Talk of a merger between the two clubs started late last year when it was revealed the Magpies had sought a financial advance from the SANFL in order to pay their players and field a side this season.
The merger model, which has been shopped around to the eight other SANFL teams, is essentially based on consolidation of administration and commercial operations of the two clubs.
The Power are also keen to acquire the Magpies’ highly sought after, but under resourced, Prince of Wales Hotel as part of the deal.
The proposed merger and immediate future of the Magpies hinges on the support of the Commission and the other SANFL clubs.
The Power and Magpies require at least a 6-4 vote for the merger to go ahead.
If the proposal is not passed the Magpies will likely be forced to sell the Prince of Wales Hotel, rendering the merger financially unworkable for the Power and meaning the Magpies will more than likely cease to exist by the end of the year.
Power CEO Mark Haysman said he was confident the two clubs had done everything possible to get the proposed merger over the line.
“It [the vote] is a little hard to read and quite clearly it’s something that’s in the hands of the clubs. At the end of the day, we think it’s the right thing for footy in this state for us to merge with the Port Adelaide Magpies because it enables them to continue,” he said.
Response to the merger had been largely positive, according to Haysman, who hopes the outcome of next Tuesday's meeting will be decided with the best interests of South Australian football in mind.
“We’ll respect their decision either way and it is their call," he said. "But we think we’ve put across some compelling arguments as to why this is the right thing to do for footy in this state and how it can work for us and also the Magpies.”
