Watch one of the fiercest derbies in the AFL every year – right here live.
Where: Adelaide Oval
When: 05.45 (GMT)
Watch live: Click here to watch online with AFL Global Pass!
If round one was anything to go by, this shapes as a contest between the final-term masters in Port Adelaide and the faders in Adelaide.
The Power sprinted home to easily account for Carlton while the Crows barely put up a fight in the last quarter as Geelong cruised to a 38-point win.
But as has been said before, form counts for nothing in Showdowns and the first such encounter at Adelaide Oval promises to be a blockbuster.
Neither side has had much of a look at the newly-developed oval’s surface, but early analysis suggests it will produce a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Regular football left Adelaide Oval in 1974 – it finally returns.
Key players
Matthew Lobbe (Port Adelaide) – Unassuming, but regardless is important to the Power this weekend with every touch generally benefiting his side.
Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) – Having just missed one game in two seasons, Cornes continues to excel with 30 touches last weekend.
Ollie WInes (Port Adelaide) – Hit the ground running in 2014 with 28 touches and two goals against the Blues last weekend.
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) – Was solid without being spectacular in round one, could lift on the big occasions against the Crows’ arch-rival.
Matthew Wright (Adelaide) – Plays off Dangerfield and Sloane well and continued his pre-season form against Carlton in the first game.
Eddie Betts (Adelaide) – Two goals and 16 touches on debut for the Crows, and created important pressure in the forward line.
Match facts
1.Port Adelaide won the only previous AFL game played at Adelaide Oval, defeating Melbourne by eight points in round 24, 2011.
2. The Power also claimed victory in both Showdowns last year, winning by nine points in round three and by four points in round 19.
3. South Australia’s recent showcase games have been even affairs – it’s three wins apiece since the start of that season.
4. In round one, Adelaide was the fourth most prolific user of the interchange bench with 115 rotations. The Power had only 94 rotations, ranking them 12th.
5. The Power took 15 contested marks in round one – the second-most in the competition, while the Crows took eight leaving them 10th.
6. Crow Patrick Dangerfield is the only player from either side inside the Official AFL Player Ratings’ top 20 (No.2). Fellow acting skipper Rory Sloane is ranked No.21, while Power captain Travis Boak comes in at No.26.
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