Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has unleashed a scathing attack on the SANFL, accusing the league of deliberately manipulating the rules to engineer the club's first-ever wooden spoon in 124 years.
Koch, one of the more vocal board members in Australian football, expressed his frustration on Adelaide's FIVEaa radio, claiming the SANFL's actions were intentionally designed to weaken Port Adelaide.
“It means the SANFL got what they wanted,” Koch said.
“They wanted Port to be last; they rigged the rules, and we can't wait to be out of there.”
Koch's criticism comes after the Port Adelaide Magpies, the SANFL moniker for the AFL club, finished last on the league ladder, marking the first time since 1900 that the club has ended a season at the bottom.
The situation has exacerbated tensions between the SANFL and its two AFL-affiliated teams, Port Adelaide and Adelaide, both of which have expressed a desire to exit the competition and join a national reserves league.
The primary point of contention for Koch and Port Adelaide lies in the SANFL's team selection rules, which have imposed restrictions on the AFL clubs' ability to field competitive teams. The rules around team selection, salary caps, and the recruitment of marquee players have been particularly contentious. Koch argued that these regulations have stifled the development of younger players within the club, leading to their dismal performance this season.
“They've said to the AFL, ‘We're not going to change the rules until you agree to give us our funding,'” Koch added.
“That's like going to the bank and saying, ‘You know, we're not going to discuss the terms until you give us the money,' because the AFL is the SANFL's bank.”
The chairman's comments come as Port Adelaide prepares to leave the SANFL after a storied 124-year history that has seen the club claim a record 36 premierships.
The club's decision to join the National Reserves competition is seen as a move to ensure a more level playing field for its younger players, who have struggled under the current SANFL regulations.
The Magpies' departure from the SANFL will mark the end of an era in South Australian football. Established in 1870, Port Adelaide is the oldest professional football club in the state and one of the most successful in Australian football history. Despite this rich legacy, Koch made it clear that the club's future lies in a competition that offers greater opportunities for its emerging talent.
“The SANFL's review into concessions for AFL clubs is just lip service,” Koch said, dismissing the ongoing negotiations as futile.
“Given their track record, you want to see it in writing and signed before you believe anything that comes out of their mouth.”
While the SANFL has yet to respond directly to Koch's allegations, the league's chief executive Darren Chandler emphasised that the ongoing review is focused on ensuring the growth and strength of the competition and its clubs.
The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future landscape of South Australian football as the league navigates the challenges posed by its relationship with the AFL.