The Crows and Power have been united in their show of respect for Phil Walsh, but midfielder Patrick Dangerfield says Adelaide is preparing to wage “war” on the field once the first siren sounds in Showdown XXXIX.
Both clubs had close connections with Walsh, who tragically passed away in the early hours of Friday, July 3. He served as an assistant coach at Alberton for over a decade and took on his first senior coaching role with the Crows in October last year.
The outpouring of emotion amongst the AFL has seen the wider football community come together in unprecedented fashion, particularly South Australia’s rivals.
Captains Taylor Walker and Travis Boak admitted on Monday that the animosity between the two clubs had gone ‘out the window’ in the wake of Walsh’s death.
But Dangerfield said the on-field competitiveness remained as fierce as ever.
“We line up on the weekend wanting to win, playing to win,” Dangerfield said on FIVEaa breakfast radio on Wednesday.
“We’re not just going to rock up and link arms and all smile — it’s war on the weekend, we’re going there to win.”
The 2012 Showdown Medallist said the Club was committed to continuing Walsh’s legacy of tough, team-first football, beginning with a spirited showing against the Power on Sunday.
“We need to get back to that really aggressive mentality, that’s what we’ll be doing this weekend and that’s what I think our supporters want to see,” he said.
“We have to get back on the horse, we have to look forward because there’s a lot of footy to be played still this season.
“This side is good enough to playing (finals), so it’s about us playing good football for longer, which is what Phil often talked about.’’
Coaches, players and staff from both clubs attended Wednesday’s private memorial service for Walsh at Adelaide Oval. The two teams will also run through a joint banner prior to Sunday’s Showdown XXXIX to honour the late Crows Senior Coach.