Adelaide SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden says the chance to be the first Crows team to play during the Club’s historical weekend of football is not lost on his side.

The Crows will battle Port Adelaide in the SANFL ‘Showdown’ at Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon, in a curtain raiser to the Club’s AFL match against the crosstown rival.

Then, on Saturday, Adelaide’s AFLW team will play Fremantle at Adelaide Oval in a Preliminary Final.

Speaking to AFC Media after the 2022 SANFL Season Launch, Godden said the State League team wanted to ensure the weekend got off to a bright start by winning its game.

“There is a sense of responsibility,” Godden said.

“Generally what starts the weekend ends the weekend and we want to start the weekend on the right matter and make sure we play a brand of footy we are proud of.

“Hopefully that will then inspire the AFL men’s and the AFLW team.

“We certainly hold that responsibility dearly and we want to do that justice.”

“Hopefully that will then inspire the AFL men’s and the AFLW team.

Godden said playing before the AFL side would also help boost players’ morale and Club culture.

“It’s important for our young AFL and for our SANFL players to get to play at Adelaide Oval, it’s important for us to be together as a Club, we don’t get that opportunity very often,” Godden said.

“Club unity is critical for growth so it’s great that we can play on the same day at the same venue.”

The Crows played Port Adelaide in a SANFL trial game last weekend and claimed a 63-point win.

Godden said confidence could be taken out of that game but he expected Port Adelaide to come out firing for the opening game of the SANFL season.

“There’s no secrets between the two clubs at the moment, it’s just a matter of making sure the game plan we’re putting in place as a Club is adhered to,” Godden said.

“You have to temper the result a little bit but the reality is we played the brand of footy that we wanted to play and that’s the most important thing.”

Adelaide’s SANFL ‘Showdown’ against Port Adelaide is on Friday, April 1, at Adelaide Oval, with the first bounce at 4.10pm.

The Crows v Port Adelaide AFL Showdown kicks off at 7.50pm. Sure your tickets via Ticketek now. Click here for details.

Adelaide's AFLW Preliminary Final is at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, April 2, at 2.10pm. Entry will be free with no tickets required.