Adelaide Football Club
 |
| Adelaide Football Club | |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Football Club logo | |
| Names | |
| Full name | Adelaide Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Crows |
| 2009 season | |
| After finals | 5th |
| Home-and-away season | 5th |
| Pre-season | 13th |
| Leading goalkicker | Jason Porplyzia (52 goals) |
| Best and fairest | Bernie Vince |
| Club details | |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Colours | Navy Blue, Red and Gold |
| Competition | Australian Football League |
| Chairman | Rob Chapman |
| Coach | Neil Craig |
| Captain(s) | Simon Goodwin |
| Premierships | 2 (1997, 1998) |
| Ground(s) | AAMI Stadium (capacity: 51,515) |
| Other information | |
| Official website | www.afc.com.au |
| Guernsey: File:Adelaide Crows Jumper.svg | |
Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Adelaide, South Australia.
The club was formed in 1990 as a composite team owned by the SANFL and played its first game in the 1991 season. Adelaide has been noted in recent years for its professionalism and competitiveness, having competed in every finals series since and including the 2005 finals series, a feat that no other club in the AFL has been able to achieve. The club also holds the distinction of being the only club in VFL/AFL history to be undefeated in contested Grand Finals.
The club is currently coached by Neil Craig and captained by Simon Goodwin. The club is based at AAMI Stadium (formerly Football Park) in West Lakes and the club song is "The Pride of South Australia", which is to the Tune of "The Gendarmes' Duet" from the opera Geneviève de Brabant by Jacques Offenbach, commonly know as the United States Marine Corps' Marines' Hymn.
Membership base & sponsorship
In 2006, the club made history becoming the first club in VFL/AFL history to have more than 50,000 members. They broke that record in 2007, signing up 50,145 members after only round one of the season. The club failed to continue this record run and subsequently signed 48,720 members in 2008.
| Year | Members | Home & Away Finish | Finish after finals | Average home crowd^ | Major Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 25,087 | 9th | - | 40,479 | Toyota |
| 1992 | 38,673 | 9th | - | 38,275 | Toyota |
| 1993 | 40,100 | 5th | 3rd | 46,128 | Toyota |
| 1994 | 40,611 | 11th | - | 42,864 | Toyota |
| 1995 | 41,654 | 11th | - | 38,552 | Toyota |
| 1996 | 42,283 | 12th | - | 39,428 | Toyota |
| 1997 | 41,395 | 4th | 1st | 40,116 | Toyota |
| 1998 | 41,985 | 5th | 1st | 41,203 | Toyota |
| 1999 | 42,120 | 13th | - | 39,386 | Toyota |
| 2000 | 42,896 | 11th | - | 38,447 | Toyota |
| 2001 | 42,014 | 8th | 8th | 39,627 | Toyota |
| 2002 | 46,620 | 3rd | 4th | 43,068 | Toyota |
| 2003 | 47,097 | 6th | 5th | 44,524 | Toyota |
| 2004 | 45,642 | 12th | - | 39,879 | Toyota |
| 2005 | 43,256 | 1st | 4th | 42,336 | Toyota |
| 2006 | 50,138 | 2nd | 3rd | 42,329 | Toyota |
| 2007 | 50,976 | 8th | 8th | 42,042 | Toyota |
| 2008 | 48,720 | 5th | 7th | 40,678 | Toyota |
| 2009 | 46,472 | 5th | 5th | 38,801 | Toyota |
^ Average home crowd excludes home final matches.
Inaugural match
Adelaide played its first official match against Hawthorn at Football Park on 22 March 1991. The Crows got off to the best possible start to their AFL life, defeating the eventual premiers by 86 points - 24.11 (155) to 9.15 (69) - in front of a crowd of 44,902[1].
- Highest score: 30.8 (188) against Essendon at AAMI Stadium on 2 June 2006
- Longest winning streak: 10 games (Rounds 13-22, 2005)
- Longest losing streak: 10 games (Round 18 1999 to Round 5 2000)
- Largest home attendance: 51,140 against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on 26 April 2003
- Largest attendance: 99,645 against St. Kilda at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - 1997 Grand Final
- Most Goals in a Game: Tony Modra 13 goals vs Richmond (1993), Tony Modra 13 goals vs Carlton (1994)
- Largest Winning Margin: 139 points - Round 16, 1993 v Richmond at Football Park
- Largest Losing Margin: 141 points - Round 16, 2004 v Brisbane at Gabba
Premierships
| 1997 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
| St. Kilda | 13 | 16 | 94 |
| Adelaide | 19 | 11 | 125 |
| Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Crowd: 99,645 | ||
| 1998 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total |
| North Melbourne | 8 | 22 | 70 |
| Adelaide | 15 | 15 | 105 |
| Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Crowd: 94,431 | ||
Pre-season competition
| ||||
| 2003 Wizard Cup Grand Final | SG | G | B | Total |
| Adelaide | 2 | 13 | 8 | 104 |
| File:CollingwoodDesign.png Collingwood | 1 | 9 | 10 | 73 |
| Venue: Telstra Dome, Melbourne | Crowd: 43,571 | |||
Premiership teams
"Team of the Decade"
While some sides named their "Team of the Century" to coincide with the AFL centenary celebrations in 1996, Adelaide only joined the league in 1991, and so later on named their "Team of the Decade", covering the period from 1991 to 2000. As well as earning selection in the team, Mark Ricciuto was named 'Player of the Decade' and Mark Bickley 'Team Man of the Decade.'[2]
Season Reviews
|
1993 - 3rd season, first finals
