Here are 19 reasons why you should be part of the 19th Man in Season 2014 ...
1. Adelaide Oval
After 23 memory-filled years at our inaugural home, Football Park, the Crows will start a new era at the revamped Adelaide Oval in 2014. The redeveloped, state-of-the-art venue holds in excess of 50,000 people and gives South Australian footy fans the opportunity to watch AFL in the city. New stands, new seats, a new surface and a new (giant) screen, Adelaide Oval will have all the trimmings.
2. The return of Tex
Hearts across the nation sank when charismatic forward Taylor Walker crashed to the ground clutching his knee at the MCG in April last year. Scans revealed the worst: Walker had ruptured both his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) and would require serious, season-ending surgery. Nine months later, Adelaide’s 2012 leading goalkicker is ramping up his recovery, with the aim of returning to the AFL stage in the early part of the year. Tex’s comeback game is one of the most-anticipated of the season. It’ll worth the price of admission just to hear the roar of a packed Adelaide Oval when the cult hero runs out onto the ground for the first time.
3. Brothers in arms
Never has a draftee been embraced by the Crows faithful (and coach) quicker than Matt Crouch. Adelaide recruiters hoped Matt, the younger brother of talented midfielder Brad, would be available at the Club’s first pick in November's AFL National Draft and coach Brenton Sanderson’s smile said it all when Hamish Ogilvie leaned into the microphone and called the prolific midfielder’s name at No.23. Like all recruits, Matt has areas of his game to improve and will have to earn his spot in the team, but at some stage this year Crows fans could see brothers play together in the same team for the first time since Darren and Andrew Jarman.
4. First ‘home’ game at the #CROWval
There are several reasons why the clash with Sydney at Adelaide Oval was the first game many Crows fans pencilled in their diary. It will be our first look at the brilliant new venue as a ‘Crows’ game - the Round Two Showdown is a Port ‘home’ game (no one remembers who hosts the game; only who wins!). It should also mark the first time Kurt Tippett returns to the City of Churches to take on his old side. The now-Swan was suspended when Adelaide and Sydney met last year. You get the feeling the AFL didn’t schedule this particular match as the Crows’ first at Adelaide Oval by chance … a big crowd will turn out to ‘welcome’ Tippett back to SA. Download Adelaide’s AFL fixture
5. Crows in the SANFL
What’s better than cheering on your footy team every weekend? Cheering them on TWICE every weekend! In another 2014 first, Crows fans will have the chance to watch players not selected in the AFL team play together in the one side. Adelaide’s SANFL team will fast-track the development of the Club’s younger players by allowing them to play to Crows structures and game plans, and under the guidance of Crows development coaches, led by senior coach Heath Younie. A bumper crowd is expected for Adelaide’s first SANFL game against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on April 6. The fixture also includes an ANZAC Day clash with Glenelg under lights at Glenelg. Adelaide Football Club ticketed members receive free entry to all Crows State League (SANFL) matches. Browse 2014 memberships online at 19thman.com.au.
6. A star-studded forward line
The recruitment of two-time Carlton leading goalkicker Eddie Betts and Geelong premiership player James Podsiadly combined with the hopeful return of Walker has Adelaide’s forward line shaping up as one of the best in the competition. Factor in 2013 leading goalkicker Tom Lynch, promising talls Josh Jenkins, Lewis Johnston and Shaun McKernan, and livewire smalls Jared Petrenko, Jason Porplyzia and there’s an arsenal of scoring weapons at Sando’s disposal.
7. Thursday night footy
Crows fans will get a taste of Thursday night football in Season 2014. Adelaide will host the first-ever Thursday night fixture at Adelaide Oval against Collingwood on May 15, while the Club’s season-opener against Geelong at Simonds Stadium will also be played on a Thursday night (March 20). The standalone games will showcase the Crows to a national television audience, and the clash with the Pies is tipped to attract a big crowd at Adelaide Oval.
8. Double the ‘Showdown’ action
As well as the traditional two clashes with Port Adelaide at AFL level, the Crows will play two SANFL Showdowns against the Port Magpies. Adelaide plans to play the first SANFL Showdown on Sunday, May 4 at Clare as a tribute to a local family, who tragically lost their six-year-old Max in a playground accident last year. Max’s family has strong ties to the Crows – his dad Tom Redden is the dealer principal of Clare Valley Toyota. A big match for a great cause. The second SANFL Showdown will be played on enemy territory, Alberton Oval, on July 26. View our full SANFL fixture
9. Friday night lights
Another game sure to attract a big crowd is the clash with reigning premiers Hawthorn on Friday, July 11. The fixture is Adelaide’s only match in the popular Friday night timeslot in 2014.
