Crows CEO Andrew Fagan says the Club is striving for normality in another “extraordinary” week.

The Adelaide Football Club was thrust into what Chairman Rob Chapman described as a “crisis unprecedented” following the sudden loss of Senior Coach Phil Walsh in the early hours of Friday, July 3.

The Crows, whose scheduled Round 14 clash with Geelong was cancelled as a result of the tragic event, returned to some routine on the weekend playing their first AFL and SANFL games since Walsh’s passing.

The Club is preparing for another big event on Sunday against Port Adelaide, where Walsh spent more than a decade as an assistant coach. Prior to that, players, coaches and staff from both clubs will attend a private memorial service for the late-Crows coach at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

Fagan was respectful of the grieving process, but said it was important the Club adhered to one of Walsh’s key demands of ‘getting the job done’.

“The weekend was tough and you all saw that and experienced that,” Fagan said on Tuesday.

“You would’ve heard us talk a lot over the last 10 months about elite standards, attention to detail and just getting the job done. They were three phrases that you heard often and they’re three phrases that are being used a lot right now. That’s what the focus of the footy club now is, it’s about getting the job done.

“The normality was in place today with the guys training and it will continue to be in place moving forward. We know that this week is an ‘abnormal’ week. We know that tomorrow will be a tough day at the memorial service and we know the Showdown will take on added significance on Sunday.

“But outside of those extraordinary events, we’re trying to ensure that the rest of the week is very much around playing in an elite footy competition, where every percentage point is important.”

Family, friends and members of the AFL industry nation-wide will attend the private memorial.

Fagan said the service would be a recognition of Walsh’s significant contribution.

“Tomorrow is, obviously, going to be another tough day for the (Walsh family) footy club and all those in the footy industry, but I think it’s an opportunity to reflect proudly on Phil’s contribution to the industry over the last 32 years,” he said.

“There will be some laughs. There will be some tears and there will be plenty of stories told.”

Fagan said Walsh’s standing in the football and wider community was reflected by the overwhelming support displayed since the tragedy.

“I haven’t seen a football community unite the way that this one has over the last 12 days or so. Not just here in Adelaide but right across the country,” he said.

“It’s been extraordinary and it’s been touching. I know the support has been heartfelt and it’s certainly been appreciated by everyone here at the football club and by Phil’s family.

“I did joke with (Port Adelaide CEO) Keith Thomas when I was speaking to him last week. I suggested that once we were through all this, we could get back to the normality of hating each other again!”

Showdown XXXIX is a Port Adelaide ‘home’ game, but the Crows have organised a live site in Elder Park where fans can watch the game together.

Fagan encouraged any supporters without tickets to the match to head to the Riverbank Precinct.

“We were obviously concerned that the majority of our members and supporters might be unable to watch the game (live), so we thought it was important that they were able to come together and watch it together as a group,” Fagan said.

“They’ve been so united over the past 12 days or so, and we wanted that to be able to continue this weekend. The live site at Elder Park was the perfect opportunity.

“To that extent, I really want to thank the SA Government, Adelaide City Council and Channel 7, who have all worked with us to be able to make this possible. When we contacted the SA Government to ask whether they could help, they jumped at the opportunity.

“I think this will add atmosphere and an environment that will be special. I expect there will be thousands (of people) out there to be part of something that will be truly remarkable.”

In conjunction with Adelaide, Port Adelaide will announce plans to recognise Walsh on match day later in the week.

The Crows will continue to work with the Walsh family in regards to Phil’s long-lasting. Fagan said it was important not to rush into any decisions about dedicating medals or trophies in his honour.