Wave of business optimism sweeping SA after Crows secure AFL Grand Final berth
A WAVE of optimism sweeping South Australia after the Crows secured a Grand Final berth is predicted to trigger a surge in consumer spending and economic benefits.
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- Crows ready to embrace unfamiliar territory
READ BELOW: So proud but the job’s not done yet
READ BELOW: Hewitt — suck it up and then focus
A WAVE of optimism sweeping South Australia after the Crows secured a Grand Final berth is predicted to trigger a surge in consumer spending and economic benefits.
BankSA chief economist Besa Deda estimated a multimillion-dollar boost to the state economy simply from Adelaide reaching Saturday’s premiership decider.
University studies launched after Adelaide’s flag wins in 1997 and 1998 estimated an injection to the state’s business community of $100 million from each success, with some businesses recording 25 per cent increases in turnover.
Ms Deda said spending would be focused in retail and hospitality, with a flow on to advertising and marketing.
Crows chief executive officer Andrew Fagan said fans could watch the Grand Final at a live site on Adelaide Oval’s southern plaza.
A family day also will be staged on Sunday at the oval, where players and coaches will go straight from the airport regardless of the result. “Our 600,000-plus supporters always turn out in large numbers and loud voice no matter where the team plays and I am sure they will be cheering us on in bars, clubs and lounge rooms across the country,” Mr Fagan said.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the Crows’ success underlined growing optimism in the state.
“There is a growing sense of what is possible in SA,” he said.
“The Crows’ victory gives an SA team the chance to shine on the national stage.
“Let’s hope they go one better this Saturday.”
Federal Defence Industry Minister and Leader of the House Christopher Pyne said Friday night’s preliminary final crowd was the happiest he’d experienced.
“There is no doubt, when the Crows win, the whole state wins,” said Mr Pyne, who is also an Adelaide Football Club ambassador.
“The economic benefits of extending the run from home- and-away to finals are clear — three full stadiums (and) all the economic activity associated with that.”
Business SA chief executive officer Nigel McBride said the combination of the Crows’ success and fine spring weather would trigger an upsurge in consumer spending,
“It’s a huge shot in the arm for morale and confidence at a really good time,” he said.
“There’s a direct link between these kind of outcomes and economic growth and consumer confidence.”
Mr McBride said these trends would be amplified if Adelaide won the premiership on Saturday.
Some Crows’ members (Gold, Legends and Captains Club) are guaranteed Grand Final tickets. Other members will be notified by email by tomorrow if they have been successful in a ballot and their card provided during registration will be charged.
Members who did not register for the ballot will not be able to buy a ticket.
Crows’ players and partners will watch tomorrow’s Brownlow Medal at Adelaide Oval, then hold an open training session there from 9.30am on Wednesday before flying to Melbourne on Thursday.
The club will hold a private post-match function in Melbourne including players, coaches and officials.
SO PROUD BUT THE JOB’S NOT DONE YET
By Rob Chapman
THE atmosphere at Adelaide Oval when the final siren sounded on Friday night was unprecedented and inspiring. It signalled our club’s return to Grand Final day for the first time in nearly two decades, but I will never forget the near-deafening noise of our members and fans cheering.
The record crowd and its reaction reinforced how a wonderful club has evolved over the past 27 years and it’s underpinned by passionate fans.
Thank you to everyone who was lucky enough to snare a ticket to the match but also to the hundreds of thousands who were barracking for us in pubs, clubs and lounge rooms across the country.
Like many other clubs, we have overcome our share of adversity and after the match I was asked dozens of times how I was feeling. I kept coming back to an overwhelming sense of pride.
As chairman, I am proud of the passionate, talented, hardworking and committed staff who strive to improve the club and often go above and beyond.
I have unequivocal trust in this coaching and playing group, as well as the fitness and medical personnel, to deliver when it counts most.
They prepare and perform to an elite standard and are always searching for ways to get better.
The team has delivered so many highlights and brought all of us so much excitement this season but we are not about just making the Grand Final but rather winning on the last Saturday in September.
We enjoyed success earlier this year by claiming the inaugural AFLW title and we are determined to produce another historic achievement in six days’ time. We Fly As One!
HEWITT: SUCK IT UP AND THEN FOCUS
LLEYTON Hewitt, one of our greatest-ever tennis players and Crows fanatic, has urged Adelaide to embrace the hype and savour the moment of playing in a Grand Final before narrowing their focus on the game.
The two-time Grand Slam champion, Davis Cup legend and former world No. 1, was in the Crows rooms to congratulate the players after Friday night’s win.
As an athlete, Hewitt knew all about performing on the big stage and his advice to the Crows this week is to recognise the achievement of making a Grand Final but from today focus on winning it.
“They’ve worked so hard to get this opportunity and you’ve got to embrace it and suck it up,” he said. “But the next couple of days is when you’ve got to start focusing on it.
“To give yourself a chance in a Grand Final is pretty special for these guys and where they’ve come from and how close a team and unit they are. They deserve all of this.”
Hewitt, who is Adelaide’s No. 1 ticketholder, said the team’s leaders stood up against the Cats and the young players grew in confidence. “Obviously it’s such a big occasion for these guys and there are so many young guys there,” he said.
“Our leaders really stood up at the start which is important, and some of our young guys like Charlie Cameron had nights out tonight which is just huge for the club.
“Now they’re there and they’ve really got to enjoy it tonight (Friday) then, the next couple of days, really knuckle down.”
Hewitt was just 16 when Adelaide won its inaugural AFL premiership in 1997 and his professional tennis career was only just beginning when in 1998 he beat Andre Agassi and Jason Stoltenberg to win the ATP tournament at Memorial Drive.
He gets to as many Crows home games as possible but is more often at their away matches where he now lives in Melbourne.
“I try to come over as much as possible but I go to a lot of the away games in Melbourne, so it was nice to come back here and have a pro-Adelaide crowd,” he said.
But there is no doubting where he will be next Saturday afternoon. “I’ll definitely be there,” he said.
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