Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas moved swiftly this morning to counter reports of the demise of Port Magpies in the SANFL.
The Advertiser’s story was headlined “Power’s push for SANFL reserves spells the end of the Magpies”.
Thomas’s note to supporters appeared on the club’s website while copies of the newspaper were still being thrown onto suburban lawns.
“The purpose of this note is simply to prevent you from choking on your Weeties,” Thomas said.
“An article appears in today’s Advertiser which again presents a ‘hypothetical’ scenario where the Magpies could be removed from the SANFL competition as a result of the potential entry of a Crows development side, and the supposed need to treat both sides equally on this matter.
“I want to stress that this is a hypothetical position. Our opportunity to present our Club’s case to the SANFL will occur in a week or so.”
Thomas said the SANFL needs Port Magpies and its traditions.
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“We are not talking about a franchise here. We are talking about a Club, with deep community connections.”
SANFL directors will meet in two weeks to consider presentations from the two AFL clubs on how they might operate a reserves side in the SANFL.
“The SANFL and the SANFL League Clubs are working through a process of analysing the various pros and cons of additional teams entering the competition,” SA Football Commission chairman John Olsen said yesterday.
“The League Directors have agreed on a series of guiding principles which would form the basis for any negotiations. These principles are designed to ensure that, should any changes be considered, they strengthen the competition,” he said.
“The League Directors have agreed to the requests of the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs that they make presentations to the Directors, and this invitation will now be extended to the two AFL clubs in the coming weeks.
“Once all the input has been received from the various stakeholders, the SA Football Commission will make a recommendation for the League Directors to consider.
“Together we will make a decision that is in the best interests of the SANFL and the South Australian football community.”
Thomas told supporters today the club’s submission will push for the Port Magpies to operate as a full blown club with reserves and juniors, while the Adelaide Crows would be happy with just the one senior side in the SANFL.
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“We will argue that there is no justification for both AFL Clubs needing to be treated the same on this matter. Indeed, the current arrangement is not like-for-like.
“Also, my understanding is that the Crows will not object to Port Adelaide retaining its junior infrastructure.
“From an SANFL viewpoint, we believe the SANFL competition is best served by limiting the amount of change to only those elements that strengthen it.
“Changes that will help make the competition more promotable, more entertaining, better connected to the community, more aspirational for kids.
“I think it is hard to argue that disconnecting Port Adelaide from its community-based heritage, by removing its junior infrastructure for example, will strengthen the SANFL competition. Indeed it would be removing the very characteristic that makes Port Adelaide unique.
“The idea of removing the Magpies altogether, is another level again!
“Surely an inconceivable notion!
‘Last weekend we watched Port defeat Norwood at Alberton by less than a kick, in another classic match of the SANFL’s oldest and most fierce rivals.
“Tell me that game didn’t matter and isn’t worth fighting for.”
Thomas said history was on the club’s side.
“In 1996, the SANFL Clubs chose not to allow Port Adelaide to leave the local competition to pursue its AFL ambition, fearing that the SANFL simply would not be the same without the Magpies. Today we are presenting the same argument.
“143 years of contribution to the SANFL, 36 premierships.
“We look forward to presenting our proposal to the SANFL Directors next week which will be focussed on building on our 143-year contribution to a strong and viable SANFL competition.”
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