Crows fans will have their first chance to see Adelaide’s SANFL team in action this Saturday morning.
The SANFL Crows will play their opening trial match against the Port Adelaide Magpies at Alberton Oval at 10am. Entry to the game is free.
The team has already played two private practice matches against Onkaparinga Valley from the Hills Football League and GAZA from Division Two of the South Australian Amateur Football League.
Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said Saturday’s clash would provide an early test for the squad with the premiership season on the horizon.
“It’ll be another step up for us to take on the Magpies at Alberton,” said Younie.
“We’ve ramped up our preparations for Round One in the last month or so and the coaches have been pleased with the progress of both our AFL and development squads.
“We want to see all our work over pre-season be put into action under match conditions. That’ll be the biggest thing we’ll be looking for on Saturday.”
Thebarton home game for SANFL Crows
Adelaide has steadily reduced the size of its development list over the summer from an initial pool of almost 300 applicants. A host of returning players, including Dean Bailey Award winner Matthew Spencely, key defender Luke Carey and former Central District trio Josh Wittwer, Charlie Molyneux and Brock Castree are among the familiar faces likely to feature in this year’s squad.
The Club is aiming to finalise its SANFL train-on squad following Saturday’s trial against the Magpies, with an announcement on the team’s captaincy also imminent.
Younie said this week’s trial was an important one for all players vying for a development squad spot.
“It’s a big opportunity for those guys to show what they’ve got,” he said.
“We’re lucky to have a quality group training with us at the moment, but in the end, we’ll name a final squad of around 25 to 30 players to stay on with us during the season.
“Saturday is basically the last opportunity for some of the guys to prove that they deserve to be on that list.”
An AFL squad of 29 will be named at approximately midday on Thursday for the Club’s second NAB Challenge clash against Fremantle in Western Australia. Only after AFL selection is confirmed will a decision be made on how many, if any, AFL-listed players will confront the Magpies at Alberton on Saturday.
Adelaide will play another SANFL trial against South Adelaide on Saturday, March 12 at Football Park ahead of the Club’s SANFL premiership season opener against West Adelaide at City Mazda Stadium on March 26.
