played on Sundays, with arguments against preferring the quiet worship of God.[3][4]

In 1853 a group of Irishmen from Westmeath, Ireland placed an advertisement in the South Australian Register calling for Irishmen from another county of Ireland to join them in Thebarton to play a game of football.[5]

In 1854 at the opening of a new school in Morphett Vale, at the end of the first day the students played a game of football amongst other activities.[6]

In 1855 William Anderson Cawthorne illustrated a series of images documenting South Australia's indigenous people including a pair of playthings, one being a sling and the other being a ball, referred to in Kaurna language as Pando.

John Acraman and St Peters College (1854)

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John Acraman was a successful businessman who lived in Adelaide and sponsored the development of football at St Peter's College, Adelaide in the 1850s.

In 1854 Adelaide businessman John Acraman imported five round footballs from England and paid for the construction of goal posts at St Peter's College in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.[7][8] St Peter's football matches were played between Frome Road and Adelaide Bridge, on a similar site to the current University Oval. Harrow football, involving kicking the ball but not running with it, was played.[9]

Growing popularity (1855–1859)

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In June 1855 the Sunday School associated with St Jude's Church in Brighton included football for its children's activities.[10]

On 4 November 1856 a Temperance Festival with 400 participants included games of football.[11]

In 1857 a football match was held in Glenelg as part of the annual Commemoration Festival to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the proclamation of the colony of South Australia.[12]

In 1859 the Gawler Institute ran a rural fete which included a game of football being staged.[13] The start of this match featured "a long first run to the ball".[14] On 12 March 1859 the town of Angaston held a farewell party for Charles Fuller which included football.[15] For the Prince of Wales Birthday the Drapers Assistants Association included a football game in their festivities at Waterfall Gully.[16] During a Christmas picnic in 1859 football was played by the employees of 'English & Brown' at Fourth Creek (River Torrens).[17]

Formation of designated clubs (1860–1875)

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See also: List of Australian rules football clubs by date of establishment

The earliest recorded football club in South Australia was the original Adelaide Football Club (unrelated to its modern namesake), formed on 26 April 1860.[18] The Adelaide club hosted intra-club matches to provide a platform for football games to be played. Later in 1860 two new teams were formed bearing the names North Adelaide Football Club and South Adelaide Football Club, also unrelated to their modern namesakes.

On 20 May 1861 the Adelaide Council were presented with a request by a party representing an "East Adelaide Football Club" (John Clark) to erect football goals in the East Park Lands but were refused.[19]

In 1862 the newly formed Modbury and Tea Tree Gully Football Club was invited to play a match against the Adelaide team. A return match was held later in the year. The early years of football were poorly organised and dogged by argument over which set of rules to adopt. In fact, after a match between Port Adelaide and Kensington in 1873, it was remarked that neither side understood the rules clearly, and there was uncertainty over which team had won. However, as the years progressed, there became a growing push for uniformity and structure in South Australian football.

20 July Meeting (1876)

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At the old Prince Alfred Hotel on 20 July 1876 a meeting between local club delegates was held where Charles Kingston pleaded that all the local clubs adopt the rules of the "Old Adelaide club" as they were similar to those in use in Victoria. He said that by adopting the "Old Adelaide club rules" intercolonial matches could be played between states.

After a period of years with clubs fighting over technicalities of rules a meeting was held between representatives of the Adelaide, South Adelaide, Victorian and Woodville clubs. At the meeting Charles Kingston argued that "it was possible that someday an inter-colonial football match might be played, and it was desirable in that case that South Australian players should play the game as it was played in other colonies". During his plea to the other clubs at the meeting he compared the 'Old Adelaide rules' to those used in Victoria saying 'practically there was but little difference between them'.[9]

Establishment of SAFA (1877)

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Following an initial meeting on Thursday 19 April 1877 at Prince Alfred Hotel [20] called by Richard Twopeny the Captain of the Adelaide Football Club two delegates each from the following Football Clubs - Kensington, South Park, Willunga, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, South Adelaide and Victorian attended a meeting held at the Prince Alfred Hotel in King William Street, Adelaide held on 30 April 1877 to develop a uniform set of rules and establish a governing body.[21]

They formed the South Australian Football Association, the first governing body of its type for football in Australia, and adopted rules similar to those used in Victoria. The use of an oval ball, bouncing the ball and pushing from behind forbidden amongst the rules agreed. The inaugural 1877 SAFA season was contested by 8 clubs.

Early years of organised competition (1877–1886)

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A newly formed club Norwood joined the South Australian Football Association in 1878, but Bankers (1877), Woodville (1877), Kensington (1877-1881), South Park (1877-1884), Victorian (1877-1884), Willunga, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College and Kapunda had all left within the first 10 years. In 1879-1880 there was a growing call to create a junior competition for the growing number of other clubs which included amongst others - North Parks, St.Peter's College, Prince Alfred College, Royal Parks, West Torrens, Woodville, South Suburban, Hotham, and Middlesex.[22]

The first Annual General Meeting of the Adelaide and Suburban Association was held at Prince Alfred Hotel on 27 March 1882. The following clubs - North Parks, N.A Juniors, Kensington, Kent Town, Albion, Triton, and West Torrens were represented.[23]

The South Australian Junior Football Association was officially formed following meetings held at the Hamburg Hotel on 17 and 24 March 1885. It was decided to limit the Association to 10 clubs - Coromandel Valley, Prospect, Creswick, Medindie, Hindmarsh, Kingston, Lefevre's Peninsula, Semaphore, Albert Park, and Fitzroy.[24]

Growth as major pastime (1887–1915)

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1887 saw existing clubs Gawler, Hotham and West Adelaide join the SAFA competition with the last of those bearing no relation to the modern day West Adelaide Bloods. The Association experienced a resurgence in the late 1880s. From the 1886 season to the 1887 attendances almost doubled.

1888 saw Medindie (which renamed to North Adelaide in 1893) joining the Association, but West Adelaide folded after just one season and Hotham (which had renamed North Adelaide for 1888) merged with Adelaide for 1889. For 1891 Season Gawler withdrew from competition games (having complained about the 1890 program when only given 5 home and 10 away games) but remained a member of the SAFA.

By the 1894 Season, the Association had been reduced to just four clubs (Port Adelaide, South Adelaide, Norwood, North Adelaide originally called Medindie until 1892) with the demise of the Old Adelaide Football Club (which was founded in 1860) at the end of the 1893 Season.

West Torrens (which joined as Port Natives in 1895 and renamed in 1897) and West Adelaide (1897) meant the Association had expanded to six clubs until the turn of the century.

In 1898, the Magarey Medal was awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player for the first time.

