Even as it navigates change, grand final thriller shows SANFL is still strong

As 38,340 fans rode the chaos of a classic SANFL Grand Final, one thing was clear — SA footy is alive and strong.

Despite concerns over the financial lure of country footy, Port Adelaide's planned departure to the VFL and an ongoing salary negotiation with the players association; the South Australian footy league is thriving on the eve of its 150th anniversary.

Sunday's crowd was its biggest since COVID and the 10th time in 14 years the Grand Final attracted over 30,000 fans.

It's the polar opposite interstate.

Out west; Fremantle Dockers affiliate Peel Thunder has played in five of the last 11 WAFL grand finals with their 62-point thrashing of Claremont drawing 19,210 people at Perth Stadium continuing a four-year run of declining crowds; with historic powerhouse clubs Perth and Swan Districts both failing to feature in 49 and 16 years respectively.

Stuck in a 22-team mashup of AFL reserves and traditional clubs, the 2026 VFL Grand Final drew 12,941 for its clash between Geelong and Box Hill, the first time the league has drawn over 8,000 fans in seven years.

A reason for that increase in attendance in the VFL might be the return of a traditional rivalry between two historic clubs; a formula some experts believe is the bedrock of the SANFL's success.

West Adelaide coach Nathan Bassett told ABC Sport after the thrilling 14-point finale that the state's emotional investment in the historic competition was what separated it from the rest of the country.

"It's how much we care about it and how much it means to our community," he said.

"There's more passion involved in it. That's what makes our competition a great one."

Sunday's SANFL decider was the first meeting in 48 years between Norwood and Sturt; two of the biggest and oldest clubs in the state.

Seven of the 10 sides in the competition have an over 100-year history, Centrals are 67 years young, Woodville-West Torrens is a merger of two vintage sides and Adelaide is the new kid on the block as the AFL affiliate.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler believes the success of their long-standing clubs is why the competition is thriving.

"We've seen this year our final five are traditional SANFL clubs and the coverage and support has been outstanding,"

he said.

When Port Adelaide chairman David Koch declared in August the Power were "done" with the state league, there were concerns the loss of an AFL connection to the competition would diminish its interest.

The reality is the lifeblood of the SANFL is its history and the Port Magpies haven't existed in their historic form since 2013.

Chandler confidently stated during Sunday's pre-game coverage that the SANFL can survive without its AFL-affiliates.

"The AFL have continued to make it clear to us that they don't want a national reserves competition … It doesn't make any sense at all for those clubs to play in the VFL, it's just putting a massive additional cost on a footy system for no real net result," he said.

"If they don't want to be part of it that's fine. We'll move on and make sure our competition continues to be the best it can be."

Sunday's Grand Final was a clear message to critics that the SANFL isn't going anywhere and its 150th year might be its biggest yet.

Chandler revealed there'll be a nine-week exhibition at the festival centre and a gala event mid year; but his biggest goal is a Gather Round inspired weekend at Adelaide Oval.

"We're looking at a potential round of matches at the Adelaide Oval for all teams over one weekend … and potentially that becoming an additional 19th round."