An Adelaide Footy League club has revealed its future could be in doubt as the 2026 minor round comes to an end.
Division six club Rosewater has called for the support of members past and present to show their support at this weekend’s A Grade home clash with Elizabeth during what it has called “a difficult period.”
The Bulldogs made a statement to fans on Wednesday.
“As society changes and life continues to throw new challenges and complexities our way, everyone currently involved at Rosewater continues to do everything they can to keep our club running and running well,” it said.
“Many of our volunteers give countless unpaid hours to the club … across our proud 140-year history, generations of players, coaches, supporters, families, sponsors and committee members have done the same to ensure Rosewater survived.
“Right now, the club is facing a difficult period and we are calling on everyone who has ever been part of Rosewater to come back and support us this Saturday.
“Every bit of support makes a genuine difference … Rosewater supported many of us during our time at the club and right now, we need you to support Rosewater.
“With our whole community behind us, we can overcome this challenge and reach another historic milestone together.”
Finishing fourth and playing finals in division six last season, Rosewater saw a number of players depart but was still able to pull together an A Grade and B Grade side for 2026.
The Bulldogs are currently in a relegation battle however and it is understood they have also experienced challenges with volunteer numbers and finances.
Club president Matt Morris previously told this masthead about the club’s efforts to stay alive.
“We know what it’s like to be battling,” he said.
“It’s not easy to run a footy club these days with maintaining volunteer numbers and looking for sponsors.
“It’s all unpaid work and usually you’re relying on a few really passionate people to keep a club going.”
Rosewater has experienced a number of challenges during its time in the SAAFL/Adelaide Footy League, including being deregistered from the SAAFL in 2016 after captain Craig Rumbelow attacked an umpire and received a 20-year ban.
The club made an apology to the league and the umpires’ panel, eventually returning to the field, and has since managed to stay afloat in the league’s lower divisions.
The Adelaide Footy League has already seen one club fold this year after Mawson Lakes’ attempted merger with division five club Greenacres collapsed.
The division seven club was forced to sit out of the 2026 season after failing to meet the required player numbers.