After finishing 9th in both 1991 and 92, the 1993 season would be the first year the young Adelaide Crows would see September Finals action after an up and down home and away season. At home the Crows were almost unstoppable going an all-time best 9-1 and selling out every single game in which attendance was at least 44,000 each time. Tony Modra had a superb year kicking a club record 129 goals, and took the Mark of the Year in Round 8 vs North Melbourne at the southern end of Football Park. But Adelaide struggled away from West Lakes going just 3-7, and would finish the season in 5th place after beating Collingwood in a superb game at home in Round 22 to earn their first Finals berth. Adelaide knocked out 4th placed Hawthorn six days later at the MCG in the Elimination Final by 15 points, with Nigel Smart getting 6 goals and the win giving Adelaide two chances to play in the Grand Final. The Crows struggled against Carlton in week 2 at Waverley Park in an 18 point loss, which denied them direct entry into the Grand Final. However, they still had another chance in the Preliminary Final which was played at the MCG against Essendon. The Crows led by 42 points at halftime after a superb first half performance, but in the second half their performance became dismal as Essendon, who finished as minor premier, came back to win by 11 points. Essendon then went on to defeat Carlton a week later in the Grand Final. It has been mentioned by a broadcaster during the Radio 5AA sports show, as well as being reported in the Melbourne print media, that the second half fade out may have been inadvertently affected by one of the Adelaide player's unfortunate bout of flatulence that occurred during the coach's half time address. The unnamed player's actions created great mirth within the rest of the playing group and may have contributed to an unwanted break in the team's concentration and resolve. This has caused some debate amongst many supporters as to how much of an effect this had but most commentators have suggested coaching decisions and player moves as having a greater impact on the outcome.[3]
1997-1998 Premiership Years
With former Woodville and North Melbourne star Malcolm Blight taking over as coach, Adelaide went 13-9 in 1997. Tony Modra was the club's top goal-kicker for the 5th straight season and won his first and only Coleman Medal. Modra also victimised North Melbourne again with the Mark of the Year in exactly the same spot at the southern end riding with his knees on Mick Martyn's shoulders and grabbing the ball facing backwards. The Crows finished in 4th spot and did what no side had ever done before, winning 4 straight Finals games to claim their first premiership. The Crows downed West Coast at home on a Sunday (the first Final played at Football Park), Geelong at home on a Saturday Night, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda at the MCG (both Saturdays) to claim the premiership. The Preliminary Final was one of the greatest games in Crows history: they would lose Tony Modra to a season ending knee ACL injury in a marking contest and come from 22 points down at 3 quarter time, despite inaccurate kicking, for a miracle 2-point victory. A week later the Saints were hot favourites to win just their second Premiership in the VFL/AFL, with that year's Brownlow Medalist Robert Harvey expected to star. Adelaide, without 1997 All Australians Modra and Mark Ricciuto, and goalsneak Peter Vardy, defied the critics to win by 31 points. In the absence of star forward Tony Modra, utility Shane Ellen stepped into his position and bagged 5 goals for the match, while Darren Jarman booted 5 of his 6 goals in the last quarter to put the game beyond doubt. Andrew McLeod's heroics around the midfield and backlines earned him the Norm Smith medal. This was one of the great sporting moments in the city of Adelaide setting off a wild celebration.
Adelaide again finished with 13 wins and 9 losses in an inconsistent 1998 home-and-away season and ended up in fifth position on the ladder. The season included their first of three one-point losses to Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, when Nigel Smart had the chance to tie the scores up with 5 seconds remaining, but was controversially given on the full, and a few close defeats but this did not faze them in the finals. Adelaide was beaten badly by Melbourne in the Qualifying Final but still had a second chance. From then on the Crows dominated their way to the premiership beating Sydney at the SCG, and thrashing the Western Bulldogs at the MCG by 68 points. This set up a Grand Final meeting with the Kangaroos, who, like the Saints, started the game as unbackable favorites. Adelaide trailed by 24 points at halftime, but a superb comeback in the second half combined with North's inaccurate kicking saw them run out with a 35-point victory. Andrew McLeod again was the Norm Smith medallist, joining his future coach Gary Ayres as one of only two players to have twice won the Norm Smith medal, and the only player to have won it back-to-back.
1999-2001 Rebuilding
The Crows quest for 3 straight premierships began in 1999, and despite a good start to the season they struggled all year with injuries, eventually finishing at 8-14 in 13th place and earning the dubious honour of having the worst Premiership hangover of any club. The worst game of the year was an embarrassing 76 point home loss to the eventual premiers the Kangaroos in Round 22, the second worst home loss in club history. It was the end of a short era; the Crows were hapless, and battered. Malcolm Blight was chaired off the ground to one of the loudest standing ovations ever heard at Football Park, despite the bad loss. Rod Jameson also played his final game that day, a popular Crows player throughout the 90s. Gary Ayres took over from Malcolm Blight in 2000 as the Crows began the rebuild back into a Premiership contender.
After their worst ever year in 1999 at 8-14, the rebuilding begins in the 2000 season. It did not start well as Adelaide lost their first 5 games, they got their first win of the season in Round 6 ending a 10 game losing streak and played against Port Adelaide in the 7th Showdown in Round 7. The Crows faced a 42 point deficit, but pulled off a miracle victory in one of the greatest Showdowns played, as Andrew McLeod's goal in the final minute put Adelaide in front. The Crows would improve to 9-10 but in the end they finished the season at 10-12 in 11th spot. Adelaide also played its first ever Saturday Afternoon home game in Round 1 against the Western Bulldogs, losing in a shootout.
