Australian rules football in South Australia
Encyclopedia
Australian rules football
in South Australia
has a history dating back to 1843, and it has long been the most popular sport
in the state.
for a more detailed history of the SANFL competition
Although games of a "football" have been recorded in South Australia from 1843, the earliest recorded football club in South Australia was Adelaide Football Club, formed in 1860. One of the earliest games played was against the Modbury Football Club
in 1862. The early years of football were poorly organised and dogged by argument over which set of rules to adopt. In fact, after a match between Port Adelaide
and Kensington in 1873, it was remarked that neither side understood the rules clearly, and there was uncertainty over which team had won. However, as they years progressed, there became a growing push for uniformity and structure in South Australian football.
In 1877, 12 of South Australia's football clubs met to develop a uniform set of rules and establish a governing body. They formed the South Australian Football Association
, the first governing body of its type for football in Australia, and adopted rules similar to those used in Victoria. The inaugural 1877 season was contested by those 12 clubs: South Park, Willunga, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College
, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, South Adelaide
and Victorian.
Norwood
joined the Association in 1878, but South Park, Willunga, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, and Victorian all left the Association within the first 10 years. By 1886, the Association had been reduced from 12 to four clubs. The Association experienced a resurgence in the late 1880s and early 1890s. The addition of West Adelaide
(1887), North Adelaide (1893), West Torrens
(1897) and only the demise of Adelaide (1893), meant the Association was six clubs by the turn of the century. In 1898, the Magarey Medal
was awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player for the first time. Sturt
joined the Association in 1901 and in 1907, the Association was renamed the South Australian Football League.
The SAFL was suspended from 1916-18 due to World War I. Glenelg joined the league in 1921. In 1927, the South Australian Football League was renamed the South Australian National Football League
. During World War II, the eight clubs merged to form four composite clubs over the period 1942-44. In 1964 the SANFL admitted two new clubs, Central District and Woodville
.
During the 1970s and 1980s, an increasing number of SANFL players moved to Victoria to play in the VFL competition. In 1981 the VFL rejected a SANFL bid to enter a composite South Australian team to its competition. The SANFL introduced a player retention scheme in 1988 in an attempt to maintain the quality of the competition in the face of falling attendances.
On 31 July 1990, Port Adelaide surprised the SANFL by making an independent bid to the join the AFL. The SANFL was left with little option but to submit its own bid to enter the AFL. In a thirty-minute meeting the SANFL formed the Adelaide Football Club. While Port Adelaide had by far the largest supporter base in South Australia, it could not compete with the SANFL's offer of a composite club and the use of Football Park, and in November 1990, following a legal battle, the AFL announced the Adelaide Football Club had been granted a licence and would enter the competition in 1991.
The Adelaide Crows debuted in 1991 wearing the state colours of navy blue, red and yellow. While the Adelaide Crows enjoyed crowds of over 40,000 every week and dominated local media coverage, crowds at local SANFL matches suffered substantially. In 1990, Woodville and West Torrens had merged to form Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
.
In 1994 after a tender process put to all the SANFL clubs, the Port Adelaide Football Club secured a licence to enter the AFL. The Port Adelaide chose the nickname of 'Power' since 'Magpies' was already used by Collingwood. Port Adelaide wished to maintain its presence (as the Magpies) in the SANFL, which was agreed to on the basis that Port Adelaide's SANFL and AFL entities operate independently. The club in the SANFL was renamed "Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club" to reflect this separation.
Points system: In South Australia, most leagues award two points for a win, and one for a draw. Elsewhere in Australia generally four points are awarded for a win and two for a draw.
Percentage: In South Australia, ladder percentage is usually calculated as "For" ÷ "For and Against" × "100". Elsewhere in Australia it is generally calculated as "For" ÷ "Against" × "100".
Behind posts: Behind posts have generally been coloured red in South Australia, as opposed to white elsewhere.
Goalkicker listings: Match reports in South Australia generally list goals and behinds scored by player, whereas elsewhere in Australia goals only are generally shown.
Field markings: The "50" on the 50 metre line at AAMI Stadium is in a serif
font, whereas at Victorian grounds a sans-serif font is used.
is the South Australian National Football League
.
The South Australian Country Football Championships is contested annually, and comprises the following representative sides:
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
has a history dating back to 1843, and it has long been the most popular sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
in the state.
