Adelaide SANFL Captain Matthew Wright says the Crows will use their Preliminary Final loss as motivation ahead of the 2023 campaign.
The Crows narrowly missed a chance to play in a maiden State League Grand Final after they went down to eventual 2022 premiers Norwood by 11 points in September.
Wright, who helped lead Adelaide to its best performance in the SANFL, which included 13 wins, said the Club was in a good position to challenge again, having kept most of its core development squad, as well as adding solid talent.
“Jack Magden has come across from Collingwood and he’s going to be a real good inclusion for us and he can play down back or up forward, and it means we’ll have another leader out on the field,” Wright said.
“Blayne O'Loughlin comes across from North Adelaide and he’s got some real talent, so we are looking forward to seeing what he can add.
“We’ve brought in a few others as well - Hugh Haysman, he’s a West Adelaide premiership player, so he knows what it takes to win a SANFL flag.
“We’ve also been able to hang onto strong performing players from last season, like Jay Boyle, Josh Smithson, and Isaya McKenzie as well, which is really important because they know the program and they understand what it takes.”
Speaking to AFC Media, Wright said the heartbreaking defeat would only spur the side on, as players were hungry for success.
“We look back at those games - we lost to North (in the semi final) by 10 points and then to Norwood by 11 points, so there were less than two kicks in it,” Wright said.
“We are really motivated… We understand SANFL finals is the second best thing to playing AFL footy with the level and the intensity.
“We want to give our listed and our development players a chance to play finals footy again.
“The SANFL is a good platform to prepare yourself and get yourself ready for AFL footy.”
Wright said a strong culture where every player felt part of the Crows family was behind the Club’s successful State League season in 2022 and he was set to drive that again next season.
“The message myself and the other coaches have is to just embrace the SANFL, the challenges and the grind,” Wright said.
“Obviously it’s a little bit different because they’re playing alongside some players who they might not see during the week and they meet on game day.
“But it’s a great stepping stone and platform for them to prepare for AFL footy.”
Wright joined the Crows’ SANFL side in 2019 after 159 AFL games for Adelaide and Carlton.
The 32-year-old notched his 50th game as Crows SANFL Captain against the Eagles in Round 17 last season, becoming the longest serving Skipper of the Club’s State League team.
He said a passion for the game and helping youngsters develop was what fuelled him to continue playing.
“I get to work in an environment where you’re talking footy 24/7,” Wright said.
“To be able to keep running around playing and having a minor role in helping these kids develop is something I enjoyed at the back end of my AFL career, but even more so now.”
