I posted this in the aaron young thread after he moved to the magpies but I think its more relevant here:
Having two AFL reserve sides in the SANFL might be a good thing by making the competition more relevant to those who only really follow the AFL. Generally speaking the under 25 generation don't really care that much about what's happening in the SANFL anyway - perhaps this is a way to get them interested.
Strong football in SA means two strong AFL teams, not the second best comp in the land tag. Giving port and the crows feeder teams helps strengthen those two AFL teams indefinitely which, in turn, reflects well on the state. No one from Perth or Melb cares how Norwood or the panthers are going this year and therefore make a judgement on SA football, its if port/crows are up. Visa versa with westcoast and freo, I don't care if claremont are winning.
As for possible rules regarding the magpies as a reserves side in the SANFL...
I've long thought that port should have all our AFL listed talent on the park playing for the magpies at Alberton. Since there won't be enough players for a full SANFL squad, you fill out the remaining players on that list with guys under the age of 23. This should keep the SANFL even so the feeder teams don't dominate with the better talent and it still encourages the development of port players in our zone until they are in their twenties (Important!!). It should keep the other SANFL teams happy as it gives them a chance to poach our better zoned/filler players after they turn 23 (since by that stage they probably aren't going to be drafted to the AFL anyway).
win, win, win, win, situation.