news, local-news, In a day for the ages the biggest game ever held in Port Pirie did not disappoint with both sides putting on a great show of AFL football. Sadly, the weather gods were not in their favour as a 40C plus day met the players as they entered the arena at 3.40pm Saturday afternoon at the magnificent revamped Memorial Oval. Both sides showed great respect to the community spirit with both sides fielding near full strength sides with key defender Talia from the Crows and Power trio of skipper Wines, vice-captain Hartlett and towering forward Dixon the notable out with injury from both sides. Port burst out of the gates early as a high scoring first quarter saw the crowd up and about as local boys made good Sam Mayes (Port Bulldogs) and Connor Rozee (South Augusta) got the opening goals for the Power before the Crows settled late with a couple to excitement machine Eddie Betts to leave the Crows only a goal down at the first break. The next two quarters saw the Crows settle into their work beautifully and controlling the ball and outnumbering the Power at the contests. Their movement across half back was outstanding with Milera, Doedee, Smith and Laird performing brilliantly. The Adelaide midfielders dominated possessions for the day with the two Crouch boys amassing 61 possessions between them. The Crows led by 22 and 28 at the next two breaks before the Power were set alight late by strong midfielder Powell-Pepper getting on the end of the ruckwork of Ryder to send the Power on another surge with five goals on the trot and close within a goal late. The Crows were able to find their feet and settle again with the last two goals to run out 17-point victors. For the Power new boy Butters taken as a first round pick impressed most with 25 possessions and ex-skipper Boak looking fit for 27 touches. Newly listed Drew and Duursma will give the Power faithful plenty to look forward to and Watts playing a new role across half back using his foot skills showed promise in a new position. Eddie Betts was the biggest star on the day though with his four goals, high marks, skilled crumbing and his interaction with the crowd that won him even more fans than before. Both clubs were great over the weekend, but Eddie showed why he is such a great cult figure and ambassador of the highest order and loved by all that see or meet him. Most of the stats were even across the day but the Adelaide possession game paid dividends as they outshone the Power with 428 disposals to 346. The new rule changes certainly seemed to work well with the game seeming a much more open affair and the key centre clearances followed the scoring patterns heavily throughout the day. Win the centre and you will score. The kick in changes as well led to a few goal-to-goal scores by opening holes in the defensive walls that both sides picked through when they got the chance. Both sides set up quickly through the middle of the ground to try and force the kick outs wide, but it wasn’t uncommon to see the long kick outs reaching deep into the centre square aided by the extra room. Precautions were taken with the heat with the AFL stepping in to make the last two quarters a flat 25 minutes each as the openers both went over the half hour mark using the 20 minutes plus time on set up. Both sides returned to the rooms for all breaks for extra comfort in the heat and misting tents and ice vests were used by both sides. Paddy Ryder was the only real injury concern for both sides going down late giving all a scare given his recent run of Achilles issues, but a rolled ankle seems to be the result thankfully. Both coaches made special note of the Oval and the facilities in their post-match press conferences with Power coach Hinkley describing the facilities as first class and the ground in great shape. Equally, the Crows coach Pyke said the facilities were fantastic and had no complaints at all with both complimenting the local crowd for backing the game and see no reason they couldn’t return. These comments alone should reinforce the super job all concerned in the day were able to do. From the council staff and members (past and present), the local SGL officials with the SANFL for their work in trying to facilitate other junior games prior (to go with the ladies’ game played post siren) and most importantly the local community and volunteers that have embraced the day wholeheartedly. The fact it was a sell-out was testament to this fact! Both clubs will have lost none of their optimism for season 2019 with the heat of the contest matching