Crows blogger Anne hopes for an end to a frustrating run …
I slowly lumbered my way over a soggy Max Basheer Reserve, peeped out from underneath my umbrella and glanced at the stadium and dull sky above me. Despite the vibrant colours of the blue, red and yellow donned upon me, it was going to be a dreary afternoon.
The Crows’ Round 16 match against the mob down the road, Port Adelaide, was unfortunately another loss. But I entered the game with expectation and still holding onto some hope of a victory despite the cards falling against the Crows over the past few weeks.
The usual pre-match banter was all but lost with no school the week before the game, but at least I had the chance to go to another training session and to also see James Sellar, Andy Otten and Ed Curnow in the SANFL.
I settled into an unfamiliar seat undercover on the eastern wing of AAMI Stadium. Slowly but surely the Port supporters showed up and I was becoming more and more surrounded.
My flag was one of a few around the ground during the warm up but was joined by many more once the Crows came marching through the banner.
As usual there was some pushing and shoving before the first bounce. Port’s Dean Brogan singled out the Crows’ Tyson Edwards, confronting him with intent. It was on! I was fired up and ready for the big match.
Despite the early niggle the Crows were the first on the scoreboard, with captain Simon Goodwin snapping one through within the first thirty seconds. Kurt Tippett converted later from a set shot before Port managed to get a few goals on the trot.
Scott Stevens made sure the Crows hung onto the game, kicking a long goal from just outside fifty to bring the Crows to 11 points behind at quarter time.
I was feeling like a lone voice within the crowd. To my left there was another vocal Crows supporter further down the bay, but other than him, there was little support for the Club, in fact it was quite the opposite, with several eyebrow-raising calls from the Port supporters around me.
The second quarter started much like the first, with Goodwin again nabbing a snap shot at goal within the first minute or so. I particularly waved my flag a little higher for this goal given Port’s Nick Lower’s persistent pestering of Goodwin just moments before.
Tyson Edwards then scored successfully from a set shot after a free kick before a succession of turn overs from Port in their defensive 50 saw the Crows with many goal scoring opportunities.
However they scored point after point before finally capitalising on their fortunes when Bernie Vince marked strongly on the tip of the goal square and went on to score his first of the game.
Yes, the Crows were back in front! With the momentum and the lead, of only two points, the heavens opened up with a light half-time shower.
Fittingly, the rain eased off after the break just as both teams were making their way back onto the sodden turf. The Crows made a slow start to term number three and only managed the one goal courtesy of Goodwin. Nevertheless, it was an awesome goal, with Goodwin celebrating with his signature fist pump. I was on my feet celebrating with him, because for a moment there it looked as if the Crows could get a slight break away.
However, it was not enough to maintain a lead with Port managing to be up by 14 points at three quarter time.
Port’s lead blew out to 20 points early in the fourth quarter before Stevens sent home his second from outside 50. With the margin back to less than three goals the Crows were still a chance.
Vince then scored a quick follow up goal right on the goal line, the Crows were now only seven points behind.
‘Come on Crows!’ I begged them to win, anything to get the season back on track and to return to the more joyful times I remembered from over a month ago.
But my hopes of a win were soon crushed; as Port went on to kick the next few goals.
Michael Doughty was able to score two dashing goals within two minutes but any last ditch effort to save the game was lost when the final siren blew.
I was surrounded by jovial Port supports, who had the pleasure of cheering on their side after a string of loses. I could only look at them and hope that I could be doing the same some time soon.
The walk back over Max Basheer Reserve was a relatively peaceful one despite the opportunity to be jibbed as I walked somewhat of a gauntlet to the Crows supporters’ home base.
A couple hundred other Crows supporters, much less than usual, patiently waited for interviews from three of the players. Brad Symes, Bernie Vince and Nathan Basset all spoke, with Basset particularly praising the hard weathered Crows fans that had hung around afterwards despite the past few frustrating weeks.
While this season started off superbly the Crows now find themselves in a stagnant state.
For Round 17 they come up against Sydney in Sydney which is a tough task, but don’t despair Crows fans, hold on to your hope, because this week could be the week when the Crows score that long-awaited win.
