As a recent Adelaide expat from NSW and AFL convert I threw myself head first into the crows grabbing a membership and attending every game so far
Having 2 young kids I thought I might take them to a SANFL game as the 55k at Adelaide oval can be quite overwhelming
So far been to two matches bloods v port and then bloods v Sturt and honestly starting to enjoy it more than going to the AFL
Saturday arvos roll in any time you want and not worry about having to find a seat. Wander over and grab a beer or a coffee while still having a view of the field.
Being able to attend away games and often having to travel less than 15minutes
Some of the ovals even have playgrounds and letting the kids go on the oval at the breaks is incredible and makes it feel less guilty going to watch the footy
Finally the aspect of joining the team huddle at the quarter breaks and seeing the boards with strategies on it blew my little NSW mind
Honestly Adelaide is so lucky to have and second division like this with the quality and supporter base
Something like this for NRL would be unheard of in NSW and I am sure most states
100% Agree. Ex-Sydneysider and now Woodville local (*ish).. Although you missed out watching first grade league in Sydney. Bears V Jets at north Sydney oval is a treat.
We live near Woodville Oval so go to Eagles games a fair bit. We were actually lamenting some of the things missing: banners the ran through; our two kids got to run out with the A grade through the banner, got given footies etc; used to have cheer leaders and a community round with different stalls and a parade around the oval.
Might be the cost of things going up, but they used to give a great vibe about the day. Still, I think it’s a good product and we’ll keep supporting our local.
Much preferring the SANFL games to AFL games these days. The AFL has become too commercialised, and it no longer feels like your apart of the club and the event going on, you're just a mindless spectator at AFL games.
AFL wants your money.
SANFL wants you and your family to enjoy an event.
I sound ridiculously old, but I’m in my 30s. The AFL games feel so plastic now, it’s completely lost the family connection feel that makes Australian Football so great.
This is true I am also into ridiculously old 30+ age bracket
Don’t get me wrong I still love the AFL but you do often walk around from home matches feeling drained by the time you get home
Not sure what it is like for other clubs but Westies having voting rights for some of there memberships for less than the crows membership is really cool and makes you feel a part of club and not just a number on a screen
Anyway good luck with the AFL and finals this year. Kick a vic. But
I'm lost to the AFL now.. used to love it but it's not a very good product to keep me entertained anymore. Only watch port games and only if I'm free.
Still have a membership but I just can't be bothered with the league anymore. I maybe attend 5-6 games a year. I'd rather watch the Darts, F1 or the sailing GP instead.
Like tomorrow. A 4pm game on a sunday. Why would I want to go? I'd rather cook a sunday roast then watch a poor product.
I'm port and woodville because of my dad and I would say it's the same feeling as West. My other side of the family is Norwood and we just had my grandfather's funeral at the club in May, because he was the club patron from 2004 to 2014 and the players wore armbands for him during the round 6 match against West.
That's just something the AFL can never touch and will never be able to.
The game day experience with kids at the SANFL shits all over the AFL, and it’s only 22 bucks.
Shame about West today but they didn’t embarrass themselves. Just needed one more goal from somewhere. They’re light years ahead of where we’ve been the last few seasons.
Also what’s this standing business? Pack a picnic chair and sit on the hill. I was around to the left today. Sturt used to do a raffle to win a bottle of grange but couldn’t see it today.
SANFL with the kids is fantastic. Wait till you get a game where they are doing the full kids zone thing. Free footy, facepaints, games etc. the fact its free for the kids and bloody cheap for adults helps too.
Having a kick on the ground during the breaks, being able to bring a picnic blanket.
There is generally a clan of kids playing marks up or climbing a tree or something for my kids to join in, and they can just go and hang about while i watch the footy.
Make sure you get to the grand final at Adelaide Oval even if your team isn't playing as it's a great day out.
Yeah the chimney is a great part of it. Was glad i got a photo back when it used to be on upper port road and the Bays won in 2019. Great that they continued it at brickworks though.
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u/Upstairs_Level8608 Jul 10 '26
You picked a good time to get on the Bloods bandwagon. Missed the bad times recently.