Adelaide had an inconsistent 2001 season, losing their first 3 games of the season but went 12-6 from Rounds 4 to 21. They struggled at home finishing a club worst 6-5 at the time. But their 6-5 away record ensured they finished 12-10. The Crows lost to wooden spooner Fremantle in Round 22 (only Fremantle's second win for the season), limped into the finals in 8th place and were quickly eliminated by 5th placed Carlton by 68 points in a hapless performance. Darren Jarman played in his final season and was in tears after announcing his retirement after the game.
2002-2004 Ups and Downs
The Crows finished in the top 4 of the premiership ladder in 2002 with a 15-7 record, giving them 3rd spot after defeating Fremantle at Subiaco in Round 22. They had some impressive wins in 2002, most notably a 7-point win over Brisbane in Round 10. But in the Finals the Crows were crushed by Brisbane in week 1 at the Gabba by 71 points. They had another chance the following week in their home final against Melbourne at the MCG. In one of the more remarkable finals in history, Adelaide shot out to a 40 point lead at quarter time, but the Demons reeled in the Crows to such an extent that late in the third quarter Adelaide trailed by 29 points as ex Crow Peter Vardy kicked some amazing goals. But the Crows rallied to pull off a miracle 12-point win, with the injured Andrew McLeod kicking a goal midway through the quarter to put Adelaide in front. The win meant they faced a superb Collingwood side at the MCG in the preliminary final. Adelaide built to a 3 goal lead against the Magpies late in the 2nd term and things were looking good. But injuries got to Adelaide as the Magpies rewarded the deafening crowd and put away the game, particularly when Anthony Rocca marked at centre-half forward and kicked one of his trademark 70 m drop punts. Andrew McLeod, playing with his sprained ankle, injured the other ankle during the game and had to be taken off on a stretcher. The Crows started to make a comeback in the final quarter turning a 25 point deficit back to 13 points before the Magpies pulled away again winning by 28: 13.13 (91) to 9.9 (63). Brisbane would defeat Collingwood the following week in the first of their two Grand Final meetings.
After the great improvement in 2002, Adelaide started 2003 as one of the favourites for the AFL premiership. Excitement built as the club secured the services of ex-Kangaroos champion Wayne Carey, arguably the greatest player of all time. They stormed through the pre-season and defeated Collingwood to claim their first Wizard Cup. Despite suffering several injuries throughout the year, including to Carey, and losing the last 3 games of the minor round, the Crows finished the season 13-9 in 6th position. Captain Mark Ricciuto had one of the best individual years in the club's history, winning the Brownlow Medal. However, 2003 was certainly a painful year for Crows fans, and the team's inability to win close games became a huge problem. The Crows did however win an elimination final, easily defeating West Coast at AAMI Stadium on a Saturday Afternoon. The semi-final saw the Crows lose at the Gabba to eventual premiers, the Brisbane Lions on a Friday Night. The game marked the final appearance for dual premiership captain Mark Bickley.
The Crows struggled in 2004 finishing 8-14, including a 5-6 mark at home. Adelaide lost its first 4 games of the season and never fully recovered. Supporters marveled at the feats of captain Mark Ricciuto, who became the club's first All Australian Captain. Wayne Carey, who played 28 games and kicked 56 goals for the club, suffered a season ending neck injury against West Coast in round 12 and announced his retirement soon after. Club legend Nigel Smart, the last remaining player from the inaugural 1991 team, played his final game in a Round 13 win against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium. This was also to be Gary Ayres' last game as Adelaide coach. Ayres was advised of his fate after the round 13 game against the Bulldogs. Although given the option to stay until year end, Ayres declined. Neil Craig was appointed caretaker-coach, and in his first game the Crows thrashed 2nd placed Melbourne at home. However, the club would then lose their next 3 games, including a humiliating 141 point loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in Round 17 which is the worst loss ever in Crows history. Adelaide regrouped and finished the season strongly by winning 3 of the last 5 games and Craig was confirmed as senior coach for 2005 and beyond.
2005-2006 A Winning Success
2005 saw Adelaide have their best home and away season in the history of the club, finishing 17-5 and claiming the minor premiership. The Crows won this prize after a stunning 8 point victory in round 22 against West Coast at Subiaco. However, the game will be most remembered by Adelaide supporters for the report of captain and Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto - for a head high bump on Adam Selwood. Ricciuto was subsequently suspended and would miss Adelaide's qualifying final against St. Kilda. Losing the All Australian Captain of 2004 & 2005 proved to be a massive blow, and in a low scoring struggle, St Kilda led most of the way and defeated the Crows by 8 points at AAMI Stadium. The loss set up a sudden death semi final against bitter rival and reigning premier Port Adelaide. The Crows regained Ricciuto, and in one of the most keenly anticipated matches in South Australian football history, smashed a hapless Port Adelaide by 83 points in front of a crowd of 50,521. Ricciuto and premiership teammate Simon Goodwin starred, however Adelaide's semi final celebrations were short-lived, with the team suffering a 16 point preliminary final loss to the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco. It was a tough, close encounter in windy and overcast conditions but a third quarter Adelaide lapse saw the Eagles mount a match-winning lead in front of a hostile home crowd. The Crows fell 35 points behind but made a late comeback before the Eagles put the game away. Adelaide joined Essendon (1999) and Port Adelaide (2002 & 2003) as recent AFL minor premiers who had failed to make the Grand Final.
2006 was a year of individual milestones for the Adelaide Crows: Ben Hart entered his 15th season and became the first player in Crows history to play 300 games. He achieved the feat in round two against West Coast. Andrew McLeod entered his 12th season and played his 250th game in the 138 point thumping of Essendon in round 10. Mark Ricciuto also played his 300th game on a Friday Night with 5 goals in the Crows round 16 victory over the Kangaroos. In each game the crowd provided a fitting tribute to the 3 club legends, who have amassed an amazing 16 All Australian selections between them.
