Footy Forecast: Your weekly AFL preview from SA’s most diehard fans
Ahead of this weekend’s must-win matches, SA’s diehard Crows and Power fans give InDaily their insights.
’23-year hoodoo’: Adelaide Crows’ Peter Cirocco
After a nail-biting finish that saw the Crows go down to the Western Bulldogs by six points in the dying stages of the game, Crowject Podcast founder Peter Cirocco said he was “not too concerned” about the loss.
“I think we left it too little, too late, and the Bulldogs midfield led by Marcus Bontempelli is probably the best out there right now,” he said.
Cirocco said key defender Jordon Butts, who had a career-high 19 disposals and 12 marks, had his “testimonial game”, but a crucial set-shot miss in the third quarter left “a bitter taste in the mouth”.
“It’s good to have a game plan that is not really showing one player that sort of stands out,” he said.
“The key for us is that we still lack that real inside midfielder. I think they’re trying to turn Josh Rachele into that inside midfielder, but it just hasn’t happened yet and it’ll take time.”
The Crows will be without captain Jordan Dawson and veterans Taylor Walker and Rory Laird tonight who are facing stints on the sidelines with injuries.
Cirocco thinks the Crows will fall short of breaking a 23-year “hoodoo” on Thursday night as they look to defeat Geelong at GMHBA Stadium for the first time since 2003.
You might like
“We’re coming off consecutive six-day breaks, which, even though it’s only around three, given the heat does make it a little more difficult,” he said.
“I think that we’re probably going to lose in a close one by seven points in a high scoring game.”
Despite his lack of faith, Cirocco will be wearing his good-luck Adidas shoes as he cheers on his favourite “pretty-boy” players Ben Keays and Josh Rachele.
“Keays has the most luscious hair you’d ever imagine. He refused to tell us what his hair regime is which adds even more to the intrigue itself,” he said.
“I love the way Rachele plays and his passion. I love how he antagonises other players and other fanbases, especially Port Adelaide.”
Cirocco admitted that he was “turned off” from the club following the fallout to the 2017 AFL Grand Final defeat to Richmond, but was able to reignite his passion for the club when he founded the Crowject Podcast in 2018 as “a side hustle”.
“Through creating the ‘Go Crom’ logo and using that for charitable works, we’ve donated just under $40,000 to several local charities through the sale of our beanies, scarves and all our merch,” he said.
“What we do is to help and add to the ongoing culture of the club, and through it I’ve been able to have a good working relationship with the Crows.”
‘Time to play run and gun football’: Port Adelaide’s Connor Richardson
Long-time Port Adelaide member Connor Richardson was “ready to throw his membership in the bin” after a round one loss to North Melbourne but was “stoked” to see his team bounce back with a 63-point victory over Essendon on Sunday afternoon.
Stay informed, daily
“It was a great win, but I was disappointed that the boys couldn’t put together a four-quarter performance and allowed Essendon to kick five goals in the last quarter,” he said.
“Personally, I don’t think Essendon are much scrap this year, but it’s always good to walk away with the four points.”
Richardson said his favourite player half-forward Joe Richards “put 110 per cent in the contest” and was the standout player from the weekend, finishing the game with 21 disposals and two goals.
He has predicted Port Adelaide will be pushing for a top 10 finish if the team can address some “gameplan issues”.
“If we want to be successful this year, we need to adapt to how fast the game is. It’s time to play some more run and gun football,” he said.
“Since Dan Houston left for Collingwood in 2024, we’ve lacked a bit of pace off the half-back line, so I think moving Jase Burgoyne to defence will add a bit of excitement.”
Port Adelaide will have another home game at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon, where they will take on the West Coast Eagles who are fresh off a comeback victory against North Melbourne.
But Port Adelaide will be without captain Connor Rozee, who suffered a high-grade hamstring tendon rupture that will see him sidelined for three months.
“That’s a big loss for the weekend. He’s the x-factor for our team with his ball use off the backline and his leadership,” he said.
“If we lose to West Coast, it will be a sign that it’s going to be a long few years ahead. I’m still quite confident though and think we should get up by 60 points.”
Back-to-back All-Australian midfielder Zak Butters will captain the team on Sunday, but Richardson has made a controversial call about the star player who is yet to sign a contract extension.
“Personally, I’m over him and think he can go. If he can’t put pen to paper, sign the contract and show some loyalty to the club, then good riddance,” he said.
Richardson said he had been through 20 years of highs and lows, watching Port Adelaide lose four preliminary finals and sitting through an “embarrassing” 119-point loss to Geelong in the 2007 Grand Final.
“Dad and Uncle Steve forced me to go for Port Adelaide growing up. I tried to jump ship to Gold Coast in 2011 when they joined the league, but Dad wouldn’t let me in the house,” he said.
Richardson will be front and centre on the weekend, after he polishes off a pre-game steak and a lucky charm Great Northern lager with his Uncle Steve.
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]
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
