Bond brothers’ moment from Showdown 2 becomes new image for derby trophy

SHOWDOWN 44 will be played with a new trophy for the winner of the Port Adelaide-Crows derby using the grand image of the Bond brothers from 1997.

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FOR the first time in 21 years, the Showdown will have a trophy that carries a famous image from a classic Port Adelaide-Crows derby.

The Bond brothers - Port Adelaide defender Shane and Crows forward Troy - walking off Football Park arm-in-arm at the end of Showdown II at Football Park in August, 1997 is now the feature element of the new shield designed for the derby.

Brothers Shane, left, and Troy Bond embracing at the end of Showdown II at Football Park in August 1997 is the image that features on the new Showdown Trophy. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The trophy - the third in the Showdown story after previous trophies were designed with generic images by game-day commercial sponsors - will be presented for the first time at Showdown 44 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. This derby will mark the first played for a charity - Variety - supported by both the Port Adelaide and Adelaide football clubs.

Captured by former Advertiser photographer Phil Hillyard, the moment is regarded as the greatest image from the intense rivalry between the Power and Crows.

Crows premiership captain Mark Bickley - in the special Showdown video presented by The Advertiser this week - describes Hillyard’s picture as a “great shot” and the best theme for the derby.

“Two brothers arm-in-arm ... and even in such an intense rivalry, they still embrace after the game,” Bickley said.

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