Adelaide SANFL coach Mick Godden says his team is well placed for a strong finals push at the halfway point of the season. 

After falling in the Preliminary Final in 2022, the Crows sit third on the ladder at the midseason SANFL bye, having won six of their first nine starts. 

Speaking to AFC Media, Godden said he was impressed with how the SANFL program was tracking. 

“It’s been a really positive start to the year for us,” Godden said. 

“The role (of the SANFL side) is multifaceted, one of them is to have players ready for AFL and even though the team hasn’t changed a lot the players that have gone up have done really well. 

“The second part of it is the development of our team, and right now we are 6-3 which gives us a really strong platform, so overall I could not be happier with the start of the season.

“All three of our losses we’ve been within two goals, so just closing out those tight games is where we need to get a bit better over the back half of the year.” 

Across the first nine matches, a number of Crows AFL listed players have produced strong periods of form.

Godden said he was thrilled with the progression of the entire squad, and highlighted a few standouts. 

“All the AFL listed guys have been really good and contributed on a consistent basis for us all year,” Godden said. 

“Harry Schoenberg has had an unbelievable year at SANFL level, Matt Crouch has been great, Jackson Hately is another that’s really impressed in the midfield as well. 

“Luke Nankervis has swung to the backline and been really consistent down there, he’s pushing every week for an AFL debut. 

“Billy Dowling has had a very solid first year, he’s a really intelligent footballer and he’s had two or three really good breakouts for us which for a player of his age is very impressive.” 

With a strong foundation built, Godden said the goal for the second half of the season was to continue on this exciting path of development and bring home a first Crows SANFL premiership. 

“We are as well placed as we could possibly be (to have a tilt at the flag), and I am firmly of the belief our best footy is in front of us,” Godden said. 

“With the experience of last year and falling two goals short of playing in a Grand Final, there is a fair bit of hunger and drive there. 

“So when it comes to the end of the year I have no doubt these players will be pretty desperate to deliver that first Adelaide Crows SANFL premiership.”