Sturt joined the Association in 1901 and in 1907, the Association was renamed the South Australian Football League.

War years (1916–1944)

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Some league clubs went against the preferences of the SAFL during World War I and formed the South Australian Patriotic Football League which ran for three seasons.
Port Adelaide playing Norwood during the 1921 SAFL Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

The SAFL was suspended from 1916–18 due to World War I. Glenelg joined the league in 1921. In 1927, the South Australian Football League was renamed the South Australian National Football League. During World War II, the eight clubs merged to form four composite clubs over the period 1942–44.

Golden era (1945–1981)

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The post war years saw the code become a part of everyday life with mass media providing greater coverage than ever before. After Port Adelaide had won its 8th premiership in the last 10 seasons the SANFL admitted two new clubs for the 1964 season, Central District and Woodville. The latter club Woodville being located less than 3 km away from Port Adelaide.

Move towards national club competition (1982–1989)

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SANFL premier North Adelaide contest against the VFL premier Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval for the title of Championship of Australia in 1971.

In 1982 the SANFL approached the VFL in regards to entering two sides, Port Adelaide and longtime major rival Norwood, in the Victorian league.[25] This action was also taken by WAFL club East Perth in 1980.[26] All approaches were ignored by the VFL at the time with the reason given by Jack Hamilton being that the VFL clubs thought that one or two SANFL teams would end up being too strong later admitting that they also wanted to continue to poach the states best players, which would soon include Craig Bradley and Stephen Kernahan in 1986.[27] 1982 also saw the first instance of the VFL expanding beyond Melbourne and Geelong with the South Melbourne Football Club being relocated to Sydney. The Port Adelaide Football Club's annual report from late 1982 showed that the failure of the attempts made by South Australian and West Australian clubs to enter the VFL significantly impacted the club's understanding of its future.[28] From this point Port Adelaide restructured the club in regards to economics, public relations and on-field performance for an attempt to enter the league in 1990. There was genuine feeling that failure to do this would result in the club ceasing to exist in the future.[29] In 1985 Port Adelaide registered itself as a national football club. Sentiment at this time amongst the direction of Australian rules football in South Australia was succinctly encapsulated by a Michael Robinson article in the 1985 Football Times Yearbook that previewed the SANFL's upcoming season. In that article Robinson wrote about the disappointment of the equal gate sharing of match takings enforced by the SANFL for the upcoming season with the stronger South Australian clubs propping up ailing clubs such as Woodville.[30]

"What would be left of the SA league without the great clubs such as Norwood and Port Adelaide? It would drop to a miserable fourth-class contest. No one could blame Norwood and Port Adelaide for wanting to get out of the SA league into national ranks if they are further threatened by the dragging down process.

— Michael Robinson, in regards to impacts of gate revenue sharing adopted by the SANFL for the 1985 season on Norwood and Port Adelaide[30]

The following year the SANFL registered the name "Adelaide Football Club" in 1986 but ended up deciding against entering a team into the VFL.[31] In 1986 Norwood Football Club made an independent approach to the VFL with entry into the league discussed in great detail but these discussions ultimately failed to materialise.[29] In 1987 the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears were admitted to the Victorian Football League leaving South Australia as the only mainland state without representation in the VFL.

"In 1988 a deputation from Norwood Football Club had announced it was interested in joining the VFL 'at any time in the future' and ... a private consortium headed by Ken Eustice was interested in grabbing a licence".[32]

— Ross Oakley

By 1989 seven out of ten SANFL clubs were recording losses and the combined income of the SANFL and WAFL had dropped to 40% of that of the VFL.[31] The 1989 Port Adelaide annual report and November newsletter contrasted with the outlook of other SANFL and WAFL clubs. After its demolition of North Adelaide in the 1989 SANFL Grand Final holding its opposition to a single goal, the club claimed a profit in the annual report and hinted at its intentions the following year in the club newsletter by saying Port Adelaide was "far better than their nearest rival in the SANFL".[33][34]

First South Australian AFL club (1990)

[edit]
Left: On 9 August 1990 it was revealed Norwood had been in discussions with the AFL to join in 1991. However, after seeing the local media response to Port Adelaide's bid they sided with the SANFL. Norwood would again try to gain a licence during 1994 in a merger with Sturt[35]
Right: An injunction was won in the Supreme Court of South Australia preventing Port Adelaide from continuing its discussions with the AFL after 12 August 1990

During early 1990 the SANFL had decided to wait three years before making any further decision. Frustrated with lack of progress, Port Adelaide were having secret negotiations in the town of Quorn for entry in 1991.[36] A practice match organised by Port Adelaide and Geelong on 25 February at Football Park attracted at over 30,000 spectators and illustrated the potential of a South Australian side in the newly renamed national competition.[37] Around the same time AFL was also seeking Norwood to join the national competition in 1990. However Norwood would eventually side with the SANFL after seeing the media reaction to Port Adelaide's attempts.

"They [the SANFL clubs] are not going to make that decision until they are at the lowest possible ebb. They'd be voting themselves into obscurity [opting for a composite team] in their state."

— Ross Oakley, in regards to the other SANFL clubs opposing Port Adelaide's entry.[38]

When the knowledge of Port Adelaide Football Club's negotiations to gain an AFL licence were made public, the other SANFL clubs saw it as an act of treachery. Subsequently, the SANFL clubs, led by Glenelg and Norwood, urged Justice Olssen to make an injunction against the bid, which he agreed to.[31] In total the SANFL spent $500,000 in legal fees to stop Port Adelaide's entry into the AFL, with the latter simply unable to compete in the court room. The SANFL promptly created a composite team to beat Port Adelaide's bid. The Adelaide Football Club gained what was very close to being Port Adelaide's licence to the AFL and began playing in 1991. The new Adelaide club would adopt the moniker of "Crows" after the states inhabitants often used the nickname "Crow-eaters". During this time the SANFL began suing people involved with Port Adelaide, including people volunteering in unpaid positions, with the AFL quickly stepping in to guarantee the protection of the club and associated people.[25] In 2014 during an interview with the Adelaide Advertiser, Ross Oakley revealed that "In desperation to force (the SANFL’s) hand...we began dealing directly with two powerhouse clubs of the SANFL, Norwood and Port Adelaide...we were changing the league’s name to AFL – and we could not go without a team from Adelaide".[32]

1990 SANFL Grand Final
Last game without AFL in SA.		 G B Total
Glenelg 13 15 93
Port Adelaide 16 12 108
Venue: Football Park Crowd: 50,589[39]

"These twenty blokes, everyone who has helped us, are sensational people and all the views that you have read in the press the one thing that really matters is that there will always be a Port Adelaide Football Club."

