Magpies skipper Cam Sutcliffe and Crows recruit Nathan Freeman pictured at the SANFL Season Launch. Image: Matt Sampson.

PORT ADELAIDE SANFL captain Cam Sutcliffe has praised experienced recruit Anthony Wilson for his impact on the group as the side prepares for its season opening match against Adelaide on Friday evening.

Port Adelaide and the Crows will face off in a Showdown to launch the SANFL season at Adelaide Oval on Friday from 4:10pm.

The sides met in a pre-season trial game at Alberton at the weekend with the Crows winning comfortably.

Sutcliffe says facing the Crows is a different way to start the campaign and if last Saturday’s match is anything to go by, it will be a cracking contest.

“Normally we start the season against Norwood at the Parade,” Sutcliffe remarked at the SANFL’s season launch at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. “It’s always a very tough game and I’m sure it’s going to be the same on Friday against the Crows.

“We just came off a loss on the weekend against them and we hope we don’t have the same result on Friday night.”

Port Adelaide and Adelaide will clash for the second time in as many weeks when they kick off the SANFL season at Adelaide Oval this Friday. Image: Brandon Hancock.

One thing that separates Port and the Crows from the other SANFL sides is having to balance the needs and different rules AFL clubs have.

Sutcliffe said the SANFL-listed and AFL contracted players were often forced to train separately because of COVID-19 requirements, but the club was getting good at navigating those challenges.

Entering his third season as the club’s SANFL captain, Sutcliffe provides valuable experience to a young group and has this year been surrounded by more players with League experience including Nick Moore and Jackson Lee from Woodville-West Torrens, Brayden Kirk from North Adelaide and former Norwood premiership player Anthony Wilson.

Norwood premiership player, and former Magpies junior, Anthony Wilson has been a valuable addition to Port Adelaide's SANFL side. Image: Jordan Bianchini.

He spoke glowingly of Wilson’s impact since his return to his junior club especially for young players like Trent Burgoyne, who is also back at the club after losing his spot on the AFL list.

“(Anthony) has come back home,” Sutcliffe said. “Just his speed and the way he goes about it, we really love having him as part of the side.

“He’s a veteran in his own right now and a lot of the younger guys follow his lead out on the field.

“He missed on the weekend but should be out there on Friday night.

“Trent Burgoyne is one who is back for us this year. Unfortunately, he had a lot of injuries last year so we’re hoping he can get back on the park and kick some goals for us.”