For passionate Crows supporter Enzo Cornejo, nothing makes him happier than watching his favourite footy team win.

And when Enzo, who lives with the extremely rare condition Progeria – a disease that causes premature and rapid ageing – is unwell, the thought of seeing his favourite players again gives him the strength to keep going.

After spending the past two months in hospital due to heart complications caused by Progeria, Enzo celebrated getting his health back on track in the best possible way when he led the Crows’ team song in the changerooms after their five-point win against Brisbane.

Speaking to AFC Media, his mother, Catherina Llontop, said the win and the opportunity to be in the changerooms post-match at Adelaide Oval on Friday night meant everything to Enzo.

“Enzo really wanted to celebrate that he is well by going to a footy match but this was the best footy match,” Llontop said.

“The players came to visit him and that was wonderful because that helped him to get better. It’s been a long recovery but he’s been very patient and all this time he’s been thinking about getting better so he can go to the oval and watch a Crows game.

“When he is in hospital, Enzo likes to make the hospital feel like home, so he brings a Crows hat and Crows blanket and I think that makes him feel like he’s with the boys and gives him strength to be brave.

“This is important for us because you have to have something to think about so you work hard to get better, and the Club means a lot to Enzo.”

Enzo’s friendship with the players developed a few years ago when he was invited for a behind-the-scenes experience at the Club through the Adelaide Crows Foundation’s Crows Care program.

Through the program, players and staff deliver experiences to support children and youth in need.

Llontop said Enzo always believed the Crows could cause an upset against the Lions on Friday night and loved celebrating with the players.

“We were sitting near Lions supporters and they were celebrating during the game because they were winning,” Llontop said.

“But Enzo is not shy and he kept saying ‘no, Crows are going to win, you will see’.

“When we got invited to the rooms and the players started to come in from the oval, you could see Enzo’s face illuminate and the face of the players seeing him there - it was a really special moment.

“Enzo cannot play footy because of Progeria, but footy has given him so much because the boys have included him in such a special way.”

Llontop said the family was grateful for the opportunities Enzo was given to interact with the players and Friday night would be a moment never forgotten.

“All the boys were happy to see him again and happy to see him so well,”  Llontop said.

“Enzo has now gone back to school, he’s in Year 8 at Sacred Heart College, and he feels so good.

“As parents, we feel very thankful to the Club for caring about their supporters because this is very important and it gives the kids happiness, it’s just amazing.”