‘Butts a stand out’: Adelaide Crows’ Dylan Clark

The Adelaide Crows are looking to get revenge after a final’s defeat to Collingwood last September, as the two teams come head-to-head at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday night.

After a stellar season that saw the Crows finish on top of the ladder, they ultimately stumbled when it mattered, becoming the first minor premiers to exit finals in straight sets since 1983.

But Crows Supporters Group vice-president Dylan Clark believes the team will bounce back against Collingwood this weekend after watching some “pretty impressive” performances in the pre-season.

“I’ve got pretty good vibes about this week, to be honest. I’ve been pretty good in the past years of predicting games, especially last year, but I think Crows will win by 23 points.”

He reckons defender Jordon Butts is set for a “break out season” and he lists another feisty defender, Mark Keane, as his favourite Crows player – Keane sidelined after an off-season leg fracture that required surgery.

Clark is a long-time supporter group member after joining more than 15 years ago and not missing a game since.

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He will travel with fellow supporters this weekend to the MCG to cheer the team on, and said there were clear factors that set their cheer squad apart from other clubs.

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“Firstly, we follow the rules. Secondly, we have a very good following that does travel to every game both home anyway, and we’re a very diverse group,” he said.

Despite being a diehard Crows supporter, Clark has a surprise confession, saying he has a soft spot for another club’s premier players — Melbourne captain and ruckman Max Gawn.

“Everyone has accepted that he is my favourite player,” Clark said.

Clark said he has an “unorthodox” game day ritual that provides a good luck charm to the Crows.

“I go to X Convenience and get two bottles of 600 ml Powerade and two white chocolate and raspberry muffins.

“Generally, it’s the red Powerade, but I do find that that makes your mouth look a bit bloody, so I try to get the orange one.”

‘Top four’: big calls from Port Power’s Robert Mastrolacasa

Port Adelaide will also travel into enemy territory, where they are set to face-off against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Port Adelaide Cheer Squad president Robert Mastrolacasa has been a member since the early 1990s, before the team joined the AFL in 1997.

Despite a disappointing season that saw Port finish 13^th on the ladder last year, Mastrolacasa believes Port will return to form this season and “win comfortably” against North Melbourne.

“With a new coach and a reasonably easy start with the draw we’ve got, I’m hoping at least the top eight and hopefully even the top four.”

He has also tipped champion midfielder Zak Butters to take home the Brownlow Medal at season’s end “if he doesn’t get suspended”, and expects Todd Marshall “to do special things” in his new move to defence.

Mastrolacasa is “hoping to lead by example” in his first game as cheer squad president after taking over from long-time president Ian Wilson this year.

He will also travel with fellow cheer squad members to support the team, flying out to Melbourne on Saturday before returning on Tuesday night.

“We’re all basically one big family and we’re all there for the same reason to hopefully win a flag at the end of the season.”

Unlike his Crows counterpart, Mastrolacasa said he doesn’t have any pre-game rituals.

“I just go and support the boys and yell my heart out and try to lift up the boys when they when they are not doing so well,” he said.

Are you a diehard fan with a big opinion on how your team will fare this season? Share your thoughts by Wednesday, 5pm, each week at [email protected]