In the end, it’s still worth fourth premiership points but Crows coach Brenton Sanderson admits there’s “something” in the Showdown contests that makes the games extra special.

Balfours Showdown XXXVI will be the first game at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Interest in the game and the new venue is unprecedented in South Australia, judging by the sold-out crowd and the thousands of fans who flocked to Adelaide Oval to watch both teams train on Friday morning.

Sanderson played at Adelaide Oval during his SANFL career at Sturt and said he expected the Showdown rivalry to go to another level at the inner-city venue.

“This is a big week for South Australia. This is a world-class stadium we’ve got here now,” he said.

“I remember even when I played SANFL footy at Adelaide Oval and there were only 3,000 people here, it still felt like a great atmosphere and was loud. Can you imagine when there’s 55,000 people here going crazy in a Showdown? This place is going to be absolutely rocking tomorrow night and for every Showdown.

“This is so exciting for our city, our state and our football clubs. We can’t wait for this game and the future as well.”

Sanderson encouraged his team to embrace the occasion on Saturday.

“The build-up for the Showdown games is enormous,” he said.

“When the ball is bounced, it’s another game of footy but it feels like the hits are a little bit harder, the tackles are fiercer and the pressure when you’re having a shot for goal seems to be magnified.

“There’s certainly something in it.”

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