FRIDAY night’s 2025 SANFL season opener against Glenelg could not come soon enough for Nick Moore.
After being limited by injury to just nine games in his first year as Port Adelaide SANFL captain, Moore is eager to get back on the park
And taking on the reigning premier under lights in front of what he hopes to be a big crowd at Alberton will be the perfect way to make his return.
“Hopefully we get some of our really passionate supporters out on Friday night,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We always love the support from our people so hopefully with them behind us we can have a really good game and get over the top of (Glenelg).”
Moore is renowned as one of the toughest tacklers in the game, always happy to be in the midst of the action, putting his body on the line for his side.
But leg, knee and most recently a hip injury forced the 26-year-old to watch on from the sidelines for much of the past 12 months.
But after getting through a half of last week’s trial game against West Adelaide, Moore says he is now ready to lead the side out against the Bays.
“Last year I had a Baker’s cyst behind my knee, and then I had a stress response in my fibula, and then I ended up fracturing my fibula at the end of the year,” Moore explained.
“I actually felt pretty good (after facing West).
“The hip held out, so other than a few general knocks and few bruises it was just so good to be back out there with the boys.”
Eager to form a midfield partnership with experienced recruits Jez McLennan and Jack Watkins, Moore is expecting his young side to challenge a lot of teams, having a host of new faces and an extra year of development in some of the younger players.
“The vibe is pretty good,” he said of the feeling at the club. “It's just whether we play four quarters together.
“We've got a young group and if everyone's willing to put in, I think we can go places starting this week.
“It’ll be a good test against the reigning premiers but we’ve got some fast and exciting young boys coming through and if everyone plays their role, we can get the job done.”
Port Adelaide will host the Bays in Round 1 SANFL action at Alberton Oval from 7:10pm on Friday night.
Gates open at 5:40pm.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate with children under 18 free. Concession tickets cost $14 and adult entry is $22.
