World Footy News

The AFL's recently announced Champions League will provide the top teams from across Australian states (below the AFL) the chance to compete before a national TV audience on Foxtel, albeit given Foxtel's reduced market penetration compared with free-to-air TV.

But sadly for the concept's first year (2011) one of the major competing leagues will instead put forth its bottom clubs for the contest. The SANFL agreed to the Champions League but only on the grounds that it would offer three spots to its clubs, starting from the top finishers in 2010, but would not force them to play. A cascade of declined offers followed, resulting in South Australia likely to field 3 of its 4 bottom sides, from its 9 club competition.

The rebuff was expected, as most of the SANFL clubs had made it clear that the likely prize money on offer was inadequate and there were issues with clashing sponsors, and the last thing vulnerable state league sides can afford is to make a loss from such a venture. With SANFL player payments thought to be higher than most other state leagues outside of the AFL the requirements to satisfy SANFL clubs is higher. Just as important was that the clubs of course will continue to focus, as they have for over 130 years, on winning the local premiership. By sacrificing their byes during the season they would place themselves at a disadvantage compared with their local rivals - playing 3 or 4 extra games in a season, plus travel, is a large additional load. There is also a risk that the telecast of matches would be in direct competition with the state league coverage on ABC TV.

In a joint statement Central District, Norwood, Woodville-West Torrens and Sturt stated that:

"It is our view that the cost of participating would not be fully covered by the prizemoney on offer and would therefore ultimately represent a new cost to our clubs. In addition the proposed draw requires the successful teams to play up to an additional four games scheduled within the current home-and-away season, thus forfeiting all of their scheduled byes in the lead up to the major round of the SANFL. This is a major consideration as participation would severely test the resilience and depth of our teams' playing resources.''

However, West Adelaide (6th), North Adelaide (7th), Port Adelaide (8th) and South Adelaide (last) are thought likely to agree to participate. This would severely weaken the credibility of the Champions League concept in SA, but possibly not in other states where the media and public focus will probably be on their own representatives.