Crane will attend Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame’s gala dinner where he will be inducted alongside Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt.

The Tigers leader, who would have missed the Blues game due to a hamstring injury sustained against Port Fairy last Saturday, said he wanted to be in two places at once. “To miss the game was a tough decision to make,” Crane said.

“But it’s something that is a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing and I don’t think I could miss it.

“I tried to work around it and looked at getting flights after the game but I couldn’t do it.”

Portland assistant coaches Tom Sharp and Rhys Egan will lead the side as the Tigers hope to return to the winner’s list.

Crane said the feeling among the group was positive despite three consecutive losses.

“The boys are still in high spirits, they’re still getting around each other, which is great to see. It’s all well and good to just do that when you’re winning,” Crane said.

“So hopefully the confidence and self-belief is the catalyst for us to get a few wins on the board.

“This is a big game for us. We’ve beaten them once and hopefully we can do it again.”

Portland, after winning four of its first six matches, has slipped to sixth on the ladder and faces a buoyant Warrnambool at Reid Oval.