History
see South Australian National Football LeagueSouth Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
for a more detailed history of the SANFL competition
Although games of a "football" have been recorded in South Australia from 1843, the earliest recorded football club in South Australia was Adelaide Football Club, formed in 1860. One of the earliest games played was against the Modbury Football Club
Modbury Football Club
The Modbury Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Modbury, a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia....
in 1862. The early years of football were poorly organised and dogged by argument over which set of rules to adopt. In fact, after a match between Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
and Kensington in 1873, it was remarked that neither side understood the rules clearly, and there was uncertainty over which team had won. However, as they years progressed, there became a growing push for uniformity and structure in South Australian football.
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
, the first governing body of its type for football in Australia, and adopted rules similar to those used in Victoria. The inaugural 1877 season was contested by those 12 clubs: South Park, Willunga, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College is an independent, day and boarding school for boys, located on Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, near the centre of Adelaide, South Australia...
, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, South Adelaide
South Adelaide Football Club
South Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
and Victorian.
Norwood
Norwood Football Club
Norwood Football Club, nicknamed, Redlegs, is an Australian rules football club belonging to the South Australian National Football League in the state of South Australia...
joined the Association in 1878, but South Park, Willunga, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, and Victorian all left the Association within the first 10 years. By 1886, the Association had been reduced from 12 to four clubs. The Association experienced a resurgence in the late 1880s and early 1890s. The addition of West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
(1887), North Adelaide (1893), West Torrens
West Torrens Football Club
West Torrens Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1897 to 1990...
(1897) and only the demise of Adelaide (1893), meant the Association was six clubs by the turn of the century. In 1898, the Magarey Medal
Magarey Medal
For the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
was awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player for the first time. Sturt
Sturt Football Club
Sturt Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League. The club is best known for its period of dominance from 1966–76 under legendary coach Jack Oatey, during which it revolutionised the style of play by emphasising teamwork and accurate ball...
joined the Association in 1901 and in 1907, the Association was renamed the South Australian Football League.
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
. During World War II, the eight clubs merged to form four composite clubs over the period 1942-44. In 1964 the SANFL admitted two new clubs, Central District and Woodville
Woodville Football Club
Woodville Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1964 to 1990, when it merged with the West Torrens Football Club to form the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles....
.
During the 1970s and 1980s, an increasing number of SANFL players moved to Victoria to play in the VFL competition. In 1981 the VFL rejected a SANFL bid to enter a composite South Australian team to its competition. The SANFL introduced a player retention scheme in 1988 in an attempt to maintain the quality of the competition in the face of falling attendances.
On 31 July 1990, Port Adelaide surprised the SANFL by making an independent bid to the join the AFL. The SANFL was left with little option but to submit its own bid to enter the AFL. In a thirty-minute meeting the SANFL formed the Adelaide Football Club. While Port Adelaide had by far the largest supporter base in South Australia, it could not compete with the SANFL's offer of a composite club and the use of Football Park, and in November 1990, following a legal battle, the AFL announced the Adelaide Football Club had been granted a licence and would enter the competition in 1991.
The Adelaide Crows debuted in 1991 wearing the state colours of navy blue, red and yellow. While the Adelaide Crows enjoyed crowds of over 40,000 every week and dominated local media coverage, crowds at local SANFL matches suffered substantially. In 1990, Woodville and West Torrens had merged to form Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Woodville-West Torrens Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the South Australian National Football League . It was formed in 1990 from an amalgamation of the neighbouring Woodville and West Torrens football clubs and played its inaugural game in 1991...
.
In 1994 after a tender process put to all the SANFL clubs, the Port Adelaide Football Club secured a licence to enter the AFL. The Port Adelaide chose the nickname of 'Power' since 'Magpies' was already used by Collingwood. Port Adelaide wished to maintain its presence (as the Magpies) in the SANFL, which was agreed to on the basis that Port Adelaide's SANFL and AFL entities operate independently. The club in the SANFL was renamed "Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club" to reflect this separation.
Regional variation
Some variations of Australian Rules Football in South Australia compared with other Australian states still exist:Points system: In South Australia, most leagues award two points for a win, and one for a draw. Elsewhere in Australia generally four points are awarded for a win and two for a draw.
Percentage: In South Australia, ladder percentage is usually calculated as "For" ÷ "For and Against" × "100". Elsewhere in Australia it is generally calculated as "For" ÷ "Against" × "100".
