Adelaide’s SANFL side completed its first hit-out of the 2026 pre-season against an experienced Port Adelaide outfit on Friday afternoon.
The Crows worked hard throughout the day, but were ultimately outclassed in the three-period contest, falling to Port 10.13 (73) to 5.3 (33) at Alberton Oval.
There were plenty of positives to take out of trial, with SANFL senior coach Matthew Wright delivering five key takeaways.
Ludowyke shines in first outing as a Crow
Draftee Archie Ludowyke was a shining light for the Crows up forward, providing a strong presence ahead of the ball and hitting the scoreboard.
The 18-year-old booted two of Adelaide’s five goals, created two other opportunities and competed strongly against an experienced Port Adelaide backline that included Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Wright said it was an incredibly positive showing from the youngster in his first competitive hit-out in Crows colours.
“Archie has been a bit of a slower build, he didn’t train with the main group much pre-Christmas due to injury but since then he’s come back and hit the ground running,” Wright said.
“We saw glimpses today of what he can do, he leads hard up at the footy, competes strongly ahead of the footy and just generates scoring opportunities.
“He knocked through two today, had another two chances and was just influential when he was near the footy, so overall it was a great first hit-out for him.”
O’Brien’s experience comes to the fore
The experience of Reilly O’Brien proved invaluable for the Crows through the middle of the ground, as he consistently gave his midfielders first look at the footy.
The 30-year-old’s competitiveness and willing to work was on show throughout the three periods, as he battled tirelessly to help his team in warm conditions at Alberton.
“He’s a competitor, he has been a leader of this footy Club for a long period of time now and he led from the front strongly today,” Wright said.
“He worked hard throughout, presented well, found the footy and gave our midfield first use for the majority of the day.
“ROB is definitely one that can hold his head high.”
First-year Crows show promise in different positions
First-year Crows Mitch Marsh and Indy Cotton were thrown into new positions in the pre-season, and both performed well.
Drafted as a forward, Marsh spent the afternoon up on the wing, while Cotton played across half-back after training as a forward throughout pre-season.
Wright said it was pleasing to see both boys rise to the challenge, as they each had positive moments.
“Throughout the summer Indy’s spent time all over the ground, today we decided to give him a go across half back, and he showed some great signs,” Wright said.
“He attacked the footy hard, defended well and gave us a bit of drivee, which was great, and the more footy he plays the better it will be for his development.
“Marshy’s had a terrific pre-season, it was a tough day for a lot of the boys out there, but he worked his way into the game well and showed his class.
“He works hard, gets to the right spots, uses the ball well and can have an impact in the air - there were a lot of things to like from his first hit-out against proper opposition today and he’ll be able to keep building from that.”
Dowling’s prolific day in the midfield
Midfielder Billy Dowling showed his class from the first bounce at Alberton, booting the opening goal within the first minute.
The 21-year-old was a force for his side throughout the three periods.
His ability to transition across the ground was a standout for the coach, as he showcased the hard work he had put in throughout the summer.
“He’s a worker, he’s diligent with what he does and has improved throughout this pre-season, which was definitely on show today,” Wright said.
“It was evident from that first passage of play, where he won the centre clearance, followed up and kicked a nice goal.
“His ability to transition all over the ground was definitely on show today, and he won a stack of the footy which was great to see.”
First hit-out an invaluable experience for young Crows
The scoreboard did not favour the Crows at the end of the day, but the experience of battling it out against an experienced Port Adelaide outfit proved invaluable to their pre-season preparations.
Coming up against a Port Adelaide side that featured the likes of Ollie Wines, Esava Ratugolea, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Jordon Sweet, the young Adelaide side battled manfully throughout the day.
Wright said there were plenty of positives to take out of the game as his side prepares to face Woodville-West Torrens next week.
“For our boys, you go out there and see a Brownlow Medallist (Ollie Wines), lining up for the opposition, it is a bit of a jump to what they’d experienced before,” Wright said.
“But it was an awesome experience for them to come up against that level of competition, and they would have gotten a lot out of it.
“It gives us great preparation for the season upcoming, and the boys come away from this game having learned a lot.”
Adelaide’s SANFL preparations continue with a match against the Eagles at West Lakes on Friday.
The Crows will then battle Central District at Elizabeth on March 14, before a final hit-out against South Adelaide at Noarlunga on March 28.
SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide: 4.2 (26) 8.9 (57) 10.13 (73)
Adelaide: 3.0 (18) 4.1 (25) 5.3 (33)
Goalkickers
Crows: Ludowyke 2, Dowling, Strachan, Bennett
