Crows' Thebarton plans face new threat: CFMEU boss John Setka's warning

The Adelaide Football Club is facing a new threat to its multimillion-dollar plans for a new training base at Thebarton Oval, following union boss John Setka's latest comments.

Just hours after a council vote unlocked the move, Setka, the head of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU), issued a warning that could lead to chaos in AFL construction projects across the country.

After years of searching and weeks of debate, the fate of the Crows' move to a new home rested in the hands of 11 Charles Sturt councillors. 

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The council voted six to five in favour of endorsing a 42-year SANFL licence at Westlakes, effectively vacating the lease at Thebarton Oval and paving the way for the Crows to build their long-awaited $100 million training base.

Residents expressed disappointment with the decision, with some saying they would not have purchased land in the area if they had known about the lease being granted for the SANFL.

Resident Eddi Chicco said the decision was "very pathetic".

But the Crows remain optimistic about their plans.

"We've got everything we need where we are but we need to step up and Thebarton is a part of that," Crows coach Mathew Nicks said.

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The Crows' hopes of playing an AFLW game at their new facility by mid-2026 could be jeopardised by Setka's threats. 

"If they want any flexibility or any extras they are not going to get it from us," Setka said, in reference to the AFL.

The union boss' ire stems from the AFL's appointment of Stephen McBurney, the former Australian Building Construction Commissioner, as umpiring director.

"Sacked or sent to the North Pole - I don't care what they do with him but I see no place for him in a great sport like the AFL," Setka said.

McBurney's previous legal actions against the CFMEU, which resulted in millions in losses for the union, have drawn Setka's ire.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.