February 13, 1991: After a race to sign players to contracts to allow them to play, the Crows took on Geelong in the first round of the pre-season Fosters Cup at Football Park.

And the new South Australian team did little to dampen the hype created by the February 1 trial game, crushing Geelong by 77 points 23.18 (156) to 11.13 (79).

Rover Darel Hart starred with six goals and defender Scott Lee, Andrew Jarman (32 possessions), and Chris McDermott - wearing the Crows jumper for the first time - were other best players .

“The sensational, stunning Crows plucked the eyes out of their critics with an astonishing 77-point win over Geelong”, wrote Ashley Porter in The Advertiser.

“It was a good effort - better than a good effort,” Cornes said. And McDermott added: “It is a stepping stone to the start of the season. But when you are building team spirit and tradition, a win like that certainly helps.”

Geelong coach Malcolm Blight warned: “Obviously something has happened here in Adelaide and the hype is only going to get bigger after tonight’s win. That’s a worry!”

The team was: F: Hocking, Hodges, Klug. HF: McDermott, Smith, Lindner. C: Marshall, Jarman, Tregenza. HB: Thompson, Maynard, Smart. B: Lee, Warhurst, Lindsay. R: Negri, McGuinness, D. Hart. I/C: Mickan, Schwerdt, Fielke, Kelly.

On the same night the Adelaide Football Club officially came to life. Documents making the Crows legal were signed by AFL executive commissioner Alan Schwab, commission chairman Ross Oakley, SANFL president Max Basheer, general manager Leigh Whicker and AFC general manager Bill Sanders.

This year the Adelaide Football Club celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first AFL game for premiership points when it plays Hawthorn in the opening round - two decades after the Crows thumped Hawthorn by 86 points at Football Park.

For the next few months www.afc.com.au will run a regular feature highlighting the main footy news events from 20 years ago.