I was lucky enough to be at the Crows’ opening game at the Adelaide Oval against the Kangaroos on Sunday, and I left a very happy fan.
All played well. The coach got through his first test with flying colours. There were no major injuries, a massive crowd, and pretty good pre-match entertainment.
Taylor Walker was omnipresent for the entire game, ripping down 15 marks and booting 6 goals 5, while Richard Douglas was adjudged one of the best on ground by the FiveAA commentary team.
The defence proved it is not just a one-man show. Daniel Talia had monumental support, with Rory Laird one of a number to shine.
And then there was Patrick Dangerfield’s goal, which capped the night off perfectly.
If I know my town, the message will be loud and clear: here come the Crows.
After one game the finals and even premiership bandwagons will be out, and this could be a problem for the club.
Adelaide can go one of two ways: either manager the already lofty expectations, or embrace them.
Crows fans have every reason to celebrate, but I get the feeling they’re starting to mature. They know their footy, they understand that it is a week-by-week proposition. They understand that if you win enough games you will make the finals. And they understand that if that happens then anything is possible. They live in hope but they are becoming more footy savvy.
But hype can have a major effect on expectation and the football mood in this town.
I lived it for 20 years as a football reporter. After a first-up win with a new coach over a very good team, my instructions would be to run a story and play it up as much as possible. Find out what price the bookmakers are now offering for the club to win a premiership, interview delirious fans after the match, ask the coach and players if this could be the year.
Very rarely would the story be totally balanced. But that’s how it has worked for so long in Adelaide.
What’s wrong with that approach is that if Adelaide has a loss next week against Collingwood, the talk will be that maybe this isn’t the year for the Crows, and maybe the coach isn’t getting it right.
We all need to be more mature when it comes to winning and losing. And if we can just narrow the emotional gap after a win or a loss we’ll have a far more relaxed season.
Katfish
Roar Guru
Clearly you're not from Adelaide so it will be difficult for you to understand that this is a legitimate article that is extremely relevant in Adelaide
langou
Roar Guru
I picked the Crows in my top 4 at the start of the year. Still plenty of time to go and the Roos were awful.
AR
Guest
That's oddly, yet refreshingly, honest, Mark.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
While I don't think the Crows are genuine title threats ( I don't believe they can sustain the "manic" game plan) I was really excited to see them play on the weekend. The AFL season will be even better the more teams who can provide these kind of performances. I'd love to see the Crows keep this kind of form, only to see the Big TEXAN running amok! It's amazing what a change of coach can do to attitude and intent. That was a very different Adelaide side to what had been trotted out under Sando (No disrespect intended)
Mark Aiston
Roar Guru
TomC Ye what i mean is that the media is often the barometer .. and so otten that is the way the public will swing wit their views .. not all the time but often.. Cheers mark
Mr Darby
Guest
Nope, just filling space!
Franko
Guest
"I believe some reporters over the years could have been a lot tougher with their questioning. " Are you suggesting that Stephen (C)Rowe is not the hard-hitting journalist we've all been led to believe.... ;) Thanks Mark, no surprises in your comments but refreshing to hear some honesty from someone on the inside.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Interesting - Doesn't sound like WA where all journo's are in West Coasts pocket and love nothing better than to bemoan Freo. Journo's think there's easy money in bagging Freo.
Rob McLean
Guest
As an Adelaide-based supporter of a non-SA side, it's refreshing to hear someone admit that there is bias in footy coverage in this town. It's a little bit to be expected, but some of it (actually, a lot of it) over the years has been nauseating. Also, as an Adelaide-based supporter of a non-SA side, Sunday's result scared the hell out of me. Adelaide Oval will continue to be a fortress. I'm glad I'll be OS for this year's GF if there's a chance either of the SA sides will be in the GF.
TomC
Roar Guru
That's fascinating stuff, Mark, particularly in regard to Trigg. Thanks very much. I wonder whether the media is always the 'barometer', or whether it also steers the fans one way or the other.
Mark Aiston
Roar Guru
Stop being nasty Chris .. Forums like this are for opinion not bullying or abuse,. And no i did not pay for my tickets as I am a member of the media but once I leave the media I will buy the tickets like everyone else ...
Mark Aiston
Roar Guru
Tom, It depends on a number of things in regard to the type of story you do, but in a general sense let's say The Crows had lost on the weekend, some reporters would be doing a story doubting their hardness, the clubs direction, the clubs new coach, and the make up of the team, (and that may well have =been me by the way) rather than looking at it more practically and from a long term season point of view. It's generally week by week assessment by some reporters, don't get me wrong, not all and let's make this very clear, I can not talk for anyone other than myself. Adelaide is a funny town when it comes to reporting on football. We the media are very much the barometer that can dictate the feelings of the fans.. Melbourne is different because they have more teams, but Adelaide reporters can be quite clicky and as a result in my humble opinion, and again this is no slight on those who do the job in the town, I believe some reporters over the years could have been a lot tougher with their questioning. Let me explain .... A reason for this is that some do not want to get "off side", two team town .. if one club makes it tough for example for one particular TV or radio station then that can be to the detriment of that tTV or radio news service. get the drift. Again I want to make the point everyone in this town works their but off to get the exclusive or simple report what is happening from media conferences. And they are a great mob, But most deep down in their hearts would admit maybe not publicly that Michelangelo Rucci from the advertizer is the one reporter who asks the really hard questions consistently. But I also think it would be fair to say he is not the most popular reporter in this town.. I do not think he cares about that .. Which is good. Another example and this is about me .. Former CEO Steven Trigg is a good mate of mine .. he is now at Carlton, If I was aware of something that he had done wrong, or I was in a media conference and it was getting pretty hot in the kitchen, I probable would be very reluctant to point the burner on him.. And in terms of not being tough enough with questions .,. I Am certainly guilty of that in the past many times. Hope this helps.
Radelaide
Guest
It was more of a day where everything went right for them, beautiful day at home in front of a packed crowd playing a team that is traditionally their whipping boys in Adelaide. I do think they will be better this year as Walsh has bought over the intensity he saw at Port but premiership talk is a little too premature.
Chris
Guest
Why were you lucky Mark did you buy your ticket ???? What a ridiculous article premiership talk it's round 1 mate !!!!! AFL gets a free ride in Adelaide what with the stadium deal and front and back pages of the newspaper . Nothing else happens in Adelaide obviously !!!!!
TomC
Roar Guru
'I lived it for 20 years as a football reporter. After a first-up win with a new coach over a very good team, my instructions would be to run a story and play it up as much as possible. Find out what price the bookmakers are now offering for the club to win a premiership, interview delirious fans after the match, ask the coach and players if this could be the year.' This is the bit that I want to hear more about. Mark, any desire to elaborate on this? What's the flip side when the team are struggling? Anyway, this shows the benefit of a good performance first up. The Crows probably don't need any more members, but for teams like Melbourne and the Bulldogs, a round one will probably be worth quite a bit of coin in season ticket sales. They probably don't mind if the media wants to get a little carried away.
Ooga
Guest
They're a shoo-in for back-to-back flags!
AR
Guest
There's premiership talk..??!