the heat of the day. The Crows are certain to rise sharply with a full squad back available and Port have plenty of new blood ready for AFL action that will excite. A great day, well done to all! ADELAIDE 4.1 10.7 13.9 16.10 (106) PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 7.3 9.4 14.5 (89) GOALS Adelaide: Betts 4, Knight 2, Lynch 2, Fogarty 2, B.Crouch, Seedsman, Milera, Atkins, Walker, Jones Port Adelaide: Westhoff 2, Motlop 2, Ebert 2, Rozee 2, Mayes, Boak, Amon, Drew, Ryder, Duursma BEST Adelaide: M.Crouch, Doedee, B.Crouch, Sloane, Betts, Laird Port Adelaide: Boak, Butters, Watts, Houston, Drew, Powell-Pepper INJURIES Adelaide: Nil Port Adelaide: Paddy Ryder (ankle) Reports: Nil Umpires: Fisher, Fleer, Mitchell, Wallace Official crowd: 5482 at Memorial Oval, Port Pirie. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/WBrYxaV7NvpUswpWznezkJ/70018bde-81c1-495a-8c24-ba34a97c0d06.jpg/r0_213_2125_1414_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg AFL JLT: Adelaide Crows defeat Port Adelaide in Port Pirie<doc-sep>Adelaide veteran Eddie Betts has slotted four goals in a 17-point win against Port Adelaide in an AFL pre-season game. Betts and his teammates, Rory Laird and brothers Brad and Matt Crouch, were prominent in the Crows' 16.10 (106) to 14.5 (89) victory on Saturday at Port Pirie. Adelaide's mercurial Eddie Betts. Credit:AAP Port's loss was compounded by ruckman Paddy Ryder rolling his right ankle and limping from the field with minutes remaining. Adelaide's Rory Sloane, appointed co-captain this year with Taylor Walker, collected 28 disposals, Matt Crouch had 32 touches and sibling Brad, who missed all of last season because of groin problems, collected 29 possessions.<doc-sep>sport, local-sport, Football has been played in Port Pirie for a very long time with our oldest club Solomontown established 1894 being in the 10 oldest clubs in the state and Port up to 110 years old. In all that time, however, there has never been a bigger game than what we have on offer this weekend as the AFL rolls in - not just the AFL, but both the local teams in the Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs. Much has been said and written about the spectacular new Memorial Oval facilities and we know people are coming from as far afield as Yalata in the west, Broken Hill to the north and Naracoorte in the south to see these teams square off and run their eye over the best oval outside Adelaide (we think). The local AFL clubs have ventured into country SA a bit in the past few years with Adelaide playing Fremantle in Strathalbyn last year, and North Melbourne in Port Lincoln in 2015 while the Power ventured to Mount Gambier in 2017 against the Tigers and are looking to Whyalla in 2020 to appease the new local sponsors GFG if the oval passes muster. Port played the Crows at Alberton in last year's preseason and again in 2014 in a fixture, that due to locality, is likely to continue to be regular, with the teams taking a game each. Both clubs played an under 23 game last weekend in Adelaide and many of these young guns will again square off in Pirie to put forward their case for a round one berth when the real stuff starts. Both teams will be smarting from a disappointing 2018 with the Power fading from a strong fourth position in round 16 to 10th, winning one of their last eight, while the Crows went from beaten grand final favourite in 2017 to also missing the finals in 12th. There will be plenty of country talent on show and hopefully the locals get a run with Sam Mayes (Port), Connor Rozee (South Augusta) and 2018 Premiership player Scott Lycett (Thevenard) new to the Power to add to other country boys Justin Westhoff (Tanunda), Sam Gray (Rudall), Jack Trengove (Kybybolite) and Cam Hewett (Broughton-Mundoora). For the Crows, Sam Jacobs (Ardrossan), Riley Knight (South Clare), Darcy Fogarty (Lucindale) and Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) all have country ties, but we are unsure of how many will suit up for the game. All AFL clubs use the preseason to make sure they are cherry-ripe for round one and final team structures are a real lottery, but we do know that high-profile Ollie Wines and forward Charlie Dixon for the Power are outs along with key Crows defender Daniel Talia out with fellow defenders Luke Brown and Hugh Greenwood. Power stars Hamish Hartlett and Robbie Gray are looking more likely than not to front up with the majority of both sides' squads' stars available for selection. The Crows showed plenty despite their loss in the recent under 23 