Port Adelaide supporters should feel more at home at AAMI Stadium after the SANFL gave the go-ahead for a new supporter venue at the Power home ground.

The State Government announced a $9m grant for the SANFL’s redevelopment of AAMI Stadium on Thursday.

SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker said the new funding from the Rann Government would “bring forward construction of a new 2,000 seat supporter facility ... (that) will accommodate supporters of South Australia’s two AFL clubs at pre and post match functions.”

The facility will be an extension from the Convention Room on the western flank of AAMI Stadium and be open to patrons before and after Power home games. It is likely to be ready in 2009.

Port Adelaide chief executive John James said it would give the Power a greater presence at AAMI Stadium.

“It’s a great initiative by the SANFL and the State Government, we think it’s fantastic,” he said.

“At home matches we’ll have Port Adelaide supporters pre and post game in the facility, meeting our players, getting autographs. It really gives us a great presence at AAMI Stadium.

“This gives us everything we want. It will be used by whoever is using the ground (but) we will dress it up so it is very much Port Adelaide on the day that we play so pre and post match it will be a Port Adelaide facility.

“Our research tells us people want to see us, meet us and get closer to the club and this will enable them to do that.

“We think this is a great addition and can only see positives for the Port Adelaide Football Club.”

The SANFL plans to spend a total of $70m upgrading AAMI Stadium over the next seven years.

The latest government grant will also be used for entry points for spectators, traffic management, and food and beverage outlets.