CROWS fans are unable to watch a telecast of Adelaide’s first game under new coach Phil Walsh and captain Taylor Walker in Port Lincoln this Sunday because of a television blackout and live stream ban.

As the club begins a significant new chapter with its first NAB Challenge match of 2015 against North Melbourne, Adelaide-based fans will be forced to drive 650km to see it.

The Crows v Kangaroos game from 4.10pm is one of two games from six this week not being televised by Fox Footy which has broadcast rights to the pre-season competition.

Adelaide has the technology and resources to live stream the game on its website and approached the AFL seeking permission to do it but it was denied.

It’s understood a live stream online would breach the league’s broadcast deal.

“It is unfortunate that the game won’t be broadcast live especially given it is the team’s first under new coach Phil Walsh,” Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan said.

“In saying that, the match does give some of our loyal regional members and fans a chance to see us play in their own backyard.

“The club is sending extra staff to Port Lincoln to ensure we provide an up to date coverage via our website and social media platforms, and our other two NAB Challenge matches will be broadcast.”

Hawthorn v Collingwood (Thursday in Launceston), West Coast v Carlton (Friday in Mandurah), Western Bulldogs v Richmond (Saturday in Melbourne) and Gold Coast v Geelong (Sunday in Townsville) will all be shown live on Fox Footy.

But the Adelaide game as well as Brisbane v St Kilda in Moreton Bay on Saturday will be a blackout.

Cross-town rival Port Adelaide’s opening NAB Challenge game against West Coast on March 8 will also get no TV airtime but played at Norwood Oval allows the majority of fans to get there with ease.

According to the AFL, Fox Footy’s agreement is to broadcast four matches in each of the first three weeks of the pre-season competition taking into consideration the travel schedule to non-traditional venues.

All nine games in the final week will be played at traditional AFL venues and will be televised.

The AFL says it wanted to ensure all teams were telecast at last twice during the NAB Challenge and Adelaide’s two games were against Geelong on March 12 and Port Adelaide on March 21.

Port’s other televised game will be against Richmond on March 14.

AFL clubs do not decide where they play their NAB Challenge games but Adelaide remains committed to visiting regional South Australia which accounts for around 20 per cent of its membership base, and will hold its annual community camp in Port Lincoln on Monday and Tuesday after the Kangaroos game.

The club has not arranged for bus transport for supporters to make the seven-hour trip from Adelaide to the Eyre Peninsula for the game which will be broadcast on radio on FIVEaa.