AFL steps in to help struggling Port

Updated May 31, 2011 15:24:00

The AFL has guaranteed debt-ridden Port Adelaide a future as the South Australian club's financial crisis reached flashpoint.

Port revealed it was working with the AFL on an emergency financial rescue package while three of its directors resigned.

The licence holder of the club, the SANFL, says it cannot continue to bankroll Port's debt but denied it was considering a takeover.

"We understand the SANFL has no additional money to help us and nor will we ask for it," Port president Brett Duncanson said at a media conference.

Duncanson said support from the AFL was in the offing.

"With the SANFL and the AFL, we have achieved a framework to deliver financial sustainability for this club, taking us importantly to Adelaide Oval and a very exciting future," he said.

"The AFL has reaffirmed the Port Adelaide Football Club's place in the national competition here in Adelaide."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the league had been kept informed about Port's dire financial status.

"The AFL is aware of the short and long-term strategies for the Port Adelaide Football Club, and the club is continuing to work to improve its long-term financial viability," Demetriou said in a statement.

"It is the AFL's clear position that the best model for our national competition, and for football in South Australia, is to have two strong, well-run clubs in the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide, delivering 22 matches per season for football fans in the state."

Duncanson said the likely AFL rescue package was needed to ensure the medium term future of the club, before it moved to a redeveloped Adelaide Oval in 2014.

"I'm confident our continuing efforts will ensure the Port Adelaide Football Club not only survives but thrives and continues ... as it builds its bridge to Adelaide Oval," he said.

Three board members - ex-player Darryl Wakelin, Jane Jeffreys and John Hood - resigned in the midst of Port's debt reduction campaign.

Players and supporters have been asked for donations and cleared more than $1 million of the club's $3 million core debt.

But the cash-flow problems have eaten into Port's football department, which spends $4 million less a year than premiers Collingwood.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sa, port-adelaide-5015

First posted May 31, 2011 15:09:00

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Primus admits Power is struggling

Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus has called on supporters for help after admitting the AFL club is wrestling with a $2 million debt.

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Tags: australian-football-league, port-adelaide-5015

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Jack Anthony struggling to break in

Updated April 19, 2011 18:31:00

Former Collingwood forward Jack Anthony may be forced to bide his time in the WAFL for an extended period as Fremantle's pint-sized attack continues to flourish.

Anthony, who crossed from the Magpies to Fremantle at the end of 2010 on a three-year deal, is yet to play an AFL match for the Dockers after struggling to hit the scoreboard during the preseason.

The 23-year-old has been in solid form for WAFL club Subiaco, booting four goals in the team's six-point loss to Claremont last week.

But with goalsneaks Hayden Ballantyne and Chris Mayne in good touch and Matthew Pavlich, Adam McPhee, Kepler Bradley, Nat Fyfe and Stephen Hill regularly scoring goals, Harvey sees no need to select an out-and-out key forward.

"I think the real strength of the team is to not have a goalkicker as such or a main man to go to," Harvey told Perth radio station 6PR.

"Quite often I look at a number of sides that are low on the ladder and they've got a potent full-forward but that can be their weakness in the end."

Although Harvey said Anthony was one of a host of players vying to squeeze back into the team, the 192cm forward is almost certain to be overlooked for Monday's clash with Western Bulldogs at Patersons Stadium.

The Dockers will make at least one change for that match, with former Port Adelaide defender Nick Lower expected to earn the nod to replace Nick Suban (broken leg).

Meanwhile, Harvey urged the AFL not to tinker with drawn games, saying he liked the idea of each team receiving two competition points instead of playing extra-time to decide a winner.

Three draws have already been played out this season, with the latest being last week's epic between Essendon and Carlton.

"Look, leave it. Let it go. Don't keep changing things in the game," Harvey said.

"Just keep it pretty much how it's been for a long period of time.

"Some things have got to be a little bit sacred."

- AAP

First posted April 19, 2011 18:32:00

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