Player Movesby Bernard Whimpress
This paper was delivered on 13 July 2005 to the biennial conference of the Australian Society for Sports History, Sporting Traditions XV held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The main sources used here were the Football Times Yearbooks and the SANFL Annual Reports for the relevant years. Most of the material on the Port Adelaide bid to join the AFL in 1990 is drawn from the Adelaide News.
‘The
1986 season has been one of the most outstanding seasons in the long history of
this League.’
‘In the long
history of the League perhaps the 1987 season presented the greatest challenge
to it.’
[1988] ‘The
season has been a most successful and exciting one for the League.’
‘The 1989
season was one which certainly had its high points as well as low points.’
‘The season
of 1990 will long be remembered as a most difficult and controversial season for
the League.’
Max
Basheer’s first lines in his presidential reports
Sesquicentenary!
A big ugly word that doesn’t come around very often. In 1986 it was on the
lips of a lot of South Australians
because that year the state celebrated 150 years of white settlement.
In football, player
transfers, shock resignations, big financial losses and pressure associated with
the expansion of the Victorian Football League (VFL) competition meant that the
game was constantly under the spotlight, particularly a national 14 team
competition proposed by a VFL commissioners report to involve clubs from
SANFL president Max
Basheer accused the VFL of prostituting the game and stated that the telecasts
would jeopardise
The VFL national
draft in 1986 was aggressive with 29 South Australian players named, many still
under contract to their SANFL clubs. League president Basheer said that the
draft would face legal challenges with opinion suggesting that it could be
proven to be ‘anti-competitive’ under the Trade Practices Act.
The maximum
interstate transfer fee was increased by one third to $60 000 on
In 1987 there were
a lot of matters up for judgement. Some observers thought that the SANFL was
becoming a victim of its own history while others thought it deserved credit for
not bolting into the Victorian controlled national league. The difficult thing
to understand was the irony that in the early 1980s
For South
Australian football the 1986 season was not one to celebrate in one respect as
it began with the great migration east. Stephen Kernahan, Tony McGuinness, Craig
Bradley, Peter Motley and John Platten were the biggest name players in the
exodus to the VFL.
Kernahan left for
The biggest raiders
in 1987 were fledgling club, the Brisbane Bears. South Australian players who
joined them were North Adelaide’s Matthew Campbell; a strong Port Adelaide
contingent in Ben Harris, former Collingwood and Port captain Mark Williams, his
younger brother Stephen, and centre half back Martin Leslie; and West Adelaide
captain Mark Mickan who was threatened with legal action by West.
A number of SA
players quickly proved themselves among the best in the VFL.
Platten won the Brownlow Medal in 1987 and wingman-defender Steven
Stretch, Kernahan and McGuinness won their club best and fairest awards, while
in 1988 Bradley won the best and fairest award at
Carlton, and Darren Kappler won Fitzroy’s top
award. No doubt this brought some South Australian breast-beating but it was
breast-beating from afar.
The moves, of
course, were not all one way. Some players came back. Magarey Medallist Kym
Hodgeman returned to Glenelg after 95 games with
There were also
players who remained. Greg Whittlesea stayed with Sturt after receiving a
handsome offer to play with
The league had
begun to hold management seminars from the early 1980s and in 1985
representatives from all clubs discussed the game’s future direction, ground
rationalisation, the tribunal system, junior development, the structure of
league and club management, marketing policy and finance, including ceilings on
player payments.
In a long interview
before the 1987 season SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker gave his views on
player retention schemes, attendance figures including the effect of live
telecasts of VFL games, moves towards ground rationalisation, club finances and
programming. He put a brave face on player retention and the league took the
matter seriously by forming a committee consisting of former deputy premier Jack
Wright, AMP general manager John Potter, shadow Tourism, Recreation and Sport
minister Graham Ingerson, Hardy’s Wines managing director Wayne Jackson,
distinguished former player and coach Jack Oatey, former Central District
president Peter Page, and Whicker himself. The idea was to assist players with
career opportunities and education and stressed treating young men in a humane
fashion rather than bargaining them as commodities. However, fine motives would
only take matters a certain distance and talented players would seek to maximise
their earnings. On the effect of live telecasts on local attendances Whicker
believed people would support ‘live’ football and the local product. A
ground rationalisation commission was formed to address such concerns as
spectator comfort, player facilities and ground conditions. Whicker welcomed his
former club Sturt’s move to Adelaide Oval and the increase in attendances
which resulted.
