Crows development coach Brent Reilly is looking forward to his first game for points as a coach.

Reilly will look after the defenders at Adelaide’s Saturday afternoon SANFL clash against Port Adelaide, after joining the coaching department in December last year.

Over 14 seasons, Reilly played 203 games for the Crows before retiring in 2015.

Being the SANFL Showdown just adds another layer to what is already going to be a built-up game.

“I’m pretty excited about it after all the preseason and all the preparation. The last month or two has been quite long so I’m looking forward to coming out (on game day),” Reilly said.

“It always has a bit of spice to it when it’s a Showdown. I never played in a showdown like this in the SANFL, but to be coaching in it I’ve still got the passion to beat Port, as we all do.

“We are looking forward to the challenge, they’ve got a very talented squad, but I think we are going to match them in that area so it’s very exciting.”

After working closely with the defenders the last few months, Reilly said there are a number who have stood out to him during the preseason.

“Tom Doedee is already playing AFL footy which is great, Wayne Milera, he’s been in the backline and he’s been playing some really good football back there,” Reilly said.

“Kyle Cheney is the other one that has been playing back a fair bit too.”

Reilly has also been really impressed with the development squad members coming through.

 “I’ve been really impressed with the whole development squads’ attitude, they’ve come out and they are willing to learn and listen to us, and be the best they can be,” he said.

“That’s all we can ask from them, to play their role and they’ve not only been doing that but they’ve been standing out.”

Fans will see a similar brand of football as the AFL team according to Reilly.

“You’ll see that fast footy that we want to play, high scoring and we want to defend well too,” he said.

“You’ll see a very close correlation to how the AFL and SANFL teams play, but I’m looking forward to the younger guys coming through and showing their worth to hopefully get selected for the AFL team.

“That’s our main role, to get the guys selected to play AFL football, but at the same time we want to win and we want to achieve something this year in the SANFL.”

Adelaide’s SANFL season gets underway at 2.40pm on Saturday at Alberton Oval.

The game will be broadcast on Channel 7 from 2.30pm.