Fan favourite Graham Johncock was an interested onlooker at Centenary Oval for Adelaide’s NAB Challenge clash with North Melbourne.
Johncock retired from AFL football in mid-2013 after a brilliant 227-game career with the Crows.
Following his retirement, the rebounding defender returned home to Port Lincoln and took up a coaching role with his junior club, Mallee Park, for the 2014 season. On Sunday, the Crows Life Member reminisced as he watched his former teammates in action.
“It was good to come out and watch from the other side of the fence. It made me get itchy feet to get out there and help the boys out. I loved it,” Johncock said.
“They did really well and got a win, so it was awesome.”
Johncock, 32, is one of a number of players from the Eyre Peninsula to have made it to the AFL.
There were four locals in action on Sunday; Crows duo Eddie Betts and Keenan Ramsey and North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas and also Daniel Wells, who grew up in Port Lincoln before heading west.
The 6,000-strong crowd cheered whenever any of the four Port Lincoln products went near the ball.
“There were a few Eyre Peninsula boys playing out there which was good to see,” Johncock said.
“The game is great for the area and gives us a bit of exposure in the rest of the country. I think it was really well organised by the AFL to get the Crows and Kangaroos, who both have a couple of ‘EP’ boys, over here.
“Eddie is everyone’s favourite, I think.”
Betts saw familiar faces throughout the crowd on Sunday.
“I actually spotted ‘Stiffy’ at one end and I spotted my Dad behind the other goals,” Betts said.
“Personally, I don’t get back here much, so it’s good to be back and see the family and get out to the communities.”
Johncock, who visited the Crows change rooms after the match, might’ve called time on his AFL career, but he’s still lacing up the boots in the local league.
“Last year, in my first year back home in Port Lincoln I coached the Mallee Park Under-15s. This year, I’ve been pushed into the A-grade job. I’m a coach/player this year, so I’m looking forward to that,” he said.
“I’m still having a run around. The body is going fine. We don’t train as much as they do in the big league, so I’m just running around at my own pace and doing my own thing, which is good.”
Another former Crow, Rob Shirley, was in attendance on Sunday.
Shirley, who is originally from Whyalla, moved to the Eyre Peninsula for work two years ago.
The 150-gamer lined up for perennial finalists the Cummins Ramblers last season, and was recently appointed as coach of the club for 2015.
Shirley was also a special guest at Adelaide’s official Community Camp dinner on Monday night. He said he enjoyed watching the team play and catching up with a few old teammates.
“I don’t get to see all of the (Crows) games because of my own football commitments, so it was great to watch the boys play on Sunday,” he said.