In an introduction
to the 1988 season Football Times
editor
A downside was that
the SANFL clubs could no longer balance their books by claiming large transfer
fees from VFL clubs. They would have to work vigorously to find new ways of
raising finance to help combat poaching. They also worked actively to bolster
player ranks.
By 1988 it was
difficult to predict how much longer the league could stay out of the VFL’s
extended competition. While some pundits thought the league competition appeared
to be on the wane attendances were holding up and
SA’s losses were
represented by 50 players playing in the VFL in 1989 and finances were poor.
Seven of the ten clubs reported financial losses: premier Port, grand finalist
Glenelg, Central, North, West,
The license fee of
$4-$6 million for entering the national competition was no longer a big is
It was not a
forgone conclusion, however, because the 1990 season had both ups and downs. The
Foundation Cup (formerly Escort Cup) continued to be well supported and
 |
55 per
cent of respondents were against the national league; |
|
of the
55 per cent, 48 per cent stated they had no interest in the AFL and 47 per
cent said the $4 million entry fee was too high; |
|
if |
Football
followers, of course, can be fickle. Then came the setbacks.
Without
doubt the action which caused the SANFL to reverse its position and accept the
AFL’s conditions of entry into a national competition was the rogue behaviour
of Port Adelaide, in bidding behind its back to become the AFL’s fifteenth
side. Led by gung-ho president Bruce Weber the club won praise from AFL
Commission chairman Ross Oakley for the quality of its proposal but was used as
a pawn by the AFL to force action by the SANFL.
Its
action caused a furore at the local level. Originally engineered by AFL
executive commissioner Schwab on 4 July in collusion with former Port general
manager Ian McKenzie the Magpies bid to join the AFL was kept secret for nearly
a month, even from coach Cahill. When the news broke on 31 July North
Solidarity
should mean something in Port Adelaide of all places … It is not the decision
which is so reprehensible it is the insult. It is the way the organisers of this
coup lamentably failed to take their own people into their confidence.
The
immediate response by the SANFL was a demand that Port drop its bid.
The
following day it told Port it would be thrown out of the SANFL if its bid was
successful, and that it would not have its AFL games programmed at Football
Park. While some observers considered the ultimatum ‘tough’ the News’
chief football writer Neville Roberts thought the league had acted weakly,
expecting that Port should have been disaffiliated or suspended. The one
interesting aspect was the financial revelation that Port had negotiated an
entry fee of $1.5 million instead of the $4 million usually quoted.
Within
the Magpies itself there was also division with club stalwarts such as league
director Dave Boyd admitting before an emotional meeting of 2,000 members on 6
August that he had voted against its 7-1 decision to join the AFL; and Geof
Motley querying president Weber whether members should have the right to view
the heads of agreement deal with the AFL. However, the prevailing mood seemed to
be an Us versus Them attitude and a determination to fight on.
What
stopped Port in its tracks was a decision by Justice Olsson in the South
Australian Supreme Court to freeze the club’s AFL bid. Olsson’s decision
continued an interim injunction granted at the request of Glenelg and with the
support of the West Torrens and South Adelaide clubs.
The
most obvious outcome from the saga was the league’s entry into the AFL with
the Adelaide Football Club thwarting Port’s dream. The SANFL made a surprise
bid to join the national competition on 6 August when its directors voted 10-1
(Port against) in favour of a composite team thus stonewalling the Magpies. This
was a payback and a way of dealing with black and white arrogance.
During
September Port’s bid looked to be over. Unfortunately the AFL did its own
stonewalling and Port battled on. Justice Olsson’s injunction was temporary.
While the SANFL had announced its intentions one of the conditions of AFL entry
was dropping the court case against Port and for the league to meet Port’s
legal costs. For its part Port had alleged that the injunction was a breach of
the Restraint of Trade provisions of the Trade Practices Act.
On
the one hand economics eventually won over ethics and at the end of the season
this issue might be seen to have been resolved as a draw although the fine of
$8,000 levied on Port by the SANFL disputes and disciplinary committee for not
withdrawing its AFL bid seemed puny. Port remained, as always, conscious of the
premiership struggle. For the other nine clubs it must have been a painful end
to see Port raise the premiership trophy once again on grand final. Furthermore,
when the season was over it must have been galling for the other clubs to hear
of the Magpies gloating in their annual report:
This premiership was even more meritorious because of the adverse publicity received by the Club from various sections of the public and the media brought about by the Club’s endeavours to join the AFL. Our only aim to join the AFL. was for the betterment of football in South Australia and to ensure our Club’s football future.
