Adelaide SANFL coach Michael Godden says his team is excited for the challenge of facing an undefeated Sturt at Unley Oval this Saturday.

The Crows will enter the match full of confidence, with a pair of convincing victories over South Adelaide (84 points) and North Adelaide (47 points), respectively.

The victories have propelled the Crows to second spot on the ladder.

Ahead of a top-of-the table clash against the Double Blues, Godden said the squad would embrace what was set to be a big occasion. 

“Clearly it’s a big game, one-v-two at this time of year is always really exciting and a challenge we are really keen to take on,” Godden told AFC Media. 

“Sturt have had a really fantastic start to the year, and we’ve been pretty good as well, bar the one hiccup against Central. 

“Heading to Unley is going to be a really good challenge for us, we haven’t traditionally played too well at the ground, so it is going to be a really good opportunity for our younger boys who may not have experienced playing against those hardened SANFL bodies.” 

Godden said he was expecting a contested game against the Double Blues on one of the smaller grounds in the competition. 

“One of the keys to the game is Unley Oval being so small, meaning it will be very much a stoppage game,” Godden said. 

“Sturt are an exceptional stoppage team and they’ve played a lot of home games to start the year so they are well equipped to play at that ground and that’s going to be a big challenge.

“Overall they are a great team in the contest and very even across the ground, so we know it will have to take our best effort.” 

The match will also be special for Crows Development Player Jay Boyle, who is set to bring up his 50th game at League level. 

Godden said the two-time Dean Bailey Development Player of Year Award winner had been one of the side’s standouts since his arrival in 2021. 

“It is fantastic for us as a Club to have someone like Jay who has stuck at it for as long as he has,” Godden said. 

“It wasn’t easy for him in the early days, he had to stick at it and especially with his work situation it’s not easy being able to commit to an entire SANFL program.

“He is very self-driven, is elite at preparing himself to play and train each week and is great at helping along the younger guys in our program, so to reach 50 games is a fantastic achievement.” 

Adelaide’s SANFL team takes on Sturt at Unley Oval this Saturday, with the first bounce at 2.30pm.