Showdown 52: Nash Holmes to run out with the Crows

Little Nash Holmes has an extra special relationship with his beloved Crows – and on Saturday, he’s going to have the experience of a lifetime.

Todd Lewis, Shashi Baltutis, Antimo Iannella, Eva Blandis and Cathy Davis

7 min read

March 31, 2023 - 5:50PM

Footy fans across the state are looking forward to Showdown 53 at Adelaide Oval, but perhaps none more so than seven-year-old Crows diehard Nash Holmes.

Nash, who has autism spectrum disorder and generalised anxiety, will run on to the field with his heroes before the siren as a part of the Crows Foundation’s Inclusive Academy, supported by Variety.

“The second we told him, he was excited and he’s ready to get out there,” Nash’s mum Brooke said.

The Inclusive Academy provides young people with a disability the opportunity to learn new skills and make friends in a supportive environment under the guidance of Crows players.

The academy was the perfect opportunity to bring Nash out of his shell, Brooke said.

“We were looking at ways to bring out his confidence a bit more,” she said.

Seven-year-old Crows fan Nash Holmes with Crows Wayne Milera, Tom Doedee and Brodie Smith. Picture: Mark Brake

This gave the seven-year-old the opportunity to meet the stars he had only seen while watching TV with his dad Steve at their Oakden home.

“The players are just kind people and, going down to see them, he gets on well with them,” she said.

Meeting the players produced a massive smile on his face.

His favourite player is Tom Doedee, who makes sure to greet Nash whenever he sees him.
“As soon as Tom saw Nash, he said ‘how are you going?’,” Brooke said.

The Showdown will be Nash’s first time watching a game in the stadium.

“This will be his first game going but hopefully after this we can go regularly,” she said.

Ahead of his appearance on the field at the big game, Nash was excited.

“I can’t believe it, mum and I might be on TV,” he said.

Why this little fighter was given the Showdown’s biggest job

Diagnosed with a rare condition at birth, five-year-old Mackayla Grigg was never supposed walk or talk.

Suffering multiple seizures during 2022, Mackayla was left in a critical condition, fighting for her life.

It was just another battle she had to face after being born with duodenal stenosis, brain malformation, global development delay and right exotropia with nystagmus.

But fight she did. With the help of medical experts and the team at Variety, she received the critical treatment and support she needed to survive and recover.

Now, against all odds, the inspiring youngster will live out a childhood dream on Saturday night when she runs out on to Adelaide Oval alongside Charlie Dixon and the Port Adelaide team.

Variety donor recipient Mackayla Grigg with Charlie Dixon at Alberton Oval. Picture: Supplied

Holding back tears, her father David Grigg said his daughter never gives up.

“She just bounces back all the time,” he said.

“There’s little tasks all the time for her that are easy for a kid without special needs, but for her they are a challenge. But she just pushes herself to do it.”

Mr Grigg said Mackayla’s relationship with her sister Elaine Grigg – who is on the radar to be drafted to the AFLW – has helped shape her love for football.

“She got to run out with her sister Elaine at an SANFL game the other week and both me and my wife Christine just sat there with tears in our eyes.”

He said football had changed Mackayla’s life.

“It’s made her walk, it’s given her the use of her other hand,” he said.

“She’s the biggest supporter of Elaine, she just sits on the sidelines yelling, ‘go Elaine’.”

Mackayla will play a major role in the Showdown, where she will present the match ball and the trophy to the winning team.

Footballer Elaine Grigg with her sister Mackayla and the Showdown Shield at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Mr Grigg said he was blown away by the opportunity.

“It’s just been the most incredible week,” he said.

“We got to go out to Port Adelaide and Charlie Dixon came out and what a champion bloke he is. He just gave her so much time.”

But even bigger than the gift of football, was the generosity and assistance from Variety.

Daily exercise in water was a central part of Mackayla’s recovery, so at the end of 2022 the team at Variety arranged for a magnesium pool to be installed at her home.

Mr Grigg said the support they had received from the charity was overwhelming.

“Getting the pool was such an emotional experience because when you mention Variety, people will just become so generous and so giving,” he said.

“I just want to thank them from the bottom of my heart – the experience that we’ve had with Variety has been nothing short of incredible.”

He said it would be an emotional weekend, but one their family would never forget.

“We’ll be there cheering on the Power with close friends, but most of all, we’ll be cheering on Mackayla.”

Port star Charlie Dixon, David Grigg, Mackayla and Variety CEO Mark McGill at Alberton Oval. Picture: Supplied

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Best pubs in Adelaide to watch the Showdown

The Showdown is the biggest game of the year for many South Australian footy fans and a packed crowd is expected to fill Adelaide Oval but outside the grounds there is still plenty of opportunity to capture magic of the match.

Fans who can’t find a seat at Adelaide Oval for Saturday’s Round 3 AFL Showdown need not worry, because plenty of venues are showcasing the blockbuster event on the big screens.

These venues will provide the atmosphere of a crowd and even meal and drinks deals while Crows and Power diehards soak in the spectacle.