Behind posts: Behind posts have generally been coloured red in South Australia, as opposed to white elsewhere.
Goalkicker listings: Match reports in South Australia generally list goals and behinds scored by player, whereas elsewhere in Australia goals only are generally shown.
Field markings: The "50" on the 50 metre line at AAMI Stadium is in a serif
Serif
In typography, serifs are semi-structural details on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. A typeface with serifs is called a serif typeface . A typeface without serifs is called sans serif or sans-serif, from the French sans, meaning “without”...
font, whereas at Victorian grounds a sans-serif font is used.
Attendance Record
- 66,987 (1976). SANFL Grand FinalGrand FinalGrand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
. SturtSturt Football ClubSturt Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League. The club is best known for its period of dominance from 1966–76 under legendary coach Jack Oatey, during which it revolutionised the style of play by emphasising teamwork and accurate ball...
vs Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
. (Football Park, AdelaideAdelaideAdelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
)
Major Australian Rules Events in South Australia
- Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Premiership Season (Crows and Power home games) - The ShowdownShowdown (AFL)The Showdown is a term used to refer to the derby match between local rivals the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the sport of Australian rules football in the Australian Football League .-Background:...
- SANFL Grand Final
South Australians in the Australian Football Hall of Fame
see List of Australian Football Hall of Fame inducteesPlayers
- Mark BickleyMark BickleyMark Alan Bickley is an Australian rules football coach of the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League . Before becoming a coach, Bickley was a player for the Crows from 1991 until 2003, captaining the team to both the 1997 and 1998 AFL premierships and media commentator, most notably...
(South AdelaideSouth Adelaide Football ClubSouth Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
, Adelaide) - Malcolm BlightMalcolm BlightMalcolm Jack Blight AM is a former champion Australian rules football player and coach, and current television commentator. During the 1970s and 1980s Blight played for the Woodville Football Club in the South Australian National Football League and the North Melbourne Football Club in the...
(WoodvilleWoodville Football ClubWoodville Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1964 to 1990, when it merged with the West Torrens Football Club to form the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles....
, North MelbNorth Melbourne Football ClubThe North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
) - Craig BradleyCraig BradleyCraig Edwin "Braddles" Bradley is a former South Australian Australian rules footballer and first class cricketer. He is currently a part-time assistant coach at the Carlton Football Club, the club he represented 375 times in the VFL/AFL....
(Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
, CarltonCarlton Football ClubThe Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
) - Peter Carey (Glenelg)
- John DalyJohn Daly (footballer)John "Bunny" Daly was a former Australian rules footballer prominent in the South Australian National Football League during its developmental years between 1887 and 1903....
(NorwoodNorwood Football ClubNorwood Football Club, nicknamed, Redlegs, is an Australian rules football club belonging to the South Australian National Football League in the state of South Australia...
, West AdelaideWest Adelaide Football ClubWest Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
) - Russell EbertRussell EbertRussell Ebert is acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the long history of Australian rules football.Born in Berri, South Australia, Ebert debuted for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League as an 18 year old in 1968 and immediately made an...
(Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
, Nth MelbNorth Melbourne Football ClubThe North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
)
- Ken FarmerKen FarmerKenneth William George "Ken" Farmer was an Australian rules football player in the South Australian National Football League during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s...
(North Adelaide) - Bob HankBob HankRobert W. "Bob" Hank is a former Australian rules footballer in the South Australian National Football League .Hank actually began his senior playing career with the wartime combination of West Torrens-Port Adelaide in 1944. He stepped smoothly in the West Torrens senior side next year when the...
(West TorrensWest Torrens Football ClubWest Torrens Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1897 to 1990...
) - Lindsay HeadLindsay HeadLindsay Hudson Head MBE is a former Australian rules footballer in the South Australian National Football League . His consummate skills were acknowledged by being awarded three Magarey Medals during his career.- SANFL :...
(West TorrensWest Torrens Football ClubWest Torrens Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1897 to 1990...
) - Neil KerleyNeil KerleyDonald Neil Kerley OAM is a former Australian rules football player and coach. Known to his mates as either Neil or Knuckles and to South Australian football fans as King Kerley or simply "Kerls", he is best known for taking three clubs to four SANFL premierships over three decades as both a...
