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Weatherill puts Adelaide Oval management on notice

Nov 20, 2014
Jay Weatherill today told the SMA to give the AFL clubs a better deal. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Jay Weatherill today told the SMA to give the AFL clubs a better deal. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Premier Jay Weatherill has taken up the fight with Adelaide Oval management over a better deal for the AFL clubs.

Premier Jay Weatherill met with Stadium Management Authority (SMA) chairman John Olsen this morning to raise concerns about the lack of return to the AFL clubs, despite the blockbuster opening season at the $565 million revamped stadium.

InDaily understands potential changes to the make-up of the SMA board – which is split evenly between the SACA and the SAFNL – have been raised as a “stick” to encourage the SMA to hand the clubs a better deal.

InDaily also understands there has been growing concern in State Cabinet about the governance of the Oval and the lack of voice for the local AFL clubs – a message pushed by both clubs behind the scenes.

That concern grew to anger two weeks ago when SMA chief executive Andrew Daniels attacked the Government on the front-page of The Advertiser, warning that a new levy on transport event tickets would put the cost of attending the football out of reach of many people.

The Government cleaned up that political problem in discussions with the AFL clubs, who agreed to absorb the Government’s cost recovery.

But it also galvanised a view within the Government that the make-up of the SMA Board no longer makes sense.

A spokesperson for the Premier confirmed this morning that Weatherill had met with Port chairman David Koch and Crows chairman Rob Chapman in recent weeks to discuss their concerns about a lack of financial return from the Oval.

He said the Government was not considering imposing a change to the SMA board make-up “at this stage”.

However, he confirmed that the Premier shared club concerns about the size of the financial return.

Both the Crows and Port Adelaide are disgruntled about their share of the Oval spoils, despite enjoying record crowds this year.

The Age’s chief football reporter Caroline Wilson reported today that Weatherill “will deliver an ultimatum to the SANFL in the coming days that could ultimately lead to the restructuring of the prize stadium and alter the balance of power in South Australian football”.

That ultimatum is understood to involve a reshaping of SMA governance, but Weatherill hasn’t pulled the trigger yet. His spokesperson today denied such an ultimatum had been delivered.

Changing the make-up of the board would not be straightforward, and would represent a breach of agreements struck to get the SANFL on board with the Adelaide Oval redevelopment.

It would require legislative change, which would be potentially difficult to get through State Parliament’s Upper House.

With the SANFL no longer holding either AFL license, key figures in the State Government are questioning why the SANFL has such a dominant position on the SMA, given the Oval hosts only a few SANFL matches.

However, the SANFL gave up guaranteed AFL matches at its asset, Football Park, to return to Adelaide Oval, and will argue that to dilute its influence on the board would be a breach of faith.

A financial review of the Oval, chaired by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, has been grinding on since July this year.

The review has gained urgency in recent weeks, with dawning realisation at Adelaide that the club would make only a modest profit this year, despite record crowds and memberships. Port Adelaide is reportedly set to post a loss despite enjoying its most successful season in years. The Age’s Wilson believes the loss will be about $2 million.

The Crows and the Power refused to comment on the story today.

InDaily has asked the SMA for a response.

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