Crows supporters come together as one at Adelaide Oval to welcome dejected players home after Grand Final loss
THE morning’s grey skies cleared to a beautiful sunny day, but nothing could brighten the heavy hearts of thousands of the Crows faithful who came together at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
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THE morning’s grey skies cleared to a sunny day, but nothing could brighten the heavy hearts of the Crows faithful who gathered at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Young and old, about 3500 fans attended the free Family Fun Day to mourn the disappointment of Saturday’s Grand Final loss to Richmond.
Among them, there was plenty of talk about resilience and learning experiences and the fact that this club has come back from heartbreak time and time again.
Some supporters laid out their picnic rugs on the hallowed Adelaide Oval turf. Others kicked footballs around, or lined up for selfies with upbeat Crows mascot Claude.
Others sat in the nearby stands discussing how it all went wrong, like lifelong best friends Glenys Bowden and Gwen Petherick who were in Melbourne to see the game and sat at the MCG as part of the Crows Supporters Group behind the goals.
“We’re here at the family day to keep supporting the players,” Gwen said.
Glenys agreed: “I wouldn’t not come here today; I’m not a bad loser.”
Gwen’s sister, Dianne Ryan, said the Crows were the better team all year and in the lead-up to the big game she had become upset with the Richmond-centric coverage.
“But (the Crows) gave us so much joy and excitement and there is so much talent; they will be back,” she said.
Another fan in the stands was nine-year-old Jethro Cox, who couldn’t stop his tears as he slumped alone in a seat. His grandfather, Kym Wilkins, said Jethro had watched the game with his cousins and was very upset after the loss.
“And it was a devastating loss,” he said. “(The Crows) just weren’t there … Richmond put immense pressure on us.”
Jayden Hearne, 10, from Murray Bridge, spent Saturday afternoon in tears, but smiled yesterday as he posed alongside the Crows mascot.
“We just didn’t kick straight enough,” he mused.
Jayden’s mother, Sarah Brooks, said the family was determined to make the drive from Murray Bridge because win or lose, you’ve got to stick with your team.
“You don’t stop supporting your team just because they lose,” she said.
The family was unfazed by the 90-minute delay of seeing the Crows take the stage after their flight was delayed leaving Melbourne due to a Virgin ticketing glitch.
At Adelaide Airport, a small group of loyal supporters was waiting in the terminal when the team and their families stepped off the plane.
Among them were Scott and Jennifer Harris, who brought son Kurtis, 6, to show support for their team.
“It is sad. They’d be feeling pretty rough,” Mr Harris said. “We just hope they can recover well and get back on track.”
Mr Harris said the relatively empty airport was a different scene from the “packed” terminal he visited when the Crows returned home as AFL Premiers in 1997 and 1998.
Leading his team from the gate to waiting buses, Crows captain Taylor Walker was humble about the loss.
“That’s footy ... there’s got to be a winner and there’s got to be a loser,” he said. “We’ve got the most passionate and loyal fans going around so we were pretty lucky to have so many people (at the MCG). We’ll get (to Adelaide Oval) and put a smile on our face.”
Waiting for the team at Adelaide Oval, the wait didn’t faze Shannon Dobbin, 29, who brought along her 14-month-old son, Finn. Shannon was 10 when the Crows were last in a Grand Final, but was thrilled her son had already seen his first.
“I am pretty devastated, but I’m sure it doesn’t compare with how the players are feeling,” she said.
When the Crows players finally arrived on stage at 4.30pm to rousing applause, Walker praised what he called the most loyal fans in the AFL, but lamented his own performance.
“(But) the sun came up today and we’re still breathing … this (event) puts a smile on the boys’ faces,” he said.
“We’re such a resilient group and we continue to grow and grow ... it will hold us in good stead for season 2018.”
Crows chairman Rob Chapman said he didn’t know the right words to describe the disappointing loss, but he was proud of both the coaching staff and players.
Brandon Williss, 20, from Renmark, was not only devastated about the loss — he also lost a bet with a mate and had to shear his hair in the now-famous “Dusty Martin” style.
“I lost the bet and went straight to the barber,” he said.
There was also discussion among saddened fans about whether there exists a Victorian bias that makes it even harder for non-Victorian clubs to win the premiership, with the Grand Final only played at the MCG.
Premier Jay Weatherill arrived as the Oval gates were opening, and said it would certainly be fairer for the Grand Final to be played at other stadiums besides the MCG.
“But I can’t think the AFL would ever tumble to that,” he said. “There’s a premiership team in this team … and when (supporters) reflect on it, they should be proud of what their club has achieved.”
As one fan mused to another in the line-up for players’ autographs: Perhaps the 2017 season was always meant to be about the victorious Crows’ women’s side.
“This year is about the girls and next year can be about the boys,” she said to her friend.
Of course. There’s always the next year, the next season, the next fairytale.
Surely that’s one of the best things about sport.