— George Fiacchi, upon accepting the 1990 Jack Oatey Medal for best on ground at the 1990 SANFL Grand Final.[40]

"I want to tell you that you want to enjoy this moment for what it is because the good times are well and truly gone. Apart from Jack (John Cahill) and the players there are a couple of individuals out there who are responsible for that and make sure you enjoy tonight because the good times will not happen again."

— Glenelg coach and inaugural Adelaide coach Graham Cornes's address to the Port Adelaide change-rooms post the 1990 SANFL Grand Final.[41]

The front runners for the coaching job at the newly created club were both involved in the last SANFL game played in South Australia before the advent of a local AFL team, the 1990 SANFL Grand Final. In that game Port Adelaide, coached by John Cahill defeated Glenelg, coached by Graham Cornes, by 15 points. Graham Cornes ended up being selected to coach Adelaide for the 1991 AFL season. Cornes compiled a club list of the best players from South Australia, with few originating from other states, in what was almost a state side in the first year.[42] Chris McDermott, captain of Glenelg in the 1990 SANFL Grand Final, was designated as the Crows inaugural captain.[42] Despite Port Adelaide being SANFL premiers in 1990, only 5 players from the team became part of the Adelaide squad of 52. Those players being Bruce Abernethy, Simon Tregenza, David Brown, Darren Smith and Scott Hodges, with the last three joining Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL squad in 1997.[42][43]

Race to be second South Australian AFL club (1991–1996)

[edit]

The admission of Adelaide to the AFL had a devastating impact on the leagues attendances with the SANFL recording a 45% drop between 1990 and 1993.[44] Port Adelaide defied this trend of falling SANFL attendances recording an increase of 13% from 1990 to 1993.[45]

"I only hope petty jealousies and fears within the S.A.N.F.L. don't short circuit a Port Adelaide proposal which clearly seems better than any other"

— Tony Greenberg, Inside Football, June 1994[46]

In 1994 the AFL announced that South Australia would receive a licence for a second team based in the state.[27] The major bids competing with Port Adelaide this time around were from merger club proposals in Norwood-Sturt, and Glenelg-South. On 15 June the SANFL handed down a report recommending the second license go to a team formed from the amalgamation of two clubs.

"The sub-licence should be granted to an amalgamation of two SANFL clubs"

— SANFL, Report on the Future Direction of Football in South Australia, 15 June 1994[47]

On 16 June it was reported in The Age by Stephen Linnell that "the League's preference was for a single, established club to join the league".[48] The final tenders were submitted to the SANFL on 14 September 1994 including Port Adelaide's second application, Norwood–Sturt's merged club bid with the remaining application coming from Woodville–West Torrens.[49]

"In my opinion coming second [not getting the second South Australian AFL licence] means you die"

— Michael Aish, Norwood champion, August 1994[50]

On 2 October Port Adelaide won the 1994 SANFL Grand Final, its fifth in seven years. On 13 December Port Adelaide won the tender for the second SA license over its various state rivals, however it was prevented from entering the competition before 1996 as stipulated in the Adelaide license agreement.[51] In 1995 after an SANFL game at Football Park the Adelaide began carrying out a training session which was interrupted by a large hoard of Port Adelaide supporters chanting "We're coming to get you".[52] Adelaide coach Robert Shaw was the only Adelaide official to confront the hoard.[52] In 1996 Port Adelaide was left to wait again as a vacancy was required in the league.

It was announced on 27 October 1995 that Port Adelaide would be participating in the 1997 AFL season, one season later than initially planned and seven years after the clubs first failed bid in 1990.[53]

National premierships (1997–2004)

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From 1997 to 2004 South Australian AFL clubs won three Australian Football League premierships.

Adelaide Oval return (2009–2014)

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After previous hosting the highest level of Australian rules football in South Australia from 1877 to 1973, Adelaide Oval once again became permanent the home of top level Australian rules football in South Australia after a major redevelopment of the ground.

Regional variation

[edit]

Some variations of Australian Rules Football in South Australia compared with other Australian states still exist:

Points system: In South Australia, most leagues award two points for a win, and one for a draw. Elsewhere in Australia generally four points are awarded for a win and two for a draw.

Percentage: In South Australia, ladder percentage is usually calculated as "For" ÷ "For and Against" × "100". Elsewhere in Australia it is generally calculated as "For" ÷ "Against" × "100".

Behind posts: Behind posts have generally been coloured red in South Australia, as opposed to white elsewhere.

Goalkicker listings: Match reports in South Australia generally list goals and behinds scored by player, whereas elsewhere in Australia goals only are generally shown.

Field markings: The "50" on the 50-metre line at AAMI Stadium is in a serif font, whereas at Victorian grounds a sans-serif font is used.

Attendance record

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Major Australian Rules events in South Australia

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Players

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Participation

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According to Ausplay, there are 63,969 players and the overall participation rate per capita is 4.1%.[1] In 2019 was the only state in Australia where Australian rules football participation was higher than soccer, however soccer surpassed it in 2024.[1]

In 2007, there were 14,825 senior players in SA and total participation of 72,971.[54]

Adult players
2007 2019 2023/24
72,791[55] 68,985[56] 63,969[1]

South Australians in the Australian Football Hall of Fame

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see Australian Football Hall of Fame

Legends

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Players

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Umpires

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Coaches

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Administrators

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AFL Players from South Australia

