SUMMARY
Fresh from Wednesday's memorial celebrating the life of Phil Walsh, Showdown XXXIX will be perhaps the most emotionally-charged game of football played on South Australian soil. Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide have promised to honour the late coach but both will be eager to play a fierce brand of football once the ball is first bounced. The Power are back in the winners' circle after a heroic performance against Collingwood last week, while the Crows desperately need victory to push back into the top eight. Contested kings Ollie Wines and Patrick Dangerfield will likely go head-to-head, creating a battle worth the price of admission alone.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday July 19, 2.50pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2015, Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) d Adelaide 13.13 (91) at Adelaide Oval
R15, 2014, Adelaide 14.15 (99) d Port Adelaide 10.16 (76) at Adelaide Oval
R2, 2014, Port Adelaide 19.13 (127) d Adelaide 11.7 (73) at Adelaide Oval
R19, 2013, Port Adelaide 17.5 (107) d Adelaide 15.13 (103) at AAMI Stadium
R3, 2013, Port Adelaide 17.16 (118) d Adelaide 16.13 (109) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Jay Schulz kicked five goals and Robbie Gray starred with 32 possessions and a goal in the Power’s win over the Crows earlier this season. Eddie Betts kicked five goals for the Crows and Patrick Dangerfield had 36 touches.
2. The Power lead the league for tackles in 2015, averaging 73.1 a game. The Crows have struggled for a number of years in this area and are ranked 11th in 2015 with 65.8 a game.
3. Adelaide is first for centre clearances this season, averaging 14 a game. That's thanks largely to ruckman Sam Jacobs, who's ranked fifth for hit-outs per game with 34.6.
4. Their centre clearance dominance also allows the Crows to drive inside 50. They're ranked third in the competition averaging 54.3 a game, while Port Adelaide has struggled and is ranked ninth with 50.5 a game.
5. There have been three previous Showdowns at Adelaide Oval with two wins to Port Adelaide; the average attendance has been 50,188.
6. Crow Rory Sloane's fractured cheekbones and subsequent time on the sidelines have seen Port's Robbie Gray slowly catch him in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Sloane is ranked fifth overall, just three points ahead of sixth-placed Gray.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jay Schulz, whose dry streak has continued. He's kicked multiple goals just twice in the past nine games – in rounds nine and 10, when he booted four majors and two. If he can hit the scoreboard regularly on Sunday the Power will likely win.
AFL.COM.AU PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 19 points
