Footy Forecast: Your weekly AFL preview from SA’s most diehard fans
In this week’s forecast, an Adelaide Crows supporter is hoping to put other finals contenders on notice with a big win, while a diehard Port fan living in enemy territory claims “anything is possible” at the SCG.
‘Thrashing’ on the cards: Adelaide Crows’ Brett Manning
Brett Manning has been a diehard Crows supporter since the early 1990s, with one of his earliest memories being the 1993 Preliminary Final loss.
“I would have been about eight or nine at the time, we sat at the front and I just remember the devastation,” Manning said.
Adelaide had a massive 72-point win against the bottom of the ladder Essendon last Sunday, with multiple star players shining in the match.
Forward Riley Thilthorpe was one of the best on ground after booting five goals from 15 disposals, while midfielder Izak Rankine was a standout with 23 disposals and three goals.
“First quarter and last quarter were good, but we’ve been up and down with our ball use and our decision making at times against a very ordinary team,” Manning said
“All the kids were involved and the two debutants Oscar Ryan and Archie Ludowyke got their goals, so that was very promising.
“Tex Walker’s been great this year even at his age, he’s surprised a lot of people at how well he’s playing with assisting the goals and kicking heaps himself.”
The Crows will face the 17th placed Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night as they look to cement a top four spot heading into the finals.
Last time the two teams met earlier this season, Adelaide won by 37 points as star players including Wayne Milera, Izak Rankine and Jordan Dawson were left to run rampant on the MCG.
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Midfielders Sam Berry, James Peatling, and Rory Laird are all expected to be available to play this weekend after missing recent weeks with injuries.
Manning will be cheering on from the sidelines and is hoping the Crows can win by 100 points or more – and he’s tipping Taylor Walker to be the top performer.
“I’d like to see the boys just show other final teams that we’re a bit of a threat and we’re not just a joke when it comes to playing finals like last year,” he said.
“A nice thrashing would be good this week.”
He said he wasn’t “overly confident” that the Crows could secure the top four finish as they will need to overcome the top of the table Fremantle in the final round of the season.
Despite the lack of confidence for a top four finish, Manning believes the team is stronger this season and is hoping the Crows can get a final win this year after being eliminated in straight sets last year.
“But I’m going to be pretty nervous when it comes to the first first bounce of the first quarter when we play in the finals. Hopefully we at least win one quarter in the finals this year,” he said.
The Adelaide supporters’ favourite memory was watching Crows legend Tony Modra kicking his 100th goal for the season in 1993, and is hoping Taylor Walker can continue on next year as Adelaide’s leading goal scorer.
Manning’s good luck charm is having a “few beers before each game” and watching along in the stands alongside friends and family.
His all-time top player is live wire forward Darren Jarman whose six goal performance was the difference in helping the Crows secure their first ever premiership in 1997.
‘Anything is possible: Port Adelaide’s Tom Hayter
Port Adelaide fan Tom Hayter first started supporting the team when Port first joined the AFL in 1997, jumping ship from his SANFL side Glenelg.
For the past 16 years, Hayter has lived in Sydney and admits it can be “a little challenging” to be a Port supporter in enemy territory.
“We don’t get as many games here as we like. We had a period of 1000 days or something where we didn’t get a game here,” Hayter said.
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“We’ve had a few more recently, which is good and the Canberra games are close enough to drive to as well.”
Port Adelaide was handed a 12-point loss against GWS at Adelaide Oval last Saturday night
“I think we’ve still got a bit of learning with the new game style and Josh Carr coming in to coach this year,” he said.
“We’ve also got a lot of injuries, so there’s a lot of less experienced players coming in.”
Despite the loss, Hayter said it was “not the end of the world” and there were plenty of positives to be taken away from the season so far with young gun Josh Lai catching the eye of fans.
Jason Horne-Francis was again Port Adelaide’s best player, finishing with 29 disposals, seven clearances and one goal, while defender Aliir Aliir gathered 21 disposals and seven marks.
“Hornet’s always a standout and it’s always good to have that kind of player in your side, particularly if we do lose someone like Zak Butters.”
Hayter has promised to “cheer the boys on to get them over the line” when he attends the rare occasion that Port Adelaide play at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
Last time the two teams met, Port Adelaide lost by three points at Adelaide Oval in a thriller.
Even though Sydney is currently sitting second on the ladder and Port Adelaide fifteenth, Hayter said “anything is possible”.
“There’s a lot of heart in this side, and I’m sure the boys will give their all no matter what,” Hayter said.
“I’ve got my ticket, we don’t get to see them as much as we’d like, so any opportunity I get I grab it with both hands.”
One of Hayter’s favourite memories as a Port supporter was the 2018 Showdown when Robbie Gray kicked five goals in a quarter to drag his team to a five-point victory.
“Personally, it was a very special one for me. I lost my grandfather the day before, who was also a big Port supporter,” he said.
“To have that fight back and that win was pretty special, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Hayter said his favourite current player was Zak Butters and admitted it was a difficult decision to pick an all-time favourite amid the likes of Gavin Wanganeen, Robbie Gray and Warren Tredrea.
“Just for the sheer dedication to the club and just putting his body on the line and doing everything he could, it’s hard to go past someone like Travis Boak,” he said.
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