Footy Forecast: Your weekly AFL preview from SA’s most diehard fans
The chief of the Crows “most remote fanbase” – who regularly forks out for $800 flights or drives seven hours to see her team – and a Power fan flagging Jordan Sweet as a standout, give their tips.
“Window of premierships for next four years”: Adelaide Crows’ Jan Regan
Adelaide Crows Eyre Peninsula Supporters Group president Jan Regan has been a “diehard since the beginning”, having called the Crows her team since their 1991 inception.
“I always followed the SANFL, and when the state decided it was time to have a team in the AFL competition, it probably wouldn’t have mattered what the team was called, I would have climbed on board,” she said.
“It was almost like your own state team so that inspired me to follow them because I’m very proud of South Australia.”
As president of Adelaide’s “most remote fanbase”, Regan attempts to attend every home game along with fellow Eyre Peninsula supporters.
“It’s a seven-and-a-half-hour drive to Adelaide or up to $800 in airfares to get to the game. If we can’t get to the game, we still have a watch party here,” she said.
She was unable to make the trip across for last week’s nail-biter against St Kilda but still tuned in from “first whistle to last” to support her team.
“It was a must win game for us. I think that game helped some of the players find a bit of form,” she said.
Adelaide came out with a one-point victory against St Kilda in a Saturday night thriller, with veteran Taylor Walker winding back the clock with five goals.
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“He stood up when he was needed. But he also was instrumental in going higher up the ground, getting the ball and delivering it into our forward 50 very quickly,” Regan said.
Other standouts from the game were defenders Wayne Milera who amassed 29 disposals and Josh Worrell who had 28 touches and 11 marks.
Despite last week’s thrilling win, Regan remained tentative about tipping Adelaide as the team heads to the Gabba to take on the reigning premiers Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
Adelaide have defeated Brisbane by less than a goal in their last two bouts, with Regan predicting another close bout looms.
“I would love to say we’re coming away with the four points, but I feel that we’re going to be slightly underdone. I think we’re going to have a very, very close loss,” she said.
The fan club leader remained confident about the remainder of the season though, predicting her team could replicate last season’s top four finish.
“We’re building now for a window of premierships for the next four years,” she said.
“If we get our players back, and we don’t get too many more injuries, then I think that we will have a good run into the finals.”
Utility Dan Curtin is set to return to the SANFL this weekend after an extended stint on the sidelines with a dislocated kneecap he suffered in a pre-season training game. Captain Jordan Dawson was also expected to play after missing last week’s game after the tragic loss of his older brother Jaryd.
Star recruit Callum Ah Chee is likely to return in the next two weeks from a hamstring injury, while defenders Mitch Hinge and Mark Keane are both at least one month away from a comeback.
She admits she would like to see her all-time favourite player Andrew McLeod make a shock comeback, saying “he still looks like he could play AFL”.
“He was just the silky, skilled, running machine and just loved the way he went about his business on and off the field,” Regan said.
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Tough game ahead: Port Adelaide’s Ethan Wiseman
Ethan Wiseman has been a Port Adelaide fan his whole life despite constant pressure from his Crows supporter brother to jump ship.
Port Adelaide had a “heartbreaking” loss against Hawthorn last weekend, falling short by three points at Marvel Stadium with Mitch Georgiades missing a crucial set shot in the final moments. But Wiseman was still pleased with the team’s performance against one of the premiership favourites.
“I was very worried heading into the game. I was a bit nervous coming off the back of a pretty woeful game from Port that week before and didn’t think that we were any chance,” the Modbury local said.
“They started slow but seemed to pick up as the game went on and put more pressure on Hawthorn than they expected.”
Midfield duo Zak Butters, who finished with 35 disposals and a goal, and Jason Horne-Francis’ 28 touches and two goals were again among the standout players.
He said it was a “massive honour” to be able to watch Port Adelaide play on ANZAC Day at Adelaide Oval this Saturday against Geelong and said it would give the team more motivation to win.
Geelong has the wood over Port Adelaide in recent years, winning the last three matchups by an average margin of 83 points, including the 2024 qualifying final demolition.
But Wiseman remains quietly confident that his side can do better this time around if defender Aliir Aliir can contain star Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron who booted 10 goals against the Western Bulldogs last Friday.
“Playing Geelong is always a tough game, they’re pretty tough on the ball, and they know how to slow our fast midfield,” he said.
“They’re definitely coming in with a bit of momentum, it will be a tough one, but I think we could come away with the win in a close game.”
Port Adelaide will head into the ANZAC Day clash with an unchanged team, with Wiseman predicting ruckman Jordon Sweet was set for a big game after an impressive start to the season where he averages 28 hitouts and 12 disposals.
“He’s running amuck at the moment. The new ruck rule has worked to his advantage because he’s more agile,” he said.
Port Adelaide currently sit 12th on the AFL ladder with two wins and four losses, but the diehard fan said he will continue to stick by his side.
“I think there’s times where you want to support a different team. But at the heart of it, I love the club and I wouldn’t change it,” he said.
Wiseman will continue his weekly ritual, watching the Power alongside his mum to “spend some quality time together”.
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