It will be the first year since 1990 that the competition has enjoyed the presence of 10 teams, with the Adelaide Crows set to debut next season.
That will eliminate the bye round in the League competition, although it will remain in other grades with the Crows electing not to field a Reserves or underage teams.
Join the Magpies today by calling 1300 467 232 or visit weareportadelaide.com.au
It is a time of change for the SANFL, but there is a growing consensus that it should be for the better of the competition, with the later start, earlier finish and return to Adelaide Oval expected to see increased crowds and media interest in 2014.
The Grand Final will come forward from its traditional 'first Sunday of October' timeslot, to be played on Saturday 21 September - a week before the AFL decider.
It will be the first grand final at Adelaide Oval since 1973.
It could prove one of the most even seasons of League football to date with a number of changes to the League's coaching ranks.
There is a distinctly Port Adelaide feel to those coaching changes - four of the ten team principals will have links to Alberton. Additional to Hocking, North Adelaide’s senior coach Ken McGregor is the former coach of the Magpies, South’s Brad Gotch is a former defensive coach and opposition analyst for the Power and Glenelg’s Nick Stevens is a former Power player.
The inclusion of Gotch and Stevens may also expedite the introduction to the SANFL of the elite level philosophies they have been exposed to as part of the AFL system.
The fixture is one the Port Adelaide faithful will love.
The Magpies again open the season at the Parade with a Friday night match against Norwood.
So too does it open hunting season at Alberton against Glenelg in a Round 2 encounter, and wraps up the home-and-away campaign at the Bay.
Clubs will play each other twice only - once each at home and away - meaning there will be nine games at Alberton Oval.
There are only two date clashes between the Power and Magpies fixtures but both can be easily accommodated.
Supporters will be able to see the Magpies play at Prospect on Saturday 24 May - the club's 144th birthday - and then pop down to Adelaide Oval for the night match between the Power and Hawks.
It’s a similar scenario on Saturday 9 August with the Magpies travelling to Elizabeth to play Central District at 2:10pm, ahead of another Power night match at the Adelaide Oval, this time against the Swans.
The core game of the fixture which is certain to generate excitement and intense interest will be Port Adelaide’s home game against the Crows in Round 14.
It will be the first time a Crows team has played at Alberton and the reception is sure to be hostile with a massive turnout of faithful Port supporters expected for the game.
It could prove one of the most even seasons of League football to date with a number of changes to the League's coaching ranks.
There is a distinctly Port Adelaide feel to those coaching changes - four of the ten team principals will have links to Alberton. Additional to Hocking, North Adelaide’s senior coach Ken McGregor is the former coach of the Magpies, South’s Brad Gotch is a former defensive coach and opposition analyst for the Power and Glenelg’s Nick Stevens is a former Power player.
The inclusion of Gotch and Stevens may also expedite the introduction to the SANFL of the elite level philosophies they have been exposed to as part of the AFL system.
The fixture is one the Port Adelaide faithful will love.
The Magpies again open the season at the Parade with a Friday night match against Norwood.
So too does it open hunting season at Alberton against Glenelg in a Round 2 encounter, and wraps up the home-and-away campaign at the Bay.
Clubs will play each other twice only - once each at home and away - meaning there will be nine games at Alberton Oval.
There are only two date clashes between the Power and Magpies fixtures but both can be easily accommodated.
Supporters will be able to see the Magpies play at Prospect on Saturday 24 May - the club's 144th birthday - and then pop down to Adelaide Oval for the night match between the Power and Hawks.
It’s a similar scenario on Saturday 9 August with the Magpies travelling to Elizabeth to play Central District at 2:10pm, ahead of another Power night match at the Adelaide Oval, this time against the Swans.
The core game of the fixture which is certain to generate excitement and intense interest will be Port Adelaide’s home game against the Crows in Round 14.
It will be the first time a Crows team has played at Alberton and the reception is sure to be hostile with a massive turnout of faithful Port supporters expected for the game.
A Magpies membership or We Are Port Adelaide upgrade will be the only way to guarantee entry to that game.
PORT ADELAIDE 2014 FIXTURE ANALYSIS
PORT ADELAIDE 2014 FIXTURE ANALYSIS
| Timeslot | Total Matches | Home | Away |
| Sat Afternoon | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Monday Afternoon | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sunday Afternoon | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| DAY | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| Friday Night | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| NIGHT | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Round 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Round 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Combined with the usual swathe of battles against traditional rivals Norwood, Sturt and Glenelg, there is ample opportunity to get down to Alberton or local grounds across the city to see the Magpies in action.
