SUMMARY
Saturday’s SANFL Showdown VII looms as a crunch clash for both teams. Adelaide and Port Adelaide are among five clubs locked in a logjam in the middle of the League ladder chasing the undefeated Eagles. The Crows sit sixth due to their poor percentage but could jump well into the five with victory this week. A loss would be costly and could send the SANFL Crows tumbling as low as eighth by the end of the round. While it’s an important game for the Club on the field, it’s of even greater significance off of it. Adelaide has dedicated this week’s match - the Club’s only home SANFL game of the season - to support Crows Ambassador and BMX champion Sam Willoughby in his recovery from a serious spinal injury. A host of activities are planned for the day and fans of all allegiances are encouraged to get involved.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 3
Port Adelaide: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Saturday April 29, 1.10pm ACST
BROADCAST INFO: Live on Channel 7 Adelaide, coverage begins at 1.00pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2016, Port Adelaide 12.7 (79) d by Adelaide 16.8 (104) at Alberton Oval
R2, 2016, Adelaide 15.14 (104) d Port Adelaide 10.14 (74) at Mannum Oval
R11, 2015, Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) d by Adelaide 13.11 (89) at Alberton Oval
R7, 2015, Adelaide 15.9 (99) d by Port Adelaide 20.14 (134) at Balaklava Oval
R14, 2014, Port Adelaide 15.16 (106) d Adelaide 7.12 (54) at Alberton Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide has won its past three encounters against the Magpies, including a 25-point win in the last clash in Round 18 of last season. Cam Ellis-Yolmen starred with 34 possessions and two goals.
2. The Crows and Magpies are among five clubs locked together on a 2-1 record after three rounds of SANFL action. Port Adelaide has won its past two matches and smashed North Adelaide by 63 points last weekend.
3. Port Adelaide is the second-highest scoring team in the SANFL after three rounds. Adelaide is ranked eighth.
4. Adelaide‘s score of 15.9 (99) against Port Adelaide at Balaklava Oval in Round Seven of 2015 remains the SANFL Crows’ highest losing score. The Magpies kicked 20.14 (134) to claim victory.
5. Both clubs are among the best contested marking teams in the competition so far this season. Adelaide is ranked second (43) in the statistic ahead of Port Adelaide (42). Woodville-West Torrens currently leads the SANFL for contested marks (55).
6. Crows SANFL co-captain Hugh Greenwood has had a stellar start to the season. He’s fourth in the SANFL for contested possessions (44), hard-ball gets (20) and tackles (25) and is also inside the top 10 for clearances (18).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Crows fans
Saturday will mark only the second time the SANFL Crows have held a home game in suburban Adelaide in the team’s four-year history. It’s a great opportunity for Crows fans to see some of Adelaide’s next generation of young players in action while supporting a great cause at the same time. There’s always something extra in it when the Crows take on Port Adelaide too - even at SANFL level. The senior team isn’t in action until the twilight timeslot on Sunday afternoon so Saturday’s clash at Woodville is the perfect place to get an early Crows footy fix.
