The Bond brothers — divided by a rivalry but united by the love of football — is now the Showdown trophy’s theme

IT is the photograph that captures the spirit of the Showdown — and now the Bond brothers have their post-derby moment live on with the new Showdown trophy.

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SHANE Bond still has people stop him on the street to refer to that moment that now defines the Showdown — the AFL game that divides South Australia ... and families.

“A lot of people love that picture — and everyone remembers me and (brother) Troy for that photograph,” says the former Port Adelaide defender.

Former Advertiser photographer Phil Hillyard’s character-filled image has after 21 years finally become the backdrop to the Showdown Trophy that will be presented for the first time in Saturday’s Showdown 44 at Adelaide Oval.

“It is a great memory of a great game,” says Troy.

Shane Bond, left, hugs brother Troy after the Crows player after Showdown II after the Crows player kicks the match-sealing goal.

The Bond brothers Shane and Troy re-create the memorable photo. Picture: Sarah Reed

As rain falls at Football Park at the end of Showdown II in August 1997, Shane offers his hand to congratulate his brother, Crows forward Troy, to acknowledge Adelaide’s seven-point win. Troy had slipped away from Shane at a stoppage to score the goal that sinks the Power in the last three minutes.

“When I saw Troy’s cheeky grin,” recalled Shane, “I couldn’t help but laugh and smile ... and hug him.”

The Bond brothers feel proud and humbled that their moment — and the symbolic message it carries — is a key part of the twice-a-year derbies between the SA-based AFL clubs.

“This is what sport is really all about,” said Shane. “Whether it was a Showdown or game in the backyard, you want to win — you want to beat your brother.

“But at the end, after the siren, we’re still brothers, we’re still family.”

The new Showdown Trophy @Adelaide_FC @PAFC @TheTiserSport #AFL pic.twitter.com/yZtFg4ROhi

— michelangelo rucci (@michelangeloruc) May 8, 2018

Added Troy: “That should be the key to the Showdown. We were not the only family divided in Showdown week along Crows-Power lines, but most important for Shane and I was how we enjoyed the game no matter how competitive we were on the field.

“We loved football — and the joy of playing the game.

“These days, AFL players are under 10 times as much pressure as we were in the 1990s and probably can’t enjoy it as we did. But everyone should still remember it is a game, no matter how much we all hate to lose a Showdown.”

The new Showdown Trophy was formally presented today (Tuesday) as part of the joint Crows-Power partnership to raise awareness for the Variety children’s charity in the next three years.

Originally teammates at Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL, the Bond brothers were always rivals in the AFL from 1994 with Shane playing for West Coast and the Power; Troy with Carlton and the Crows.

“And I did not like playing against Port Adelaide,” said Troy, “because I would always be against Shane or Gavin Wanganeen, who is like a second brother.”

Port Adelaide footballer brothers Troy, 19, and Shane, 17, after being picked up by Carlton and West Coast Eagles in 1992.

Today, the Bond brothers are again united as Port Adelaide fans — and in work with the State government leading health programs for Aboriginal communities and in sport for the past seven years with a fitness drive for Aboriginal people in the annual City-to-Bay run.

They also are in agreement that the Crows should carry away the first Showdown Trophy with their image on Saturday.

“I’d like to see Port Adelaide win,” said Troy. “And we know one thing about Showdowns — it is won by the team that wants it more on the day.”

The new Showdown Trophy is certainly worth wanting in the cabinet at either West Lakes or Alberton.

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