Port Adelaide’s chief executive officer Keith Thomas is calling on the faithful to get on board the Magpies this year and support the club's local football programs.
“This fixture has an exciting mix of home games in traditional timeslots to watch the Maggies play our old rivals like Norwood, Sturt and Glenelg,” Thomas told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“But we’re also looking forward to starting a new rivalry with the Crows at SANFL level.
“It’s going to be a great year for our football club, particularly now that every single Port Adelaide contracted player will be playing for us at either AFL or SANFL level."
Purchase a We Are Port Adelaide upgrade to go with your Power membership and get to see the Magpies play at Alberton as well by calling 1300 GO PAFC or visiting weareportadelaide.com.au.
The fixture announcement comes on the back of ten players being announced in Port Adelaide’s League player pool for next year.
Those players will be eligible to play League football as well as in the Reserves competition with the club’s new Academy team.
Thomas says the talented SANFL players in the League line-up combined with revolutionary new Elite Football Academy program will add extra incentive to attend Magpies matches in 2014.
“There are some exciting, young and talented local Magpies who are training hard as we speak, in addition to the rest of our AFL list."
Port Adelaide’s chief executive officer Keith Thomas is calling on the faithful to get on board the Magpies this year and support the club's local football programs.
“This fixture has an exciting mix of home games in traditional timeslots to watch the Maggies play our old rivals like Norwood, Sturt and Glenelg,” Thomas told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“But we’re also looking forward to starting a new rivalry with the Crows at SANFL level.
“It’s going to be a great year for our football club, particularly now that every single Port Adelaide contracted player will be playing for us at either AFL or SANFL level."
Purchase a We Are Port Adelaide upgrade to go with your Power membership and get to see the Magpies play at Alberton as well by calling 1300 GO PAFC or visiting weareportadelaide.com.au.
The fixture announcement comes on the back of ten players being announced in Port Adelaide’s League player pool for next year.
Those players will be eligible to play League football as well as in the Reserves competition with the club’s new Academy team.
Thomas says the talented SANFL players in the League line-up combined with revolutionary new Elite Football Academy program will add extra incentive to attend Magpies matches in 2014.
“There are some exciting, young and talented local Magpies who are training hard as we speak, in addition to the rest of our AFL list."
“And then there’s our new Elite Football Academy side which will play before each of our games against the established SANFL clubs – that’s another important part of our new structure."
With a dynamic new SANFL competition and a football struture which retains traditional Magpies values at its core, Port Adelaide is as committed as ever to its old battle cry - We Exist To Win Premierships - and it will work hard to lift the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy towards the sky in late September.
“What I think is really exciting about the year ahead is the increased interest we’ve already seen in the Magpies, it’s helping to reinforce the decision we made to integrate our football structures and the support from our people is indicating bigger crowds and excitement," said Thomas.
With a dynamic new SANFL competition and a football struture which retains traditional Magpies values at its core, Port Adelaide is as committed as ever to its old battle cry - We Exist To Win Premierships - and it will work hard to lift the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy towards the sky in late September.
“What I think is really exciting about the year ahead is the increased interest we’ve already seen in the Magpies, it’s helping to reinforce the decision we made to integrate our football structures and the support from our people is indicating bigger crowds and excitement," said Thomas.
“Whether we play Norwood, Sturt, North, the Crows or at home or away, 2014 is going to be a fantastic year for footy in our city and we expect to be competitive and playing that classic brand of Port Adelaide football our supporters expect of us.”
Check out our overview of the 2014 calendar below. All times subject to change.
View Full Fixtures: LEAGUE | ACADEMY | UNDER-18 | UNDER-16
The brief: Port Adelaide opens the season with another Friday night blockbuster against old rivals Norwood at The Parade. With two new coaches at the helm of both sides there could be fireworks in a gritty fight under lights.
Academy: 4:55pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Alberton, Saturday March 29
The brief: Hunting season opens at Alberton and the Magpies will have the Tigers in the reticule in its first home game. Port will want to start its home ground calendar well and this will be a perfect game to attend for supporters after the club's 2004 AFL premiership commemoration at Adelaide Oval the day before.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Glenelg, Saturday April 12
The brief: The first local derby between Port Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens will be an interesting encounter. Played on Easter Monday, the Pies will likely face a stiff challenge against Mick Godden's men, one of the frontrunners for the top three with a stable lineup and coaching structure.
Check out our overview of the 2014 calendar below. All times subject to change.
View Full Fixtures: LEAGUE | ACADEMY | UNDER-18 | UNDER-16
The brief: Port Adelaide opens the season with another Friday night blockbuster against old rivals Norwood at The Parade. With two new coaches at the helm of both sides there could be fireworks in a gritty fight under lights.
