The Adelaide Crows defeated the Port Adelaide Power by three points at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Adelaide Crows 13.18.96
Port Adelaide Power 14.9.93
The top-four hopes of Port Adelaide heavily lay on another highly anticipated showdown between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power. Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the encounter, starting from 4:35pm AEST.
The respective seasons of the Crows and Power have taken divergent paths to this point.
Adelaide entered 2018 with high expectations and equal amounts of anticipation. Following their demolition of Richmond in round two, the Crows looked ominous. However, the wheels quickly fell off.
A 5-point loss the last time these two met – in Round 8 – ignited an almighty dip in form. Injuries to key players and pervasive form slumps blunted their recognisable potency.
Recent wins against Geelong and West Coast have indicated the Crows are recovering elements of their formidable selves.
However, the Crows midfield is yet to return to their lofty standards. Over the last three weeks, the Crows have unsustainably lost the clearance count by an average of 15 clearances per game.
In contrast, the Power appears to be comfortably placed inside the top-eight and with a good chance of assuring a double chance come September.
However, a gutsy win against the Bulldogs at the inhospitable MARS Stadium last week only temporarily halted the questions on their top-eight merits.
The Power have the second-worst percentage in the top-eight and are only the 13th offensive team in the competition, highlighting their issues.
Port Adelaide has one of the most challenging runs homes in the competition. The showdown is followed by matches against West Coast, Collingwood, and Essendon.
Paddy Ryder is Port Adelaide’s most important player, and his fitness has been a question all season. If he can stay fit throughout the rest of the season, Port Adelaide is an excellent chance of pushing deep into September.
The contest between Charlie Dixon and Daniel Talia will have a massive impact on the match. Dixon is undoubtedly the Power’s most potent forward target, and if Talia can neutralise his influence, the Power may struggle to kick a winning score. Conversely, if Dixon can get on top of that contest, he could single-handedly kick Port to victory.
Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power in Round 18 of the 2018 AFL Season at the Adelaide on Saturday twilight, starting from 4:35pm AEST.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
If they were up for it, they don't give away a two-goal lead with three minutes to play. So no, they weren't up for it.
Ben
Guest
You don’t think they were up for that?!? Watching a different game as usual...
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
The Adelaide Crows defeated the Port Adelaide Power by three points at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. Although the Crows had the majority of the scoring shots and more inside 50s, you felt the Power controlled the game for almost all of the game. The Crows got off to an incredible start, kicking the first three goals of the game and dominating the ball out of the middle. However, the Power quickly hit back at their cross-town rivals, to even the scores at quarter time. Port Adelaide began to take control of the game in the second quarter, running out to a game-high 15-point lead halfway through the quarter. The Power was able to quickly transition the ball out of defence and off turnovers, which resulted in deep penetrating entries that the Crows were helpless to stop. Jared Polec and Dan Hudson began to dominate on the outside, consistently linking up to surge the Power forward. The second-half was heavily impacted by the smattering of rain that covered the Adelaide Oval. The ball became incredibly slippery, and ball-skills quickly deteriorated. An arm-wrestle emerged, and Ollie Wines, Tom Rockliff, Matt Crouch, and Rory Sloane fought out an incredible battle for midfield supremacy. The final quarter was poised to produce another classic showdown contest. Port Adelaide quickly added to their one-point lead, kicking the first two goals and building what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. The Crows fought back admirably, and when Brad Crouch kicked a long-range goal at the 14-minute mark, Adelaide had hit the front. Port expectedly responded quickly as Robbie Grey kicked and then set up two goals in the space of two minutes. Port appeared to have set up an impenetrable wall before Eddie Betts put together a nostalgic piece of skill and guile to put the Crows back in the contest. Following a throw-in on the wing, the Crows launched forward, and Josh Jenkins found himself out the back, where he snapped through the winning goal. A score review was taken and inconclusive, but Josh and his teammates were almost adamant that the game-winning goal hit the post and was behind. The showdown rarely disappoints, and this edition was no exception.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yep - terrific stuff - leave it alone - great advertisement for AFL today so far
Internal Fixation
Guest
Who said AFL needs changing??? First 4 games this round all decided by less than a goal!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Crows really showed some ticker there - Port had a bit more class but the Crows were determined to win
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Hinkley can't get the players up for a showdown. How does he still have a job?
KenoathCarnt
Guest
What a game dont even follow these team but that was intense.
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Keath handballs to Gibbs on the wing and Atkins is able to mark 45 out on the boundary. THE SIREN SOUNDS AND THE CROWS HAVE WON AN EXTRAORDINARY SHOWDOWN. Adelaide:13.18:95 Port Adelaide: 14.9:93 Full Time
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
That's what its all about - magnificent by the Crows - so proud to be a supporter - what a contest!
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Atkins takes another mark on the wing and is happy to take his time. His kick inside 50 is collected by Walker off hands but tries to evade and is caught with the ball. THIS GAME IS ON A KNIFE EDGE. Adelaide:13.17:85 Port Adelaide: 14.9:93 1 Minute Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Goal Crows A throw in on the wing, is won by the Crows, Jenkins gets out the back and SNAPS A GOAL OR DOES HE...... score review. IT'S A GOAL, THE CROWS ARE IN FRONT. Adelaide:13.17:95 Port Adelaide: 14.9:93 2 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Who's going to stand up? Robbie Grey did it earlier in the year, but the door is open for a new hero. Adelaide:12.17:89 Port Adelaide: 13.9:93 3 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Throw in on centre wing, the Crows win it forward, but Boak is able to mop up on the half-back wing. A MASSIVE FOUR MINUTES FOR BOTH TEAMS SEASON. Adelaide:12.17:89 Port Adelaide: 13.9:93 4 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Goal Crows Keath goes to the top of the square, but the Power is able to escape. The ball is rattling around the Power's back 50. EDDIE GOES GANG. He's threatened all night, but picks up a difficult ball and puts it through from traffic for a big goal Adelaide:12.17:89 Port Adelaide: 13.9:93 5 Minutes Remaining
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
About time Eddie - game not over yet
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Motlop goes to the top of the square and a pack of seven emerges, but WINES takes a huge contested mark. His snap around the body is atrocious though. Daniel Talia is done, big loss for the Crows. Adelaide:11.17:83 Port Adelaide: 13.9:93 6 Minutes Remaining
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Too good Port - the Crows are trying hard enough
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Goal Power Robbie Grey is showing his class. He picks the ball up on 50, is kick inside 50 is poor, but he recollects and sets up Wingard who kicks an easy goal. WOW. Knowing this game, the Crows will hit back shortly. Adelaide:11.17:83 Port Adelaide: 13.9:93 7 Minutes Remaining
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Some shocking mistakes by the Crows there - not good enough