We asked fans what their favourite moments from the 2023 Toyota AFL season at Adelaide Oval were – the responses did not disappoint!
From triumphant victories to league firsts and massive milestones, there have been some truly unforgettable moments this year! Take a trip down memory lane with us and relive some of the highlights of the season.
The inaugural Gather Round at Adelaide Oval
Round Five saw AFL’s first ever Gather Round arrive in SA, with every game of the round played around our beautiful state. Adelaide Oval hosted six games across the four days – thrillers, upsets, controversies, you name it; it was an exhilarating round of footy, festivities and entertainment for the 170,000+ passionate fans that poured through the gates.
One of the highlights of the weekend? The announcement that Gather Round will be held in SA for the next three years. We are honoured to be the centrepiece of Gather Round in 2024 and beyond. If you missed the action this year, make sure you lock in your plans for next year.
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Two consecutive Showdown wins for the Crows
Now this one is very dependent on who you ask…!
Adelaide v Port Adelaide is always a blockbuster match-up on the footy calendar and the electric atmosphere at both Showdowns this year was no exception.
In front of a packed stadium, the Crows secured back-to-back victories against their cross-town rivals, with a convincing win in Round 3, followed by another comfortable win in Round 20 to keep their finals hopes alive. Although Port Adelaide battled defiantly through injury, the Crows were simply too good.
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Lucky number 13 for the Power
Round 17’s clash between Port Adelaide and Gold Coast Suns was one for the club’s history books. The Power were seeking their 13th win in a row while two of their superstar forwards were also celebrating career milestones; Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson were celebrating their 200th and 100th games respectively.
Finlayson kicked the opening goal of the game in the first 90 seconds, leading to an enormous eruption from the Port faithful, a reaction only matched by an early third-quarter goal from Dixon. Port went on to secure a commanding 33-point victory over Gold Coast and set a new club record of 13 consecutive wins in a regular AFL season.
The Gatorade showers were flowing in the changeroom post-game!
Charlie Dixon of the Power is chaired of by Aliir Aliir and Sam Hayes after his 200th game. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Anzac Round
In an always impactful ANZAC Round clash, Port Adelaide played host to the West Coast Eagles.
Ask almost any football fan and they will tell you that this is one of their favourite rounds in the fixture. The atmosphere is difficult to describe– you simply need to be in the stands to experience it firsthand. Special ANZAC Appeal guernseys, the moving sound of The Last Post echoing in a silent, yet full, stadium, the moment of silence to honour our fallen, followed by a spine-tingling cheer from the stands. Each year, this round gives us the chance to come together as a community to pause and honour the bravery and sacrifice of those that have served our country.
Port Adelaide rounded out the occasion perfectly with a 109 to 69 win against West Coast.
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Tex Walker’s mighty 250 games and 10 goals
Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker marked his monumental 250th game in style. In a display of leadership and skill, Walker didn’t just lead his team to victory; he delivered an unbelievable 10 goals during the game. His fairy tale performance dazzled fans, and solidified his status as a club legend.
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Collingwood and St Kilda come together in a powerful stand against racism
In a powerful display, players from Collingwood and St Kilda united, making their way through a joint banner that read ‘Together we stand against racism. Call it out,’ for the final game of Gather Round.
This moment honoured the 30-year anniversary of Saints legend Nicky Winmar’s statement when he proudly lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin—a response to the racial abuse he and his teammates were experiencing on the field.
Fittingly, Winmar tossed the coin, with Indigenous players from both sides joining the captains while all players circled around them. This uplifting, unifying moment sent a strong statement that there is no place for racism.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 16: The saints and the Magpies run through the banner together during the 2023 AFL Round 05 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 16, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Rankine’s massive goal against Brisbane
Crows’ fans were left picking their jaws up off the floor when Izak Rankine scored an incredible goal from the northeastern pocket against the Brisbane Lions in Round 11.
The stunning Goal of the Year contender left many in the stands double-taking, thinking ‘did Eddie Betts just walk onto the field?!’
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Yartapuulti wins in the wet against Narrm
In the opening game of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Port Adelaide made a statement with a thrilling four-point win over fellow Premiership contenders, Melbourne. This was a match that could easily contend for the game of the season, not just the on-field drama, but also the celebration of indigenous culture, both in the outstanding guernsey designs and the pre-game entertainment.
Fans of both teams were treated to an incredible night of entertainment. Zak Butters provided plenty of it, with a standout performance of 41 disposals (a career high), two goals, and nine clearances.
The Power celebrate their win during the 2023 AFL Round 10 match between Yartapuulti and Narrm (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
A teal and orange Semi Final
Port Adelaide’s season was unforgettable. With a third-placed finish on the ladder, their remarkable run deserves appreciation and applause. While Port Adelaide fans were left heartbroken after the Semi Final loss at home against the GWS Giants, the season itself provided fans with an abundance of excitement, and memorable moments. They achieved an AFL club record with a 13-game winning streak, making it the third time in the club’s history that they concluded the qualifying season with 17 wins.
Additionally, the season was marked by the farewell of captain Tom Jonas, who led Port Adelaide on 95 occasions, third only to Warren Tredrea (96) and Travis Boak (139).
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With all that 2023 provided us, we look forward to what season 2024 has in store.
