PORT Adelaide would rather not have an AFL reserves team in 2014 than lose its SANFL arm, the Magpies.

Both the Power and Adelaide recently presented their preferred models to the SANFL Commission and league directors, with the Crows pushing to become the 10th team in the state league.

It has been reported the Commission and league directors do not support the Power's vision of retaining the Magpies as their reserves team, while keeping the rest of the Magpies program in place.

On Friday, Port Adelaide chairman David Koch made his views clear.

"I stand here basically on behalf of the board, Keith Thomas, the staff, the players and coaches – the entire Port Adelaide community – and declare we will not support any proposition that would see any genuine Magpies structure removed from the SANFL," Koch said.

"We will not agree to the Magpies being dismantled.

"If that is rejected, we will keep the status quo, we will continue our AFL and SANFL structures as they are today.

"Therefore the Power will not have a reserves team in the SANFL competition."

Koch admitted the refusal of the club's plan by the SANFL would see it disadvantaged on the national stage and, should the Crows field a reserves side, also see it become the only AFL club in 2014 without a reserves team.

He also conceded such a move wouldn't please Power coach Ken Hinkley, who's been a vocal advocate for a dedicated reserves side.

But Koch insisted Hinkley shared his view that Port Adelaide ought to remain a "committed, genuine contributor to the SANFL", and that such a value was bigger than football.

"This will position us with a competitive disadvantage, but it's the price we're willing to pay to conserves our intrinsic links to the community," he said.

"Ken Hinkley's not thrilled at the prospect of being the only AFL side not to have a reserves side, but he understands the importance of a strong value set.

"Some things are just more important than footy… there are some values more important than footy, and in this instance it's our tradition with the community and grass roots footy."