[edit]
  • Sam Day is from Adelaide
    Sam Day is from Adelaide
  • Alex Neal-Bullen is from Adelaide
    Alex Neal-Bullen is from Adelaide
  • James Aish is from Adelaide
    James Aish is from Adelaide
  • Sean Lemmens was raised in Adelaide
    Sean Lemmens was raised in Adelaide
  • Rhys Stanley is from Berri
    Rhys Stanley is from Berri
  • Lachie Neale is from Naracoorte and Kybybolite
    Lachie Neale is from Naracoorte and Kybybolite
  • Brodie Grundy is from Adelaide
    Brodie Grundy is from Adelaide
  • Aaron Francis is from Adelaide
    Aaron Francis is from Adelaide
  • Oleg Markov is from Adelaide
    Oleg Markov is from Adelaide
  • Caleb Daniel is from Adelaide
    Caleb Daniel is from Adelaide
  • Rory Laird is from Adelaide
    Rory Laird is from Adelaide
  • Orazio Fantasia is from Adelaide
    Orazio Fantasia is from Adelaide
  • Brad Close is from Mount Gambier
    Brad Close is from Mount Gambier
  • George Hewett is from Adelaide
    George Hewett is from Adelaide
  • Brodie Smith is from Adelaide
    Brodie Smith is from Adelaide
  • Harrison Petty is from Wudinna
    Harrison Petty is from Wudinna
  • Wayne Milera is from Adelaide
    Wayne Milera is from Adelaide
  • Jordan Dawson is from Kingston SE
    Jordan Dawson is from Kingston SE
  • Callum Coleman-Jones is from Adelaide
    Callum Coleman-Jones is from Adelaide
  • Lewis Young is from Adelaide
    Lewis Young is from Adelaide
  • Will Hayward is from Adelaide
    Will Hayward is from Adelaide
  • Mitch Hinge is from Adelaide
    Mitch Hinge is from Adelaide
  • Trent Dumont is from Adelaide
    Trent Dumont is from Adelaide
  • Tyson Stengle is from Adelaide
    Tyson Stengle is from Adelaide
  • Bailey Williams is from Adelaide
    Bailey Williams is from Adelaide
  • Callum Wilkie is from Adelaide
    Callum Wilkie is from Adelaide
  • Lachie Jones is from Bute
    Lachie Jones is from Bute
  • Ryan Burton is From Adelaide
    Ryan Burton is From Adelaide
  • Connor Rozee is from Port Augusta
    Connor Rozee is from Port Augusta
Currently on an AFL senior list
Player SA junior/senior club/s Representative honours AFL Draft Selection AFL Years AFL Club/s AFL Games AFL (Goals) Connections to South Australia, Notes & References
Harry Lemmey Flagstaff Hill, South Adelaide 2022 #47 2024- Carlton - - Raised in Adelaide
Ashton Moir Plympton Junior, Glenelg 2023 #29 2024- Carlton - - Raised in Adelaide
Henry Smith Blackwood, Woodville-West Torrens 2020 #48 2024- Brisbane Lions 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Logan Evans Norwood, Port Adelaide 2021 Rookie (#12) 2024- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Billy Dowling North Adelaide, Walkerville, Adelaide 2022 #43 2024- Adelaide 1 0 Born and raised in Adelaide
Loch Rawlinson Mitcham, Sturt U18 (2023) 2023 Rookie 2024- West Coast 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Kane McAuliffe Central Augusta, North Adelaide U18 (2023) 2023 #40 2024- Richmond 1 0 Raised in Port Augusta
Max Michalanney Norwood, Adelaide 2022 #17 2023- Adelaide 22 0 Raised in Adelaide
Mattaes Phillipou PHOS Camden, Woodville-West Torrens 2022 #10 2023- St Kilda 24 13 Raised in Adelaide
Tom Emmett Payneham Norwood Union, Sturt 2022 #41 2023-2024 Fremantle 15 11 Born and raised in Adelaide
Jakob Ryan Brighton Districts & Old Scholars, Sacred Heart College, Torrens University, Glenelg 2022 #28 2023- Collingwood 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Hugh Jackson Crystal Brook, Rostrevor College, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2021 #55 2023- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Crystal Brook
James Borlase Unley, Sturt, Port Adelaide 2020 (rookie) 2023- Port Adelaide 2 0 Raised in Adelaide
Matthew Coulthard Port Noarlunga, Glenelg 2023 #3 2023- Richmond 4 1 Raised in Port Noarlunga
Jacob Bauer North Adelaide 2022 (rookie) Rookie (#10) 2023- Richmond 3 3 Recruited from Adelaide
Harry Barnett Goodwood, West Adelaide 2022 #23 2023- West Coast 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Jason Horne-Francis Christies Beach, South Adelaide, Port Adelaide U16 (c), U19 (2021 c) 2021 #1 2022- North Melbourne, Port Adelaide 42 20 Raised in Adelaide
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Glenelg U18 (2021) 2022 #11 2022- St Kilda 41 5 Raised in Adelaide
Kaine Baldwin Glenelg U16 (2018 c) 2021 Supplemental 2022-2024 Essendon 8 2 Born and raised in Adelaide
Jase Burgoyne Port District, Henley High School, Woodville-West Torrens, Port Adelaide 2021 #60 2022- Port Adelaide 16 2 Raised in Adelaide
Jacob Wehr Balaklava, Woodville-West Torrens 2020 #59 2022- Greater Western Sydney 25 4 Raised in Adelaide
Jye Menzie South Adelaide 2022 Mid-season Rookie (#15) 2022- Essendon 24 25 Recruited from Adelaide
Tex Wanganeen Sturt Rookie 2022-2024 Essendon 5 1 Raised in Adelaide
Jack Hayes Woodville-West Torrens 2022 Preseason Supplemental 2022-2024 St Kilda 5 6 Raised in Adelaide
Harvey Harrison Golden Grove, Tyndale Christian College, North Adelaide 2021 #52 2022- Collingwood 4 3 Raised in Adelaide
Matty Roberts Langhorne Creek, St Peter's College, South Adelaide 2021 #34 2022- Sydney 12 2 Raised in Adelaide
Kaine Baldwin Glenelg U16 2021 Supplementary 2022- Collingwood 8 2 Recruited from Adelaide
Josh Carmichael West Adelaide 2022 Mid-season (#9) 2022-2024 Collingwood 8 4 Recruited from Adelaide
