5 October 2006 
 
An independent review of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club finances has revealed that a financially strong club can strengthen their on-field success, as highlighted by Central District, whose performance topped the leader board this last year on and off the field. 
 
The review conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Brenton Ellery of chartered accountancy firm, Edwards Marshall revealed that clubs Central District and Woodville-West Torrens both reported substantial surpluses with Central District reporting a surplus of about $350,000 and Woodville West Torrens reporting a surplus in excess of $270,000. 
 
Conversely some clubs are still struggling financially including Norwood who reported a loss of $434,686 compared to a loss of $266,283 in 2004 and Sturt who reported a loss of $96,865 compared to a loss of $74,863 in 2004. 
 
While each club receives a base payment from SANFL of $400,000 and all are involved in generating other income through fundraising and sponsorship it is those clubs with profitable licensed facilities, particularly gaming who are experiencing more successful performances on and off the field. 
 
Partner of chartered accountancy firm Edwards Marshall, Brenton Ellery said that the SANFL club profits illustrate that both Central and Eagles have derived more income through their licensed clubs than any other club, allowing them to spend more on football resources and player facilities, which has translated to their success on the field. 
 
“The losses experienced by clubs Norwood and Sturt are being felt due to neither club receiving income from licensed club facilities, which is what has seen the success of Central District,” Mr Ellery said. 
 
“Both clubs are now in debt as a result of losses incurred in the past few years, and even though both are taking action to move to new licensed facilities, it will be a while before their financial positions improve,” he said. 
 
“The future of all clubs is very much based on their gaming and licensed club operations and those clubs that are struggling have taken positive action to look at the models adopted by Central District and Woodville West Torrens,” he said. 
 
Other findings include: 

• West Adelaide, which had reported a loss of $60,401 in 2004, reported a surplus of $107,509 in 2005.
 

• North Adelaide reported a significantly reduced surplus of $267,601 compared to $511,995 in 2004. The difference appears to be associated with the need to relocate their licensed premises, and to not having gaming machine income for part of the year as a result.
 

• South Adelaide increased its surplus to $270,735 from $104,824.
 

• Glenelg and Port Adelaide reported small surpluses of less than $50,000 for each year.
 

• North Adelaide significantly increased debt from $2.2m to $4.4m in connection with the sale of its Sefton Plaza premises and the purchase of the Northern Tavern.
 

• South Adelaide reduced debt by more than $400,000 following the forgiveness of debt by the SA Government. Other clubs reduced their debt during the year from their cash flows.
 

• Overall clubs increased their licensed club surplus by $29,900 to $406,600.