game with new additions Stengle and McAdam in the goals. Tyson Stengle, back in South Australia from the Kangaroos, and mature-age Shane McAdam, recruited as part of the Mitch McGovern deal and nephew of Magarey medallist Gilbert McAdam, will hopefully join all Australian small forward Eddie Betts and skipper Tex Walker to give the Crows real goal-kicking potential. Brad Crouch spent 2018 on the sidelines and his return alone will be worth plenty as a hard- bodied proven midfielder and when coupled with Riley Knight who only played limited games last year and the depth of the Crows midfield that includes stars such as Bryce Gibbs, Rory Sloane, last year's best-and-fairest Rory Laird and 2017 best-and-fairest Matt Crouch. Many are tipping that this year will the launch of Wayne Milera into the upper level of players as word has it his pre season has been faultless and he now has the speed, skills and X-factor to go the next level. Wayne is a nephew to former South Augusta medallist Shauny Mclennan. Port rolled the dice in 2018 with plenty of mature age talent in Watts, Motlop, Rockliff, Mckenzie and the now-retired Lindsay Thomas brought in for a flag tilt that came unstuck. They can still reload this year, but will need much more consistency from these players and have added Lycett and 100-game ex-local Sam Mayes. The Power showed good fitness with the lower level of their lists in the under 23 match, coming from 34 points down in the third quarter to win by 11. Young Willem Drew impressed all with his first hit-out along with fringe player Riley Bonner and new draftees Duursma, Butters and Rozee. These players will be crucial, and number-five draft pick Rozee will be a chance to debut in round one, given Port have lost outside speed in Polec and all-Australian Wingard, both finding new homes. There is talk of versatile big man Ryder drifting forward with the addition of ruckman Lycett so it will be interesting to see if this is experimented with here in Pirie. Conditions will be hot, but the AFL has committed to the game going ahead. It will take precautions that may include: More interchange players Shorter quarters Break in the quarters I am sure the teams themselves will look at ice vests and misting fans to assist. This game will also see the debut of a few rule tweaks for the this season that include: Six defenders and six attackers in each arc at centre bounces Can play-on from points without kicking to yourself in the square Man on the mark for kick-ins bought back 10m Hands in back in marking contests changed Side on snaps now allowed for post-siren set shots Teams may choose not to reveal their tactics until games for points arrive. The match should be a belter and will be huge. Fox footy will be live-broadcasting and three radio call teams from 5AA, AFL Nation and the ABC will paint the picture from the new Memorial Oval showpiece from our magnificent city.<doc-sep>Footy is back! And while most South Australians won’t be able to make the journey to Port Pirie — it doesn’t mean you can’t catch the Summer Showdown. The Advertiser has teamed up with Kayo Sports to bring our readers the ultimate AFL package — stream every game of the JLT Community Series, plus the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership season LIVE on Kayo. In addition, you’ll get full access to The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier Mail’s top-shelf news and analysis, PLUS member-only SuperCoach articles and stats. The offer will put you back just $30 a month for the first 12 months (minimum cost $360, conditions apply). And if AFL is not your bag? Don’t worry, Kayo has you covered with every NRL round plus a selection of more than 50 sports — including NBA, La Liga, Serie A, cricket, Formula 1, golf and more. (Be sure to click on the “Kayo Offer” tab to unlock the full benefit.) THE GAME Who: The Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Where: Memorial Oval, Port Pirie When: First bounce at 3.40pm on Saturday (ACDT). How to watch: Stream live through Kayo Sports. WHAT YOU GET ON KAYO Kayo is Australia’s premier sports streaming service which allows you to watch on your favourite devices. All subscriptions include: ● Access to stream more than 50 sports live and on demand ● Kayo’s ‘no spoilers’ features ● Key moments feature for selected matches ● Ability to view the action in HD (depending on your internet speed and device capabilities — the minimum speed required to watch Kayo in HD is 4Mbps). ● Split view feature, so you can stream up to four channels at the same