After 16 rounds in 2006, Adelaide sat on top of the AFL ladder with a remarkable 14-2 win/loss record, and the best percentage since West Coast in 1991. With little warning, the Crows were thumped by a massive 82 points in round 17 by the rampaging West Coast Eagles. This loss set off a dramatic change of fortunes for the Crows in 2006. Despite rebounding the following week with a rare home win over Collingwood, injuries and a sudden loss of form would see the Crows lose their next 3 games in a row to Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide. In a dramatic twist of fate, the Crows took to the field in round 22 against Melbourne with several key contributors from 2006 on the sidelines including captain Mark Ricciuto - who was diagnosed with a rare virus- Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton, Ben Hart and leading goalkicker Trent Hentschel, who suffered a serious knee injury against Port Adelaide. However, they managed to win their first game in more than a month, thrashing the Demons by 58 points in Round 22 and finishing the minor round in 2nd spot, with 16 wins and 6 losses. Despite fielding the same undermanned team in the qualifying final against 3rd placed Fremantle, the Crows produced one of the best performances in the club's history to win by 30 points. This gave the team a valuable week's rest, and enabled the club to regain McLeod and Burton in time for the preliminary final. For the second year in a row the opponent was the West Coast Eagles, however this time the match would be played at AAMI stadium and the Eagles would start favourites. The Crows lost ruckman Rhett Biglands to a serious knee injury early in the game, and despite leading the minor premiers at half time, the Eagles again dominated the 3rd quarter to set up victory and held on to win by 10 points. For the second year in a row, captain Mark Ricciuto was forced to endure a home final loss from the sidelines. Although injuries and illness conspired against the Crows, supporters and players will remember 2006 with bitter disappointment.
2007-2008 Frustration
After losing their first home game of the 2007 season to Essendon in perfect weather conditions, Adelaide won their next 3 games to have a 3-1 win-loss record. However, they suffered a potentially costly loss to Fremantle by 1 point at Subiaco Oval in Round 5 for the third time in their history. They then faced a tough task against a Collingwood side at home with Adelaide coming off a six day break, compared to Collingwood's 10 day break after their ANZAC Day win and good record at AAMI Stadium. The Crows started slowly but fought back hard to claim the lead briefly. But in the end fell by 24 points as the fatigue showed in the last quarter. Adelaide fell to 3-3 but then won 3 straight games and were 6-3. They then struggled for most of the remainder of the season but one of their best wins came in Round 18, an 8 point come from behind victory over Port Adelaide.
After falling to Geelong, Adelaide beat the Western Bulldogs under clear skies at home in Round 20 making it back to back home wins for the first time all season long. In Round 21 the Crows took on Brisbane in front of an emphatic crowd of 46,500. The AAMI stadium faithful saw Mark Ricciuto's last home game before his retirement at the end of the season. They crushed Brisbane despite inaccurate kicking. A 19 point victory over Collingwood in Round 22 allowed the Crows to qualify for the finals for the sixth time in seven years but this time from the 8th and most difficult spot. Adelaide led the First Elimination Final against Hawthorn by 31 points just before half-time, but got too comfortable and started to wilt under pressure. After leading nearly all game the Crows lost due to Lance Franklin's 7th goal in the dying seconds of the game. See also 2007 AFL Finals Series.
Eighth place finished a rather disappointing season for the Crows, for which coach Neil Craig was criticised by the fans due to his strict rules and game-plan.
Notable absentees from the 2007 list included Jason Torney, Martin Mattner, Scott Welsh, and Ben Hudson. To compensate for their losses the acquisition of Brad Symes supported Neil Craig's plan to rejuvenate the ageing midfield, while Brad Moran added depth in the Ruck and key position divisions. Former Adelaide players Ben Hart and Matthew Clarke were appointed as new assistant coaches.
A loss in the NAB Cup final to Saint Kilda appeared to be only a temporary setback for the Adelaide Crows as they started the 2008 season strongly. By the middle of the year they had amassed a solid 8-3 win/loss record and sat in fourth place on the table. The lack of an settled forward line was compensated for by a very strong defence lead by Ben Rutten, Nathan Bassett and 2008 All-Australian Nathan Bock.
After the halfway point of the season however, a season-ending knee injury to Brett Burton, a potentially serious Jason Porplyzia injury and a tiring midfield resulted in five straight losses from round 12, and saw the club slide to ninth on the premiership ladder after the round 16 defeat by Port Adelaide. The return of Porplyzia in round 17 saw a return to good times for the club and they only lost once more in the home and away season. Mid-way through round 22 the Crows found themselves in fourth position, but a big win by Saint Kilda over Essendon later that weekend saw them fall to fifth, with a 13-9 record and a percentage of 109.74.
Collingwood visited Adelaide in the first week of the finals and proved too strong for the home side, running out winners by 31 points. This loss dropped the Crows to 7th at the end of the season, slightly up on 2007 but still disappointing.
