The 55th edition of arguably the AFL’s most intense rivalry takes the national stage as Adelaide and Port Adelaide square off in Showdown LV.
The Crows (2-5, 96.6%) have had a much improved last month after their poor start to the season, but to truly re-enter the finals picture need to win a third Showdown in a row.
The Power (5-2, 120.3%) have lost just once at home this year, a thriller against Melbourne. But even when they made the top four last year, they lost both Showdowns, proving how form matters little when these sides meet.
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Round 8
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Heading into the game questions remained over the health of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee, who injured his hamstring six days ago but was named to play on Thursday night.
“For those people sitting there with the doomsayers saying ‘you’re taking a big risk’, we’re not,” Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
“We’re taking a normal risk with an injury like this.
“When you see him run like he was running yesterday, it’s hard not to pick him.”
The game gets underway at 7:30pm AEST from Adelaide Oval.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 6:30pm AEST.
MATCH UPDATES
The substitutes for tonight’s Showdown clash are Brodie Smith (Adelaide) and Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide).
Before the first bounce, players, coaches and umpires stood together arm-in-arm to pay silent tribute to the women who have lost their lives in gender-based violence.
Crows key forward Darcy Fogarty started the game on fire, booting the first two goals of the game before teammate Taylor Walker kicked a beautiful goal on the run from the 50 metre arc.
Charlie Dixon responded shortly after for the Power but the Crows then went end to end as Ned McHenry got out the back.
It was a story of efficiency early, with the Crows having scored four goals from five inside 50s compared to the Power scoring one major from seven entries.
“This is absolutely shut the gate stuff,” Channel 7 commentator Alistair Nicholson said.
The Power sent Lachie Jones to Fogarty in the early stages of the contest, which Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said “didn’t work”.
“(Esava) Ratugolea went to (Elliott) Himmelberg, which left Lachie Jones on (Darcy) Fogarty,” Jason Dunstall explained.
“They didn’t go with (Ryan) Burton or (Dylan) Williams, who have a bit more height. They went with maybe thinking Lachie Jones could be a bit more aggressive in the contest — it didn’t work.
“Fogarty got on top and kicked a couple of goals. Few issues … it’s their set-up behind the ball that’s causing all sorts of headaches for Port Adelaide.”
Adelaide led 5.0 (30) to 3.4 (22) at quarter time.
“It was a really entertaining first quarter,” Dunstall said.
“Adelaide looked like kicking a goal every single time they went forward, they were so dangerous.
Remarkably, Port were +11 for inside 50s but were unable to translate that dominance into scoreboard impact.
“They’ve got to be a little bit less predictable,” Dunstall said of Port Adelaide.
Izak Rankine and Lachie Sholl were the only goalkickers of the second term.
Adelaide led 7..2 (44) to 3.7 (25) at half time.
“They’ve been really good Adelaide, I like their methodology going forward,” Dunstall said.
“They’ve got some problems Port, they’ve had dominant patches of the game where they just can’t turn it into a score.
“It’s creating some serious issues for them and they are leaking like a sieve down back.”
North Melbourne champion David King was concerned with the performance of Port Adelaide’s backline in the first half.
“They’re getting lost way too easy and far too quickly,” he said.
“I haven’t seen a back six look as confused as this for a long time.”
Power spearhead Charlie Dixon struggled to make an impact in the first half and was well held by Crows defender Mark Keane.
“It’s a one-sided matchup right now… he’s been beaten handsomely,” Dunstall said of Dixon.
Keane had 12 disposals and eight intercept possessions at half time, compared to Dixon’s five touches and a goal.
Crows champion Mark Ricciuto said the Power, ranked 16th for goal kicking accuracy in 2024, would be ruing missed opportunities in front of goal.
“It’s been happening week after week after week,” the Fox Footy commentator said.
“I’ve heard Ken Hinkley talk about it in interviews — he’s frustrated about their kicking. They’re doing a hell of a lot of practice, but obviously they’re not getting it quite right.”
“You’re going to cost yourself games, it nearly cost them the Freo game, nearly cost them the St Kilda game, arguably cost them the Melbourne game and it could cost them a Showdown.
Taylor Walker was at his vintage best in front of goal as Izak Rankine kicked an absolute beauty from the forward pocket to extend Port Adelaide’s lead to 31 points.
Concerns over the fitness of Power captain Connor Rozee were raised again, with the superstar spending over 10 minutes on the bench during the third term.
“As he ran on, it did look like he was limping,” Channel 7 commentator Erin Phillips said.
Rozee was put through run throughs on the boundary line and spent time on the exercise bike as he tested out what appears to be a knee issue.
Accuracy in front of goal continued to plague the Power, but Jason Horne-Francis bobbed up with a goal late which kept them in the hunt.
The Crows led 9.4 (58) to 4.11 (35) at three-quarter-time.
Rozee was subbed out of the contest with what the club described as “hamstring tightness” in what is sure to be a major talking point post-match.
Jackson Mead was his replacement, while the Crows brought veteran Brodie Smith on for debutant Dan Curtin.
Another goal from Jason Horne-Francis cut the margin to three goals as the Power lifted, threatening to apply some serious scoreboard pressure on the Crows.
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