The terrific 10 who have turned derby rivalry into Showdown legend

PLAYERS' reputations are made and broken in big games and Showdowns are the biggest matches outside of finals for the Crows and Port.

PLAYERS' reputations are made and broken in big games.

Perform well on the big stage and people stand up and take notice.

In contrast, those who fail when the heat is really on find themselves subjected to heavy criticism.

In Adelaide, Showdowns are the home-and-away games every Port Adelaide and Adelaide player wants to perform well in.

Outside of finals, there are no bigger games for SA-based players.

These games stir the emotions like no other.

When players walk off the field after winning a Showdown they feel taller. But to lose is almost unthinkable.

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The players feel embarrassed and don't even want to show their faces in the street.

But who are the players who have etched their names in SA football folklore with their performances in Showdowns?

Twenty-three players have shared the 28 Showdown Medals which have been presented to the player adjudged best afield in these do-or-die games.

No medal was awarded for the first six Showdowns from 1997 to 1999, denying men like Adelaide's Tony Modra and Port's Darren Mead the chance to add to their trophy cabinets.

While the Showdown Medallist's list reads like a Who's Who of SA football over the past 14 years - Crow Mark Ricciuto and the Power's Josh Francou have won a record three medals - here's my 10 best Showdown performers, listed in alphabetical order.

Read the list and have your say at the bottom of the page

Dean Brogan (Power)

A Showdown warrior. Like his former teammate Chad Cornes, Brogan lived for these games. Tough and hard, he never hid his dislike for the Crows and when Port dominated, winning a record seven in a row in the early 2000s, he was a player who relentlessly threw his body around to inspire his teammates. Who will ever forget his massive hit which floored Luke Jericho!

Josh Carr (Power)

Dubbed Mr Showdown because of his perfect 10 from 10 Showdown record. Currently an assistant coach at Port, Carr turned all 10 of the Showdowns he played the Power's way with his toughness and inspirational qualities. He often tagged star Crow Mark Ricciuto with telling effect and got into the Adelaide players' heads so much that he and Ricciuto were the key players in the famous unofficial "showdown'' at the Ramsgate Hotel.

Chad Cornes (Power)

Arguably the heart and soul of the Port Adelaide Football Club in Showdowns, Cornes was loved by the Power supporters and hated by Crows fans. Super-skilled and a gamebreaker, Cornes wore his heart on his sleeve and played these games with incredible passion. When he played well, Port won. In contrast, when he was contained, the Crows usually emerged with bragging rights.

Kane Cornes (Power)

To leave Crows superstar Andrew McLeod out of my top 10 is a big call. But it's been made because of Kane Cornes' fine record in restricting the Dual Norm Smith Medallist's influence in Showdowns. Cornes loves the big roles and they didn't come much bigger than being told to stop the Adelaide gamebreaker. He was - and still is - a big reason why Port holds an 18-16 advantage in SA derbies.

Tyson Edwards (Crows)

The brilliant Crows swingman, ironically now an assistant coach at Port, was a dominant Showdown player in many roles, whether it be in the midfield, at half-back or as an elusive forward. When I was a Power player, I often remarked that if we could take one player out of a Crows guernsey and put him in a Power one it would be Edwards. He was that valuable.

Josh Francou (Power)

Three Showdown Medals says it all. Francou carved his reputation in these matches. The tough midfielder formed a devastating ruck-rover combination with former captain Matthew Primus. A brilliant, in-and-under ballwinner and terrific runner, Francou loved the big stage of Showdowns and performed accordingly. Consecutive knee reconstructions robbed him of the chance to hold the Showdown Medal record in his own right.

Simon Goodwin (Crows)

As an opponent, you knew when the ball was in Goodwin's hands the game was slipping away from you. His brilliant left-foot kicking was like a dagger to Port's heart. Goodwin booted long goals and chalked up countless possessions as well as leading from the front with his voice. Getting the job done on him was always a must for the Power.

Graham Johncock (Crows)

One of the best running defenders ever seen in Showdowns. Much of our pre-game planning at Port was spent on how to limit Johncock's influence rebounding from a back pocket. Apart from his running ability from the back half he was one of the best decision-makers going around, always pinpointing teammates with his precise kicks. We felt if he had 20 disposals we were in big trouble. Tough and hard, he was an opposition coach's nightmare.

Ben Rutten (Crows)

After a tough initiation into Showdowns, Rutten blossomed into a brilliant derby performer - often to my detriment. His ability to get the job done in contested situations has been a highlight of his career. His positioning and discipline is superb and with Adelaide's midfield getting the better of Port from 2005 to 2007 Rutten marshalled a strong back half for the Crows which was not only able to curb its opponents but provide a great source of attack.

Mark Ricciuto (Crows)

Along with Francou, Ricciuto holds more Showdown Medals (three) than anyone else and almost singlehandedly won three derbies for the Crows. Tough, hard and uncompromising, "Roo'' took the round seven, 2000, Showdown by the scruff of the neck, sparking a comeback from seven goals down with more than 40 disposals and four goals. Josh Carr had his measure in the pair's head-to-head battles but Ricciuto always played with a never-give-in attitude.