Showdown VII
April 23, 2000
Adelaide 14.14 (98) d Port Adelaide 13.13 (91)
Football Park
Showdown Medallist: Mark Ricciuto (41 possessions, 11 clearances, five marks and 4.0)
South Australia’s two AFL teams had a terrible start to the 2000 season. Adelaide lost its first five games before thrashing Hawthorn in round six to sit in 14th spot, while Port was 15th with the same win-loss ratio. Showdown VII was therefore a fight for pride and an opportunity for one of the teams to revive their season.
Adelaide appeared to be heading for another loss when the Power kicked the first two goals of the third term to lead by 42 points. But from this point the Crows added eight of the next nine goals to win by seven points.
At the centre of the stirring revival was vice-captain Mark Ricciuto, a regular star in Showdowns. One of the few Crows to stand up against Port’s dominance in the first half, the midfielder became the match winner by collecting 41 disposals, 11 clearances and four goals.
Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod remembers Ricciuto’s influence on the game.
“You look to your leaders to lift you and history shows someone like Mark Ricciuto stood up a lot. He lived for those moments, particularly, the Showdowns. For some reason, he just used to rise to the occasion,” McLeod said with a laugh.
“It was a great team effort to be able to come back but on the shoulders of ‘Roo’.”
McLeod also played a defining role.
The two-time premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist collected 25 possessions and also kicked a classy goal to seal the win for Adelaide.
“I remember the ball came out of the ruck. I had Nick Stevens following me around that day. Fortunately, I was able to shake him and kick the goal. The boys were pretty excited.”