(W. AdelWest Adelaide Football ClubWest Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
, S. AdelSouth Adelaide Football ClubSouth Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
, Glenelg) - Stephen KernahanStephen KernahanStephen Scott Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with the Carlton Football Club of the Australian Football League and the Glenelg Football Club of the SANFL from 1981 until 1997...
(Glenelg, CarltonCarlton Football ClubThe Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
) - Tom MacKenzieTom MacKenzieTom D. MacKenzie was an Australian rules footballer in the South Australian Football Association /South Australian Football League ....
(West Torr.West Torrens Football ClubWest Torrens Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1897 to 1990...
, N. Adel)
- Dan Moriarty (South AdelaideSouth Adelaide Football ClubSouth Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
) - Geof MotleyGeof MotleyGeof Motley OAM was an Australian Rules Football player and coach who played for SANFL side Port Adelaide. Motley was born near Alberton Oval, the home ground of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and grew up supporting Port Adelaide....
(Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
) - John PlattenJohn PlattenJohn Patrick "The Rat" Platten is a former Australian rules footballer. With his unruly tangle of curls he was a distinctive figure on the field with tremendous tenacity and the ability to accumulate possessions week after week.-Career:Platten began his career with the Central District Bulldogs...
(Central District, HawthornHawthorn Football ClubThe Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
) - Bob QuinnBob Quinn (Australian footballer)Robert Berrima Quinn MM was a champion Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League and war hero.-Biography:...
(Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
) - Jack 'Dinny' Reedman (S.AdlSouth Adelaide Football ClubSouth Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
, N.Adl, W.AdlWest Adelaide Football ClubWest Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
) - Mark RicciutoMark RicciutoMark Anthony Ricciuto is a former Australian rules football player, who played for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League...
(Adelaide)
Administrators
- Max BasheerMax BasheerMax Basheer AM is a former administrator with the South Australian National Football League . He was involved in a number of keys decisions affecting the SANFL in the 1970s – 1990's, ultimately leading to the inclusion of two South Australian sides in the Australian Football League .Born in 1927...
- Thomas HillThomas Hill (football)Thomas Seymour Hill, OBE , was a leading Australian rules football administrator in the SANFL between 1926 and 1963.Hill was secretary for Norwood from 1926 to 1935...
- Bob McLeanBob McLean (footballer)Allan Robert Charles 'Bob' McLean was an Australian rules footballer who played for Port Adelaide and Norwood in the South Australian National Football League and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League . Affectionately referred to as 'Big Bob' McLean, he later became a long serving football...
Governing Body
The governing bodySport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
is the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
.
Professional Clubs
- Adelaide Crows (Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
) - Port Adelaide PowerPort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
(Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
)
Adelaide Metropolitan Leagues
- South Australian National Football LeagueSouth Australian National Football LeagueThe South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(governing body) - South Australian Amateur Football LeagueSouth Australian Amateur Football LeagueThe South Australian Amateur Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in Adelaide, South Australia. Comprising sixty-seven member clubs playing over one hundred and ten matches per week, the SAAFL is one of Australia's largest and strongest Australian rules football...
Regional Leagues
- Adelaide Plains Football LeagueAdelaide Plains Football LeagueThe Adelaide Plains Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Adelaide Plains region immediately north of Adelaide, South Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League. In 2006 Hummocks/Watchman Football Club were premiers,...
- Barossa Light & Gawler Football AssociationBarossa Light & Gawler Football AssociationThe Barossa Light & Gawler Football Association is an Australian rules football competition based chiefly in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, Australia. Only 42 kilometres north of the state capital of Adelaide, the BL&GFA is an affiliated member of the South Australian National...
- Broken Hill Football League
- Eastern Eyre Football LeagueEastern Eyre Football LeagueThe Eastern Eyre Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It was formed in 1989 from the merger of the Kimba Districts Football League and the County Jervois Football League...
- Far West Football LeagueFar West Football LeagueThe Far West Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Ceduna area of the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It currently includes clubs in Ceduna, Thevenard, Koonibba Aboriginal community and Penong...
- Great Flinders Football LeagueGreat Flinders Football LeagueThe Great Flinders Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League...
- Great Southern Football LeagueGreat Southern Football League (South Australia)The Great Southern Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League and is zoned to the South Adelaide Football Club.The 2011 Grand Final...