Leek Aleer Angle Vale. Central District 2021 #15 2022- Greater Western Sydney 6 0 Recruited from Adelaide
Alastair Lord Norwood 2021 #46 2022- Essendon 1 0 Recruited from Adelaide
Luke Pedlar Kingston, Glenelg, Adelaide 2020 #11 2021- Adelaide 26 26 Born in Mount Gambier, raised in Kingston SE and Adelaide
Elijah Hollands - 2020 #7 2021- Gold Coast, Carlton 14 8 Born and raised in Adelaide
Riley Thilthorpe Goodwood, West Adelaide, Adelaide 2020 #2 2021- Adelaide 46 44 Raised in Adelaide
Beau McCreery Cove, South Adelaide 2020 #44 2021- Collingwood 62 44 Raised in Adelaide
Lachie Jones Woodville-West Torrens 2020 #16 2021- Port Adelaide 21 5 Raised in Bute
Jed McEntee Mitcham, Sturt 2021 (mid-season) #13 2021- Port Adelaide 35 21 Raised in Adelaide
Tom Powell Concordia, Unley Jets, Scotch College, Sturt U18 (2020) 2020 #13 2021- North Melbourne 47 18 Raised in Adelaide
Caleb Poulter Ardrossan, Woodville-West Torrens 2020 #30 2021- Collingwood, Western Bulldogs 19 4 Raised in Ardrossan
Ash Johnson Scotch Old Colegians, Sturt 2020 Mid-season (#3) 2021- Collingwood 26 36 Recruited from Adelaide
Brayden Cook Happy Valley, Adelaide 2020 #25 2021-2023 Adelaide 12 3 Born in Mount Barker, raised in Adelaide
Jack Saunders Walkerville, Unley, Norwood 2021 (Rookie) Rookie (#4) 2021-2022 Hawthorn 1 1 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Michael Frederick Woodville-West Torrens 2019 #61 2020- Fremantle 59 64 Born and raised in Adelaide
Will Day PHOS Camden, Glenelg Junior, West Adelaide U18 (2019) 2019 #13 2020- Hawthorn 54 10 Raised in Adelaide
Kysaiah Pickett Port District, Woodville-West Torrens 2019 #12 2020- Melbourne 89 133 Recruited from South Australia
Connor Budarick - 2019 #16 2020- Gold Coast 26 1 Born and raised in Robe
Brad Close North Gambier, Glenelg 2019 #14 2020- Geelong 76 64 Born and raised in Mount Gambier
Sam Draper South Adelaide 2017 #1 2020- Essendon 57 25 Born and raised in Adelaide
Harry Schoenberg Woodville-West Torrens, Adelaide 2019 #24 2020- Adelaide 61 22 Born in Marrabel, raised in Adelaide
Connor Rozee South Augusta, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2018 #5 2019- Port Adelaide 106 98 Born and raised in Port Augusta
Callum Wilkie Walkerville, North Adelaide 2019 Rookie Draft Rookie (#3) 2019- St Kilda 107 1 Raised in Adelaide
John Noble North Adelaide 2019 Mid-season (#14) 2019- Collingwood 93 7 Raised in Adelaide
Izak Rankine Edwardstown, Flinders Park, West Adelaide, Adelaide 2018 #3 2019- Gold Coast, Adelaide 68 93 Born and raised in Adelaide
Jack Lukosius Henley, Woodville-West Torrens 2018 #2 2019- Gold Coast 96 59 Born and raised in Adelaide
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher Sturt, Port Adelaide 2017 #66 2019- Essendon, Port Adelaide 51 0 Raised in Adelaide
Kade Chandler Western United Tigers, Norwood 2019 #15 2019- Melbourne 39 31 Born and raised in Charra
Tom Sparrow Bridgewater, South Adelaide 2019- Melbourne 77 29 Raised in Adelaide
Shane McAdam Sturt, Adelaide 2019- Melbourne 50 72 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Jordon Sweet Tea Tree Gully, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2019 Rookie (#23) 2019- Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide 11 2 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Chris Burgess Flinders Park, Adelaide 2018 Pre-draft selection 2019- Gold Coast, Adelaide 44 21 Raised in Adelaide
Nathan Kreuger Victor Harbour, South Adelaide 2019-2024 Geelong, Collingwood 15 7 Raised in Victor Harbour
Darcy Fogarty Rostrevor College, Glenelg 2017 #12 2018- Adelaide 79 117 Raised in Lucindale and Adelaide
Callum Coleman-Jones Blackwood, Sturt U15 (2014), U16 (2015), U18 (2017 c) 2017 #20 2018- Richmond, North Melbourne 31 20 Raised in Adelaide
Charlie Ballard Mitcham, Sturt U18 (2017) 2017 #42 2018- Gold Coast 110 2 Raised in Adelaide
Harrison Petty Wudinna United, Norwood 2017 #37 2018- Melbourne 65 20 Born and raised in Wudinna
Lewis Young Sturt 2016 #49 2017- Western Bulldogs, Carlton 58 2 Raised in Adelaide
Will Hayward North Adelaide 2016 #21 2017- Sydney 148 181 Raised in Adelaide
Brennan Cox Woodville-West Torrens 2016 #41 2017- Fremantle 103 31 Raised in Adelaide
Peter Ladhams Modbury, Norwood, Port Adelaide 2017 #9 2017- Port Adelaide, Sydney 50 25 Raised in Adelaide
Mitch Hinge Glenelg 2017 #20 2017- Brisbane Lions, Adelaide 43 5 Raised in Adelaide
Tyson Stengle Portland, Port Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens, Adelaide, U18 (2016) 2016 #6 2017- Richmond, Adelaide, Geelong 73 122 Raised in Adelaide
Toby Pink Glenelg 2017 (rookie) Rookie (#54) 2017-2024 Sydney, North Melbourne 15 7 Raised in Adelaide
Ryan Burton PHOS Cambden, Sacred Heart College, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide U18 (2014) 2015 #19 2016- Hawthorn, Port Adelaide 139 21 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Riley Bonner Goodwood, West Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2015 #37 2016-2024 Port Adelaide, St Kilda 113 15 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Will Snelling Goodwood, West Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2016 Rookie Rookie (#10) 2016-2023 Port Adelaide, Essendon 65 29 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Jordan Dawson Sturt, Adelaide 2015 #56 2016- Sydney, Adelaide 122 57 Born and raised in Kingston SE
