Adelaide SANFL Senior Coach Mick Godden says his side has a responsibility to set the tone early for the Club when it opens the State League campaign this Saturday.

The Crows’ State League team kicks off its 2023 season when it takes on crosstown rival Port Adelaide before the AFL sides clash at Adelaide Oval.

Speaking to AFC Media ahead of the SANFL season launch on Tuesday, Godden said playing a curtain raiser was the perfect start to the season.

“It’s great for the Club to be able to come together as one,” Godden said.

“We don’t get that opportunity very often, so everytime we do, we get to cherish it and it’s a bonus that it’s a Showdown.

“I know both Clubs will be really wanting to get a victory in both games.

“It’s about getting a good start for our season, playing the right brand of footy and setting the tone for the day.”

Adelaide enjoyed a 60-point win over Port Adelaide in their SANFL trial game on Sunday and Godden said it was the best preparation for the season.

“We were really happy with it as a trial,” Godden said.

“Our playing group for the past couple of years has been strongly connected and they all understand the game plan, now.

“All we are doing is adding layers to that game plan and the players as individuals are getting better and better.

“The performances this year (in trial games) I certainly can’t fault and it certainly allows me to push players into the AFL team if required and that’s a major part of our role.”

The Crows came within a kick of an inaugural Grand Final appearance last year, going down to Norwood in the Preliminary Final.

Godden said losing the final had made his team, which had retained most of the development players from last season, hungrier for success.

“What we learned from the Preliminary Final loss is that we did a lot right," Godden said.

“What losing finals does for you is that it doesn’t give you anything other than, I guess, extra motivation. 

“It gives you a little bit of a bad taste in your mouth and you just want to give yourself an opportunity to be in that position again.”

Although the Showdown is Port Adelaide’s home game, Godden is encouraging as many Crows fans to pack out Adelaide Oval.

“We want to have as much support as we can get,” Godden said.

“Get there early, because the next generation of our footy Club will be playing and they’re doing well at the moment.”

The Crows SANFL clash against Port Adelaide is at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, with the first bounce at 3.10pm.

The AFL Showdown then kicks off at 7pm.