South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has expressed frustration over a request from the Adelaide Crows for financial compensation connected to the upcoming Sheffield Shield final at the Adelaide Oval. This proposal has emerged as the government, alongside Cricket Australia and the AFL, aims to host the cricket final between Port Adelaide’s round-one match against Richmond and Adelaide’s round-three game against North Melbourne.
The Shield final is scheduled to take place from March 24 to March 28. However, an existing challenge is the scheduling conflict, as the Crows have a game on March 16, with the pitch already transformed for AFL use. Premier Malinauskas has called the request for cash from the Crows “galling,” stressing the importance of prioritising fans and the community’s interests.
The government has invested heavily in supporting local clubs, and Malinauskas firmly stated that he would not issue cash to assist the Crows, describing it as inappropriate to use the opportunity to gain taxpayer funds. He emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the Shield final takes place and hopes the Crows’ financial demands do not obstruct these plans.
The Crows, while concerned for the wellbeing of their players, have expressed the hope that adjustments to the ground can be managed without major disruption, as ground staff assert that suitable pitches can be accommodated for the cricket event. The AFL is open to accommodating both sports within their scheduling, ensuring both cricket and AFL can co-exist at the iconic venue.
As the final round of Sheffield Shield matches approaches, South Australia’s opponent will be determined, underscoring the significance of the upcoming final for the state, particularly as it hasn’t secured the championship since 1996.