FRONT COVER: Victorious State Team Cameron Richardson (The Advertiser) BEST ACTION PHOTOGRAPH: Stephen Laffer (Messenger Newspapers) SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2006 President’s Report 2 Catering Direction 2007 25 Executive Commissioner’s Report 3 Crows Tavern 25 Office Bearers 5 FINANCIAL REPORT 26 Past Presidents 5 SECTION 4 SECTION 1 AWARDS, WINNERS & RESULTS FOOTBALL OPERATIONS The Premiers 36 Participation 8 Jack Oatey Medallists 36 Talent Program 9 2006 Ladders 37 NAB AFL National Draft 11 2006 Finals Results 37 State Game 11 Stanley H. Lewis Trophy 37 Fos Williams Medallists 11 Magarey Medal 38 Coaching Development 12 League Magarey Medallists 39 Umpiring 12 Minor Grade Medals 40 SANFL Recognition Awards 13 SANFL Attendances - Season 2006 41 Affiliated Leagues 13 South Australian Football Hall Of Fame 42 SANFL Life Members 43 SECTION 2 West End Club of the Year 43 MARKETING & League Premierships 44 CORPORATE AFFAIRS Minor Grade Premierships 45 Leading Goalkickers 45 Attendances 16 League Medallists 45 Media Coverage 16 Crows and Power Season Wrap-Ups 46 Feature Events 16 AAMI Stadium Attendances - Season 2006 46 Corporate Facilities 17 Footy For Gladstone Appeal 17 Committees 47 West End SANFL Media Awards 18 Bereavement 47 Corporate Partners 18 SANFL Organisation Chart 48 Looking Ahead 18 South Australian Football Structure 48 Commercial Partners of the SANFL 19 SECTION 3 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE INC. COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS AAMI STADIUM Membership 22 Turner Drive, West Lakes Stadium 23 South Australia 5021 Retail Catering 24 Phone 08 8268 2088 Corporate Catering 24 www.sanfl.com.au 1 SANFL ANNUAL REPORT 2006 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Sport, and particularly Australian football, has been an integral part strategic direction for the next three years. This review, which was of the South Australian way of life for generations and the SANFL conducted with the assistance of the AFL as facilitator, has provided has been a custodian of this tradition for 130 years. the foundation for management to ensure that the SANFL: • remains the premier State League competition; As we look back at 2006 and ahead to 2007 and beyond, most • helps its associated clubs maintain a sound financial base and indicators point to a sound base for football in this State. We can be improve the quality of their facilities; confident of positive progress going forward. • maintains a culture of cooperation with the AFL and the two local The year, now under review, again saw growth in SA football as a AFL clubs to deliver the best outcomes for football through participant and spectator sport and further confirmed the SANFL as integrated game development programs; a significant business. Indeed, during 2006 the SANFL was • successfully delivers continued upgrading of AAMI Stadium to acknowledged by Business SA as one of the top 100 companies in further enhance the customer experience and establish it as the the State - a reflection of the League’s strong financial position, best managed and maintained stadium in the State; sound business management practices and its key role as a major • increases participant and spectator numbers; employer and significant contributor to the local economy. In this • further develops community relationships and uses football as a context, the SANFL and its associated Clubs now employ more than vehicle to promote cultural, education and health initiatives; and 1,500 South Australians and the football industry contributes in • provides leadership across key industry sectors to strengthen excess of $485 million into the economy annually. This is an football’s relationship with the community, government achievement that fairly reflects the commitment of the Executive and stakeholders. Management team and the way they have been guided by the Our State League is unquestionably a significant breeding ground Football Commission and the League’s Clubs. for young players progressing to AFL ranks, and the League, in collaboration with all affiliated Clubs is working closely with the The popularity and interest in the League’s domestic competitions AFL, local councils, State and Federal Governments to upgrade has been maintained, with increased aggregate spectator numbers playing facilities to provide an avenue for participation in the and a keen purpose by all Clubs to achieve the ultimate prize of a national game whilst at the same time encouraging people to Premiership. Congratulations to the Woodville-West Torrens exercise and lead healthy lifestyles. Football Club - it was rewarded in 2006 for its committed persistence to succeed in the Premiership quest. The League is appreciative of the strong relationship we have developed with the Government and business community and we At the AFL level, the SANFL strongly protects the position that AAMI continue to gain much from the strength of our association with our Stadium will host all AFL games scheduled for playing in this State - corporate partners. a position supported by both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs. Consequently the League has launched another round of We also acknowledge the continued professionalism of the nine significant capital investment to improve facilities at the Stadium for SANFL Clubs and applaud the very significant role the Affiliated the benefit of all. The SANFL gratefully acknowledges the key role Leagues play at the grassroots level. the State Government has played and continues to play in the The League has strong and effective working relationships with the Stadium’s developments. Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs. Their success at the During 2006, participation in the game continued to rise - to more elite level is a very tangible reflection of the magnificent work that is than 72,000 (an 18.5 percent increase over the past four years). carried out by football administrators throughout the State, from the Significantly, last year: AFL club boardroom to suburban and country football clubs. • more youngsters participated in youth football programs; In closing, I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues on the South • four young SA footballers were offered AIS AFL Academy Australian Football Commission and the League Directors for their scholarships; dedicated efforts in guiding the sport forward in 2006. • two of our under 18 State Team were selected in the All-Australian side; and I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing commitment of the • 15 SANFL youngsters were drafted to AFL clubs and 9 were rookie SANFL Executive Commissioner, Leigh Whicker and the League’s listed. Executive Management team, who continue to make decisions and implement initiatives in the best interests of the game. In financial terms it is pleasing to report that the SANFL produced an operating surplus well above budget enabling financial grants to the The year now under review was one of sound progress at so many nine League Clubs to rise once again - this time to almost $4.4 levels. Against the background of the strength of our management million. team and the partnerships the SANFL has developed with football fans, Government, the business community, the AFL and its two local However, none of the League’s successes in 2006 came about by Clubs, I look forward to 2007 with confidence that we can continue to accident. move forward for the betterment of the game. For more than 20 years the SANFL has charted a steady course through sometimes turbulent waters to deliver a quality product for players, spectators and the community at large. Forward planning and ongoing review of progress has been the cornerstone of this process and, in line with this philosophy during 2006 the SANFL Commission conducted a major review to outline its Rod Payze, President 2 SANFL ANNUAL REPORT 2006 EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT It is a fact that football is at its best when there is passion and enhance a number of spectator-focused initiatives that have commitment – from players, spectators and administrators alike. already been undertaken. During 2006 these characteristics were again on display throughout Over the past 12 years, more than $40 million has been committed the SANFL structure, as a result of which the League experienced a to the continued upgrade of AAMI Stadium, with current strong competition, a sound financial position and growth in its key development plans for the next two years totaling a further $22 performance indicators. million. A number of other major projects have also been In the process, the SANFL’s standing as the nation’s premier State earmarked, with proposed spending of up to $70 million over the League was further reinforced. next five years. This will enable the League to maximise the benefits of AAMI Stadium as a world-class facility and position the Season 2006 was one of the most competitive in many years, venue to compete on a global scale for international events. culminating in deserved Grand Final success for Woodville-West Torrens when the club defeated its nemesis of recent years – Central District. KEY PARTNERSHIPS In what was the fifth Grand Final played between these two clubs in The SANFL has always enjoyed strong community and corporate the past seven years, the Eagles triumphed for their first flag in support and this was again the case in 2006. 13 years. In many respects, the club’s win reflected the success of the SANFL Government over that period. Woodville-West Torrens was born out of the During the year the State Government provided $6.6 million in pre merger of two SANFL clubs following the Adelaide Football Club’s payment of the Government’s share of the Northern Grandstand formation in 1990 and its entry into the Australian Football League loan; and a further $5.5 million through a project development the following year. grant to improve spectator facilities at AAMI Stadium. These In the 13 years that have passed, South Australian football has include improved security, access to facilities and the installation of demonstrated remarkable resilience in managing the formation of a second superscreen.