SA footy legends Greg Anderson and John Platten share stories before 2021 state game live stream

They’re SA footy royalty and want nothing more than to see the Croweaters beat WA. Take a trip down memory lane ahead of our live stream of this weekend’s clash.

They hated each other for most of the footy season but when Greg Anderson, John Platten and Garry McIntosh pulled on an SA guernsey, a friendship grew because of a common goal.

That goal was to earn South Australia the title of the best football state.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SA V WA LIVE STREAM FROM 3.35PM SATURDAY

Anderson and McIntosh played for the Croweaters 12 times, while Platten donned the state guernsey during a whopping 17 representative games.

The trio spoke ahead of The Advertiser and The Messenger’s live stream of this year’s state game between SA and WA on Saturday.

The Advertiser website will be the only place to watch the highly-anticipated interstate clash, with our live stream kicking off at 3.35pm on advertiser.com.au.

Former SA footballers John Platten and Greg Anderson. John Platten is wearing an old jumper with Greg holding Saturday’s version. Picture: Mike Burton

Anderson, who played 150 SANFL games for Port Adelaide and won the 1986 Magarey Medal, said there was nothing quite like representing SA.

“As a kid I knew getting to play state footy was sort of the pinnacle, really,” the SA Football Hall of Fame member said.

“My dad took me to a couple of the games and it was just incredible.

“I went from booing all these players because they were playing against Port Adelaide to all of a sudden cheering for them.

“It really brought the state alive and it was such a great honour to represent South Australia.

“It brought the football community together because we always wanted to make sure we were the best state.

“Stephen Kernahan was such a great player so him and John Platten, I really admired as players and opponents so to play with those guys was something special.”

Anderson also enjoyed a solid AFL career, lining up in 103 matches with Essendon (1988-92) and 59 games with the Adelaide Crows (1993-96).

The now 54-year-old said the 1984 clash against Victoria is one he holds close to his heart but also one against WA when SA went in as underdogs.

Anderson also cherishes the 1993 match, in which he won the Fos Williams Medal for best on ground.

“(In 1984) Stephen Kernahan kicked 10 goals that game and it was a complete sellout, it was quite amazing running out,” Anderson said.

Footballers John Platten, Greg Anderson, Craig Bradley, Neil Craig, Chris McDermott and Tony McGuinness with fellow teammates celebrating after a victory against Victoria in 1986. Picture: Stuart Hannagan)

“All the players were late because no one expected the crowd to be as big as at it was.

“Then I won the State of Origin medal against WA and that was fantastic.

“But I can’t take away from the 1985 game (against WA) and all the papers were saying it was the greatest WA side of all time and they were absolutely going to smash SA.

“I was only a young kid thinking ‘well we have Craig Bradley in the side, Gary McIntosh, Andrew Jatman, Stephen Kernahan, what are they talking about?’

“We were fantastic and Malcolm Blight played in that side, too, so it was a real star studded side.

“We came out and won that at Subiaco by six or seven goals and that was a fantastic win.”

Platten is a Central District legend, having played 113 games and kicked 259 goals for the Bulldogs (1981–1985, 1998).

The 1984 Magarey Medallist said it was an honour to put on the state colours and hold the record for the most amount of games played for SA.

“Growing up and being South Australian, you always wanted to play at the highest level, so it was a bit of a goal of mine to play state football,” Platten, who also won an AFL Brownlow Medal while playing for Hawthorn in 1987, said.

“To play 17 State of Origins is certainly a pleasure and an honour to put the red, gold and blue jumper on.

SA State squad team portrait 1991 (Back, L-R): Tony Francis, Craig Bradley, Todd Viney, Bruce Abernethy, Greg Anderson, Simon Tregenza, Gilbert McAdam, Scott Russell, Darren Jarman. (Centre, L-R): head trainer Alan Brown, David Kernahan, Rodney Maynard, Darren Smith, Mark Mickan, Danny Hughes, Martin Leslie, Andrew Rogers, fitness co-ordinator David Arnfield, property steward Murray Cooper. (Front L-R): doctor Malcolm Kerr-Grant, chairman of selectors David Boyd, John Platten, captain Chris McDermott, coach John Cahill, vice-captain Stephen Kernahan, Tony McGuinness, Grant Fielke, team manager Murray Tippett and selector Barrie Robran. Absent from the team photograph were David Hynes, Michael Redden and runner Alan Gill.

“I remember the nights here in Adelaide at Footy Park with 50,000 people coming to the ground and they were awesome.

“South Australian people love their football and love coming to watch the state games.

“It was a bit strange playing alongside guys who were my opponents but once you put that (SA) jumper on, you were representing the state and that’s what you played for.

“We became really good mates.

“We went out to try and be the best state in football.”

Platten said the broadcast of the game on advertiser.com.au was a fantastic idea and hoped all footy fans would get behind it.

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“To those who are playing this weekend, just enjoy it, it’s another feather in their cap, it’s a goal which most blokes try and achieve at the start of the year,” Platten said.

“Some champion blokes have worn the jumper over the years, so enjoy the moment, take it all in and hopefully come out with a win.

“Credit to The Advertiser for putting it online, it’s a fantastic thing to do.”

Norwood great McIntosh said he also enjoyed his time in the state colours.

“Representing your state is a nice thing to do and to play against others from the other states was a good challenge,” McIntosh said.

“Once you pull the jumper on, you’re there to play for each other.”

This year’s state team will be coached by Eagles mentor Jade Sheedy.

It will be played as a curtain-raiser to Saturday’s 7.10pm AFL blockbuster between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.