As he edges closer to his 250th game, Crows SANFL mentor Michael Godden says his coaching is at “as high a level as it has ever been”.

Godden’s record as a SANFL coach speaks for itself.

Across his 249-game tenure (which also includes three State games) at Woodville West Torrens and the Crows, he has a winning percentage of 62.45, the fifth highest of any SANFL coach above 200 games. 

Among those victories was a Grand Final triumph in 2011, in just his second season at the Eagles, while he also took Adelaide to its equal highest finish in Club history in 2022. 

Speaking to AFC Media in the lead up to the milestone, Godden said he was thrilled to be still doing what he loves at a high-level.

“I’m really proud of it (getting to 250 games) because even though it’s something you don’t really think about until it comes up, it’s great to know you have stayed relevant in footy for such a long time,” Godden said.

“I thought if I survived a year I’d be pretty happy and then when I got through the second year I felt I had what it took to coach at the level for a few seasons.

“The connections and friendships that you build through footy are unbelievable and are probably the main reason that I am still here coaching some 13 years later.

“It’s such a privilege to still be coaching at such a high-level, and I have loved my journey so far.”

While Godden has become one of the winningest mentors in SANFL history, during his playing days he thought the coaching pathway wasn’t for him.

But quickly developed a passion for it.

“Initially (when I was playing) coaching wasn’t a path I thought I’d go down, the closest I got to being any sort of leader back in those days was organising the footy trips,” Godden said. 

“Towards the end of my career however I began to think about what was next, and because footy was my life I instantly gravitated towards coaching so I could stay involved in the game. 

“I began by coaching an under-20s team at West Adelaide and the moment I sat in that coaches box I instantly fell in love with it.

“Throughout my time working up the ranks and then getting the top job at the Eagles, that love just continued to grow, and now I am more passionate about coaching than I have ever been.” 

Having already forged a decorated career at the Eagles, Godden found himself in search of a new challenge following the 2018 season.

This is when the Crows came knocking, offering him an opportunity which he said had helped take his craft to new heights.  

“I was at Adelaide many years ago as a player and while I didn’t get to play a game, I’ve always had that connection to the Club,” Godden said.

“I think for me I had probably exhausted myself at the Eagles, I didn’t know whether I was helping them anymore and was struggling to reinvent myself, so I thought the players needed a fresh start.

“I still felt like I wanted to challenge myself at the level and got that opportunity at Adelaide which was fantastic.

“It was obviously tough those first few years, but I have grown enormously over my time at the Club and as a result am now I am coaching as well as I ever have.”

Godden once again finds himself in a position where he is competing for premiership glory.

His Crows sit second on the SANFL ladder with one home and away match remaining - against Norwood on Saturday.

Godden said the current squad was in a strong place and was determined to bring a first SANFL premiership to West Lakes.

“It’s a bit two-pronged for us at the moment, as you’ve got your development players who are very raw and have had no experience at the level and then your AFL-listed guys who are pushing to play at the highest level,” Godden said.

“But I feel the balance we’ve got right now is great, and recent results are showing that the boys are playing a very solid brand of footy and building something special.

“Bringing that first SANFL premiership to Adelaide definitely motivates me, it’s something the Club wants to achieve and I want to be a part of it.

“Obviously there are challenges that come with availability and things in the finals, but if we keep putting ourselves in good positions to win it, one day we will get there.”

Adelaide takes on Norwood at Norwood Oval on Saturday at 2.10pm.