Mason Redman Glenelg, Adelaide U18 2015 #30 2016- Essendon 103 18 Born and raised in Millicent
Wayne Milera Central District, Adelaide U18 2015 #11 2016- Adelaide 96 29 Raised in Adelaide
Bailey Williams Brighton Secondary, Glenelg 2015 #48 2016- Western Bulldogs 127 29 Raised in Adelaide
Aaron Francis West Adelaide 2015 #6 2016- Essendon, Sydney 74 13 Raised in Adelaide
Oleg Markov Gepps Cross, North Adelaide U18 2015 #50 2016-2024 Richmond, Gold Coast, Collingwood 86 7 Raised in Adelaide
Josh Schache - 2015 #2 2016-2024 Brisbane Lions, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne 76 79 Born in Adelaide
George Hewett North Adelaide 2013 #32 2015- Sydney, Carlton 156 39 Raised in Adelaide
Alex Neal-Bullen Mitchell Park, Glenelg 2014 #40 2015- Melbourne 159 112 Raised in Adelaide
Caleb Daniel Edwardston, South Adelaide 2014 #46 2015- Western Bulldogs 175 47 Raised in Adelaide
Sam Durdin West Adelaide, Glenelg 2014 #16 2015-2024 North Melbourne, Carlton 24 1 Raised in Adelaide
Trent Dumont Norwood, Port Adelaide 2013 #307 2014- North Melbourne, Port Adelaide 121 28 Raised in Adelaide
James Aish Norwood, Glenelg 2013 #7 2014- Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Fremantle 163 33 Raised in Adelaide
Sean Lemmens Salisbury, Port Adelaide 2013 #27 2014- Gold Coast 140 25 Raised in Adelaide
Orazio Fantasia Payneham Norwood Union, Norwood, Port Adelaide 2013 #55 2014- Essendon, Port Adelaide, Carlton 100 141 Born and raised in Adelaide
Rory Laird Kenilworth, West Adelaide, Adelaide 2011 Rookie (#5) 2013- Adelaide 228 29 Born in South Australia, raised in Adelaide
Jimmy Toumpas Woodville-West Torrens, Port Adelaide U18 (2012c) 2012 #4 2013-2018 Port Adelaide 37 7 Raised in Adelaide
Brodie Grundy Sturt 2012 #18 2013- Collingwood, Melbourne, Sydney 204 71 Born and raised in Adelaide
Chad Wingard Imperial, Sturt, Port Adelaide 2011 #6 2012-2024 Port Adelaide, Hawthorn 218 300 Born and raised in Murray Bridge
Lachie Neale Kybybolite, St Peters College, Glenelg U18 (2011) 2011 #58 2012- Fremantle, Brisbane Lions 250 116 Raised in Kybybolite
Lincoln McCarthy Bordertown, Glenelg 2011 #66 2012- Geelong, Brisbane Lions 140 154 Raised in Bordertown
Brodie Smith West Lakes, Henley, Woodville-West Torrens, Adelaide 2010 #14 2011- Adelaide 249 71 Raised in Adelaide
Tom Jonas Rostrevor College, Norwood, Port Adelaide 2011 #16 2011-2023 Port Adelaide 215 2 Raised in Adelaide
Scott Lycett Thevenard, Port Adelaide 2010 #29 2011-2023 Gold Coast 146 61 Born in Ceduna, raised in Thevenard
Jared Polec Woodville-West Torrens 2010 #5 2011-2022 Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide. North Melbourne 148 75 Born and raised in Adelaide
Sam Day Sturt U18 2011 #3 2011-2024 Gold Coast 143 100 Born and raised in Adelaide
Rhys Stanley West Adelaide 2008 #47 2010- St Kilda, Geelong 196 105 Born and raised in Berri and Adelaide
Jack Redden Keith, Glenelg 2008 #25 2009-2022 Brisbane Lions, West Coast 263 80 Raised in Adelaide
Shane Edwards Golden Grove, North Adelaide 2006 #26 2007-2022 Richmond 303 189 Born and raised in Adelaide
Shannon Hurn Central District U18 (2005) 2005 #13 2006-2023 West Coast 333 50 Born in Angaston and raised in Angaston and Nuriootpa
Eddie Betts Mallee Park, Adelaide 2004 (pre-season) #3 2005-2021 Adelaide, Carlton 350 640 Raised in Port Lincoln (Wirangu, Kokatha)
Shaun Burgoyne Mallee Park, Port Adelaide 2000 #12 2001-2021 Port Adelaide, Hawthorn 407 302 Raised in Port Lincoln (Kokatha)
Matthew Pavlich Sacred Heart College, Woodville-West Torrens 1999 #4 2000-2016 Fremantle 353 700 Born and raised in Adelaide
Adam Goodes 1997 #43 1999-2015 Sydney 372 464 Born and raised in Wallaroo (Adnyamathanha, Narungga)
Warren Tredrea Port Adelaide 1996 Zone selection 1997-2010 Port Adelaide 255 549 Born in South Australia, raised in Adelaide
Michael O'Loughlin Central District 1994 #40 1995-2009 Sydney 303 521 Born and raised in Adelaide (Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri)
Tony Modra West Adelaide, Adelaide 1991-2001 Adelaide, Fremantle 165 588 Born in McLaren Vale, raised in Christies Beach and Loxton
David Grenvold Glenelg 1987 #45 1989-1996 Essendon 112 18 Born and raised in Bordertown
Tony Hall Glenelg, Adelaide 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993 1988-1995 Hawthorn, Adelaide 217 278 Raised in Adelaide
Bruce Abernethy Rosewater, Port Adelaide 1982-1992 North Melbourne, Collingwood, Adelaide 112 39 Raised in Adelaide
Darryl Cowie Gawler Central, Central District 1982-1987 St Kilda, Richmond 63 9 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Stephen Copping Glenelg 1982-1984 Essendon 42 88 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Wayne Slattery South Adelaide 1982 St Kilda 11 12 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Geoff Linke South Adelaide 1981 #15 1982 St Kilda 2 3 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Craig Bradley Port Adelaide 1981-2002 Carlton 375 247 Born and raised in Adelaide
Stephen Kernahan Glenelg 1981-1997 Carlton 251 738 Born and raised in Adelaide
Harry Laxton 1904-1907 Essendon 44 3 Born in Aldgate
Alf Swift 1904 Essendon 7 2 Born in Port Elliot
Mick Pleass 1904 Essendon 132 45 Born in Kent Town
Dick McCabe 1897-1907 South Melbourne 148 18 Born in Farrell Flat

