Premier Peter Malinauskas nails it as St Kilda star Jack Higgins’ Adelaide Oval sledge backfires | Michael Mkoka-Nicholson

It’s that time of the year where someone just had to sound off on their disdain for the great state of South Australia on a national stage, writes Michael Mkoka-Nicholson. Have your say.

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Gather round friends, it’s happened again.

And in this instance I’m not referring to the Crows being robbed in the dying stages of an incredible match of footy once more (even though that did happen).

Nor is it about the number of days since a car drove the wrong way down the O-bahn resetting to zero (that also happened).

Like clockwork, it’s that time of the year where someone has sounded off on their disdain for the great state of South Australia on a national stage.

How utterly original and surprising.

So Jack Higgins, a guy from the team who hasn’t won a flag since 1966 knocks off an underwhelming Port Power at the Crowval and uses his 15 seconds with the incomparable footy legend Erin Phillips to shit-can Adelaide.

Cue the raucous laughter.

St Kilda player Jack Higgins says he doesn't like Adelaide. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Jack Higgins of the Saints during his team’s victory over Port on Sunday. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

What has actually been fascinating to watch in the aftermath is how the response has mostly been measured, mature and a resounding backing in of the city of Adelaide from locals and visitors alike.

The premier’s response had me clapping from my couch.

“There used to be a time when we would get defensive and uppity about these sorts of comments but I think we’ve moved beyond that,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“In South Australia I think people feel really comfortable about the fact we’ve got pride in our state, and we’ve got lots to offer and we know that more and more people are coming over to enjoy it.”

Hear hear.

Know another place better than St Kilda? Tell us in the comments

Everyone is entitled to their opinion so go on, tell us you don’t like Adelaide. Even if it was said tongue in cheek.

But for the love of FUIC, please don’t use this clown’s obvious rage bait comments to give him even a sniff of a free Fleurieu wine experience or a heart stopping shark encounter at Port Lincoln.

We’re better than that and to be honest, I don’t reckon our tourism numbers are going to be made or broken by an immature St Kilda player’s silly little words.

For the record, these footballers get paid a handsome sum to play a game they love, in front of adoring fans around Australia where the red carpet is often rolled out for them.

They travel for free, see parts of the country for free and often get to experience their new surrounds for free.

In a cost of living crisis, I reckon you could just front up to the media and say “thanks for having us’.

And on the off chance you still want to tell South Aussies they should learn to take a joke, let’s not forget the entire city of Melbourne had a meltdown when an Australian Open tennis player dared to question the quality of the local coffee on offer.

We take jokes. We’ve been the butt of jokes for decades. It’s a South Australian tradition to have ignorant eastern staters take the piss.

In the words of the King of Adelaide Darcy Fogarty, “If he doesn’t like it, then I reckon he can bugger off pretty quick”.

So Jack, don’t let the pie floaters hit you on the way out champ and I hope like hell you’re not getting a single Coopers on the house.

Happy Gather Round all!