From January until June, we revisit the most read articles from afc.com.au …
Taylor Walker named captain of the Adelaide Football Club
Early in the New Year, Crows coach Phil Walsh announced the team’s new leadership group headed by forward Taylor Walker. Walker, 24, became the Club’s seventh skipper, and joined an illustrious list featuring Chris McDermott, Tony McGuinness, Mark Bickley, Mark Ricciuto, Simon Goodwin and Nathan van Berlo. The two-time Crows leading goalkicker had recently signed a contract extension tying him to the Club until at least the end of 2018.
Brent Reilly lucky to survive head knock
A regular training session at Thebarton Oval ended with experienced Crow Brent Reilly in in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s intensive care unit hospital needing surgery to repair a fractured skull.
Five weeks after suffering the injury, the 203-game veteran spoke to afc.com.au about his recovery and he announced his retirement on May 13
New era starts in Port Lincoln
Adelaide named several new faces to start the season against North Melbourne in a sold-out NAB Challenge clash during the Club’s AFL Community Camp. With no TV coverage, thousands of fans watched a live stream on the website. Port Lincoln local Eddie Betts has delighted his home-town fans, kicking four goals as Adelaide started with a 10-point win. Betts' haul proved match-winning as the Crows held off the fast-finishing Kangaroos, winning 1.12.9 (90) to 0.11.14 (80).
Images of captain Taylor Walker’s kindness towards mascot Satine Cahill at Adelaide Oval before the opening game of the premiership season went viral and then our article was shared thousands of times on Facebook. The seven-year-old was waiting in the players race when she became overawed by fireworks and the enormous noise erupting in the stadium packed with nearly 47,000 fans. It was the start of a great day for the new captain. He was best afield in the 77-point win over North Melbourne, kicking six goals from 22 disposals and 15 marks.
Adelaide recorded its first-ever SANFL draw following a bizarre finish to a Friday night’s clash with Glenelg in April which saw the match shortened due to a blackout. The oval and surrounding suburbs were plunged into darkness midway through the final term. Confusion was rife among players, officials and fans with the scoreboard – showing both sides on 7.9 (51) – ironically the only source of light. Finish 'bizarre' says Callinan
Draftee Jake Lever named to debut
Adelaide’s first selection at the 2014 national draft rose to AFL ranks to make his debut in round six against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. The 19-year-old defender had impressed in four SANFL games and was composed against the Suns, gathering 17 possessions at 88.2 per cent efficiency and taking ten marks.
Sloane signs contract extension
In June, Crows favourite Rory Sloane signed a three-year contract extension, which will see him remain a Crow until at least the end of 2018. Sloane said he was rapt to finalise a new deal with Adelaide. “I have said many times before how much I respect and love this Club and, in particular, the playing group,” Sloane said.
James Podsiadly kicked five goals to steer Adelaide to its first SANFL victory of the season over Sturt at Unley on June 7. Adelaide’s final score of 22.8 (140) was the Club’s biggest SANFL total since entering the competition last season. It was also the SANFL Crows’ first-ever win over the Double Blues.
Three weeks later the team claimed its first SANFL Showdown victory over Port Adelaide, at Alberton Oval but lost star midfielder Brad Crouch to injury in the opening term. He would not play again in 2015.