2009
| 2009 Season Results | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue (H/A) | Score | Ladder Position | Percentage | W/L |
| 1 | 28 March | Collingwood | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 13.12 (90) - 13.8 (86) | 8 | 104.65 | 1-0 |
| 2 | 3 April | St Kilda | AAMI Stadium (H) | 10.9 (69) - 15.11 (101) | 12 | 85.03 | 1-1 |
| 3 | 12 April | Fremantle | Subiaco Oval (A) | 15.14 (104) - 11.14 (80) | 8 | 98.50 | 2-1 |
| 4 | 18 April | Geelong | AAMI Stadium (H) | 13.8 (86) - 21.8 (134) | 12 | 87.00 | 2-2 |
| 5 | 26 April | Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 7.9 (51) - 4.10 (34) | 7 | 91.95 | 3-2 |
| 6 | 2 May | Port Adelaide | AAMI Stadium (A) | 12.7 (79) - 15.15 (105) | 11 | 88.70 | 3-3 |
| 7 | 10 May | Western Bulldogs | AAMI Stadium (H) | 12.14 (86) - 17.16 (118) | 12 | 85.87 | 3-4 |
| 8 | 16 May | Brisbane Lions | The Gabba (A) | 12.11 (83) - 18.11 (119) | 12 | 83.40 | 3-5 |
| 9 | 23 May | Carlton | AAMI Stadium (H) | 15.14 (104) - 8.12 (60) | 11 | 89.84 | 4-5 |
| 10 | 31 May | Hawthorn | AAMI Stadium (H) | 16.10 (106) - 12.7 (79) | 11 | 93.67 | 5-5 |
| 11 | 7 June | Essendon | Etihad Stadium (A) | 21.4 (130) - 19.6 (114) | 9 | 95.92 | 6-5 |
| 12 | 14 June | Kangaroos | AAMI Stadium (H) | 9.14 (68) - 3.6 (24) | 6 | 100.19 | 7-5 |
| 13 | 27 June | Sydney | AAMI Stadium (H) | 12.13 (85) - 10.9 (69) | 6 | 101.60 | 8-5 |
| 14 | 4 July | Richmond | Gold Coast Stadium (A) | 15.12 (102) - 13.7 (85) | 5 | 102.90 | 9-5 |
| 15 | 11 July | Fremantle | AAMI Stadium (H) | 19.16 (130) - 1.7 (13) | 5 | 112.45 | 10-5 |
| 16 | 19 July | St Kilda | Etihad Stadium (A) | 7.6 (48) - 15.15 (105) | 6 | 107.16 | 10-6 |
| 17 | 26 July | Port Adelaide | AAMI Stadium (H) | 19.18 (132) - 9.8 (62) | 5 | 111.89 | 11-6 |
| 18 | 1 August | Geelong | Skilled Stadium (A) | 13.13 (91) - 14.9 (93) | 5 | 111.01 | 11-7 |
| 19 | 8 August | Collingwood | AAMI Stadium (H) | 9.14 (68) - 13.11 (89) | 7 | 109.04 | 11-8 |
| 20 | 16 August | Hawthorn | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 13.16 (94) - 9.13 (67) | 6 | 110.32 | 12-8 |
| 21 | 22 August | West Coast | AAMI Stadium (H) | 18.14 (122) - 7.6 (48) | 6 | 114.42 | 13-8 |
| 22 | 29 August | Carlton | Etihad Stadium (A) | 27.14 (176) - 16.8 (104) | 5 | 117.61 | 14-8 |
| EF1 | 4 September | Essendon | AAMI Stadium (H) | 26.10 (166) - 10.10 (70) | Not applicable | ||
| SF1 | 12 September | Collingwood | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 11.12 (78) - 12.11 (83) | Not applicable | ||
(Note: in the table above, green rows are wins, red rows are losses. In the Score column Adelaide scores are always shown first.)
Adelaide played its first game of the new season on the MCG against Collingwood, a team they had not beaten on that ground in over a decade and which had eliminated them from the 2008 final series. Starting the match with three debutants (Myke Cook, Jared Petrenko and Taylor Walker), Adelaide jumped the Pies to lead by 23 points at quarter time. Collingwood fought back in the next two quarters to lead by 18 points in the third quarter, and looked to have the measure of the Crows. But Adelaide finished the stronger, kicking the last three goals of the third quarter to make the scores level at the last change. The Crows then kicked two goals to one in a frantic last quarter to win by 4 points, 13.12 (90) - 13.8 (86). Surprisingly, this was their fourth away win over Collingwood in five games.[4]
In Round 2 Adelaide fell to an impressive St Kilda by 32 points at home on a Friday night. The Crows trailed all game but kept it close, trailing by only 5 points at the last change, but St Kilda punished the home side in the final quarter and ran out winners 15.11 (101) - 10.9 (69). A statistic that angered many Adelaide supporters was the free kick count, which Adelaide lost 30-11. Adelaide has now lost 8 of its last 11 opening home games that were played in Round 1 or 2.[5]
On a hot, dry, windy Easter Sunday Round 3 match at Subiaco the Crows were pushed hard by the Fremantle Dockers before overcoming the home side by 24 points, 15.14 (104) - 11.14 (80). Kicking with the breeze in the first quarter Fremantle only managed three goals while Adelaide kicked five in their first use of it. Adelaide stayed in control until late in the third quarter when the Dockers found a way to goal and kicked five in a row to hit the lead early in the last. The Crows, however, steadied and kicked clear, escaping with a crucial victory.[6]
Nathan Bock was returned to the side after a week's club-imposed suspension, as Adelaide faced the unbeaten Geelong Cats at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night in Round 4. The Cats looked set to blow the Crows away, leading by 40 points halfway through the second quarter. The Crows however, hit back and got to within 11 pionts late in the third. However, Gary Ablett (46 disposals) and the Geelong team ran over Adelaide in the last to run out 48 point winners, 21.8 (134) - 13.8 (86). Despite the loss, Adelaide's younger brigade of Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay, Petrenko, Kurt Tippett and Walker continued to impress.[7]
Round 5 against Melbourne was under lights at the MCG was after a wet, cold and windy day. The weather conditions didn't help either side but Adelaide's superior defence kept Melbourne goalless in the first half, though they had only scored four themselves by the main break. Melbourne fought back in the last quarter to give themselves a chance of victory but Adelaide closed down the game in the last ten minutes and ran out winners, 7.9 (51) - 4.10 (34)[8].
