General News

Crows players spent their day off on Wednesday spreading Christmas cheer across Adelaide.

A large contingent of players helped to hand out food and toy hampers at UnitingCare Wesley’s Bowden branch.

More than 1,100 South Australian families will benefit from the support of UnitingCare Wesley Bowden this festive season.

Another group of players visited the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds to help The Smith Family pack the 3,000-plus hampers they will deliver to families in need across regional and metropolitan Adelaide this weekend.

The players were also a popular sight on the Variety Children’s Ward at the Flinders Medical Centre.

Ruckman Sam Jacobs and young players Daniel Talia, Shaun McKernan, Aidan Riley and Will Young spent time with the kids on the ward and handed out presents donated by the Club’s members and supporters.

More than 1,000 children’s Christmas presents were donated and placed under the Toyota Christmas tree at West Lakes this year.

The presents were donated to UnitingCare Wesley Bowden, Time 4 Kids, the Smith Family, as well as the Variety Children’s Ward at the Flinders Medical Centre.

A solo performance from forward Taylor Walker was among the highlights of the 2011 Crows Foundation Christmas Carols on Tuesday night. 

Around 800 people packed the Westpac Centre and watched on as Walker - after strong encouragement from former X-Factor contestant and Crows Carols headline act Hayley Teal - belted out the chorus of ‘Joy to the World’ in his trademark bass tone.

The evening failed to unearth any budding singers in the playing group, but the team did provide a hearty rendition of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

Coach Brenton Sanderson, who had the longest autograph line of anyone, was presented on stage and captain Nathan van Berlo also took the microphone to introduce new recruits, Brad Crouch, Luke Brown, Lewis Johnston, Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Ben Dowdell, Sam Kerridge, Mitch Grigg, Nick Joyce and Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

There was a surprise visit from Father Christmas, who was delighted with the 400 presents placed under the Toyota Christmas tree by the Club’s members and supporters.

The presents were donated to charitable organisations, The Smith Family, Wesley Uniting Care, Time for Kids and the Flinders Medical Centre Children’s Ward on Wednesday.

Part funds raised from the night will go to the Guide Dogs SA/NT Autism Assistance Program, while the Crows Supporter Group donated the proceeds of the-ever popular sausage sizzle to the Crows Foundation.

The raffle was won by a lucky lady, who took home the very first signed 2012 Crows guernsey.

Thank you to everyone who came along, or donated their time to make the event possible.

The Crows Foundation held its most successful annual Grand Final lunch last week and raised a record total. 

Now in its fifth year, the Crows Foundation Grand Final Lunch was attended by more than 100 guests at the Pier Hotel Glenelg and raised over $6,000 for children in need.

Guests were treated to a three course lunch and drinks and were entertained by a special panel of football guests including Crows premiership players Kym Koster and James Thiessen, former assistant coach, Michael Taylor and current Crows Foundation Board member Jason Porplyzia.

Rod Jameson led the questions assisted by MC Corey Wingard and shared memories from their own Grand Final experiences and their thoughts on the lead up to the 2011 finale.

Newly appointed Crows Senior Coach Brenton Sanderson also found time in his very busy schedule to pop in for a chat and provided some fantastic insight as a recent Geelong assistant coach.

Oren Klemich from Klemich Real Estate hosted the auction bidding which saw some great items purchased with great generosity from guests.

The Crows Foundation thanks everyone who attended the lunch and made it such a resounding success.

The Redliners completed their 518km bike ride, raising funds for children in need, late Wednesday afternoon, September 28.

The Redliners crossed the finish line in the Alma Hotel carpark around 4pm after a gruelling three days in the saddle.

Jason Porplyzia, Richard Douglas and Chris Schmidt were among a group of 23 riders who left Adelaide Monday morning bound for Waikerie in the inaugural Redline Classic.

A gruelling ascent up Gorge Road in the first hour split the peleton early but all the riders made it to Waikerie in near perfect weather conditions.

On Tuesday, the warm weather and a hot northerly head wind made it tough going for the riders as it took six hours and 40mins to ride 167km on endless flat roads from Waikerie to Clare.

The group enjoyed the swimming pool and rest at the Clare Country Club on Tuesday night, after a great (and well deserved) feed at the Taminga Hotel.

Wednesday morning a tail wind helped them on their way and in near perfect weather conditions the tired and sore Redliners team weaved their way through the picturesque wine region towards Adelaide.

Crows members and supporters of the club and cycling enthusiasts can support the ride by making a donation to Porplyzia, Douglas, Schmidt or another rider.

Please go to http://redlinersonline.com/redlineclassic2011

Click here to view the full gallery of images from the ride.

Have you got a question about the appointment of new Crows coach Brenton Sanderson?

Well head to the Crows Foundation AFL Grand Final luncheon and hear first-hand from Nigel Smart who lead the Adelaide Crows team that appointed Sanderson.

The dual premiership player and Club deputy Chairman will be joined on an all-star panel by premiership players Rod Jameson, Kym Koster and Shaun Rehn, current player Jason Porplyzia and former SANFL coach and player Michael Taylor.

This affordable footy function during AFL Grand Final week will be held at the Pier Hotel at Glenelg next Thursday September 29 from 12.00noon.

The lunch will celebrate 20 years of the Adelaide Football Club and the two premierships as well as preview the 2012 AFL Grand Final.

The cost is just $80 for a three course meal and quality beer, wine and soft-drink. Tickets are selling fast so to book your table please download the booking form below.

100% of funds raised at the lunch will go to SA children in need.

Since May 2005 the Crows Foundation has raised and donated more than $500,000 to children charities across SA.

More than 210 women celebrated AFL Women's week in style at the annual Crows Foundation Ruby Connection Ladies Lunch at the Club Thursday 9 June, 2011.

Bernie Vince has a battle on his hands at the moment trying to overcome a hamstring injury. But that battle pails into insignificance compared to the daily battle for survival that the babies face in the neo-natal ward at the Flinders Medical Centre.

Nearly 1000 people enjoyed Tuesday night’s Crows Foundation Christmas Carols in the Westpac Centre shed floor.

The bi-annual Crows Foundation Queens Arms Hotel luncheon was held on Wednesday 22 September. This was once again a sell out event with 100 guests in attendance.