WHO gets to play SANFL finals for Port Adelaide? 

It's a question that has significantly more complexity to it nowadays.

Since 2014, when Port Adelaide fully integrated its football structure so that all its AFL players were aligned to the Magpies in the SANFL, the league has applied new rules to balance the finals competition. 

These rules have changed slightly over the years, but there are some elements that remain unchanged.

The eligibility rules also change, depending on whether the Power are still live in their own finals campaign.

If the Power are still playing AFL finals...

1. All AFL-listed players can play SANFL finals.

That means that, for at least the first two weeks of SANFL finals, Port Adelaide can pick any of its AFL-listed players for the Magpies. 

2. And any AFL-listed players who can't fit into the League side are eligible to play reserves

Given the very healthy state of the list, this will mean a few AFL players play in the Magpies' seconds.

If the Power are no longer playing AFL finals...

Then there are dramatic changes.

1. Only half of Port's AFL list is eligible to play

That's right. If the Power are KO'd from the AFL finals race, the Magpies are only allowed to field AFL-listed players who:

  • Have played the majority of their season in the SANFL.
    • This means a player cannot have played an equal number of AFL to SANFL games, or more AFL than SANFL games. 
    • For example, anyone who has played more than 8 AFL games is automatically disqualified from participating (There are 18 SANFL games, so anyone who plays 9 AFL games cannot be said to have played the majority of the season in the state league).
  • Have played three SANFL games after June 30.

So the eligibility list in the event of the Power being knocked out of the finals is as follows:

3. Jake Neade
6. Angus Monfries
13. Todd Marshall
14. Billy Frampton*
18. Jimmy Toumpas
19. Matt White
23. Matthew Lobbe
25. Logan Austin
26. Riley Bonner
27. Brett Eddy
28. Willem Drew
30. Joe Atley
31. Aidyn Johnson
32. Dougal Howard
34. Will Snelling
37. Jesse Palmer
38. Peter Ladhams
40. Jarrod Lienert
41. Brendon Ah Chee
44. Cameron Hewett
45. Emannuel Irra
48. Nathan Krakouer

2. AFL players can no longer play reserves football

That means some players may miss out on playing League finals. 

Whether or not the Power are still playing finals...

Port Adelaide must play five SANFL contract players in its league team during the finals, including captain Steven Summerton. 

That means that the Magpies can have no more than 16 AFL-listed players in its team during finals.

Technically, the new rule is a 17-4 rule, as the SANFL considers captain Steven Summerton - the Magpies leadership player - alongside Port's AFL contingent.

These are Port Adelaide's AFL contracted players.

1. Steven Summerton (counted as 1 of 17 AFL players)
4. Nathan Rudloff
5. Tom Gray
7. Louis Sharrad
8. Jamie Hampton
9. Adam Mahney
10. Luke Reynolds
12. Tom Corcoran
21. Jonathon Ross
24. Zac Hawkins
29. Anthony Biemans
33. Darcy Ginever
42. Levi Proude
43. Zac Hawkins
47. Keanu Miller
50. Robbie Young 

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