Coach Brenton Sanderson says he can’t wait to see the Crows reserves team in action in the SANFL next season following the historic vote of the League Directors on Thursday night.
Sanderson praised the League Directors for having the “courage and vision” to vote in favour of Adelaide’s reserves proposal, saying the move would benefit both the Crows and the SANFL competition.
“It’s fantastic for our Club and I think it’ll be great for South Australian footy. It’s a major step in ensuring that football in this state is strong not just in the short-term, but the long-term,” Sanderson said.
“I want to make the Adelaide Football Club stronger and to win premierships and having our own reserves side gives us the best chance to achieve that. As a Club, we also want the SANFL to flourish.
“We think we can work with the SANFL to attract bigger crowds and generate more revenue for the clubs.”
Sanderson experienced the benefits of a standalone reserves team during his time at Geelong. The South Australian-born inaugural Crow also has a strong allegiance to the SANFL, having supported and come through the junior ranks at Sturt.
“I understand what it means to follow and love an SANFL team, and I have a deep respect for the competition,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be sitting here today if it wasn’t for the Sturt Football Club. They gave me an opportunity and I’m forever grateful for that. With the Crows reserves in the SANFL competition, Sturt are going to survive and that’s important for me.
“If you’re a Sturt supporter, you’re probably still going to support Sturt and that’s fine. When Sturt play the Crows reserves, maybe, you can’t lose.
“I don’t know, but you’ll certainly go along and see a great game of footy.”
Sanderson said Adelaide’s development staff, which includes Peter Jonas, Tate Kaesler, Heath Younie, Paddy Steinfort and Alan Stewart, would take the reins of the Club’s reserves team on match day.
“We won’t have to change too much of our structure here. We’ve got a really strong development group,” he said.
“At the moment, our development coaches go out and watch the four SANFL games on the weekend. The coaches, who do that, will become coaches for our reserves team. We might have to employ another one or two people to manage the match-day logistics of it.”
Sanderson said he was already looking forward to the first “mini-Showdown” against Port Magpies.
“It’s going to be really exciting for our members and supporters to see all our players playing together, and in some blockbuster games in front of some big crowds,” he said.
“Our second team will be young, but it will definitely play to win and competing in a strong competition, against great clubs and in front of passionate fans will be a huge plus for the Adelaide footy club.”
