WHEN the final siren sounds at the end of the home and away season, Adelaide, Port Adelaide and their supporters will breathe a collective sigh of relief.
 
To say it's been an eventful year for football in SA is an understatement.

We've experienced everything from the historic vote to secure the future of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and a merger of the Port Adelaides, to the resignation of a chief executive, a coach and a player in the form of Greater Western Sydney-bound defender Phil Davis … and that's just off the field.

On the park, this season will go down as easily our worst in the AFL since Adelaide became a two-team town following the inception of the Power in 1997.

With three rounds to play, the Crows and Power have won a combined total of only eight matches.

The previous worst tally for the two teams was 15 wins and a draw in 2000.

As inevitably happens when on-field performances are poor, the focus becomes less about the results and more about the consequences and the wider, often, political issues.

As Mark Haysman said after his controversial departure as chief executive of Port Adelaide: "There are more politics in football than in politics."

Confirmation of the move to a state-of-the-art Adelaide Oval in 2014 was a rare piece of good news for footy in SA, and even then some locals remain opposed to the redevelopment.

But the announcement in May has been overshadowed by the negative press surrounding declining attendances, financial losses and continual talk of a rift between the two clubs and license holders the SANFL.

The 'state' of football in South Australia prompted the AFL to intervene and instigate an agreement with the clubs and the SANFL, resulting in a $9 million cash injection for Port Adelaide.

You know times are tough when the president frames such a bailout as a "great day" for the club.

You can't help but sympathise with the Power spin-doctors.

They must pick up the newspapers every morning with one eye closed, fearful the publication may contain yet another story about the club's money troubles, its uncertain future, or more out-of-contract players delaying negotiations.

Spotfires have broken out at Alberton almost on a weekly basis this season.

Just as one fire is extinguished another ignites, or embers are rekindled and burn with more ferocity than the initial blaze.

There's a reason why news stories about crime and stock market crashes are interspersed with feel-good pieces about cats being rescued from trees and 100-year-old pensioners receiving letters from the Queen. It's because too much bad news is depressing.

Footy is a source of comfort for South Australians in the cold winter months, and we've become accustomed to a certain level of success.

In the past 15 years, our two teams have combined to win three premierships, play in nine preliminary finals and contest 12 finals series.

This season will be the first time in history neither SA club has been part of finals action in consecutive years.

Without good footy, there hasn’t been a lot for South Australians to get excited about in 2011.

The State Government is surely the only organisation to experience more controversies than the Power this year, with premier Mike Rann's reluctant resignation and former treasurer Kevin Foley's night-time antics at the forefront.

Mr Rann could take a leaf out of Neil Craig's book and depart swiftly and painlessly, without the need for the prolonged farewell tour.

Even our Giant pandas Wang Wang and Funi have hit hard times, reported to be sending the Adelaide Zoo broke.

Fortunately, at least for footy in SA, years such as this are part of a cycle.

It was only eight years ago when interstate teams filled six of the top eight spots that supporters demanded an investigation into the 'state' of footy in Victoria.

The Crows have already given their fans renewed hope, with two wins and a gutsy display against Grand Final fancies Geelong from three games under caretaker coach Mark Bickley.

The team has proved that, with the right attitude, it can rebound and challenge for the top eight as early as next season.

Former best and fairest winner Bernie Vince and young defender Andy Otten have also re-signed, helping to alleviate concerns more players could join Davis in walking out the door.

Home attendances will inevitably improve as a result of a better on-field performance, and the club is working to identify other ways of engaging its large, but somewhat dormant supporter base ahead of the move to Adelaide Oval.

The solution to Port Adelaide's problems isn't as simple.

Record losses to Collingwood and Hawthorn in consecutive weeks and rumours of a president under siege have done little to inspire the Power faithful, who are desperately looking for the light but not finding the end of the tunnel.

They must trust Matthew Primus' vision for the club.

The rookie coach hasn't just weeded out the players he doesn't want, he's taken to the team with a whipper-snipper, and it will take time for his investment in youth to pay off.

Other, now resurgent clubs have been through a similar process, and the funding from the AFL will ensure the Power have the resources to see it through.

It might seem idealistic in the current climate of gloom and doom, but soon enough the dark cloud hovering over football in SA will lift and Adelaide in winter will be a happy place to be once again.

Katrina Gill covers South Australian football news for afl.com.au and the AFL Record. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.