The Crows and Port went to battle in the AFL, now it is time for the reserves in the SANFL
Port Pirie could be getting an early glimpse of the SANFL grand final this weekend, as the Power and Crows battle in the state league Showdown.
Could Port Pirie be getting an early glimpse of the SANFL grand final?
It was the AFL Showdown last week at Adelaide Oval, on Saturday it is the SANFL’s turn for the bitter rivals to go head to head when Adelaide and Port’s state teams headline a massive weekend of footy at the newly upgraded Port Pirie Oval.
For Port Pirie boy Sam Mayes, it will be the second homecoming this year following the Crows and Power going north for the JLT pre-season series.
“It will be good to again go back to the home town and play a game,” the defender who returned to SA last year after over 100 games at Brisbane.
“The Crows are flying at the moment so it will be a good challenge for our side in a tough game.”
After finishing bottom and second-last respectively last season the two AFL clubs reserves sides are in red hot form this season, the Crows leading the table with only one loss while the Magpies have won their last four to be three-points behind second-placed Glenelg.
Shane McAdam spent last year at Sturt, watching the Crows and Magpies struggle.
Now at the high-flying Crows, the 24-year-old said both sides could make a serious impact in SANFL finals.
“That would be good wouldn’t it (if the Crows and Magpies clashed in the grand final),” he said with a smile.
“I don’t know if there would be too many other people in the competition who would like that though.
“There is a really great feeling at the club... all the boys really buy into what the coaches have to say so there has been a really good vibe around the club.”
On top of the SANFL Showdown Port Pirie will also host the Country Football Championships this weekend as the $24 million redevelopment welcomes male and female teams from six regional areas battling for representative pride.
This weekend is also SANFL’s indigenous Round, with the clubs donning their respective indigenous guernseys.
Adelaide’s jumper was designed by Crows legend Andrew McLeod and his brother Jonathan.
Hailing from Halls Creek, a remote town in WA’s East Kimberley Region, McAdam was excited about the prospect of donning the special guernseys.
“I love it, it’s really good for us indigenous boys to have stuff like this,” he said.
The Magpies’ guernsey was designed by Port midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper.