Adelaide’s emphatic win at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night has seen the Club secure bragging rights over Port Adelaide twice in a single season for the first time in five years, and just the third time in the 16-year Showdown history.
After knocking off the Power by 19 points in round five, the Crows were keen to score a rare Showdown 'double' - a feat they haven’t achieved since posting two wins against their cross-town rivals in 2007. The only other season the Crows posted multiple victories over Port Adelaide in the same season was in 2005 when they beat the Power three times, including a memorable 83-point elimination final win.
Port Adelaide has toppled the Crows on two occasions in a single season four times - 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2010.
The 58-point margin in Balfours Showdown XXXIII was the biggest since round 17, 2009, when Brett Burton kicked four goals to help guide Adelaide to a 70-point win. The Crows have now claimed the past three Showdowns.
Wingman David Mackay said victories over Port Adelaide were always extra special.
“The Showdown is a huge game for us,” Mackay told afc.com.au.
“They are our biggest home-and-away games of the year, and to get two wins against them this year is really important. We haven’t done that for a while (2007).
“It was a great effort by the Club and it really builds us up for the second half of the year. We’ve got some important games coming up, but we’re in decent form which is always good.”
The win was particularly impressive given the Crows lost two key players, Kurt Tippett (head knock) and Shaun McKernan (jaw), from an already depleted forward line in the first half.
Tippett sustained a head injury for the second time in three weeks, failing a concussion test in the first quarter. He will be monitored ahead of Sunday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney. McKernan “heard a crack” when he sustained a heavy hit to the face in the opening minutes of the second quarter and will have scans to assess the damage.
Coach Brenton Sanderson praised his group’s “spirit” following the convincing win.
“The team showed that we’re dangerous when we play together,” Sanderson said.
“It was Sam Jacobs in the ruck, Ricky Henderson and Brodie Martin up forward but playing as a team was the highlight for us.”
