There is nothing quite like a Showdown.

Since 1997 Adelaide has battled crosstown rival Port Adelaide on 53 occasions, with the fierce rivalry producing some classic contests. 

Here are some of our favourites.

Dawson after the siren – Round Three, 2022

Perhaps the most famous Showdown victory in recent years, Jordan Dawson wrote himself into Showdown folklore with a goal after the siren in Round Three, 2022.

The Crows found themselves trailing for most of the night but managed to just stay in touch throughout the contest.  

This allowed the Crows to muster up a historic late charge.  

Trailing by 19 points halfway through the final term, an Elliott Himmelberg double put Adelaide within a kick with two minutes remaining.

Trailing by two points in the dying seconds, Adelaide had one last roll of the dice as Mitch Hinge launched the ball into the forward 50.

An errant tackle on Lachlan Murphy handed the Crows a free kick 45 metres out along the boundary.

Murphy was helped from the ground after suffering an injury to his neck in the tackle, giving Dawson the opportunity to step up and take the kick.

Dawson, a natural left footer started the ball right, with it looking like it was going to miss before bending back late to hand the Crows a four-point victory.

For his heroics Dawson, in just his third game for the Crows, was awarded the Showdown Medal after finishing with 24 disposals, two goals, six marks and five inside 50s.

Young forward Lachlan Gollant and Himmelberg both stepped with four goals, while Rory Laird had 25 disposals and 11 clearances.

Phil Walsh Showdown – Round 16, 2015

In Round 16, 2015 Adelaide and Port Adelaide played tribute to Phil Walsh in an emotional game, where the Crows got the job done for their former coach.

While respect was shown pre-game, with both sides running out through a joint banner, once the ball was bounced the competition was just as fierce.

Adelaide wasted no time taking control of the game, booting six goals in the first term to hold a handy 15-point advantage.

The Crows’ efficiency when going inside 50 proved a difference maker as they extended their lead to five goals at the final change.

While it appeared as though Adelaide were in a commanding position, the game had one last twist as Port put together a devastating final term to trim the margin to two points in the final minute.

However, the Crows kept their nerve in a frenetic final 60 seconds, holding on for an emotional Showdown victory.

Former Crows midfielder Scott Thompson was awarded the one and only Phil Walsh Medal as the best player on the ground, amassing 36 disposals, 13 clearances and eight tackles.

Thompson benefitted from the exceptional tap work of ruckman Sam Jacobs, who finished with 51 hitouts, 17 disposals and six clearances.

The Showdown final – Semi Final, 2005

In the 2005 AFL Finals Series, Adelaide faced Port Adelaide in a Semi Final in what was, and still is, the only ever Showdown to take place in September.  

50,000 plus fans packed into Footy Park to witness history, as the Crows looked to bounce back from a shock Qualifying Final loss against St Kilda the week prior.  

It was a tense first half of footy, with both teams unable to apply any real scoreboard pressure which resulted in a narrow seven-point lead for Adelaide at the main break.

The second half was a completely different story with the Crows coming out with a point to prove, booting eight goals to one in the third term to take a commanding 51-point lead.

They did not let up in the final term, piling on another six goals to out score Port 14 goals to two after half-time and ultimately triumph by 84 points.

On-baller Simon Goodwin was influential, collecting 22 touches, six marks, five inside 50s and kicked three majors.

Scott Welsh made his presence felt up forward with four goals and eight marks, while Ian Perrie added three majors.

Jenkins seals the win – Round 20, 2018

Some late Josh Jenkins heroics helped the Crows claim a famous three-point Showdown victory in Round 20, 2018.

Adelaide got off to a strong start, kicking the first three goals, but was short-lived with Port working its way back into the game to level the scores.

The Power narrowly ked at the end of the second and third terms thanks to Adelaide’s inaccuracy, but the Crows were always close enough to mount a challenge.

The final term saw multiple swings in momentum with both sides taking turns controlling possession in their forward half.

Four points down with under three minutes to go, Jenkins came to the rescue, chasing down a kick inside 50, winning the ball off the ground and snapping through a goal from 10 metres out to give the Crows the lead and win.

Jenkins capped off a strong performance with three majors, 18 disposals, eight marks, seven tackles and six inside 50s, while on-baller Matt Crouch amassed 35 touches, eight tackles, seven clearances and a goal.

Ricciuto spurs on Adelaide in thriller – Round Seven, 2000

In Round Seven, 2000 a 24-year-old Mark Ricciuto led a memorable final quarter comeback to help Adelaide claim a seven-point victory.

Adelaide and Port entered the game having struggled through the early part of the 2000 Season, but with bragging rights on the line the two sides were determined to make a statement against their cross-town rival.

Port Adelaide dominated the first half to take a 29-point advantage into the main break, which they only continued to add to after half time to lead by 42 points at the seven-minute mark of the third.

The Crows were able to reduce the margin to 25 points with one quarter to go, however the deficit was a tough one to overcome in the final term.

But with Peter Vardy getting the Crows off to the perfect start, booting two goals in four minutes, to get his side on top.

His teammates then followed suit, as Adelaide six goals to the Power’s one to ultimately claim victory.

Ricciuto was instrumental was awarded the inaugural Showdown Medal after finishing with 41 disposals, four goals and 11 clearances.

While midfielders Tyson Edwards (25 disposals, four marks and a goal) and Mark Bickley (26 touches, six inside 50s and six clearances) were also prominent.