AFLW Players from South Australia

[edit]
  • Anne Hatchard is from Adelaide
    Anne Hatchard is from Adelaide
  • Justine Mules is from Adelaide
    Justine Mules is from Adelaide
  • Hannah Button is from Yorke Peninsula
    Hannah Button is from Yorke Peninsula
  • Deni Varnhagen is from Adelaide
    Deni Varnhagen is from Adelaide
  • Chloe Scheer is from Adelaide
    Chloe Scheer is from Adelaide
  • Ebony Marinoff is from Adelaide
    Ebony Marinoff is from Adelaide
  • Jessica Allen is from Beachport
    Jessica Allen is from Beachport
  • Ebony O'Dea is from Springton
    Ebony O'Dea is from Springton
  • Ashleigh Saint is from Adelaide
    Ashleigh Saint is from Adelaide
  • Sarah Allen is from Millicent
    Sarah Allen is from Millicent
  • Eloise Jones is from Adelaide
    Eloise Jones is from Adelaide
Player SA junior/senior club/s Representative honours AFLW Draft Selection AFLW Years AFLW Club/s AFLW Games AFLW (Goals) Connections to South Australia, Notes & References
Brooke Boileau Mount Compass, Adelaide U18 (2023) 2023 #1 2024- Adelaide 1 0 Raised in and recruited from Victor Harbour
Elaine Grigg North Adelaide, Central Districts U18 (2023) 2024- Western Bulldogs 1 0 Recruited from Adelaide
Molly Brooksby Golden Grove, Port Adelaide U18 (2023) 2024- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Shineah Goody Henley, Edithburgh, Port Adelaide 2024- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Edithburgh
Piper Window Morphettville Park, Port Adelaide 2024- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Caitlin Wendland Willaston, Central Districts 2023- Brisbane 3 0 Raised in Adelaide (Willaston)
Mattea Breed Norwood, Payneham Norwood Union, North Adelaide 2023- Hawthorn 8 0 Recruited from Adelaide
Matilda Scholz Mitcham, Goodwood, Glenelg, Port Adelaide 2023- Port Adelaide 1 0 Raised in Adelaide
Jade Halfpenny Golden Grove, Norwood, Port Adelaide U19 (2021) 2022- Port Adelaide, Carlton 7 1 Raised in and recruited from Adelaide
Taylor Ortlepp - 2022- Carlton 9 1 Raised in Adelaide
Leah Cutting Morphettvale Park, Norwood 2022- St Kilda 7 0 Raised in Adelaide
Olivia Fuller Millicent 2022- Geelong 18 1 Raised in Millicent
Jessica Waterhouse Christie's Beach, Happy Valley, Adelaide 2022- Adelaide 12 5 Raised in Adelaide
Olivia Levicki Port Adelaide 2022- Port Adelaide 13 2 Born in Balaklava
Hannah Ewings Roopena, SMOSH West lakes, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2022- Port Adelaide 18 8 Raised in Whyalla
Jess Good Blackwood, Sturt 2022- Carlton 18 5 Raised in Adelaide
Abbie Ballard Peake, West Adelaide, Strathalbyn, Adelaide 2021 #34 2022- Adelaide 17 4 Raised in Adelaide
Brooke Tonon East Gambie, Scotch College, Glenelg, Adelaide U19 (2021) 2021 #20 2022- Adelaide 10 - Raised in Mount Gambier
Zoe Prowse Glenunga, Mt Lofty, Sturt, Adelaide U19 (2021) 2021 #17 2022- Adelaide 7 1 Raised in Adelaide
Teah Charlton Christie's Beach, South Adelaide, Adelaide 2020 #4 2021- Adelaide 48 8 Raised in Adelaide
Tahlia Meyer Morphettvale Park, South Adelaide 2020 Free agent 2021- St Kilda, Gold Coast 21 2 Raised in Adelaide
Katelyn Pope North Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2021 Injury replacement 2021- West Coast, Port Adelaide 14 2 Raised in Adelaide
Caitlin Gould Glenelg, Adelaide 2019 #68 2020- Adelaide 48 34 Raised in Adelaide
Cheyenne Hammond Willunga, Christie's Beach, South Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2019 #57 2020- Gold Coast, Port Adelaide 40 2 Raised in Wilunga
Chelsea Biddell West Adelaide, Adelaide 2019 #102 2020- Adelaide 48 4 Raised in Adelaide
Rachelle Martin West Adelaide, Adelaide 2020- Adelaide 46 14 Raised in Adelaide
Hannah Munyard South Adelaide, Adelaide 2020- Western Bulldogs, Adelaide 35 3 Raised in Adelaide
Najwa Allen Norwood, Adelaide 2019 #37 2020- Adelaide 44 0 Recruited from Adelaide
Madison Newman West Adelaide, Adelaide 2019 #100 2020- Adelaide 39 7 Recruited from Adelaide
Ashleigh Saint North Adelaide, Adelaide 2018 Free agent 2019- Melbourne, Adelaide, Port Adelaide 49 58 Raised in Adelaide
Chloe Scheer Salisbury West, Modbury, North Adelaide, Adelaide 2018 #37 2019- Adelaide, Geelong 49 54 Raised in Adelaide (Gawler)
Hannah Button West Adelaide, Adelaide 2019 #53 2019- Adelaide 39 3 Born in Yorke Peninsula, raised in Adelaide
Ebony O'Dea West Adelaide, Adelaide 2019 #53 2019- Greater Western Sydney, Collingwood, Port Adelaide 41 2 Born in Springton, raised in Adelaide
Eloise Jones Morphettville Park, Adelaide 2017 #24 2018- Adelaide 66 41 Raised in Adelaide
Jessica Allan Salisbury, Adelaide 2017 #8 2018- Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide 31 0 Raised in Beachport and Millicent
Tait Mackrill Broughton-Mundoora, Morphettville Park 2017 Rookie (#9) 2018- Greater Western Sydney 22 5 Raised in Port Broughton
Sarah Allan Salisbury, Adelaide 2017 #122 2017- Adelaide 69 0 Raised in Beachport and Millicent
Ebony Marinoff Morphettville Park, Adelaide 2016 #7 2017- Adelaide 79 11 Raised in Adelaide
Anne Hatchard Morphettville Park, Adelaide 2016 #87 2017- Adelaide 74 24 Raised in Adelaide
Justine Mules Morphettville Park, Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2016 #133 2017- Adelaide, Port Adelaide 68 7 Raised in Adelaide
Deni Varnhagen Morphettville Park, Adelaide 2016 #26 2017- Adelaide 33 6 Raised in Adelaide
Erin Phillips Adelaide, Port Adelaide 2016 Rookie 2017-2023 Adelaide, Port Adelaide 66 53 Raised in Adelaide

Governing body

[edit]

The governing body is the South Australian Football Commission.

Leagues & Clubs

[edit]

Professional clubs

[edit]

Open

[edit]

Adelaide Metropolitan Leagues

[edit]

Regional leagues

[edit]

The South Australian Country Football Championships is contested annually, and comprises the following representative sides:

  • Central (comprises the Barossa Light and Gawler, Adelaide Plains, Northern Areas, North Eastern and Yorke Peninsula Football Leagues)
  • Southern Districts (River Murray, Great Southern, Hills, Southern and Kangaroo Island Football Leagues)
  • South East (Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, Mid South Eastern and Western Border Football Leagues)
  • Eyre Peninsula (Port Lincoln, Great Flinders, Eastern Eyre and Far West Football Leagues)
  • Northern Cities (Whyalla, Woomera & Districts and Spencer Gulf Football Leagues)
  • Murray Mallee Barrier Zone (Riverland, Mid Murray, Broken Hill and Mallee Football Leagues)

Women's

[edit]

Representative team

[edit]
South Australian player contesting a mark against Victoria at the 1933 Australian National Football Carnival

The South Australian representative team, also known as the Croweaters, have played State of Origin matches against all other Australian states.

