ADELAIDE will field a reserves team in the SANFL next season after accepting an invitation from the state league.
 
The SANFL league directors voted 6-2 on Thursday night to allow the AFL club's seconds teams into the competition.
 
The same offer has been extended to Port Adelaide but it is unlikely to accept.

Port Adelaide has maintained an unwavering stance that unless it's allowed to retain its junior development structure and have all unselected AFL players line up for the Magpies, it would "opt for the status quo in 2014".
 
In late July, Crows CEO Steven Trigg said the Crows would require a unanimous vote to enter the competition, but the club immediately accepted the SANFL's offer.
 
SANFL president John Olsen told the ABC it was now up to the Power to decide whether it would become the AFL's only team to go without a standalone reserves side in 2014, or join the Crows in the SANFL.
 
"The invitation will go to the Adelaide Football Club and then the same invitation will go to the Port Adelaide Football Club," Olsen said.
 
"It's a matter for [the Power] to give consideration to the circumstances and how those circumstances have changed and what is in their best interests."
 
Trigg said while he wanted a unanimous vote, he said the Crows had an assurance the league directors would work with them. 

"All [SANFL] clubs - including those who voted no - have extended that assurance. As we've said all along, that's critical to give it the best chance of success," Trigg said.

"It was critical to get all clubs unanimous in their preparedness to work with us, regardless of how they voted.

"We have had a long and very prosperous two-way relationship with the SANFL and we strongly believe this arrangement is the best outcome for South Australian football.

"We are about to enter a new and exciting era at Adelaide Oval and it is important that we all make the most of this opportunity."

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said on Thursday afternoon it was a significant moment for the local game.

"It's an important night for South Australian football," Sanderson said.

"I think it'll be great … I think it's going to be a major step in ensuring South Australian football is strong for, not just the short term, but the long term."