Adelaide’s Head of Football Adam Kelly is on a mission to solidify the significance of the Crows guernsey.
Since arriving at the Club, Kelly has introduced two initiatives in honour of the South Australian-coloured hoops:
- The Crows home guernsey is to only be worn in matches for premiership points
- Each player's guernsey presentation will include a blurb regarding the history and a letter from a past player
“Jumper presentations are critical for footy clubs,” Kelly told The Optus Crows Show.
“They’re one of those rituals that mean a lot to not only the debutant but the Club and the way in which we can express how important it is to wear the guernsey.”
Teenage defender Fischer McAsey debuted for the Crows in Round One and was joined by his family.
Round Two, however, was limited due to coronavirus restrictions, prompting Kelly and the football department to seek an alternative - video calls.
“To have your families involved in the presentation is so important,” he said.
“We now present the jumper in a box, a box which on the inside of the lid explains the history of the guernsey and how the design came to be.
“Each of our players receive a letter from a past player congratulating them for making the team and reflecting on what it was like for them to represent the Club.”
Ned McHenry, Ben Keays and Ben Crocker were all given their guernsey and box on Saturday.
Also on The Optus Crows Show this week, a look at the efforts going into the Gold Coast hub and how club staff are adapting to new roles.
The Optus Crows Show airs on Sunday, 2.30pm in Adelaide on Channel 7.
Interstate fans can catch the full episode shortly after on afc.com.au.
