Mr Thomas has suggested the SANFL could schedule the inaugural state league 'Showdown' between the Magpies and the Adelaide Crows' new 'seconds' side to build excitement before the main AFL Showdown on March 29 and ease the pressure on the infrastructure at the ground.
The first match at Adelaide Oval will also be the first time new routes for the free Footy Express will transport passengers to the ground and the first time the facility accommodates a likely sellout football crowd.
An early AFL-standard curtain raiser, according to Mr Thomas, could deliver a steady flow of spectator traffic to the ground throughout the day and reduce the likelihood of a sudden rush of feet through the gates.
"One of the advantages we've been thinking about is that if you play that game (an 'SANFL Showdown') earlier in the day, you could bring people in, get them settled and then have them there for the AFL game," said Mr Thomas.
"It hasn't been decided, but there are clear advantages to that."
With the SANFL fixture will be revealed in the coming months, Thomas says the scheduling of a Port-Crows SANFL derby before
an AFL Showdown will need to be determined by the league's decision makers.
But it is something Port Adelaide would support.
