Brodie Martin and Jared Petrenko face off in SANFL Grand Final
BRODIE Martin and Jared Petrenko developed their craft as teammates but today they face off as opponents.
STURT’S Brodie Martin and Woodville-West Torrens’ Jared Petrenko developed their craft as teammates at the Adelaide Crows.
Today, they will meet as opponents in the quest to secure the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership trophy in the SANFL grand final at Adelaide Oval. And both say they are just as passionate to have success with their suburban clubs as they did in the AFL.
Petrenko suggested there could be even more at stake because of the emotion of those involved at a level where it is more about the love of the game than corporate dollars.
“There’s a genuine passion from everyone who’s involved in the SANFL from week to week,” he said. “You can get more of a personal experience with being closer and more involved with the club.
“It’s more of a club feel, if that makes sense.
“The AFL is more of a big business. In terms of playing, it’s the club feeling and the enjoyment of it that stands out.”
It will be Martin’s first grand final for Sturt, which has had a revival under the coaching of former Crows and Sydney Swans star Marty Mattner.
He said the Double Blues had tried to stick to their trusted routine as they prepared for the big day.
“It’s obviously been exciting but we’ve kept it as business as usual, pretty contained,” Martin said. “The intensity of football has gone to a new level, especially against the Crows last weekend.
“We expect the same this week. The SANFL is still not quite as quick (as the AFL) but playing in a finals series and a grand final ... there’s nothing that quite galvanises a team more than having success or coming close to tasting success.
“The people we go to this game with, we’re going to have a bond that sticks for a long time.”
Neither Martin nor Petrenko was fussed about playing against each other.
“Neither of us will take a backward step with that carrot dangling in front of us,” Martin said. “If we were to win I’d feel bad for Jared briefly but I think the success would probably override that. Unfortunately, only one of us can get it.”
Petrenko saw it as a positive rather than a negative to face up against the people he got to know at West Lakes. It will add another layer of intrigue to today’s match.
“I really enjoy coming up against them (old teammates),” he said. “Footy is all about fun and I guess playing against players you know, I enjoy it. Coming up against (former Crows) Aidan Riley, Brodie Martin, Jack Osborn and James Battersby ... I spent at least a year with those boys and it should be fun.”
Petrenko is confident the Eagles, who also made it to the grand final last year, are better prepared this year.
SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson is hopeful of a bigger crowd than at last year’s final, between West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.
“After attracting more than 25,000 in 2015 we are hoping to equal or better that,” he said.
“Both teams have strong followings so it’d be great to see all fans come along and enjoy a great day out.”
THE GALS WHO ARE CHEERING THEM ON
CHEERLEADERS are the not-so-secret weapons who can make a difference when
it comes to getting their teams across the line – especially in the heat of battle.
‘’They are dedicated to their performance and committed to their clubs,” SANFL general manager of football Adam Kelly said. “This is obvious through the passion and enjoyment they bring.”
Nine of the 10 SANFL teams now have cheerleader squads, and both the Sturt Bluebirds and Woodville-West Torrens Eaglettes have worked out new routines
to inspire their sides in today’s grand final.
“This is my fourth year,” said Bluebirds assistant coach Sarah Blackborough, 29,
of Littlehampton.
“I’m a big football supporter anyway, so I just wanted to try to get in there a bit more, encouraging the boys.”
Woodville-West Torrens cheerleader Danielle Ryan, 26, of Golden Grove, has
also been part of her team’s squad for the past four seasons.
“I’ve always enjoyed dancing, and cheerleading seemed like a really fun idea
– and I’m also a fan of the Eagles football club,” Ms Ryan said.