It’s finally here. In what is argued to be the greatest compromise in Australian sporting history, the Adelaide Oval now plays host to Australian Rules football. Some may say that this will always remain the birthplace of South Australian cricket but others will say that this is now the birthplace of South Australian football.

If you are an Adelaide supporter, you may also now know it as ‘CROWval’. If you don’t know it by now, you better as all home games in Season 2014 are being played at ‘Adelaide CROWval’.

Whilst this may not directly apply to an interstate supporter like me, I still firmly believe that CROWval is the best thing South Australia has done since the installation of the one-way freeway (the Southern Expressway) in 1997. Actually, to be honest this is the best thing South Australia has ever done – and the buildup was nothing short of spectacular.

From an outsider looking in, it seemed that you had to be a South Australian to endure the wholesome anticipation experience – especially since the inaugural AFL game to be played there was Showdown XXXVI. However, what was mentioned in Victoria still stirred up a homecoming emotion that had never been felt before.  

And then in the blink of an eye, Adelaide Oval unfortunately burst into a coating of teal with a few splashes of red, blue and yellow. Showdown XXXVI had arrived and with it 50,397 screaming fans. In what promised to be a ripper game, for Crows fans it was all but that. From the moment the scoreboard showed Port Adelaide having kicked six goals all from our turnovers before half time, the result was inevitable. Multiple skill errors later and we end up going down by 55 points.

To add salt to the wound, this inaugural game at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval was unfortunately a Port Adelaide home game – not sure how that decision was made. Oh that’s right! We weren’t allowed to wear the SA guernsey either. Apparently, it’s the “Port Adelaide tradition”.

That tradition was carried right into the first bounce as I reluctantly watched Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell interviewing Port Adelaide chairman David Koch as they gloated together about the significance of this momentous occasion.

Luckily, this was quickly overshadowed by a very moving and fitting Dean Bailey tribute. An extraordinary man who was taken so quickly. Dean – Adelaide Oval salutes you.

Therefore, in what was the biggest build up to an AFL game ever, the day certainly delivered a very disappointing result. This week boys – regain what is rightfully yours!

Joel Smith is a frequent commentator of Adelaide Crows matches. Follow him on Twitter @Smithysays