SUMMARY
In one of the modern era's greatest quarters of football, Port Adelaide demolished Hawthorn early last week only to completely surrender the momentum in the second half. The Power hung on to notch an important victory but there was no fight at all from Adelaide in its embarrassing loss to the Western Bulldogs. As has been proven time and time again, form counts for nothing in Showdowns and with the ledger locked at one all at Adelaide Oval, Sunday's contest shapes as an epic as both teams try to edge ahead.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday May 3, 4.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
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
R15, 2012, Adelaide 17.14 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Crows' forward line was impressive the last time these sides clashed, with four goals to Eddie Betts and two to Taylor Walker, while ruckman Sam Jacobs floated forward and kicked three. He managed 36 hit-outs to earn three Brownlow votes.
2. Adelaide’s Showdown win in round 15 in 2014 was its first since halfway through 2012. Since the start of 2011 nothing separates the sides with four wins each.
3. This will be the 38th Showdown and Port Adelaide still holds the advantage winning 20 games to 17. The Crows' average score has been 91 points compared to the Power’s 86.
4. Adelaide has kicked the ball more than any other side in 2015 so far averaging 232 kicks a game, while the Power are ranked fifth at 210 a game.
5. Crows' captain Taylor Walker leads the AFL for marks inside 50 in 2015 with 17 while the Power’s best is Jay Schulz, equal 11th with nine.
6. Rory Sloane (fourth), Patrick Dangerfield (fifth) and Travis Boak (13th) are the game's highest ranked players in the Official AFL Players Ratings, but Sam Jacobs (25) is on the rise. He could soon overtake Robbie Gray (23) and Brodie Smith (22).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Patrick Ryder played his best game for his new club against the Hawks last weekend and appeared incredibly dangerous when in attack. He and Matthew Lobbe come up against a star in Sam Jacobs, but Ryder can stretch the Crows' defence and could take the game away from them if he fires up forward.
PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 22 points
