ADELAIDE midfielder Rory Sloane says there is still the same level of loathing between the Crows and the Power as ever, despite an apparent on-field truce in recent times.

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Since the first Showdown in 1997, there have been a number of incidents showcasing the ferocity that exists between the two South Australian sides.

Perhaps the most famous came in Showdown I, when Crows full back Rod Jameson went toe-to-toe with the Power's Scott Cummings.

In 2002, Mark Bickley was suspended for five matches for striking Port Adelaide's Darryl Wakelin and in 2005 pocket rocket Byron Pickett KOed Crows ruckman Rhett Biglands with a crunching shirt front.

But no player has been reported in a Showdown since the Power's Matt Thomas was cited for rough conduct against Adelaide's Nathan Bassett in 2008.
 
While Showdowns have become tamer affairs in recent times, Sloane said the animosity between the clubs still existed - it was just that players didn't want to risk being suspended.

"I just don't think you can ... get away with as much any more," he said.

"The Showdowns are massive games, we love building up the Showdowns and I know you guys [the media] love building them up as well.

"The more they're built up the better, because it creates that great atmosphere for us.

"The game's always going to be on early in a Showdown."

With Taylor Walker out of the clash through suspension, Josh Jenkins or Shaun McKernan could find a spot in the side as a tall forward/second ruckman.

Key forward Kurt Tippett is another option as a ruckman, and Sloane stopped short of suggesting Tippett should spend the entire Showdown in the forward line.

"I like him anywhere ... he's just as good on the ground as he is in the air," he said.

An area of possible alarm for coach Crows Brenton Sanderson has been his side's first quarters over the past seven weeks.

The Crows have lost four of their past six first terms, including last week's game against Richmond, in which the Tigers booted eight first-quarter goals to take a 33-point lead into the first break.

Sloane said it was a matter of staying composed when the heat was on early in the game.

"Richmond were coming off a bye, they were always going to be up and about early, we probably just needed to take the speed out of the game," he said.

"[There was a] lot of skill errors involved in last week's performance and a few against North as well, so we'll certainly tighten up on that area."

Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.