Enzo Cornejo comes face-to-face with his Adelaide Crows heroes

Enzo Cornejo has a rare genetic disease, but that didn’t slow his efforts to get all of his beloved Crows players signed up when his big chance came.

Enzo Cornejo, Joshua Rachele and Taylor Walker. Picture: Dean Martin

Enzo Cornejo was doing the numbers after his chat with Adelaide legend Taylor Walker.

The 11-year-old Enzo had just handed out his business cards for his YouTube channel EnzoCubeHead and the former Adelaide captain was promising to pass them on to his teammates in the locker room, although the 32-year-old Walker joked he would have to learn what YouTube was first. Enzo told him he was hoping the new subscribers would take him through the 500 mark.

“I think there’s 43 of them (Adelaide players) so I’m going to earn 43 in an hour,’’ an excited Enzo said.

Enzo and seven of his friends from St Mary’s Memorial School at Glenelg – Daniel, Brodie, Rachel, Oisin, Ashton, Josh and Lewis – were guests of the Adelaide Crows Foundation on Wednesday, and hoovered up autographs and pictures, kicked goals on the oval while the Crows’ trained nearby and were able to meet many of their heroes.

Enzo Cornejo attended Crows training at the Club where he had a chance to meet the AFL team and have a kick of the footy with them. Two of his favourite players, Joshua Rachele and Taylor Walker spent some extra time with the youngster. Picture: Dean Martin

Enzo Cornejo chats with Sam Berry and Taylor Walker. Picture: Dean Martin

Adelaide head of football Adam Kelly invited Enzo down after reading about the Crows-mad youngster in The Advertiser’s SA Weekend magazine last year. SA Weekend featured pictures of Enzo in his Crows’ jumper and told the story of how he had been diagnosed with the rare condition progeria – the disease of premature and rapid ageing. It is believed Enzo is the only child in Australia with progeria.

“What we love about Enzo is his attitude,’’ Kelly said. He talks a lot about kindness and happiness and embracing everyone’s difference. “For our players to learn from someone who’s got that sort of approach to life, I think it’s a real advantage for us to.’’

Kelly gave Enzo and his friends an insight into all aspects of Crows’ life. There was a tour of the gym and The Shed, the coach’s office, the changeroom and Enzo was even in the control room toggling the cameras which were filming training.

Enzo Cornejo and Jordon Butts. Picture: Dean Martin

Enzo Cornejo poses for a team photo. Picture: Dean Martin

“It’d be interesting to see how the coaches analyse the session after Enzo’s influence on some of the camera angles,’’ Kelly laughed afterwards.

A boy full of life, full of enthusiasm, Enzo threw himself into the day. His favourite bits were mucking around in the gym, including laying into a punching bag, and lists his favourite players as Walker, Rory Sloane, Patrick Parnell and Josh Rachele.

Rachele organised for all the Crows to sign a new jumper for Enzo.

Enzo Cornejo with friends Lewis, Ashton, Rachel and Daniel, and Josh, Oisin, Enzo and Brodie. Picture: Dean Martin

Enzo Cornejo has a kick. Picture: Dean Martin

Enzo Cornejo shows off his signed guernsey. Picture: Dean Martin

“Just to see the excitement on his face and just kind of just show that any kind of genetic disorder doesn’t stop him having fun and smiling around and just to see his happiness, I think that’s what makes our job so good at times because we don’t just play to have fun but to help others in the community,’’ Rachele said.

As for Enzo, he is optimistic, after watching the team train, that the Crows are ready for a big year.

“They need to win this, they need to win the 2023 tournament, they will need to absolutely win, I would like them to be big and buff so they can win,’’ he said.