Patrick Wilson will step onto a familiar field on Sunday afternoon when the SANFL Crows take on his former team, Sturt.
Wilson arrived at West Lakes in November via the AFL Rookie Draft, just weeks after playing a crucial role in the Double Blues’ SANFL Premiership win over Port Adelaide.
After a number of years playing at Peter Motley Oval, the 23-year-old admits it will be a strange feeling to be in the opposition rooms this weekend.
“I don’t know how I’ll go the night before, I might be a bit nervous,” Wilson said.
“But I’m excited, I’ve played with them for a long time, so it will be good to go against them because I know how everyone plays.”
It was a tough start to the SANFL campaign for Adelaide, losing to Port Adelaide by 95 points in the season opener.
Despite the heavy defeat, Wilson was among the Crows’ best, with a team-high 26 disposals (14 contested), seven clearances and a goal.
“When you lose by so much it’s harder to stay positive, but I went alright with my game and it was just nice to get the first one out the way,” he said.
“We’ve had a few injuries which has been tough and had a lot of new kids coming into the side, which is good for development.
“It wasn’t the desired result, but I’m confident we’ll bounce back.”
The SANFL team, led by coach Ryan O’Keefe, have been focused on a number of aspects in a bid to improve in Round Two.
“The biggest thing for us was the midfield stoppages,” Wilson said.
“Port Adelaide got on top of us in the midfield and this week Ryan O’Keefe really focused on ball security and being able to hold your opponent out.
“We worked on the little stuff, like blocking, setting up and just playing a bit more as a team.”
Individually, Wilson has highlighted his areas for improvement in the coming weeks as he looks to push himself into the frame for senior selection.
“I’m not too bad when it’s a contest and finding the football but if I want to play AFL, it’s a lot faster than the SANFL, so being able to get away from the stoppage and cover off an opponent or just get up the ground is what I need to work on,” Wilson said.
“I think if I can work on that, then I might sneak an AFL game in here or there, but at the minute I’m just trying to focus on improving the small stuff.
“At this stage, I just have to keep improving what I have to work on and the rest will take care of itself.”
Adelaide’s Round Two SANFL clash against Sturt is at Peter Motley Oval on Sunday afternoon, at 2.10pm.