Academy: 4:55pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Alberton, Saturday March 29
The brief: Hunting season opens at Alberton and the Magpies will have the Tigers in the reticule in its first home game. Port will want to start its home ground calendar well and this will be a perfect game to attend for supporters after the club's 2004 AFL premiership commemoration at Adelaide Oval the day before.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Glenelg, Saturday April 12
The brief: The first local derby between Port Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens will be an interesting encounter. Played on Easter Monday, the Pies will likely face a stiff challenge against Mick Godden's men, one of the frontrunners for the top three with a stable lineup and coaching structure.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Alberton, Saturday April 19
The brief: The Magpies struggled against the Bloods in 2013, but with a change in coach and an early-season encounter this should be a close match at Alberton.
The brief: The Magpies struggled against the Bloods in 2013, but with a change in coach and an early-season encounter this should be a close match at Alberton.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Richmond, Saturday April 26
The brief: This one is worth the trip, and for a good cause too. Port Adelaide will support the Crows' country charity match in Clare in the first encounter between the two sides at SANFL level. 144 years has been a long time to wait!
The brief: This one is worth the trip, and for a good cause too. Port Adelaide will support the Crows' country charity match in Clare in the first encounter between the two sides at SANFL level. 144 years has been a long time to wait!
Academy Under-18 and Under-16 have the bye
The brief: One of the old rivalries of the SANFL, Port Adelaide hosts Sturt and will be looking to get its first win over the Double Blues since 2011. A number of former Magpies who joined Sturt in the off-season are likely to feature in the match including Kory Beard and Zane Kirkwood. Expect another hard slog between two sides that have been evenly matched for some time.
The brief: One of the old rivalries of the SANFL, Port Adelaide hosts Sturt and will be looking to get its first win over the Double Blues since 2011. A number of former Magpies who joined Sturt in the off-season are likely to feature in the match including Kory Beard and Zane Kirkwood. Expect another hard slog between two sides that have been evenly matched for some time.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Unley, Saturday May 10
The brief: Garry Hocking and former Power coaching colleague Brad Gotch will go head-to-head for the first time when the Panthers come to Alberton to take on the Magpies. It will be an interesting encounter with Gotch sure to bring some AFL values to South Adelaide after his time as both a defensive coach and opposition analyst with the Power.
The brief: Garry Hocking and former Power coaching colleague Brad Gotch will go head-to-head for the first time when the Panthers come to Alberton to take on the Magpies. It will be an interesting encounter with Gotch sure to bring some AFL values to South Adelaide after his time as both a defensive coach and opposition analyst with the Power.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18 and Under-16: at Noarlunga, Saturday May 17
The brief: Almost 100 years ago, Port Adelaide cruised through the 1914 season undefeated and beat North Adelaide in a grand final. It's an achievement that will be reflected on all year, but no less than against the team they consigned to the lowest score in a premiership match - 14 points - to do so. Here Port Adelaide will come up against former Magpies coach Ken McGregor, now at the helm of the Roosters, for the first time. Coincidentally this match also takes place on Port Adelaide's 144th birthday.
The brief: Almost 100 years ago, Port Adelaide cruised through the 1914 season undefeated and beat North Adelaide in a grand final. It's an achievement that will be reflected on all year, but no less than against the team they consigned to the lowest score in a premiership match - 14 points - to do so. Here Port Adelaide will come up against former Magpies coach Ken McGregor, now at the helm of the Roosters, for the first time. Coincidentally this match also takes place on Port Adelaide's 144th birthday.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, Saturday May 24
The brief: The Bulldogs had been almost indestructible for a decade, but their star has waned in recent years and the Magpies have managed some famous scalps. Roy Laird is one of a handful of coaches remaining in their jobs this year and he'll preside over a strong Central District outfit which is likely to challenge for the flag this year.
The brief: The Bulldogs had been almost indestructible for a decade, but their star has waned in recent years and the Magpies have managed some famous scalps. Roy Laird is one of a handful of coaches remaining in their jobs this year and he'll preside over a strong Central District outfit which is likely to challenge for the flag this year.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Elizabeth, Saturday June 7
The brief: Port faces a stiff challenge against the Eagles at home, fresh from a similarly tough ask against the Bulldogs the week before. It's the follow up derby between the two sides and marks the start of the second half of the season. With the Power playing at the SCG the day before, this will be a great opportunity to check out the progress of the Magpies.
The brief: Port faces a stiff challenge against the Eagles at home, fresh from a similarly tough ask against the Bulldogs the week before. It's the follow up derby between the two sides and marks the start of the second half of the season. With the Power playing at the SCG the day before, this will be a great opportunity to check out the progress of the Magpies.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Woodville, Saturday June 15
The brief: It's Friday night lights at Richmond and another opportunity for Magpies fans to enjoy an evening watching the boys take on a quality SANFL side in a prime time slot.
The brief: It's Friday night lights at Richmond and another opportunity for Magpies fans to enjoy an evening watching the boys take on a quality SANFL side in a prime time slot.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, Saturday June 21
The brief: Unley hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Port Adelaide for a long time, indeed one of the least successful venues for the Magpies in recent years. A win here will be crucial, particularly if the Magpies are dicing for a place in the five.
The brief: Unley hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Port Adelaide for a long time, indeed one of the least successful venues for the Magpies in recent years. A win here will be crucial, particularly if the Magpies are dicing for a place in the five.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, Saturday June 28
The brief: The Roosters travel up Torrens Road to Alberton this time around, and once again with the Power playing interstate it will be a great opportunity to come watch the Magpies in the club's third-to-last home game for the year.
The brief: The Roosters travel up Torrens Road to Alberton this time around, and once again with the Power playing interstate it will be a great opportunity to come watch the Magpies in the club's third-to-last home game for the year.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Prospect, Saturday June 12
The brief: This is it. Save for a traditional rivalry battle against the Redlegs later in the year, the 'Showdown' between the Magpies and Crows at Alberton Oval is likely to draw a massive SANFL crowd - potentially the biggest in the modern era barring a final - and could stretch the 12,000-odd capacity allowance of the ground. Expect fireworks and a hostile reception for the Crows if the Maggies are up and about. The club's AFL team doesn't play at all this weekend so this is your only chance to get your Port Adelaide fix.
The brief: This is it. Save for a traditional rivalry battle against the Redlegs later in the year, the 'Showdown' between the Magpies and Crows at Alberton Oval is likely to draw a massive SANFL crowd - potentially the biggest in the modern era barring a final - and could stretch the 12,000-odd capacity allowance of the ground. Expect fireworks and a hostile reception for the Crows if the Maggies are up and about. The club's AFL team doesn't play at all this weekend so this is your only chance to get your Port Adelaide fix.
Academy and Under-18s have the bye
The brief: The longest journey for the season is at the time of year where Noarlunga will chill to the bone, but don't let that dissuade you. The Power will be interstate and if the Magpies are in the running for the top five, you'll want to be watching every performance in the run to September.
The brief: The longest journey for the season is at the time of year where Noarlunga will chill to the bone, but don't let that dissuade you. The Power will be interstate and if the Magpies are in the running for the top five, you'll want to be watching every performance in the run to September.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, Saturday August 2
The brief: A trip to Elizabeth is a tough way to end the year and this will be a challenging match for fans to attend with the Power playing Sydney at Adelaide Oval later that night. But there isn't a time clash and Port's record at the ground in recent years isn't as bad as many other clubs.
The brief: A trip to Elizabeth is a tough way to end the year and this will be a challenging match for fans to attend with the Power playing Sydney at Adelaide Oval later that night. But there isn't a time clash and Port's record at the ground in recent years isn't as bad as many other clubs.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, Saturday August 9
The brief: Saving the best for last, Port's home-and-away swansong (and final game at Alberton for the year) is against old rivals Norwood. These two clubs have seen it all, and will have seen a great deal since their first encounter in Round 1. This is, as ever, a must-attend game and certainly a great opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the oldest rivalry in South Australian sport.
The brief: Saving the best for last, Port's home-and-away swansong (and final game at Alberton for the year) is against old rivals Norwood. These two clubs have seen it all, and will have seen a great deal since their first encounter in Round 1. This is, as ever, a must-attend game and certainly a great opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the oldest rivalry in South Australian sport.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Norwood, weekend of 16 August
The brief: The bookends for 2014 are exactly the same as in 2013 and again the Magpies will travel down Tapleys Hill Road to face the Tigers at the Bay. The recent ledger between the two sides is a reasonable one for the Pies and if the game is scheduled under lights, supporters will want to make the trip down for a great game, and a great follow up nightspot.
The brief: The bookends for 2014 are exactly the same as in 2013 and again the Magpies will travel down Tapleys Hill Road to face the Tigers at the Bay. The recent ledger between the two sides is a reasonable one for the Pies and if the game is scheduled under lights, supporters will want to make the trip down for a great game, and a great follow up nightspot.
Academy: 11:25pm | Under-18: at Alberton, weekend of 23 August