Here’s our list of ten Adelaide pubs and bars that will keep you well fed and offer drinks as fans cheer on their team.

5TH QUARTER

Beach Rd, Noarlunga Centre

The recently opened 5th Quarter at the Colonnades Tavern on Beach Rd in Noarlunga Centre makes the game event outside of the stadium or watching at home.

“5th Quarter is our twist on the classic all-American sports bar experience and recently opened last year at the Colonnades Tavern,” RD Jones Group operations director Luke Donaldson said.

“You won’t miss a minute of the Showdown on our 14 huge screens.”

They will offer happy hour drinks from siren-to-siren and a $15 pint and wings deal.

Alex Huynh and Astrid Samuelsberg at the 5th Quarter Bar at Colonnades Tavern, ready for the Showdown. Picture: Mark Brake

WALKERS ARMS HOTEL

36 North East Rd, Walkerville

The Walkers Arms is hosting the game on their beer garden screen from 7pm with meal and drink deals from siren-to-siren.

Fans can enjoy $7 selected pints, base spirits and $15 pizzas.

THE ALMA TAVERN

66 Magill Rd, Norwood

Right from the first bounce, the Alma will be giving fans a lively experience for the first Showdown of the year.

THE GOODY

75 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood

The Goody will show the Showdown to fans on their big screen that and it will be turned up “live and loud”.

For the duration of the game they will be offering pints of pale ale for $7.50.

BEACH HOTEL SEAFORD

Commercial Rd and Griffiths Dr, Seaford

The Beach Hotel will be rocking with fans turning up for the game and the big screen on for all comers.

THE RAMSGATE HOTEL

328 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach

The Ramsgate is offering a drinks package for patrons watching the big game.

For $40 the hotel is offering a selection of drinks including Carlton Draught, Great Northern, their house red and white and soft drinks.

THE ARKABA HOTEL

150 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton

The Arkaba is looking to create a great atmosphere for footy lovers with a range of drinks specials throughout the event.

THE MOSELEY BAR AND KITCHEN

11 Moseley Sq, Glenelg

The Moseley is showing the Showdown across multiple screens for Power and Crows fans to watch.

THE DISTRICT AT SKYCITY ADELAIDE

125 North Terrace, Adelaide

The District has a 16m wall of screens for fans to take in every moment of the action-packed game.

Throughout Saturday they will have $1 wings on offer and patrons who book a table of eight or more are provided with two complimentary jugs of beer or wine.

THE HIGHWAY

290 Anzac Highway, Plympton

The Highway will have their big screen on for the game in their beer garden.

Full credit to the good boys! Showdown stars’ biggest fans

While thousands of fans gather at Adelaide Oval this Saturday night to cheer on their respective teams, the player’s real fans will be watching at home.

South Australian football stars love to spend time with their biggest furry fans when not killing it on the football field.

Renowned Port player Ollie Wines owns Billie, an English Cocker Spaniel and Bowie, a Springer Spaniel.

Crows player Tom Doedee with his dog Lenny. Picture: Instagram

Port Adelaide player Scott Lycett's dog Kevin. Picture: Instagram

Mr Wines said despite efforts to get the dogs to run with him at the local oval, they run off and do their own thing.

“They won’t run with me around the boundary, they’ll just sort of go into the middle and Billie will just run smaller circles,” he said.

Fellow player Scott Lycett has had four-year old Kevin since he was born.

The purebred black Labrador enjoys running with Mr Lycett during his off-season – but during the season he sometimes causes trouble.

“Kevin’s favourite chew toy is his bed, I think I’ve gone through close to a dozen,” he said.

“There was a time where I was going to the club pretty much every day and the boys were asking me ‘what’s Kevin broken this time’.”

Sam Powell-Pepper is the proud owner of 8-year-old Abel, a rotty cross staffy who he’s had for about eight years.

“He’s a good boy,” he said.

Port Adelaide Player Sam Powell-Pepper with his dog Abel. Picture: Instagram

Crows player Lachlan Murphy with his dog Johnny. Picture: Instagram

Mr Powell-Pepper said, as well as being a companion, Abel provides a much-needed cleaning service.

“We leave Abel outside while we eat, and when we open the door, bang, he just cleans up all of Frankie’s mess,” he said.

Port Adelaide players Ollie Wines, with Billie and Bowie and Scott Lycett with Kevin. Picture: PAFC

Crows players are also huge fans of their furry friends – with Lachlan Murphy labelling his 4-year-old Staffy x Kelpie his best friend.

“No matter how the weekend’s result goes or how I’ve performed, coming home and seeing him after a couple hours, he acts like he has won the lottery every time,” he said.

“It certainly lifts my spirits.”

Fellow Crows player Tom Doedee is the proud owner of a 10 month old Groodle named Lenny.

The social and goofy dog enjoys his trips to ovals and chasing after other dogs or people no matter how far away they are.

“We love the little gremlin regardless,” he said.