In response to the SANFL commission's recommendations to reject PAFC's preferred hybrid model as the basis to the club's AFL reserves team, chief executive Keith Thomas issues the following statement:

We are disappointed but not surprised by the SANFL commission's preferred model.

As a club with a long history of deep community connection, we have made it clear from the outset that we believe that any model that precludes Port Adelaide from retaining these links through our junior programs would not be positive for SA football and certainly not good for our Club.

Accordingly we will opt for the status quo in 2014, and reassess our options beyond that. We will continue to pursue the goal of creating an AFL development side as a matter of priority.