See also: South Australia Australian rules football team
See also: Interstate matches in Australian rules football

Principal venues

[edit]

The following venues meet AFL Standard criteria and have been used to host AFL (National Standard) or AFLW level matches (Regional Standard) or SANFL matches and are listed by capacity.[57]

Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide
Adelaide Oval Norwood Oval Prospect Oval
Capacity: 53,500 Capacity: 22,000 Capacity: 20,000
Adelaide Oval Norwood Oval Prospect Oval
Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide
Elizabeth Oval Thebarton Oval Alberton Oval
Capacity: 18,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 15,000
Elizabeth Oval Thebarton Oval Alberton Oval
Adelaide Adelaide Mount Barker
Glenelg Oval Unley Oval Summit Sport and Recreation Park
Capacity: 14,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 10,000
Glenelg Oval Unley Oval

Historic Venues

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Commission, Australian Sports Commission; jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; corporateName=Australian Sports. "AusPlay results". Sport Australia. Retrieved 5 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ 2022 AFL TV Ratings
  3. ^ "LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL". Southern Australian. Vol. VII, no. 549. South Australia. 20 August 1844. p. 2. Retrieved 3 February 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "HISTORIC FOOTBALL". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXII, no. 18, 917. South Australia. 1 July 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Advertising". South Australian Register. Vol. XVII, no. 2033. South Australia. 22 March 1853. p. 1. Retrieved 1 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "NEW SCHOOL-HOUSE, MORPHETT VALE". Adelaide Observer. Vol. XII, no. 595. South Australia. 18 November 1854. p. 4. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ Pill, Shane (2011). "1860–2010: Celebrating 150 years of organised football in South Australia". 27th ACHPER International Conference: 336.
  8. ^ Daly, Elysian Fields, 63, citing South Australian Register of 25 July 1908.
  9. ^ a b Pill, Shane; Frost, Lionel (17 January 2016). "R.E.N. Twopeny and the Establishment of Australian Football in Adelaide". The International Journal of the History of Sport. 33 (8): 797–812. doi:10.1080/09523367.2016.1173033. S2CID 147807924.
  10. ^ "CENTRAL ROAD BOARD". Adelaide Times. Vol. X, no. 1503. South Australia. 2 June 1855. p. 2. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "STRATHALBYN". South Australian Register. Vol. XX, no. 3147. South Australia. 5 November 1856. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLONY". South Australian Register. Vol. XXI, no. 3479. South Australia. 30 November 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "THE GAWLER INSTITUTE RURAL FETE". The South Australian Advertiser. Vol. I, no. 208. South Australia. 10 March 1859. p. 3. Retrieved 3 February 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "XI.—FETES AND AMUSEMENTS". The South Australian Advertiser. Vol. I, no. 214. South Australia. 17 March 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 3 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "ANGASTON". South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858–1889). 15 March 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Classified Advertising". The South Australian Advertiser. Vol. II, no. 411. South Australia. 3 November 1859. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "THE MAGILL RACES". South Australian Weekly Chronicle. Vol. II, no. 76. South Australia. 31 December 1859. p. 5. Retrieved 12 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Full Points Footy". Archived from the original on 8 December 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
  19. ^ "MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". South Australian Register. Vol. XXV, no. 4553. South Australia. 21 May 1861. p. 3. Retrieved 3 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "Cricket & Football". South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail. 28 April 1877.
  21. ^ "Football". South Australian Register. May 1877.
  22. ^ "Junior Football Association". Express and Telegraph. 25 March 1880.
  23. ^ "Football". Evening Journal. 28 March 1882.
  24. ^ "Football". South Australian Advertiser. 27 March 1885.
  25. ^ a b Abernethy, Bruce (1997). From Port to a Power. Kent Town, Adelaide: Wakefield Press. p. 71. ISBN 186254400X.
  26. ^ "Fight on East Perth – Applying to Join VFL". www.amnet.net.au. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  27. ^ a b Oakley, Ross (2014). The Phoenix Rises. Richmond, Victoria: Slattery Media Group. p. 156. ISBN 9780987420596.
  28. ^ 'Port Adelaide Football Club Inc. Annual Report and Balance Sheet Season 1982', page 11
  29. ^ a b "Port Adelaide Football Club..."one must ask does the 'Big V' want the game to go national"". Australian Football.
  30. ^ a b Robinson, Michael (1985). "Yet another season of advancing backwards". 1985 Football Times Yearbook (1976–1992). Ashley Hornsey. pp. 10–12.
  31. ^ a b c "Revisiting the South Australian license saga of 1991". The Roar.
  32. ^ a b Rucci, Michelangelo (29 June 2014). "Oakley breaks silence on Norwood saga". The Advertiser.
  33. ^ Whimpress, T.J. (1989). Port Adelaide Football Club Inc. Report of the Football and Footballers Clubs. Largs Bay, South Australia: Largs Bay Printers. p. 26.
  34. ^ Weber, Bruce (1989). Magpie News. Largs Bay Printers: Port Adelaide Football Club. p. 3.
  35. ^ "AFL sought Norwood". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 20, 209. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 10 August 1990. p. 13. Retrieved 1 August 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ "Port Adelaide from SANFL to AFL". ABC: Stateline South Australia.
  37. ^ Fishburn, Chris (April 1990). "Keeping Score '90". Magpie News. p. 34.
  38. ^ "Put Port Adelaide into AFL: Oakley". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 20, 205. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 August 1990. p. 22. Retrieved 10 May 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  39. ^ "subiacofc.com".
  40. ^ George Fiacchi, 1990 SANFL Grand Final – Port Adelaide vs. Glenelg, Channel 9.
  41. ^ Graham Cornes, 1990 SANFL Grand Final, Channel 9.
  42. ^ a b c "On this day: Inaugural squad named – AFC.com.au". afc.com.au. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  43. ^ "Past players – portadelaidefc.com.au". portadelaidefc.com.au. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  44. ^ The Budget. Adelaide: SANFL. 1994.
  45. ^ "Port Adelaide AFL Bid Video". Port Adelaide Football Club. 1994.
  46. ^ Tony Greenberg, Inside Football, 8 June 1994.
  47. ^ SANFL, Report on the Future Direction of Football in South Australia, 14 June 1994.
  48. ^ Linnell, Stephen (16 June 1994). "League 'No' may open door to Port". The Age.
  49. ^ Ashton, Norman (2018). Destiny. Adelaide: Wakefield Press. p. 137. ISBN 9781743055946.
  50. ^ Jeff Reynolds, Australian Football, May 2016.
  51. ^ Rucci, Michaelangelo (14 December 1994). "Premiers SA's Second Team". The Advertiser (Adelaide). pp. 1–2.
  52. ^ a b Rucci, Michelangelo (29 May 1996). "What makes Port Adelaide different from the Crows?". The Advertiser (Adelaide).
  53. ^ Ashton, Norman (2018). Destiny. Adelaide: Wakefield Press. p. 153. ISBN 9781743055946.
  54. ^ "More chase Sherrin than before – realfooty.com.au". Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  55. ^ "More chase Sherrin than before – realfooty.com.au". Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  56. ^ Ausplay South Australian Australian Football participation report 2019
  57. ^ AFL PREFERRED FACILITY GUIDELINES Aflcommunityclub.com.au

See also

[edit]
[edit]
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