The AFL wishes to advise that it is fully aware of the current financial position of the Port Adelaide Football Club.

The AFL Executive has been in constant discussion with both the SANFL, as the licencee for the club, and the management and board of Port Adelaide in recent months, and provided regular updates to the AFL Commission.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said the AFL had worked closely with the SANFL and the club over the last 12 months, particularly in the areas of membership, long-term strategy and club promotion and fan development, to address the club’s short-term difficulties and identify solutions.

“The AFL is aware of the short and long-term strategies for the Port Adelaide Football Club, and the club is continuing to work to improve its long-term financial viability.

“It is the AFL’s clear position that the best model for our national competition, and for football in South Australia, is to have two strong well-run clubs in the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide, delivering 22 matches per season for football fans in the state.

“Under the terms of our broadcast agreement for the next five years, the AFL is committed to an 18-team competition, with the model of regular football each week in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, with two teams based in each of those states.

“In particular, we want to assure the members and supporters of the Port Adelaide Football Club that the AFL is committed to the long-term future of the club, and will continue to closely work with both the club and the SANFL to identify what further steps need to be taken to ensure the club’s health off the field, and to enable them to compete strongly in the most challenging sporting stage in Australia.”

Mr Demetriou said the AFL and the SANFL had combined to strongly support a marketing push for both SA clubs for the 2011 season and the AFL executive team and senior management would continue to be available at all times to provide ongoing support.