Brad Crabb to play 200th league game for South Adelaide in clash against Glenelg

It has been a lengthy journey for South Adelaide defender Brad Crabb, but the club favourite will finally achieve an outstanding milestone against Glenelg on Saturday.

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South Adelaide defender Brad Crabb faced the daunting challenge of standing former gun Central District attacking weapon Daniel Havelberg at his league debut way back in 2007.

Havelberg was coming off an incredible 14-goal haul against Norwood. Crabb kept him to just two goals and was named in the Panthers’ best in a satisfying start to his league career.

The drive to Elizabeth was symbolic of the journey Crabb had travelled to rise to the top grade at the Panthers and make his mark on the SANFL.

South's Jake Summerton and Port's Peter Ladhams getting pulled off by South's Bradley Crabb in last week’s SANFL match at Alberton. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Each Friday afternoon, Crabb would drive from the bottom of Kangaroo Island to catch the “boat” to Jervis Bay and then complete the drive to Adelaide to play under age football for the Panthers.

It was not until his final year in the under 19s that Crabb, who played in the A grade premiership with Western District when 16, moved to Adelaide and his football life became a little easier.

Then there were the two and half years in the reserves before he got that opportunity to guard Havelberg.

“It was a weird time,” said Crabb, who will make his 200th appearance when the Panthers take on Glenelg at the Bay on Saturday.

“I played 50 odd games in the reserves and then there was a coaching change with Robert Pyman leaving and Gary Cameron coming in as caretaker.

“I got that game at Elizabeth and I was a bit nervous after Havelberg kicked the 14 the week before. The Gowans (Chris and James) were running around abusing me.”

Congratulations to club stalwart Brad Crabb who plays game number 200 tomorrow against the Bays 🙌 Go well and all the best Crabby ❤ 🦀 👑 #Crabb200 #SouthProud https://t.co/2EI309z37V

— South Adelaide FC (@southadelaidefc) April 12, 2019

They were dark days for the Panthers and Crabb recalls having four coaches over a 12-month period with Jack Cahill taking over from Cameron for “six or seven games” and then Clay Sampson getting the job.

“Joel Cross, Nick Liddle and myself look back and it wasn’t easy back then,” Crabb said. “But now we have got the standards right.

“To play 200 games is a pretty big achievement I guess, not many from South Adelaide have done it, or Kangaroo Island, so it should be an exciting day.”

Crabb is likely to have the job attempting to quell Tigers’ forward Liam McBean, coming off a nine-goal bag against Adelaide last Friday night, or Josh Scott.

The 32-year old described his pre-season as “good” and has been pleased with his form in the first two games.

“The body is holding up and the coach (Jarrad Wright) has been pretty happy,” Crabb said.