SANFL-listed player Stephen Tahana reflects on this season and how he became one of our most consistent League players.
At the start of the season, Adelaide SANFL-listed player Stephen Tahana had reservations about continuing his League footy career.
Tahana signed with the Crows ahead of the 2023 SANFL season but his first campaign in the tri colours didn’t go as planned, as he found himself in and out of the side.
“I had a pretty interrupted pre-season with injuries and I didn’t know if I wanted to go on,” Tahana said.
“So I had a bit of time off just after Christmas and then came back, got fit and trained with the boys.”
Fast forward to now, and Tahana has become one of the most consistent performers this campaign, playing every Crows SANFL match of 2024.
Speaking to AFC Media, Tahana said a chat with Senior Coach Michael Godden after the opening round led to a positional switch and helped improve his form.
“I played Round One forward and didn’t really do too much… I just said to Goddsy that if there’s an opportunity to go down back, then I’ll take it,” he said.
“I made a move from up forward to down back which has been really good because I played all my juniors as a backman, so it’s really comfortable for me.
“I played pretty well after that and have held my spot.
“This year has been unreal. Using the Club’s facilities and playing alongside the players we have here like Brodie Smith and Will Hamill has been awesome.”
Tahana made his debut for Adelaide in its Round 12 SANFL win over Central District at Nuriootpa Oval in 2023.
Prior to signing with the Crows, Tahana featured with Collingwood’s VFL side in 2017, and later with Sandringham, before campaigns with Adelaide Football League Clubs Gepps Cross and Gaza, respectively.
The 27-year-old said he was enjoying the challenge of League footy and returning to the backline.
“I find it a lot easier than playing up forward where you have someone chasing you, but you’re doing most of the chasing down back,” Tahana said.
“I like the challenge of beating your opponent one-on-one, testing myself against crafty small forwards or even tall forwards and trying to stop them kicking goals.
“I base my game on being a good one-on-one defender.
“I think I’m a lot more comfortable with my goals and my position in the team this year, which has been good.”
The Crows take on Sturt at Thomas Farms Oval this weekend.
A win combined with other results falling their way could pave the way for a finals appearance.
“The past seven or eight weeks with the AFL list being healthy, it strengthened our team,” Tahana said.
“Hopefully we can beat Sturt this week and make the finals.
Adelaide will face Sturt on Saturday at 2.10pm.
