After the tragic loss of Mick Jagger’s partner L’Wren Scott, the Showdown takes the Rolling Stones’ place for the grand reopening of Adelaide Oval.
It is now an opening which revolves around the sporting culture of the famous Oval as young men exhibit the capabilities of the human body.
South Australia is now split in two. One half belongs to the men at West Lakes while the other half is known as the Alberton Crowd.
Showdown XXXVI has more on then line than bragging rights, but which South Australian-based club owns the new Adelaide Oval.
It is set to go bang! A sell-out crowd will file into the redeveloped stadium Saturday afternoon ready to see a start to a new era in South Australian football. The experience will include pre-game drinks in your beloved footy circles and pre-game entertainment.
After the much anticipated clash, You Am I and Spiderbait performs at Memorial Drive. And for the winning team’s fans, celebrations will continue through the night at the heart of Adelaide.
Most showdown hype starts the Monday before the game but Showdown XXXVI’s anticipation began as soon as a football bounced at a right angle for Angus Monfries.
The second Showdown of 2013 proved that two minutes worth of footy can change a good week to a bad week or vice-versa for Power fans.
Being the closet margin a showdown has had and was dubbed as the best SA derby ever. It started the hype for Adelaide Oval’s first match on top of the priceless bragging rights.
More angst was created when Crows fans expressed their disgust for the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval to be a Port Adelaide home game when the 2014 fixture was announced.
Then months later, the Crows fired back revealing the tribute guernsey to acknowledge the history of South Australian football.
This caused social media wars to break out, as the footy world was split, siding with the opinion of whether the move was a symbol of disrespect or an appropriate sign of recognition for such an event being the return of league football to the centre of Adelaide.
Now the week has arrived and the media will be lively.
Will it be Trigg or Koch to start the media banter between the two clubs? What journalist writes an article that causes a fan-base to turn on them? Which player will make a bold statement claiming why they will win the game?
Justin Westhoff has already expressed his desire to win the big game by stating he wants to tell his grandchildren that he was a part of team that won the first ever Showdown at Adelaide Oval.
Crows and Power fans will hang on every last tip they hear from the media on Thursday night, looking on as figures in the public eye side with their team or the arch rival.
For the non-South Australian neutrals that have no allegiance with neither club this will still be a game to watch.
Two clubs with relatively large expectations will battle out to help gain momentum to reach the top eight it will be a fiery clash of talent, putting everything on the line. It’ll be good to the eye as there should be a mix of tough contested play and slick, running movement of the sherrin.
Alipate Carlile looks to be a likely return to Port Adelaide’s side after an impressive performance in the reserves on Saturday and it’s most likely that young Tom Clurey will make way for him.
Aaron Young also put his hand up for selection, collecting 30 possessions and two goals for the Port Magpies. If Young did come into the team it would be for veteran Domenic Cassisi who was subbed out of Round 1’s game against Carlton not having an inspiring performance and pulling up with a sore calf.
It’s unlikely for Adelaide to make any changes to their side which gave Geelong a run for their money for three quarters on Thursday night. There are rumours Richard Douglas could make a shock return from a groin injury, his impact as a sub could assist Crows for a showdown victory.
Lewis Johnston was also reported during Thursday night’s clash for rough conduct, if he is rubbed out for Round 2; Josh Jenkins is the appropriate replacement.
There are many questions which will be answered game day. Will Justin Westhoff return to his cult showdown hero tag? Is this the game “Pods” and Betts stamp their authority on the competition as a forward duo to fear?
There are countless more questions to be answered.
No matter what happens between now and Saturday, this is set to be a colossal battle.
vocans
Guest
The best showdown comes when the two teams meet in the GF. Then we really will have the 'pride of South Australia'!
Jason Cave
Guest
It's a bit of a shame that Graham Cornes wasn't in charge of the Crows when the first Showdown came around in 1997 at AAMI Stadium (aka Football Park). It would've been like the 1990 SANFL Grand Final all over again. And seeing that Port won that day, would Cornes visit the Port rooms after that game and give them a piece of his mind like he did after the '90 Grand Final?
Franko
Guest
35 Showdowns. Port 19, Adelaide 16. Last 5: Port 2, Adelaide 3. Port won the first showdown at Footy Park, and the last. Adelaide won the only finals match between the two, in 2005. Josh Carr won the Ramsgate medal IMO, but it was 11-12 years ago when not every man and his dog had a smartphone, so the mystery lives on.
Franko
Guest
Am pretty much in the same boat Francis. The thing that gives me comfort also makes me nervous and that is – If both sides play to 100% of their ability, Port will win. So often in showdowns, the underdog wins. In fact, I’d love to see some statistics about the showdown winner being lower on the ladder at the time of the game.
Jason Cave
Guest
By the way, how many Showdowns have been played between Adelaide and Port (that is, if you include the one at the Ramsgate Hotel!)
Bill C
Guest
Good article Ben. This is the most eagerly anticipated game of the season for me and I'm not a supporter of either side. The rivalry between these two is intense at any time, but add into the mix the re developed Adelaide oval and The Crows attempt at hijacking the SA State of Origin geurnsey for the game and you've got a recipe for a truely great game.
stevedeanski
Roar Pro
This is a balanced and well written article on the fierce rivalry - why can't there be more balance when it comes to writing about the fierce rivalry that is these two teams?! Good job author.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
This should be a massive game. Going to give the tipsters headaches. As a Port supporter I am extremely nervous (Adelaide will want revenge after throwing it away last season), but as an AFL fan i am looking forward to very tense and exciting game of footy
Norm
Guest
Dont know why i keep coming back to your articles
Jason Cave
Guest
I love the Showdowns. It reminded me of the great days of the SANFL (pre-Adelaide Crows), where Port v Norwood or Port v Glenelg met at the Adelaide Oval. The passion and the intensity of these Showdowns is equal to a knockout final. For people outside SA, the rivalry is geniune. For one week, people would ring 5AA and give KG (former SANFL umpire and SA Sheffield Shield representative Ken Cunningham) and Cornsey (former Adelaide Crows Graham Cornes) their opinions on the upcoming Showdown. The Adelaide Advertiser treats the game like a grand final with profiles and a special pre-game liftout in the paper about the Showdown. For the people outside SA who may not understand what Showdown is about, here's a little history lesson. It harks back to 1990, where Port Adelaide tried to get into the AFL via the back door. The SANFL countered by submitting a SA composite team to be known as the Adelaide Crows in time for the 1991 season. The AFL accepted the SANFL bid and Port was left out in the cold. It wasn't until 1997 that Port joined the AFL, and knocked off the Crows at Football Park in Showdown 1. Outside of the 2004 AFL premiership, I reckon this was Port's greatest win in their time in the AFL. Bring on the Showdown!