As
John Elliot might have said: ‘Pig’s arse!’
The
league had done its best to maintain a viable competition. In 1986 it released a
revolutionary match program with Saturday night football and an increase in
double-header matches from four to nine, including a day/night double-header on
Anzac Day. In 1989 it attempted to spread top-class football around the state
with five new country centres named for the SANFL’s pre-season competition.
The
boldest initiative aimed at maintaining a high level of competition in Adelaide.
The player retention scheme offered incentives for players to remain in SA and
was successful in enticing some to do so. The scheme operated on the basis of a
lump sum severance payment being made to a qualified player on retirement.
The
minimum qualifications for a player were to have played six league seasons in
SA, including 120 league games and at least four state matches. In the first
year each league club was invited to nominate two of its best players who were
likely to be subjected to interstate recruitment. From the twenty nominations
ten players would be assessed on their football and career future. The lottery,
which had a house as first prize, generated $506 000 and provided the bulk of
funds necessary to keep the best footballers. In addition companies such as
Devon Homes, television station ADS
10, Continental Airlines, Australian Airlines, Graham Cornes Toyota, Hardy’s
Wines, James Hardie Spicers, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Peters Ice Cream, radio
stations 5DN and 5AD, and the News and
Advertiser newspapers lent their
support.
In
1989 North and state stars Darren Jarman and Peter Bennett were accepted as
special cases into the scheme requiring them to play in Adelaide for the next
four years; Central forward Rudi Mandemaker turned down a $60,000 deal with the
Sydney Swans; and Sturt ruckman Damian Kitschke accepted a role as a manager of
a new leisure centre at Glenelg in a new dimension to the scheme.
Outside
the major competition the league continued its responsibilities with game
development. In 1986 the most important innovation was undoubtedly the
introduction of ‘Aussie Footy’ into primary schools. South Australia also
hosted the Teal Cup for the first time since 1978 and established the
SANFL–Nissan Scholarship Squad which consisted of players aged between sixteen
and eighteen. In 1987 a three year development plan was approved with a focus on
control and co-ordination of metropolitan junior football within the school
sector but with support from district clubs. By 1988 an additional positive step
made by the league in its development of future stars was the creation of a
Country Development Squad.
Media
exposure was critical to the SANFL’s presentation of football. Relationships
soured when radio station 5AD sought talks with the league amid speculation that
the station wanted to withdraw from broadcasting the local game. 5AD had already
reduced its planned coverage in 1987 to Saturday matches only, leaving 5DN and
the ABC to cover Sunday and public holiday games. The same season there were
also fresh threats from new media when satellite sports channel Sportsplay
planned to recruit its own broadcast and commentary team to beam VFL matches
live into 1000 pubs and clubs throughout Australia. Sportsplay TV Systems had
won exclusive satellite rights to the VFL at a cost of $1.5 million per year for
three years.
It
was a topsy-turvy time as in February 1987 Channel 7 seemed likely to cut its
coverage of SA football and move replays from Saturday night prime time. Live
coverage of reserves football and the two hour Sunday football shows had already
been dropped. By November 1988, however, there were new players. Channel 9 won
the rights to telecast the SANFL for the next three years, replacing Channel 10
as the only commercial station covering SA football. 5AD dropped its coverage of
league football and axed its live coverage and top-rating Saturday Football
Show.
At
the club level the picture was uncertain. Some clubs were prudently managed,
others exercised caution and some found themselves in financial disarray.
In
1987 Sturt made a revolutionary move towards ground rationalisation by
playing its home games at Adelaide Oval for fifteen years. It would
continue to train and use Unley Oval for its under-age sides. Unfortunately the
move did not put money in the bank as the club recorded a loss of $134,174, the
biggest deficit in its 86-year history.
Central
District made a record profit in 1986 of $64,000 but in so doing lost its
best asset. The major reason for the surplus was the estimated minimum
$100,000 transfer fee paid to the Bulldogs by Hawthorn for rover John Platten.
By
contrast, South Adelaide showed hesitancy with its southern expansion. It
elected to stay at Adelaide Oval in 1988 despite approaches from West Adelaide
and Glenelg to share Richmond and Glenelg Ovals.
West
Torrens adopted a radical new plan for player payments in 1987. Under a plan
drawn up by coach Weston the maximum amount a player could earn was around $28,000
with a median figure of $20,000. Payments were made according to how many games
they played with bonuses for wins and performances. However, the club failed the
same year in its bid to take control of the management of Thebarton Oval after
discussion was shelved by the West Torrens Council.
