Walk-up Starter
Taylor Walker is back in the line-up for the Showdown, and it is clearly a game the Crows skipper loves playing in. Walker has played 13 times against Adelaide’s cross-town rivals, and has never failed to kick a goal. Only once has he not registered multiple majors, kicking just one in his first Showdown, the sixth game of his career.
Walker’s best return against the Power is six, coming in his 50th match in Round Five, 2012. With small forward Eddie Betts also boasting a good record against Port Adelaide, Josh Jenkins beginning the season well and Mitch McGovern finding some form last weekend, the Crows will be hoping to provide the Power defenders with a few headaches inside forward 50m.
Showtime
The Crows will take four Showdown debutants into the crucial clash, with recruit Bryce Gibbs joining defender Tom Doedee and 2017 draftees Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke in taking the field for the first time in the fierce rivalry.
However, Gibbs is no stranger to playing the Power having faced them 14 times in a Carlton jumper, coming away with nine wins. He averaged 23 possessions in that fixture and kicked a total of 11 goals.
Port Adelaide will also be taking in four players experiencing their first taste of Showdown football: off-season recruits Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Jack Watts alongside Rising Star nominee Riley Bonner. Rockliff is returning to the senior side after a stint in the SANFL, with his last game in the State League seeing him collect 31 touches and a goal.
Balance of Power
Paddy Ryder returned from an Achilles injury last weekend against West Coast and had a tough battle with the ruck combination of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett. Ryder finished with 19 hit-outs and nine disposals from 59 per cent game time.
The big man's return is key to the Power's structure, as it allows them to use Charlie Dixon less in the ruck and more as a forward target. To illustrate this, in Round Six, without Ryder in the ruck, Chad Wingard was Port Adelaide's most targeted player in the forward line and Dixon collected the most hit-outs (25). In Round Seven, Charlie Dixon was the most targeted forward in the League (19) and did not record a single hit-out.
Tackle Talk
In Round 20 last season, Hugh Greenwood equalled the record for most tackles in a Showdown (13). The strong midfielder has begun the 2018 season in a similar manner, currently siting joint-eighth in the competition for tackles (42).
Greenwood has a new partner in crime this year, with Cam Ellis-Yolmen applying 38 tackles of his own. They will be going head to head with the Power's Brad Ebert, who sits second in the AFL for tackles (59). Contested ball is vital in what is always a tough contest, so whoever can make their presence felt the most in tight will give their side a huge lift.
