Popularity of the Adelaide Crows’ new cult hero Sally Perkins is almost bigger than Tex’s

THERE’S a new Tex in town and she’s proving to be the unexpected face of a women’s football boom in Adelaide.

THERE’S a new Tex in town and she’s proving to be the unexpected face of a women’s football boom in Adelaide.

In just two weeks, Sarah Perkins has shot from unknown Victorian to cult hero of Adelaide’s women’s team. And she got a new nickname because of comparisons with Crows full forward Taylor Walker – and possibly because she shares her surname with a popular Australian singer.

As Crows fans prepare to get their footy fix by cheering on the women’s team against Carlton at Thebarton Oval today, they’re in no doubt that two Texs are bigger and better than one.

After they exchanged the introductory “follow” on social media last week, Perkins finally got to meet Walker at training on Monday.

Sarah Perkins (with Kellie Gibson, left) celebrates with Crows fans during the 2017 Round 2 AFLW match against the Western Bulldogs. Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

“We had a little bit of a chat and it was good to see him around because he’s obviously a very busy man,” Perkins said.

“He kind of screamed out ‘Tex’ from the top of his lungs and it was quite funny because the team was walking around and he called someone else Tex. So I don’t think he has a problem with sharing his nickname.”

The Crows’ first game against GWS a fortnight ago drew just under 10,000 people to Thebarton Oval and 5000-7000 are expected today to see them play the Blues, who are also unbeaten in two matches so far.

The popularity of the first game caught Adelaide’s merchandise department off guard as they sold out of adults and kids guernseys, forcing them to restock before today. “Women’s football is proving immensely popular across every metric, whether that be television ratings, crowds or merchandise sales,” Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan said.

“We had to contact the AFL’s official apparel supplier asking for more stock to be delivered as a matter of urgency, and we are expecting there to be high demand again at this weekend’s match.”

Perkins, 23, said the team was riding the wave of support and, at 2-0, Adelaide could not have asked for a better start to the inaugural AFLW season.

“I honestly think I’m still dreaming from three weeks ago when the competition was still a week away,” Perkins said.

“There are plenty of times when you have to pinch yourself, but we have to realise there are only five weeks left and it’s going to go pretty quickly.”

Perkins has kicked three goals in Adelaide’s two games and her colourful celebrations have matched the 40m bombs she’s sent sailing over the goal umpire’s head.

COME ON: An emotional Sarah Perkins after kicking her second goal against the Dogs.

The vice-captain of Adelaide’s men’s team and its reigning best-and-fairest winner Rory Sloane said there was an even better vibe at West Lakes with the emergence of the women’s team.

“I’ve watched both games and the passion they bring – there might not be many goals scored but when they do you can see it genuinely means so much to them,” Sloane said.

“That’s the best thing about it – these girls are playing for the love of the game. I popped in midweek after their first win and you could just feel such good vibes and positive energy from them. It was really cool to see.”

Talia Radan, Sarah "Tex" Perkins and Ebony Marinoff Norwood Oval for the women’s SANFL competition. Photo: Matt Loxton.

Originally published as Popularity of the Adelaide Crows’ new cult hero Sally Perkins is almost bigger than Tex’s