The Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power paid tribute to Phil Walsh with a thrilling Showdown on Sunday, ending in a 3-point win to the Crows.
>>MATCH REPORT: Crows pip Power in Showdown 39
Port trailed all day but pushed for a comeback in the last term, only to fall short in the closest match between the two sides in history.
Adelaide’s Scott Thompson won the Phil Walsh Medal for his best on ground performance.
Adelaide 18.8.116 def. Port Adelaide 17.11.113
The Port Adelaide Power host state-based rivals, the Adelaide Crows, at Adelaide oval on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
Showdown 39 in normal circumstances would have the state of South Australia divided in two. One side in black, white and teal, the other in red, yellow and blue.
However the situation we find ourselves in is anything but normal.
Just 16 days after the tragic death of Adelaide senior coach Phil Walsh, two of the clubs he dedicated so much of his life to will do battle once again on the almighty Adelaide Oval, in front of a footballing state, united by loss.
To celebrate the life of Walsh both teams will run through one banner, both cheer squads will march to the ground together and a one-off Phil Walsh medal will be awarded to the best on ground.
Now let’s focus on the football, as I’m sure Phil would have wanted us to do.
The Power scraped home to a narrow three point win against the Pies last week, but need another solid performance if they are any hope of making the finals from here.
The Crows were beaten by a strong West Coast side showing their heartbreak as they walked off to an away-crowd standing ovation.
This is going to be a high intensity game right from the first bounce, proven by history with the average combined game score just over 200 points in the last five clashes.
Contested kings Ollie Wines and Patrick Dangerfield will be going head to head in the middle trying to feed the ball to their respective forward pairings of Schulz/Gray and Walker/Betts. This is ultimately where the game will be decided.
Prediction:
Whoever wins the Danger vs Wines battle will lead their team to victory through their sheer ‘see ball, get ball’ mentality.
Crows by 4 (Danger with 35+).
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
I was at the game and it wasn't that bad. Power fans were incredibly respectful.
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
The game was played in the right spirit, it was an exciting pulsating game, I don't know how you could really be so aggrieved that you would actively boo.
Tom
Roar Pro
That's the game Roarers. Thoughts?
Tom
Roar Pro
A minutes applause for Phil Walsh, a final salute.
Tom
Roar Pro
I agree Rob.
Tom
Roar Pro
Walker accepts the Showdown Trophy and pays his respects.
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
There was a lot - I mean a LOT - of booing after the siren. I can understand frustration and emotions and stuff, but maybe pull it back today.
Tom
Roar Pro
Walsh's daughter has broken down in tears whilst presenting the Phil Walsh medal. RIP
Tom
Roar Pro
The Phillip Walsh medal goes to... Scott Thompson
Tom
Roar Pro
What a game! The Crows pulled away for much of the game but with a massive last quarter the Power managed to pull it back and create a really tight contest at the end.
Tom
Roar Pro
That's the closest Showdown in history! RIP Walshy, the boys did you proud.
Tom
Roar Pro
FULL TIME: Power: 17.11.113 Crows: 18.8.116
Tom
Roar Pro
GOAL POWER: Gray scores a snap around the body. One minute remaining, 3 point margin! Power: 17.11.113 Crows: 18.8.116
Tom
Roar Pro
Ball up. 50 metres out from Power goal.
Tom
Roar Pro
2 minutes remaining!
Tom
Roar Pro
Port are streaming forward now!
Tom
Roar Pro
3 minutes remaining!
Tom
Roar Pro
This is Showdown footy!
Tom
Roar Pro
GOAL POWER: Boak scores from outside 50 to get the Power within 9 points! Power: 16.11.107 Crows: 18.8.116
Tom
Roar Pro
GOAL POWER: Lobbe scores with a drop punt from right on the boundary. Power are still in this, down by 15! Power: 15.11.101 Crows: 18.8.116