SANFL gets ‘Fast Footy’ jump

THE SANFL will get the jump on the AFL in rolling out a hybrid version of the game at a pre-season carnival under lights at Norwood Oval next year.

The state league will launch its inaugural 12-a-side competition with revolutionary rules a week before “AFLX” comes to Hindmarsh Stadium.

Dubbed “Australian Unity Fast Footy,” every team will play a minium of two games over two nights on February 9-10 with the top-four progressing to semi-finals and a final where the winner receives $10,000.

Matches will consist of 10minute quarters or will be called off when a team reaches 50 points.

The SANFL’s last possession out-of-bounds rule will be changed to last-touch like basketball and the ball will be kicked in after every score. Drawn games will result in a soccer-style penalty shootout from 30m.

While the AFL’s new concept will debut on a rectangle pitch in Adelaide on February 15, the SANFL’s Fast Footy will be played on a full-sized oval, meaning country or amateur leagues can also introduce the game on existing infrastructure.

West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens were behind the concept about 18 months ago and the SANFL held a secret trial with the state under-18 team at Football Park in June.

Entry to the pre-season tournament will be free, with family-friendly entertainment.

SANFL general manager Adam Kelly said clubs would still play trial games later in the month but “Fast Footy” was something new and exciting.