Footy Forecast: Your weekly AFL preview from SA’s most diehard fans
In this week’s Forecast, an Adelaide Crows fan admits he is nervous to face an in-form Collingwood side, while a Port Adelaide ‘The Pear’ YouTuber will don his lucky retro jacket for another tough matchup.
‘Always nervous’ against the Pies: Adelaide Crows’ Alexander Hudson
Alexander Hudson has been an Adelaide supporter since he was 12 years old after his “mad crow supporter” parents expanded their memberships for the entire family.
“I was kind of dragged along for the ride for a bit there, where I wasn’t the most enthusiastic Crows supporter to start off with, but I’ve definitely grown into it as I’ve got older,” Hudson said.
Adelaide defeated top four contenders Sydney last Friday night at the SCG by 16 points, in what Hudson described as a “mature performance”.
“It’s one of those games that you don’t really expect them to win, but to be the only team to have gone over to the SCG and beat the Swans this year was impressive,” he said.
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“In the third quarter we didn’t look too flashy. When we didn’t kick a goal, I thought we might be done in there, but they definitely lifted in the fourth.”
Hudson was impressed with the performances of Darcy Fogarty who booted four goals, Luke Nankervis who gathered 21 disposals and a goal, and James Borlase’s defensive efforts in keeping Swans forward Charlie Curnow goalless.
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The Crows will face Collingwood in a Qualifying Final rematch at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, with Hudson saying he is “always nervous when it comes to the Pies”.
Adelaide only recently broke the Collingwood curse late last season after going 10 seasons without a win, and Hudson is hoping for a “comfortable win”.
But Fogarty won’t be on the oval as he serves a three-week suspension for striking, while defender Mark Keane and midfielder Brayden Cook are also missing the clash.
Taylor Walker returns to the forward line, while Nick Murray and Finnbar Maley will also return to the lineup.
“They’re definitely going to have to have someone that can go with Nick Daicos. I think that’s the pretty standard idea when it comes to facing the Magpies,” Hudson said.
“Having Tex come back in is going to be handy, but I think him and Riley Thilthorpe are going to have to be big presences in that forward line to be able to beat them.”
Hudson said his three-month old daughter “doesn’t have a choice in the matter” when it comes to supporting the Crows, having already been gifted several Crows outfits and branded footballs. Unlike Walker’s son who is well-known for donning a Collingwood guernsey.
One of his favourite memories was attending the 2017 Preliminary Final 61-point victory against Geelong at Adelaide Oval.
“It was a shame they weren’t able to back it up the next week, but I would like to be able to experience that feeling again and maybe go forth and get the feeling of winning a Grand Final,” Hudson said.
“One of my best mates is a Brisbane supporter, so I’ve had to look on in the past couple years as he’s been to all the winning Grand Finals.”
‘Emotional ride’: Port Adelaide’s Anthony Alesiani
Port Adelaide fan Anthony Alesiani describes his 22 years of support for Port as an “emotional ride”, from the highs of winning Showdown’s in the dying seconds of the match to losing Grand Finals.
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For the past 10 years, Alesiani has run a YouTube channel called ‘The Pear’ which has since amassed more than 6000 subscribers.
The channel features weekly reviews and analysis of games and has interviewed Port Adelaide greats including former Premiership captain Warren Tredrea and Premiership coach Mark ‘Choco’ Williams.
An injury-riddled Port Adelaide was defeated by the top of the table Fremantle at Adelaide Oval last Saturday, in what Alesiani described as a “marvellous performance”.
“I’ve never walked away from a 28-point loss so happy and so proud of Port,” he said.
“Normally, if we’re losing that type of game by that margin, it would be a bit of a disappointment.
“But considering the stars that were out of the side, it was one of our best performances of the year, with just so much effort, and so much spirit which Josh Carr has instilled in this club since overtaking as coach.”
Joe Richards, who finished with 31 disposals and one goal, was among the team’s best after moving into the midfield in the absence of Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis.
Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines’ 30 disposal and seven clearance performance was also among the best on ground.
“Wines really took it upon himself to get his hands dirty and was really impressive considering the questions about his future and his body,” Alesiani said.
Port Adelaide will have another tough matchup this weekend when they face the in-form Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday.
More Port Adelaide stars are set to miss the match with injury, including Joe Richards who suffered a broken finger requiring surgery and Jack Lukosius who will be sidelined with a baker’s cyst for the next two weeks.
“I don’t remember the last time we won at the Gabba, but I’d back us to still put in a solid effort, and defensively, I think we can cover them really well,” Alesiani said.
Port Adelaide’s defence will have a “big task” to quell the influence of opposition forwards, including Brisbane’s Logan Morris who is averaging almost three goals a game.
“Anything can happen, but I would still expect that if we’re within five goals, I would not be surprised,” Alesiani said.
In Josh Carr’s first season as coach, the Port Adelaide fan has been impressed with the growth of small forward Corey Durdin since being traded from Carlton and defender Josh Lai.
Alesiani admits he was “very superstitious” when he was younger, but now his only good-luck charm is his retro jacket that he wears to each game.
He named former captain Travis Boak as his all-time favourite player, taking the reins from Warren Tredrea who was plastered all over his bedroom wall.
“Boak’s had a really positive impact for me and I just love him. He’s a hell of a man and someone I miss playing,” he said.
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