Glenelg
began recruiting from country districts or interstate in 1989 rather than from
other league clubs. Maybe the decision was thrust upon it after an operating
loss of $146,760 in 1988. Glenelg
players were asked to receive a 20 per cent pay cut which would reduce the
club’s deficit by $90,000. In the same year North Adelaide reported a loss of
$167 889, the worst in its 96 year history and West Adelaide delayed plans on
purchasing Unley Oval’s Jack Oatey Stand. The club which had only three years
of its lease to run at Richmond Oval decided against the purchase until SA’s
entry into the expanded VFL had been worked out.
The
most embarrassing circumstances for the clubs were their public appeals for
funds. Sturt launched such an appeal to retain its players and buy recruits for
1988. Glenelg director Laurie Rosewarne reported that the club had raised an
extra $27,000 the same season following a call on members. The good news was the
SANFL announcement in 1987 that Football Park profits passed $1 million for the
first time and was an increase of $100,000 on 1986. Clubs received almost $3
million from all sources – a rise of $200,000 on the previous year.
At
the end of 1990 the financial position of the clubs had seen some improvement
with Port, Woodville, West, Sturt, South, North and Glenelg recording operating
profits. Undoubtedly the club in the worst position was Torrens which lost $178,190
to push its accumulated losses to $429,812. It was little wonder that the league
approved the merger of Woodville and West Torrens subject to the sale of the
Torrens’ clubrooms at Thebarton Oval. For their part Glenelg and South
Adelaide officials decided not to amalgamate. Glenelg president McIntosh stated
the plans had been shelved and South president Ray Hendrie remarked that his
club could survive in its own right.
Port
Adelaide, Glenelg and North Adelaide were the competition leaders. The return of
John Cahill to Port Adelaide in 1988 immediately heralded premiership success
for the Magpies. Since his departure in 1982 the five year coaching reign of
Russell Ebert had yielded just one grand final appearance (in 1984) and no
flags. Port’s trio of wins (1988-90) was based on great power and stability.
The key position players were Scott Hodges, Darren Smith, Mark Williams and
Bruce Abernethy in the centre, Greg Phillips, Roger Delaney and Ben Harris at
full-back. When ruckmen like Russell Johnston, rovers Stephen Williams and Tim
Ginever, and players of the quality of Martin Leslie and a young Gavin Wanganeen
(on the right half-forward flank in 1990) are weighed into the equation the Port
sides of this period match up for strength, skill and adaptability with the best
that have existed in the SANFL.
******
The
repercussions of moving into the so-called ‘national’ football were swift
and the summer of 1990-91 was perhaps the busiest on record for the South
Australian game.
In
October 1990, for example, an interim board was named for the Adelaide Football
Club. The same month the SANFL Player Retention Scheme was dismantled and 21
players were paid out. Adelaide then named Glenelg coach Graham Cornes as coach
for two years. The way was cleared for Adelaide following the dropping of legal
action against Port. As administrators began to think and talk nationally they
also entered a new era by forming the SA Football Commission which became the
most powerful body controlling football in the state.
The
Sharks was the name favoured by league officials for the AFL’s newest club and
it continued to be bandied around for several weeks. By November, however, the
Crows was adopted and the emblem included a shield with a black crow emblazoned
across the face. The colours were those long used by state sporting teams of
navy blue, red and yellow. By December the club secured some of the best seats
at Football Park, directly opposite the main grandstand, and in January the
Toyota Motor Company was named club sponsor through its Camry vehicle. Toyota
and its dealers formed a consortium to co-sponsor the Camry Crows for three
years at a reputed cost of $1 million. With 41,000 fans watching the Crows
defeat Essendon in a trial game in February they were advised to buy a
season’s ticket to be sure of seats to watch their club. As the new season
approached Adelaide elected its first board.
A
voice left croaking in the wilderness was that of Port president Weber whose
business Budget and Maintenance Contracting Pty Ltd had been wound up in
September. Weber also found himself nominated for a Wilkie award by the
eastern-state journalist Keith Dunstan’s Anti-Football League as the person
who had done least for the game in the past year. While there was talk of Port
merging with Fitzroy as the Port Adelaide Lions based at Adelaide Oval in 1992
this came to nothing and Weber’s confirmation in February that the Magpies
would make a fresh bid to join the AFL would be several years coming to
fruition.
Where now?
or
