AN AVID Adelaide Crows fan who is battling cancer hopes she can again watch her beloved football club from the grandstand.
Mount Gambier resident Marylyn Salievic says this remains her goal despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
While not part of the ballot process for Saturday night’s highly anticipated AFL Showdown between the Crows and Port Adelaide, she hopes her dream of attending a game maybe just around the corner.
The Adelaide Oval is set to host the first AFL crowd in the nation this year following the State Government giving the green light to a crowd of around 2000 supporters.
Although facing a challenging cancer journey ahead, the resident believed it was important to “keep positive and happy” and continue to set goals.
“I want to attend a game, while I can. It gives me something to look forward to,” Ms Salievic told The Border Watch yesterday.
Dressed in Adelaide football colours and waving a flag outside her home yesterday, the Crows supporter said excitement was building ahead of the return of AFL on television screens tonight.
Ms Salievic – who has been a member of the Adelaide Football Club for more than 20 years – said it was great AFL action would return.
“It is wonderful, I have been missing it so much,” the selfdescribed mad Crows supporter said.
While pleased a small crowd would be allowed into the Adelaide Oval this weekend, she suggested they should expand these numbers given the size of the facility.
“I think we have been pretty good with COVID-19 in South Australia. I can’t see the difference between having 10,000 or 2000, you can spread them around.”
While it may not happen yet, Ms Salievic said she was hopeful it was on the horizon.
“It would be great to get everyone in for a home game later in the year,” Ms Salievic added.
Traditionally, Ms Salievic – who is a member of the South East Adelaide Crows Support Group – attends 11 Adelaide Crows home games each year.
“I have a friend at Tantanoola and we take in turns to drive. I love the atmosphere. We were booked to go to the Gold Coast to see a game up there, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to COVID-19,” she explained.
“I am a very die-hard supporter. I just love them, they were the first to start in South Australia.”
The long running supporter ranks Andrew McLeod as her all time favourite player.
“I also really like Taylor Walker and of course, everybody loves Rory Sloane.”
Ms Salievic suggested the Crows would likely start as the underdogs in Saturday night’s showdown.
“Let’s hope the underdog wins. I think Port Adelaide look a lot better on paper and they did not lose as many players as the Crows. We also have a new coach – let’s hope all the players gel.”
The South East Adelaide Crows Support Group – which has more than 100 members – plans to again hold meetings following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
According to Ms Salievic, the group raises money each year to bring a Crows player to the Blue Lake city each year.
In a statement by the Adelaide Crows, the club will use a ballot system to allocate 475 tickets for the Showdown.
Up to 2000 fans will be able to attend the clash, along with a further 240 in private rooms.
Adelaide has been allocated 475 tickets and Port Adelaide 1475 tickets – due to it being a Power home game.
Remaining tickets will be given to Adelaide Oval members.
Fans in the stands will be seated in every third seat and every alternate row with fans split around the entirety of the ground.
There were no new cases of COVID-19 in South Australia yesterday.