Showdown XXVI saw Adelaide coming off a win, while Port Adelaide had been belted by St Kilda the previous week. But current form is no guide to these games as Port Adelaide showed by out-running and out-bustling Adelaide to lead by 22 points at half-time, and eventually win 15.15 (105) - 12.7 (79). The margin blew out to 45 points midway through the last quarter before four late goals saw some respectability added to the margin[9].
The Crows faced the dangerous but out-of-form Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium in round 7. After a scrappy first half, the Crows trailed by a point, but the Bulldogs found form in the third quarter to open up a matchwinning lead, and eventually win 17.16 (118) - 12.14 (86); again, the margin would have been much greater but for a last-quarter surge from Adelaide[10].
The Crows were not expected to win against a Brisbane side that looked the goods at the Gabba, but led by 25 points late in the second quarter, with their zone working wonders. Two late goals gave Brisbane the momentum, however, and they carried it into the third quarter, when four goals by Daniel Bradshaw saw them take the lead and eventually the game, 18.11 (119) - 12.11 (83)[11].
At 3-5, Adelaide faced a crucial home game against Carlton, who were 4-4 despite high expectations for the season. Once again, the Crows' zone allowed them to dominate the first half, this time making more use of their opportnities to lead by 49 points at half-time. Carlton had not scored a goal to this point, the second time in 2009 that Adelaide had held their opponents goalless to half-time. Yet another third-quarter fadeout saw Carlton work their way back into the match, but Adelaide steadied to win comfortably, 15.14 (104) - 8.12 (60)[12].
Round 10 saw the reigning premiers Hawthorn return to AAMI Stadium, where they had beaten Adelaide by only three points the previous season. Hawthorn had struggled with injuries for the season so far, but after a recent return to form entered as favourites. Adelaide, however, turned on another scintillating first half to lead 12.4 (76) to 4.4 (28) - Walker had five goals to this stage, and Scott Thompson 20 possessions. Despite the familiar third-quarter fade-out, in which the Crows scored 0.1 to 4.2, Adelaide steadied in the last term to run out comfortable winners, 16.10 (106) - 12.7 (79)[13].
In round 11, Adelaide faced yet another must-win game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium. In a high-tempo game, Essendon dominated early and jumped out to an 26-point lead, which Adelaide gradually pulled back over the next two quarters. Both teams had incredible accuracy rates - Adelaide did not miss a shot until late in the third quarter - and a number of seemingly impossible goals were scored. One such goal - a pressure kick from Jason Porplyzia that dribbled through - put Adelaide in front for the first time early in the last quarter, and they always looked comfortable thereafter, finishing up 16-point victors, 21.4 (130) - 18.6 (114). Tyson Edwards celebrated his 300th game with 41 possessions, while Tippett dominated with seven goals[14].
There were ominous signs leading up to Adelaide's round 12 clash with the less fancied North Melbourne Kangaroos, with the Kangaroos' midfielder Adam Simpson playing his 300th game and Adelaide youngster Richard Douglas having a swine flu scare that saw him miss selection. However, Adelaide put rest to the doomsayers with an impressive 44-point win, 9.14 (68) - 3.6 (24), their fourth in a row. On a cold, wet Sunday evening, Adelaide kicked the first two goals before it began raining in earnest, and kept the Kangaroos at bay until the last quarter, where Adelaide kicked the last four goals, which blew the margin out[15].
Adelaide had a week off before the next game against the Sydney Swans, and their poor record in the game after the split round was well publicised; contrastingly, so was their incredible record against Sydney - they had only lost one of the clashes between the teams since 2001. A sluggish start did not help Adelaide's cause, and a dominant second quarter by Sydney saw them strech the margin out to 25 points either side of half time. However, the Crows got their game together in the third quarter, kicking five rapid goals to take the lead. A tussle on the three quarter time siren saw Barry Hall have one of his infamous temper snaps, punching Adelaide's Ben Rutten on the chin; however, Adelaide put this behind them in the final term, outlasting the Swans by 16 points, 12.13 (85) - 10.9 (69)[16]. Hall was suspended indefinitely by Sydney for his misdemeanour, and announced his retirement soon after.
On 4th of July, the Crows ventured to Queensland to play the 14th placed Richmond at the Gold Coast Stadium in Carrara, in one of Richmond's home games outside of Victoria. After a fast start by the Crows, the Tigers rallied throughout the game and forced a tight finish, bringing a 40 point margin at three quarter time back to 17 points at the final siren, the final score being 15.12 (102) - 13.7 (85). Tippett, who himself hails from the Gold Coast, again was the star with 5 goals[17].
Round 15 saw Fremantle visiting Adelaide after pushing Carlton the previous week, but previous form seemed to count for nothing as Fremantle were duly flogged by the Crows, scoring only one behind to half time, and only one goal for the match, as Adelaide won 19.16 (130) - 1.7 (13). The win was Adelaide's seventh in a row, as well as being the third occasion that Adelaide had held their opponents goalless for the first half for the season. Dangerfield, Otten and other youngsters continued to impress but it was hard to get any impression of Adelaide's form given the lack of an effective opposition, the biggest gain from the match being the much-needed percentage booster, which amounted to nearly 10 points[18].
