Although an unwelcome distraction, midfielder Mitch Grigg says the postponement of Adelaide’s SANFL fixture on Saturday night had no impact on the final result.
The SANFL Crows were initially scheduled to confront the top-of-the-table Panthers at 7.10pm on Saturday evening at Noarlunga Oval. But an intermittent lighting issue at the venue forced SANFL officials to sensationally postpone the match until 11.30am on Sunday morning.
Adelaide had already completed its on-field warm up and players, coaches and spectators were left in limbo as the scheduled start time passed while a solution was discussed.
The incident came just eight days after a blackout at Glenelg Oval saw Adelaide record its first-ever SANFL draw in controversial circumstances.
Grigg, speaking exclusively to afc.com.au after a 14-point loss to South Adelaide on Sunday, said it was a difficult situation for all involved.
“Something like that is always going to be a distraction, but it didn’t affect the result,” he said.
“You prepare like you’re going to play, you’re ready to go out and then all of a sudden you can’t play. You try to block it out and take it in your stride, but it’s a tough one.
“Luckily it doesn’t happen often. I think you’d be a very rich man if you bet on the lights to go out two weeks straight.
“It’s never happened in my lifetime. A few guys around the footy club who have been around footy for 30 years or so have said the same thing.
“It’s obviously something different, but we have to come and play like it never happened. It’s about mindset, and I think we managed it as well as possible as a group over the last 24 hours.”
Match report: Crows fall short in SANFL
Adelaide was sluggish out of the blocks in the revised timeslot on Sunday morning. South Adelaide piled on five unanswered goals in the opening quarter and dominated the inside 50m count 18-5 to put the Crows to the sword in the early stages of the contest.
After trailing by 32 points at the first change, Adelaide battled back bravely and eventually took the lead for the first time midway through the third term.
The Crows couldn’t maintain their momentum however, with the Panthers quickly reclaiming the advantage on their way to their fourth win of the season.
Grigg denied the rescheduling had anything to do with Adelaide’s poor start, but said he was proud of how the side fought their way back into the game.
“It was definitely a slow start for the boys, but I don’t know whether it had anything to do with the circumstances,” he said.
“South just jumped us with their intensity and that’s a credit to them.
“But to our credit, we stuck to our game plan managed to reel them in.
“We couldn’t stick it out though, which was disappointing. We had to keep bringing that heat and intensity that got us back into the game.
“I think it was our skill errors and our inability to defend their short lead-up targets that hurt us at the end of the day.”
Grigg was Adelaide’s most damaging midfielder in the loss to the Panthers.
The left-footer collected 29 disposals, five marks and won a game-high nine clearances. He also laid a team-high seven tackles and kicked a goal in a complete performance from the 22-year-old.
See all the SANFL stats from Round Five
Sam Kerridge was just as impressive with 36 possessions, five marks and five clearances.
Jarryd Lyons played an important role for the team in absorbing a hard tag from South Adelaide’s Jake Veide for most of the match. Lyons was freed up in the second half and finished with 19 touches and four clearances.
Grigg, who copped closer attention from Veide in the second half, said Adelaide’s midfield group was a team within the team.
“I’m happiest as long as our midfield group as a whole is performing,” he said.
“If I end up getting a few more touches because of matchups or game plan, then so be it. But as long as our mids are winning the battle.
“Of course I’m hoping to push for a spot in the AFL. But we’re a team-first footy club and that includes our SANFL side.
“We’ll be looking to bounce back next week.”