time (available on selected compatible devices). READ MORE: WHAT SPORTS YOU’LL GET WITH KAYO THE TEAMS CROWS B: Keath (42), Otten (22), Kelly (8) HB: Seedsman (11, Laird (29), Milera (30) C: Smith (33), M. Crouch (5), Knight (3) HF: Betts (18), Lynch (27), Douglas (26) F: Fogarty (32), Jenkins (4), Walker (13) 1R: Jacobs (24), Sloane (9), Ellis-Yolmen (28) Int: Hartigan (15), Doedee (39), Atkins (21}, O’Brien (43), Poholke (10), B. Crouch (2), Murphy (44), Jones (20). POWER B: Howard (32), Clurey (17), Houston (43) HB: Burton (3), Jonas (42), Byrne-Jones (33) C: Motlop (6), Rockliff (11), Westhoff (39) HF: Boak (10), Watts (23), Ebert (7) F: R. Gray (9), Ryder (4), S. Gray (46) 1R: Lycett (29), S. Powell-Pepper (2), Drew (28) Int: Butters (18), Duursma (21), Lienert (4), Bonner (26), Mayes (34), Marshall (13), Rozee (20), Amon (15). Kayo is owned by News Corp AU.<doc-sep>
Port Adelaide’s first round draft pick Zak Butters hadn’t played a game since last year’s national championships ended in July, but he won’t have to wait long for an AFL debut. In fact, he may not have to wait at all. After missing the entire second half of 2018 due to a shoulder reconstruction, the 18-year-old put his hand up for a spot in Ken Hinkley’s Round 1 team, starring in the Power’s 17-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! While top-five pick Connor Rozee has been all the rage this summer, it was all about Port Adelaide’s other first round pick in the South Australian coastal town of Port Pirie. Butters burst out of the blocks against the Crows collecting seven first quarter touches, before finishing with 25 disposals in an eye-catching display in 42 degree heat. “He is a lock for Round 1, let’s say that right now,” North Melbourne great David King said on Fox Footy. “He is all quality and all class this kid.” Eddie Betts celebrates a goal against Port Adelaide. Source: Getty Images Port Adelaide stormed home in the final quarter, but before then it was all Adelaide. Nothing went right for the Crows last year. They endured a pre-season camp scandal that lingered all year. They were ravaged by injuries to their best players. And they missed the finals after playing in the grand final a year earlier. Watch the JLT Community Series live on FOX FOOTY. But 2019 is a new year, and while usual suspects Matt Crouch (32 disposals and 14 contested possessions) and Rory Laird (28 disposals and nine marks) were prolific as per usual, it was the form of new co-captain Rory Sloane (28 disposals), the return of Brad Crouch (29 disposals and five clearances) and the return to form of Eddie Betts (four goals) that will please Don Pyke most. “This is the sort of form we want to see for the whole season,” King said after Betts slotted his fourth goal out of nowhere in the third quarter. “He puts bums on seats; he is an absolute ripper.” Every game of every round of the 2019 AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. Get it all on Foxtel. Travis Boak gets wrapped up by Brad Crouch. Picture SARAH REED Source: News Corp Australia Crouch hasn’t played an AFL game since the grand final to Richmond 17 months ago, but after starring in a practice match last weekend and firing again on Saturday, the star midfielder is over the groin issue that ruined his 2018 and finally humming again. “It was really hard. People that have done it before know what it’s like getting in and out of your car. What I had in 2017 was pretty sore, but it got to a point last year where I couldn’t even run,” he told Fox Footy after the three-goal win. “It is good I got the surgery and fixed it up because I’m feeling great now. It is good to have some run in the legs and get through. “I’ve done everything I can to this point, I’ve just got to get a bit more luck and get through a whole season.” Paddy Ryder comes off the ground in the last quarter. Picture SARAH REED Source: News Corp Australia All-Australian star Paddy Ryder - who missed a chunk of last season with an achilles injury - sent a scare through the Power camp when he hobbled from the ground in the dying minutes and headed straight down the race with what appeared to be a lower leg injury. With new co-captain Ollie Wines set to miss the early part of the season with a shoulder reconstruction, following a waterskiing accident in the pre-season, and Charlie Dixon still recovering from a leg fracture, the Power can’t afford to lose anymore stars ahead of Round 1. Follow the AFL pre-season competition, the JLT Community Series, in our live blog below. If you can’t see the blog, tap here!