SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens maintains its feeling of "genuine pride" in its football program following the AFL drafting of gun trio Lucas Cooke, Max Beattie and Liam Puncher despite the obvious ramifications of losing players halfway through the year.
The Eagles trifecta found AFL homes during Tuesday's mid-season draft, as Melbourne, Hawthorn and Collingwood benefitted from the mid-season intake, helping fill holes left by injured or retired players.
But the South Australian state-league club would be reeling from its departures as they sit a game clear on top of the SANFL ladder.
As it stands, state-league clubs are granted a payment of $10,000 to compensate the loss of players, with the SANFL questioning if it is enough.
The Eagles, in a statement provided to Zero Hanger, acknowledged the natural disruption of the mid-season draft, but was proud of the trio's ability to achieve their dreams.
"Following Tuesday night's AFL Mid-Season Draft, the Woodville West Torrens Football Club's position is one of genuine pride for Lukas Cooke, Max Beattie and Liam Puncher in earning the opportunity to pursue AFL football," the club said.
"To have three players selected from our League program in one intake is a significant reflection of the strength of our football program, the environment that exists within the club and the work being undertaken across all areas of the football department.
"While there is naturally some disruption that comes with losing quality players during the season, our focus remains firmly on supporting the players in achieving their AFL dreams while continuing to drive towards success throughout the remainder of the 2026 SANFL season.
"The club has a strong belief in the character, depth and resilience of the current playing group and sees this as an opportunity for others within the program to step forward and embrace their opportunity.
"The Eagles have built a strong reputation as a club that develops players and provides genuine pathways for aspiring AFL footballers."
The SANFL's executive general manager of football, Matt Duldig, has also spoken on the issue.
"From a player's perspective I think it is fantastic that they now have the chance to follow their dreams in the AFL but it is important to note the significant impact this has on our SANFL clubs," Duldig said.
"Woodville-West Torrens in particular has worked extremely hard for the success it has enjoyed so far this season and to lose three key players with no ability to replace them is particularly challenging.
"SANFL has had ongoing conversations about the level of compensation clubs receive because we don't believe the current payment of $10,000 properly represents the effort, time and money that's been put into developing these players."
The SANFL has been a key breeding ground since the mid-season opportunity re-opened in in 2019. Five were taken in the first iteration, followed by four in 2021, six in 2022, two in 2023, four in 2024 and six last year. Another six were drafted this week.
