We, as South Australians, always turn up. Rain, hail or shine, just try and keep us away.

It’s in our blood, from the early days of school boys footy, all the way to watching my mighty Panthers in the SANFL… We turn up.

Standing on the bitumen in 40 degree heat to watch bikes ride by in the Tour Down Under? We’re there. Bleeding our ear drums to watch the cars scream past in the Adelaide 500? Wouldn’t miss it. Packing out Adelaide Oval for the first day-night test? Do you even have to ask?!

With the AFL set to name a location for its 2023 ‘magic round’ (where all games are played in the same city), Adelaide couldn’t fit the bill better.

Honestly, for me, it’s a no-brainer - football is essentially a religion in SA.

You can talk about the best rivalry in the comp, Crows and Port, to sell your case, but there’s so many more reasons than that. 

Travelling teams love coming to Adelaide. Elite facilities at Adelaide Oval, plenty of their own fans to support them and some of the world’s best restaurants. 

All those ironed on fans of Victorian teams could watch their club play at their local oval. Can you think of anything better? Imagine 150 cars parked around the oval down in Port Noarlunga!  

And more than just football, why not come for the weekend? Do a trip up to the Barossa Valley… or head down to McLaren Vale and Victor Harbor.

Now, take nothing away from Sydney. The Swans have a great following and GWS are developing nicely.

But the big difference is well-known - Sydney is NRL dominated while Adelaide is all about AFL.

That’s not to say it should never get the chance to host it, I’ve been here 15 years and they certainly enjoy their sport. 

But I think for the AFL, the first time doing this, you want it to be a massive success - and that’s exactly what you’ll get in South Australia.

Packed crowds. Great Ovals. Dedicated fans. The AFL will have success with the games in SA.

And I’ll say it again, we as South Australians turn up. We’ll be there, we’ll be at the games, we’ll be supporting our teams.

Kick off the weekend with a Showdown and watch Adelaide put on the best round of footy the league has ever seen!