10. Young stars on the rise
After a Club-record four Rising Star nominations last season and six in the last two years (second only to Greater Western Sydney), there’s plenty of cause for excitement with the Adelaide list. 2013 nominees Brad Crouch, Sam Kerridge, Rory Laird and Luke Brown, and promising players Mitch Grigg, Kyle Hartigan, Jarryd Lyons, Sam Shaw and Lewis Johnston have all played fewer than 25 games, meaning the best is yet to come for this young group.
11. The ‘Big V’ at the ‘G’
Mark May 25 and July 27 in your diary now, as the Crows travel to the MCG for two Sunday afternoon blockbusters against traditional Victorian heavyweights Carlton (Round 10) and Collingwood (Round 18). Expect a packed house, a parochial pro-Victorian crowd and (hopefully) two Adelaide wins you can Crow about on the walk back from the ‘G’.
12. The emerging engine room
The Adelaide midfield is already bordering on elite with proven match-winners Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas, Scott Thompson and captain Nathan van Berlo leading the charge. Add exciting talents Brad Crouch, Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons and Sam Kerridge to the mix and the future looks very bright for the Crows onball brigade in 2014 and beyond.
13. Sando’s the man
Successful clubs need strong leadership, and Brenton Sanderson’s decision to re-sign with the Crows for a further two seasons underlines his commitment to the Club. The new father will be at West Lakes until at least the end of the 2016 season, living his belief that it’s “a really exciting time to be a Crows member and supporter.” With an aggressive pre-season program and bullish expectations for the upcoming season, Sando will be driving the Club back up the ladder in 2014.
14. SANFL Crows under local lights
All of South Australia will be watching when the SANFL Crows line up in three Friday night games in 2014, including a blockbuster at the Bay on ANZAC Day. Heath Younie’s men clash with Glenelg at Gliderol Stadium in Round 4 on April 25, with other matches against Norwood (Round 7, May 16) and West Adelaide (Round 12, July 4) also penned.
15. The 19th Man expands
The 19th Man always play a huge part in the Club’s success, but your support has never been more important as the Club aims to secure a record 60,000 members in 2014. Membership numbers peaked around 47,000 in 2013, but with a new home at Adelaide Oval, two Crows teams to follow, and a broad range of membership packages, there are plenty of reasons to #getonboard. Browse 2014 memberships online at 19thman.com.au.
16. Crows in Hobart
Adelaide will cross Bass Strait in Round 22 for the Club’s inaugural game at Hobart against North Melbourne. The Crows have only tasted victory once in Tasmania from five visits so far, but will be hoping for a change in fortune with the Club’s first outing at Blundstone Arena in the state’s capital.
17. Milestone men
This will be an important year to salute some of our most respected Club men. Stalwarts Scott Thompson (currently 245 AFL games), Brent Reilly (currently 193 games), Nathan van Berlo (currently 182 games), Richard Douglas (136) and Rory Sloane (78) are all on track to reach significant milestones.
18. The next big thing
One of the key questions posed before the start of every season is, ‘which recruits will step up and make a name for themselves?’ Athletic utility Cam Ellis-Yolmen will be out to find the consistency required to break into the team in his third year at the Club. Uncapped 2012 draftees Sam Siggins and Rory Atkins will benefit immensely from another pre-season, while rookie Jack Osborn continues to come along in leaps and bounds. Matt Crouch is a ball magnet, who will be aiming to force his way into Adelaide’s star-studded midfield. There is also some serious ability on the rookie list: James Battersby is a proven SANFL player, fierce-tackling forward Charlie Cameron has also experienced senior footy in the WAFL, while defender Jake Kelly is a workhorse determined to succeed. Local lad Alex Spina has x-factor and should develop quickly in the Club’s SANFL system.
19. The ultimate prize
The disappointment of 2013 still burns inside the players, coaches, staff and supporters. The only way to make amends is with an improved season in 2014 and, hopefully, a return to finals footy. Could 2014 be the year of the Crow? Come along for the ride and find out …
