First Nations talent on show at Adelaide Oval
The Crows Academies First Nations squad marked Sir Doug Nicholls Round with a decisive 48-point victory over the Eddie Betts Foundation Academy at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, underscoring a growing commitment to First Nations talent pathways.
Led by Indigenous Pathways Coach and former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide forward Lindsay Thomas, the Crows Academies side pulled away to record a 10.5 (65) to 2.5.(17) win. North Adelaide youngster Xavier Reid set the tone, finishing with four goals and earning best-on-ground honours.
Key Points
- Crows Academies First Nations squad wins by 48 points at Adelaide Oval
- Team coached by Lindsay Thomas defeats Eddie Betts Foundation Academy
- Xavier Reid kicks four goals and named best-on-ground
- Players drawn from APY Lands and SANFL NGA-aligned zones
- Eddie Betts coaches opposition; his son Lewis features in match
- Event marks Sir Doug Nicholls Round and Crows’ NGA expansion
- First Nations squad joins AFL captain’s run and guard of honour
The squad drew on emerging First Nations players from across key regions, including the APY Lands and the Club’s NGA-aligned SANFL zones of Central District, Glenelg, Sturt and North Adelaide. The match served as a showcase for the depth of talent progressing through these pathways.
Kuwarna and Carlton great Eddie Betts coached the Eddie Betts Foundation Academy, which also featured his eldest son, Lewis. The contest provided a high-profile platform for developing players to test themselves on a major stage.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round
The fixture was staged as a curtain raiser to the Kuwarna v North Melbourne Sir Doug Nicholls Round match at Adelaide Oval. Organisers described the game as a demonstration of ongoing commitment to First Nations pathways and noted it followed the recent expansion of the Crows’ NGA zone to include the APY Lands.
Participants also engaged in activities with the AFL side during the round. The Crows Academies First Nations Squad joined the AFL team at captain’s run, formed a guard of honour for the main game, and completed a post-game recovery and tour at the Club’s West Lakes headquarters.
“This was the greatest experience of my football life,” William Cochrane said. “It was awesome to be able to play on Adelaide Oval, which I have never done before. “I have watched games here before but never thought I would get to play on the grass. Lindsay and Eddie were such great coaches and the support they have given all of the boys over the past few days so has been so good.”
Club officials highlighted that the match aligned with broader efforts to support young First Nations players through structured development opportunities, exposure to elite environments and mentoring from current and former AFL players and coaches.