Adelaide faced top side St Kilda in round 16, a side which was coming off the back of a very tough match against Geelong, followed by a visit to Western Australia. In some quarters Adelaide was either favourite or expected to run the Saints rather close. And so it proved in the first quarter when the Crows were able to stay with St Kilda in all aspects of the game. After that, however, the Saints took total control of the game, kicking 11.11 to 3.4 after quarter-time. With hardly a winner anywhere on the ground this game exposed a number of weaknesses within the Adelaide team which they will need to fix quickly before the Showdown in round 17. St Kilda 15.15 (105) - Adelaide 7.6 (48)[19].
Round 17 found Adelaide the home side for Showdown XXVII, and favourite despite their loss the previous week. Port Adelaide started in robust fashion and dominated the game for the first 5 minutes. Adelaide changed it around and fought back to only trail by 7 points at the first change. The second quarter was all Adelaide, with the Crows kicking 7.2 to 0.4. The second half was practically a mirror-image of the first with Adelaide again dominating with their turn with the breeze to thrash the Power by 70 points: 19.18 (132) - 9.8 (62). The 70 point margin was the third highest margin in Showdown history, the Crows now owning the four most lopsided results[20].
After their defeat in round 4 to the Cats and losing to top side St Kilda just two weeks earlier, Adelaide needed a win against Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round 18. After a 1 point gap at the end of the first quarter, the Cats widened the margin by 3 goals at half time. The Crows rallied, however, tightening the difference to just two points. A late mark by Ivan Maric could have earned Adelaide the glorious victory over the team that has dominated the competition for three years, but his kick was way short, earning the Cats a 2 point victory: 14.9 (93) - 13.13 (91)[21].
Round 19 saw Adelaide at home to Collingwood, the team they had beaten by 4 points in Round 1 but also a team they have a dreadful home record against. Collingwood who jumped Adelaide early. The Crows fought back and got out to a 15 point lead half-way through the third quarter. After that, however, it seemed to be all Collingwood as they took advantage of their good record at AAMI stadium and regained their lead by 6 points at the three-quarter time break and never trailed again to win by 21 points: 13.11 (89) - 9.14 (68) against a very disappointing Adelaide side.[22].
Adelaide made their third visit to the MCG during the 2009 season in their round 20 game against Hawthorn. The reigning premiers were fired up from the start, as they attempted to keep their finals hopes alive, and kicked the first five goals of the match to lead by 25 points at quarter-time: 5.3 (33) - 1.2 (8). After the first break, however, Adelaide steadied, Hawthorn lost their run and only had Franklin as an avenue to goal. The game was all over by three-quarter time as Adelaide lead by 23 points. The last quarter was an anti-climax as Adelaide kicked 1.7 to Hawthorn's 1.3 to finish winners by 27 points: 13.16 (94) - 9.13 (67). The big news for Adelaide was the return of Trent Hentschel to the top level after a long recovery from injury. Hentschel licked four goals from the forward line and was one of Adelaide's best[23].
With their place secure in the top eight for 2009, the Crows' round 21 game against West Coast at home was one for consolidation and percentage, if they could get over the Eagles who were in form after three wins in a row. The first quarter was evenly shared with Adelaide having only a 2-point lead at the first change. After that Adelaide got its running game going and then 6 goals to 2 in the second quarter and six in the last confirmed an easy win by 74 points: 18.14 (122) - 7.6 (48). In the process, Adelaide had 493 disposals, five short of Geelong's recordCite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page)..
Adelaide travelled to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne for their round 22 away game against Carlton. A lot was riding on this game as the winner would definitely finish fifth at the end of the home-and-away season and secure a home game in the first week of the finals, while the loser could finish as low as seventh and face the prospect of travelling to Brisbane. Carlton started the game strongly leading by 22 points mid-way through the first quarter. But, like the past two rounds, Adelaide fought back to trail by only 5 points at quarter-time. After the first break Adelaide gradually built its defensive pressure on the Blues, and found a lot of run through the mid-field. By three quarter-time Adelaide led by 53 points and ran out comfortable winners by 72 points: 27.14 (176) - 16.8 (104). This was the highest score for the season overall. A major highlight of the game was a spectacular mark by Brett Burton in the third quarter which commentators were lauding immediately as one of the best they had ever seen, and went on to win the AFL Mark of the Year award.[24].
2009 Finals Campaign
As they finished fifth on the 2009 AFL Premiership ladder, Adelaide were entitled to a home final in the first week of the 2009 Finals Series. Their opponents Essendon had played a desparate match the week before against reigning premiers Hawthorn, the winner being assured of finishing eighth. That match took a toll on the Bombers and they entered the 2009 First Elimination Final with a number of their better players missing due to either suspension or injury. Added to that, Essendon dropped their only designated ruckman from the starting line-up.
Essendon started the game well, utilising their smaller players to implement a game-plan that mainly consisted of running the ball forward at all costs. At quarter-time they were only six points adrift of the Crows (4.3 - 3.3) and must have felt they were in with a chance. After that, however, Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig instructed his players to set up stoppages as much as possible to allow his taller players to provide first use of the ball to the Adelaide mid-fielders. This plan nullified any advantage Essendon might have gained from their pre-game selections and after quarter-time it was mainly a matter of how big the margin was going to be. At half-time the Crows led by 39 points, at three-quarter time the margin was 61 points, and the game ended with Adelaide winning by 96 points: 26.10 (166) - 10.10 (70). The win was Adelaide's largest final win, and allowed them to progress to the second week of the 2009 finals, and a semi-final against Collingwood in Melbourne[25].
