Adelaide’s three-point victory on Sunday was the smallest margin in Showdown history. Of the 39 clashes between the Crows and Power, 15 have been decided by 12 points or fewer. However, only two have been decided by less than a goal. The three-point win was the narrowest since Adelaide defeated Port Adelaide by four points in Round 19, 2013.
The win lifted Adelaide back into eighth spot on the AFL ladder with a record of eight wins, six losses and a draw (cancelled game). The Crows are only two points clear of Collingwood and North Melbourne in ninth and 10th spots.
Adelaide’s score of 18.8 (116) was its biggest in a Showdown since Round 15, 2012, when the Club also registered 116 points, kicking 17.14. It was only the third time in the rivalry’s history that both teams scored in excess of 100 points.
The attendance of 54,468 was the biggest AFL crowd for a match at Adelaide Oval.
Phillip Walsh Medallist Scott Thompson was at his prolific best in Showdown XXXIX. Thompson amassed a game-high 36 possessions and 13 clearances, and kicked an important goal late in the third quarter. He also laid eight tackles, generated five inside 50ms and assisted in another goal. Thompson has now racked up 30-plus possessions in five of his 12 games this season.
Thompson received 14 votes to claim the Phillip Walsh Medal ahead of teammate Sam Jacobs (10), Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak (6), Patrick Dangerfield (3) and Chad Wingard (3).
The Crows fielded six players with 20 or fewer games of AFL experience on Sunday: Charlie Cameron (20), Kyle Hartigan (19), Matt Crouch (17), Jake Lever (6), Riley Knight (2) and debutant Rory Atkins.
Led by Thompson and Dangerfield, who won 13 each, the Crows finished with an AFL round-high 51 clearances on the weekend. Adelaide was the second-highest scoring team, behind only reigning premiers Hawthorn, who kicked 23 goals.
In a direct contrast to the Showdown earlier this season, the Crows were extremely efficient inside 50m, registering a goal from 36 per cent of their forward 50m entries – second to the Hawks (44.2 per cent). The Club had a goalkicking accuracy of 72 per cent – ranked No.2 for the round.
Adelaide had the highest percentage of contested possession (43 per cent) of any team in Round 16. The Crows finished plus-28 in contested possession against Port Adelaide.
Thompson (22) and Dangerfield (21) won 43 contested possessions combined. Only Geelong’s Josh Caddy (23) won more contested possessions on the weekend. Thompson also won a round-high 10 loose-ball gets.
Sam Jacobs won 51 hit-outs, including 20 to advantage – the equal-most of any ruckman for the round.
Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins each kicked three goals. Walker also had three goal assists – ranked equal-second in Round 16. Charlie Cameron (two) and Tom Lynch (two) also booted multiple goals.
Lynch took a team-high eight marks.
Rory Laird ranked equal-second in the AFL for intercept possession (gains) on the weekend with 10. Luke Brown had a career-high six rebound 50ms against the Power.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 335
Port Adelaide – 335
Kicks
Adelaide – 199
Port Adelaide – 194
Handballs
Adelaide – 136
Port Adelaide – 141
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 18
Port Adelaide – 19
Clearances
Adelaide – 51
Port Adelaide – 39
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 50
Port Adelaide – 52
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 145
Port Adelaide – 117
Tackles
Adelaide – 60
Port Adelaide – 77
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 57
Port Adelaide – 43
