Bid to split SFL into two comps

SFL head Craig Warman. Picture: Roger Wyman Source: adelaidenow

THE Southern Football League might be split into two competitions in a bid to increase club rivalry, boost attendances and improve the quality of games.

Under a plan being discussed by a league committee, the SFL's 15 clubs would be moved into one of two associations based on their location.

Those closest to the city would play in a northern league, while the rest would be aligned to the southern competition.

Committee chairman Gary Davenport said the idea was in its early stages and would need the SFL board's approval before it could be launched.

Davenport said the catalyst for discussions was Brighton threatening to leave the SFL for the amateurs in August because it believed lopsided wins against struggling clubs were affecting home crowds.

If endorsed, the split would happen in A and B grades, as well as junior (under-18, under-16 and under-14) ranks, Davenport said.

"We've got to create entertainment," Davenport said.

"If you're in close proximity to everyone you start to get back a bit of rivalry, it'll improve attendances ... and if you've got rivalry you tend to play a better standard of football.

"At this stage we'll stay as we are ... but do we want to stay like this for 10 years and have clubs like Aldinga not improving?

"(Two zoned competitions) is the way we're favouring and what we're working towards."

Davenport said the SFL would likely need to attract clubs from other leagues before launching the two competitions because some teams did not have juniors.

"Ideally we'd have 10 and 10 (in each competition) so everyone plays everyone twice."

The SFL formed the "future directions committee" last May to discuss ways to improve the competition.

Since then it has also considered whether to create first and second divisions to address a gulf between top and bottom clubs after a string of thrashings in recent years.

Last season 47 games were decided by more than 100 points, nine by at least 200 points and one in excess of 300 points. "We've been working out which model would be best suited without losing grades, clubs and kids playing," Davenport said.

SFL president Craig Warman said the league favoured delaying major changes to see if the AFL's move to Adelaide Oval next year would affect grassroots funding.

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