Adelaide's First Semi-Final appearance against Collingwood took place at the MCG on a warm Saturday night with the tempeature hovering around 30C at the start of the game. Adelaide took control of the match early and built a 29-point lead by quarter-time. The second quarter was a more even affair with a late goal by Collingwood reducing the margin to 26 points at half-time. Adelaide's Chris Knights was forced form the field in the second term with a strained hamstring. The third quarter was all Collingwood who took firm control of the game as Adelaide collapsed, scoring 6.2 to 0.2, and leading by 10 points at three-quarter-time. the last term was a close affair as Adelaide got back into the game. The lead changed several times until Kurt Tippett kicking a 55-metre goal from the boundary line late in the term to give Adelaide a one point lead. From the subsequent bounce Collingwood rushed the ball forwarded to a marking contest in their forward line. Andy Otten appeared to have taken a saving mark in defence before the umpire signalled a marking infringement by Ben Rutten against John Anthony. The Collingwood forward converted from directly in front with 15 seconds remaining on the game clock, and Collingwood were able to control the ball from the last bounce to win by 5 points[26]. Collingwood would lose badly to Geelong the following week.
Current playing list
As of March 31, 2009
Coaches
- Graham Cornes, 1991-94
- Robert Shaw, 1995-96
- Malcolm Blight, 1997-99
- Gary Ayres, 2000-04^
- Neil Craig, 2004^-Present
^Gary Ayres was told that his contract would not be extended when it expired after the 2004 season, and he decided to quit immediately. Assistant Coach Neil Craig took over from Round 14 and was appointed Senior Coach for 2005 and beyond.
Captains
- Chris McDermott, 1991-94
- Tony McGuinness, 1995-96
- Mark Bickley, 1997-2000
- Mark Ricciuto, 2001-2007
- Simon Goodwin, 2008-Present
Previous Adelaide playing lists
- Adelaide Crows 1991 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1992 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1993 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1994 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1995 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1996 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1997 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1998 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 1999 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2000 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2001 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2002 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2003 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2004 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2005 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2006 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2007 Playing List
- Adelaide Crows 2008 Playing List
Club Guernseys
Adelaide has three jumper designs which are used in different matches throughout the season. A home jumper and are the only club in the AFL with two clash jumpers, both mostly red uniforms used in away games.
The traditional "hooped" home guernsey is worn at all matches designated as home games for the club as well as in selected away games and generally at all finals. There have been only two finals matches where it hasn't been used - against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in 2005 and Hawthorn at Telstra Dome in 2007. It has had minor variations through its history since debuting with the club in 1991, including adding a white outline to the numbers in 1996, and removing of yellow cuffs and addition of blue strips down the sides (due to manufacturers template design) in 2006. In 2009 the throwback look has returned with yellow sleeves reintroduced, the blue stripes down the sides have been removed while the hoops have a unique curve around the sides.
The away guernsey was originally intended for use in all matches designated as away games, except finals. In recent years with jumper clashes more common, there is the chance that it can be worn in an away final, though the club prefers not to. Its design has changed several times over the years since it was first used in 1999. Its usage has waned over the last couple of years since the introduction of the "clash" jumper, to the point where it was only used twice in 2007 - against the Western Bulldogs in round 2 and Collingwood in round 22. In a few away matches that year, the club also continued to use the traditional "home" jumper. The new 2008 "away" jumper has seen the return of the popular pre-season cup jumper of 1996, with a swooping Crow on the front and slight alteration on the back. This is in an effort to reduce the amount of times the clash jumper is worn, as previous away designs have been too close to the home jumper, therefore not avoiding a clash.
The clash guernsey was first introduced for season 2006 and is radically different to the "home" and "away" designs. It is worn at all away games where the AFL deems there to be a clash with the home team's jumper design. Those clubs officially on the "clash list" include Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne and Richmond. Despite this, the AFL forced the club to wear it against other teams, such as St. Kilda and Hawthorn in 2007, Brisbane (2008, 2009) and West Coast in 2008. The decision for it to be worn in the 2007 final against Hawthorn was particularly strange considering Hawthorn didn't have a clash jumper at the time as the AFL deemed they didn't clash with any other team.
Club Song
To the Tune of "The Gendarmes' Duet" from the opera Geneviève de Brabant by Jacques Offenbach, also known as "The Marines Hymn"
We're the pride of South Australia
We're the mighty Adelaide Crows
We're courageous, stronger, faster
And respected by our foes
Admiration of the nation
Our determination shows
We're the pride of South Australia
We're the mighty Adelaide Crows
We give our best from coast to coast
Where the story will be told
As we fight the rugged battles
The flag will be our goal
Our skill and nerve will see us through
Our commitment ever grows
We're the pride of South Australia
We're the mighty Adelaide Crows
See also
- Australian rules football in South Australia
- Wikipedia listing of Adelaide players
- List of Adelaide Football Club players
- Adelaide Football Club coaches
References
- ^ AFL Statistics
- ^ 'Team of the Decade', 17 March 2005, Official Website of the Adelaide Football Club, Accessed 2 February 2007.
- ^ Real Footy website
- ^ Last gasp carries Crows across line
- ^ Saints prove the real deal
- ^ Crows survive fright to sink Dockers
- ^ Ablett inpsires Cats win
- ^ Melbourne's ray of hope on a dreary afternoon
- ^ Port take Showdown
- ^ Dogs find bite
- ^ Lions overrun Adelaide
- ^ Crows belt Blues
- ^ Crows class holds out Hawks
- ^ Crows down Dons
- ^ Crows clean up dour Kangaroos
- ^ Adelaide prove too strong for Sydney
- ^ Crows handle Tigers
- ^ Crows thump one-goal Freo
- ^ Sweet 16: Saints hammer Crows
- ^ Crows strangle Power
- ^ Cats survive another thriller
- ^ Magpies into third
- ^ Crows eye top four
- ^ Crows thrash Carlton
- ^ Crows stone the Bombers
- ^ Pies can take heart, hope from comeback