South Australia is gearing up for the much-anticipated Gather Round, attracting footy fans from far and wide. However, St Kilda forward Jack Higgins seems to be less than enthusiastic about the event, particularly regarding the city of Adelaide. In a cheeky response after his team’s victory over Port Adelaide, he quipped, “I don’t like Adelaide, so I’ll probably be in my room playing Call of Duty with the boys.”
Despite his playful dig, Higgins later attempted to amend his comments, stating, “I don’t mind Adelaide, I just don’t love it. I was having more of a joke around.” Nonetheless, his remarks stirred some reaction, especially from Adelaide Crows forward Darcy Fogarty, who felt Higgins might not fully appreciate what the city has to offer. Fogarty remarked, “He mustn’t have spent too much time here; there’s so much to offer. But if he doesn’t like it, I reckon he can bugger off pretty quickly.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas took a more diplomatic approach, extending an invitation to Higgins to explore the city’s attractions. He light-heartedly speculated about Higgins’ dedication to his gaming, saying, “Maybe Jack just can’t be prized away from that gaming console… Let’s assume for a moment that he might be able to, we will be turning our minds to that, you can rest assured.”
In response to the Premier’s invitation, Higgins seemed open to the idea, saying he’d be willing to step away from his gaming for a tour of the city if Malinauskas was keen to show him around. “If he wants to do it, I’m on. I’ll get off my Call of Duty and I’ll go with him,” he affirmed.
As this weekend unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Higgins will indeed swap his gaming console for the sights of Adelaide or if he’ll stick to his original plans. Regardless, the exchanges showcase the light-hearted banter that often accompanies footy culture, especially during a significant event like Gather Round.