THE SANFL and AFL have given Port Adelaide a cash injection of $5million to help ease the burden of the ailing club’s financial debt.

The SANFL will contribute $4 million of the grant, with the AFL to make up the remainder.

The $5 million handout is additional to the $3.5 million of funding the Power received from the SANFL and AFL last year.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou described the cash injection as an “investment package”, saying the handout was a vote of confidence in the club.

“It (the investment package) allows us not to worry about the perception that the club is on its knees and perhaps finally put to bed finally that this club is in doubt,” Demetriou said in Adelaide on Thursday.

“We want two strong clubs in this state ... and [if I was] a Port Adelaide person I’d be absolutely chuffed that I can look forward knowing that they’ve got the full support of the SANFL and the AFL in their quest to become a strong football club in this competition.”

Earlier this year, SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker predicted Port Adelaide’s debt could be as much as $7.7 million by 2012.

Demetriou acknowledged the $5 million handout would help make up some of that shortfall, but said the onus would be on the club to establish an increased revenue stream and ensure its financial viability into the future.

“There will be a very determined effort from everyone involved - the SANFL, Port Adelaide and the AFL - to turn this club around because the injection of this cash won’t be the answer to this football club (and it’s financial struggles),” Demetriou said.

“Hopefully, they use the cash wisely to invest in their business and grow the revenue streams that this club will require to compete with other clubs.”

Port Adelaide President Brett Duncanson said the cash injection would help the club ‘fast-track’ some of the proposed ideas in its strategic three-year plan.

One of the primary objectives in the Power’s three-year plan is to increase membership and home match attendances.

Crowds at AAMI Stadium for both Port Adelaide and Adelaide home games have been down this season.

Demetriou denied the dwindling attendances were a direct result of live TV telecasts against the gate, but said the AFL would look at granting the SANFL’s request of better games and timeslots at the venue next season.