Showdown 56: Simeon Thomas-Wilson selects a combined best 23 for Port Adelaide and the Crows

The teams are in for Saturday night’s Showdown 56. But who would make a combined side? We’ve picked the ultimate line-up – and some big decisions had to be made. Did we get it right?

There are 12 spots and 22-points on the ladder that separate the two fierce rivals.

But ahead of Showdown 56, would that gap be reflected in a combined team of Adelaide and Port Adelaide stars?

With the caveat of players who will play on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval – meaning Taylor Walker, Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades, among others, are not available for selection – we’ve put together what we think is the ultimate Showdown 56 side.

Here’s the team and the big calls that were made in each line.

Todd Marshall tackles Crows defender Max Michalanney. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

DEFENCE

How much do you take into account ranking points and position ranking? Because if you go by Champion Data’s numbers, young Crows defender Max Michalanney shouldn’t be in the side. But he has shown plenty as a blanket defender, who can play on both talls and smalls, and could even perform a tagging role if required – so he finds his place in the side. Rory Laird could have been in danger of not making the side as a midfielder but has spent the last two games playing in defence for the Crows so he can go on a half-back flank. Josh Worrell’s ranking points of (86) is solid but he has missed plenty of footy this year. Three key defenders have been named in his place, with the Power pair of Aliir Aliir and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, lining up alongside Adelaide’s Irishman Mark Keane.

Jason Horne-Francis breaks away from Crows Matt Crouch and Mark Keane the first Showdown of 2024. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

MIDFIELD

This was always going to be the hardest position to decide. Along with selecting Laird as a defender, another small cheat move was made with Connor Rozee named as a half-forward in the final side. Other midfield rivals are just having a better year than the Power skipper so far. But it still means a former Port co-captain in Ollie Wines doesn’t make the cut, despite averaging 97 ranking points. Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis and Jordan Dawson lead the midfield group with Reilly O’Brien really the only option in the ruck. Willem Drew is a hugely important player for the Power so he is in the side, while Jake Soligo is rewarded for a breakout campaign with a spot on the bench. Matt Crouch’s average ranking points (107) are above many of these players but he has been injured for a fair chunk of this season and just doesn’t do as much damage as the players listed above.

WING

Power great Travis Boak has been in some solid form of late but he doesn’t get on either wing. Miles Bergman is classed as a wing by Champion Data so slots in one spot, while Lachie Sholl has had a good season for the Crows so he is on the other.

FORWARD

Georgiades would have been a walk-up starter but will miss a second week with his quad injury so is ineligible for selection here. This, and Walker being out, means Charlie Dixon finds a place in the side, despite largely disappointing year. Izak Rankine is listed as a forward by Champion Data so that’s a walk-up start, while Ben Keays has turned his season around and has been in red-hot form of late. Riley Thilthorpe has been impressive since his return from injury, while Darcy Fogarty is having a career-best year. Willie Rioli has blown hot and cold this year but still gets a spot in the side with forwards such as Josh Rachele and Darcy Byrne-Jones missing out.