Saturday’s SANFL Elimination Final will mark an incredible achievement for the Club, but there are also so many underlying stories within the team’s three-year journey.

The Crows entered the SANFL in 2014 under the guidance of former North Adelaide vice-captain Heath Younie. The Crows’ inaugural SANFL coach has committed countless hours in developing the fledgling side into a competitive outfit on and off the field.

Younie spent a decade with the Roosters and played 183 SANFL games in a decorated career which included two best and fairests and two leading goalkicker awards. He earned life membership with the club upon retirement in 2010.

Younie himself knows the intensity required to succeed in finals footy. He helped the Roosters reach the 2007 Grand Final and also played in the club’s run to a Preliminary Final the previous year.

Will Saturday be the first step towards Younie finally lifting the Thomas Seymour Hill Cup?

Fellow SANFL development coach Paul Thomas actually played against Younie in the 2007 decider. It was one of six premierships for the revered Magarey Medallist, who remains one of the most decorated SANFL players in the League’s rich history.

Thomas will be coaching against his former club this weekend in another intriguing sub-plot behind Saturday’s Elimination Final.

SANFL Squad: Five in for first final

Fellow former Bulldog Wayne Milera Junior will also take on ex-teammates as he continues to carve out the first exciting steps of his Crows career.

Milera, who booted three goals in Central’s win over Port Adelaide in last year’s Semi-Final, cannot wait to be back on the finals stage.

“The boys are pretty pumped up, and I’m pretty pumped to play in my second finals campaign,” he said.

“It’ll be good to play against the old team again this week. I played them once this year and they beat us, so hopefully we can get one back and knock them off this week.

“It’d be great to get a massive crowd. I think last year there was 8,500 so it’ll be good to play in front of something like that again.”

Jonathon Beech’s fairytale football story is another worth following. Persistence and sheer hard work earned the West Adelaide premiership player a spot on Adelaide’s rookie list this season and he’s the type that won’t die wondering.

“It’s really exciting for the Club. I’m really happy to be a part of it,” Beech said.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there with this young group and seeing what we can do.

“I was lucky enough to win a premiership with West Adelaide last year. I know the intensity goes to another level in finals. Everyone just plays like it’s their last game of footy for the year and they leave nothing on the field.”

Fairytale stories don’t come much better than Hugh Greenwood’s incredible return to football.

After eight years away from the sport to pursue a basketball career, Greenwood is hungry for finals success in his first year as a Crow.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play in some big basketball finals… but that’s a long time ago now and it certainly wasn’t at a venue like Adelaide Oval,” he said.

“I’m about to find out for the first time this weekend what that sort of experience is like.”

SANFL Match Preview: Crows v Bulldogs

Another Crow eager to play his first game at Adelaide Oval is impressive left-footer Harrison Wigg.

The 19-year-old’s transformation from a rebounding defender to a hard-nosed midfielder has been a big factor in Adelaide’s rise up the SANFL ladder this season.

“It will be my first game at Adelaide Oval, and I’m very excited because it’s been a long time coming,” Wigg said.

“You train on it every couple of weeks, but it’ll be nice to get my first game at Adelaide Oval.

“I think the pressure on the footy early will be very high. Hopefully we get a nice sized crowd to pump us up.”

Youngster Dean Gore played two SANFL finals with Sturt in 2014.

The hard-working onballer kicked two goals in the side’s narrow Qualifying Final loss to eventual premiers Norwood and cannot wait to return to the SANFL’s finals stage.

“I was lucky enough to play two finals for Sturt in 2014 and that was an awesome experience. I can’t wait to get out there again,” Gore said.

“Hopefully Crows fans can get out there this week and support us. I definitely think we’ve got the talent to go far.”

There are countless other stories to share as the Club prepares to turn a new chapter this weekend. Fans are encouraged to get along to the game to witness history and cheer on the next generation of Crows players.

Saturday’s Elimination Final against Central District begins at 12.10pm at Adelaide Oval.