Adelaide SANFL Skipper Jack Madgen says the side is looking forward to kicking off a big night of footy in SA when the Crows take on Port Adelaide in a State League Showdown on Thursday at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows will be hoping to bounce back following a 1-3 start to the SANFL campaign and Madgen said the clash with Port Adelaide, which would serve as a curtain raiser to the AFL Showdown, was the perfect opportunity.
"It’s super exciting getting to play on Adelaide Oval, we only get a few of these a year,” Madgen told AFC Media.
“I’m really looking forward to that.
“(It’s) also a good chance for us to bounce back, we haven’t started the season the way we wanted to at either level, SANFL or AFL.
“We really want to come in with a sharp edge to start the game well and set the tone for the day for the Club.”
This will be Madgen’s third SANFL Showdown and first time leading the team out as Captain.
Despite recent success in the fixture, winning three of the last four SANFL encounters against their crosstown rivals, the 31-year-old says he is expecting this week's game to be a challenge.
“We definitely don’t go in thinking we have beat them three of the last four times, we know it is going to be a tough game like every game in the SANFL and we are going to have to play our best footy to win for sure,” Madgen said.
“I know in the SANFL our backs are against the wall in most games in terms of we play away from home, we don’t get to train together as a group very often.
“So, every game for us does have that extra edge to it and then obviously playing against Port Magpies who are affiliated with the Power adds a little more to it.
“We usually get a decent crowd towards the end of the game as the AFL fans start to filter in which gives a bit of atmosphere as well.”
Madgen said the chance to on Adelaide Oval would also be a special moment for many of the Crows' development players, with many having never featured in a game on the big stage.
“It’s such a good reward for all the hard work they have given the program,” Madgen said.
“I know for Jay Boyle and Josh Smithson this will probably be their 10th time playing on Adelaide Oval which is unreal.
“Not many other League players get to do that, so it is definitely a good reward for the hard work.
“Our SANFL listed players have been awesome this year, playing really good footy and have been really pillars for us which has been good to see.”
Adelaide’s SANFL side will take on Port Adelaide in the SANFL Showdown at Adelaide Oval on Thursday at 3.20pm.
The game will serve as a curtain raiser to the AFL Showdown, with the first bounce at 7pm (ACST).
