Crows fan, Peter Kauschke, named AFL ‘Fan of the Year’

Adelaide Crows super fan Peter Kauschke has been crowned footy’s fan of all fans – and “there is no person more deserving of this honour” says the club’s CEO.

Adelaide Crows games are not complete without the distinctive Crow call from club super fan Peter Kauschke, the newly crowned 2022 winner of AFL Fans Association ‘Fan of the Year’.

The 59-year-old, president of the Adelaide Crows Supporters Group cheer squad, has attended all but a few Crows games, including interstate games, showing unwavering support to the team since 2015.

But the man behind the call has been fighting his own battle since December 2020 – an “aggressive” bladder cancer.

While “everything seems to be okay” according to Mr Kauschke, he’s having another round of treatment on Friday, which won’t stop him tuning into the grand final this weekend.

“I have this philosophy that I keep myself very busy,” Mr Kauschke said.

He recounts a time when he struggled to lug the team’s 40kg banner bag to a game and, instead of giving up, enlisted the help of his supportive squad.

The Crows fan works as a full-time project manager for a gas company and owns a business with his wife of 40 years, Tina Kauschke, 60.

Peter Kauschke, the AFL Fans Association ‘Fan of the Year’, with his wife Tina and Crows AFLW player Amber Ward at West Lakes.

Ms Kauschke has been by her husband’s side at each game, supporting the Crows wholeheartedly.

In a cruel twist, Ms Kauschke is also battling bladder cancer – a disease she contracted after beating stomach cancer.

“It’s unusual for us both to have it, we do not have a dull moment,” Mr Kauschke said.

The pair from Salisbury Park have flown across the country supporting not only the Crows, but every team in the AFL and AFLW – and they’ve developed quite a positive reputation along the way.

Last year, while Melbourne was in lockdown, Mr Kauschke flew to Perth with his son David for the grand final to help co-ordinate the Western Bulldogs’ banner.

“It’s funny, a lot of people say the clubs hate each other, but no, not at all, we all get along quite well,” he said.

Peter Kauschke, 59, with wife, Tina Kauschke, 60, attending an Adelaide Crows football game.

Adelaide Crow’s CEO Tim Silvers spoke of how incredibly thankful the club is to have someone like Mr Kauschke leading their official supporter group.

“There is no person more deserving of this honour than Peter and on behalf of the players, coaches and staff, I want to say well done and thank you.

“He works tirelessly in support of our club and his passion, commitment and loyalty are unquestioned.

“Our club has a mantra of prioritising others and he personifies this behaviour from week to week throughout the footy calendar, and you can always count on him to be barracking hard no matter where our teams are playing across the country,” Mr Silvers said.

Originally published as Crows fan, Peter Kauschke, named AFL ‘Fan of the Year’