- Hills Football LeagueHills Football LeagueThe Hills Football League is an amateur Australian rules football league, situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, to the south east of the state capital Adelaide.The League has over 3000 players belonging to 20 member Clubs...
- Kangaroo Island Football LeagueKangaroo Island Football LeagueThe Kangaroo Island Football League is an Australian rules football competition based on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League and is zoned to the South Adelaide Football Club....
- Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football LeagueKowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football LeagueThe Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League...
- Mallee Football LeagueMallee Football League (South Australia)The Mallee Football League is an Australian rules football competition in South Australia. The league comprises teams located in south eastern South Australia and one team located in western Victoria....
- Mid Murray Football AssociationMid Murray Football AssociationThe Mid Murray Football Association was an Australian rules football competition based in the western Riverland region of South Australia, Australia. It operated for 100 years, from 1910 to 2009...
- Mid South Eastern Football LeagueMid South Eastern Football LeagueThe Mid South Eastern Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia, Australia...
- Mid West Football LeagueMid West Football LeagueThe Mid West Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League.- Brief history :...
- North Eastern Football LeagueNorth Eastern Football LeagueThe North Eastern Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Mid North region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League....
- Northern Areas Football AssociationNorthern Areas Football AssociationThe Northern Areas Football Association is an Australian rules football competition based in the Mid North region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League....
- Port Lincoln Football LeaguePort Lincoln Football LeagueThe Port Lincoln Football League is an Australian rules football competition based at the southern extremity of the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia...
- Riverland Football LeagueRiverland Football LeagueThe Riverland Football League is an Australian rules football League located in South Australia's Riverland region. The League has two divisions - the first division is for the main towns of the Riverland and the second division, called the Riverland Independent Football League, is for the minor...
- River Murray Football LeagueRiver Murray Football LeagueThe River Murray Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Murray Bridge region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League....
- Southern Football LeagueSouthern Football League (South Australia)The Southern Football League is an amateur Australian rules football league in South Australia. The League was formed, as the Southern Football Association, in 1886....
- Spencer Gulf Football LeagueSpencer Gulf Football LeagueThe Spencer Gulf Football League is an Australian rules football competition based at the head of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League....
- Western Border Football LeagueWestern Border Football LeagueThe Western Border Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Lower South East region of South Australia, and south-western border region of Victoria. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League and the Victorian Football League...
- Whyalla Football LeagueWhyalla Football LeagueThe Whyalla Football League is an Australian rules football competition based around the town of Whyalla on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia...
- Woomera & Districts Football LeagueWoomera & Districts Football LeagueThe Far North Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the far northern regions of South Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League....
- Yorke Peninsula Football LeagueYorke Peninsula Football LeagueThe Yorke Peninsula Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Yorke Peninsula region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League...
The South Australian Country Football Championships is contested annually, and comprises the following representative sides:
- Central (comprises the Barossa Light and Gawler, Adelaide Plains, Northern Areas, North Eastern and Yorke Peninsula Football Leagues)
- Southern Districts (River Murray, Great Southern, Hills, Southern and Kangaroo Island Football Leagues)
- South East (Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, Mid South Eastern and Western Border Football Leagues)
- Eyre Peninsula (Port Lincoln, Great Flinders, Easterm Eyre, Mid West and Far West Football Leagues)
- Northern Cities (Whyalla, Woomera & Districts and Spencer Gulf Football Leagues)
- Murray Mallee Barrier Zone (Riverland, Mid Murray, Broken Hill and Mallee Football Leagues)
Women's
- South Australian Women's Football LeagueSouth Australian Women's Football LeagueThe South Australian Women's Football League is the governing body of the Women's Australian rules football Sport in the state of South Australia.-History:...
Official Site
Representative Team
The South Australian representative team is known as the Croweaters and have played State of Origin matches against all other Australian states.- See Also Interstate matches in Australian rules footballInterstate matches in Australian rules footballAustralian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
See also
- South Australian National Football LeagueSouth Australian National Football LeagueThe South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
- Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
- Adelaide CrowsAdelaide CrowsThe Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
- Port Adelaide MagpiesPort Adelaide MagpiesThe Port Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the South Australian National Football League...
- Port Adelaide Football ClubPort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
- South Australian Football Hall of FameSouth Australian Football Hall of FameThe South Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise the players, coaches, umpires, administrators and journalists who had made a significant contribution in the South Australian National Football League...