The best Showdowns between Adelaide and Port Adelaide in the Ken Hinkley era
Since 2013, Port Adelaide and the Crows have played out some unforgettable Showdowns. But which moment stands out above them all? Watch and have your say.
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The Showdown has provided some crazy moments over the past few years.
From Ken Hinkley going bonkers in the box, to Jordan Dawson winning it after the siren, there is never any love lost at Adelaide Oval.
This time around, the sides are in different places.
The Crows are chasing glory while the Power will be trying to send Hinkley off in style before he departs at season’s end.
THE TOP SHOWDOWNS OF THE KEN HINKLEY ERA (2013-25)
Jordan Dawson wins it after the siren
Round 3, 2022
Every boy’s dream, it’s been lived out in backyards all over the country. Jordan Dawson got his moment after a free kick gave Adelaide a chance to steal one at the death. He dobs it from just inside 50m, on an angle, to give the Crows a four-point victory.
Kenny goes bonkers after Motlop magic
Round 8, 2018
This one had it all. Robbie Gray kicked five goals in a quarter and six for the game, Eddie Betts does Eddie things, and Steven Motlop wins it at the death for Port. But the headlines? Ken Hinkley goes nuts in the Power coaches box after the final siren, gesturing ‘0’ and ‘5’ with his hands, signalling the end of his side’s five-game Showdown losing streak.
The Monfries Miracle
Round 19, 2013
The Crows were up 103-95 with two minutes to go. Angus Monfries’ left-foot running shot on goal took a 90-degree turn and went through the middle. Chad Wingard kicks his fifth goal with 28 seconds as the Power goes on to claim a four-point win. The last Showdown at Football Park.
Three-point thriller to honour Walshy
Round 16, 2015
Played two weeks after the tragic death of Crows coach Phil Walsh, this game went down to the wire. Port trailed by 30 points at three-quarter time and stormed home but fell agonisingly short. The match brought the clubs together like none before or since as they went through a joint banner honouring Walsh, who had been a long-time Power assistant.
Did it hit the post or not?
Round 20, 2018
Crows forward Josh Jenkins kicks the winning goal with three minutes to go, even though he thought the ball grazed the post on the way through. “My grandma raised me not to tell fibs. I think it hit the post but I’m pretty happy that they didn’t think so,” Jenkins told Fox Footy. This game and the one after Walsh’s death are the closest Showdowns in history (three points).
Rachele’s pearly whites and Houston’s problem
Round 23, 2024
Josh Rachele kicks a goal then quickly mocks the Port Adelaide crowd’s teeth. Dan Houston flattens Izak Rankine and an all-in brawl breaks out. Following the game, Ollie wines shows off his perfectly white grin, pointing to his teeth, celebrating the win.
Tex goes BANG – seven times
Round 20, 2023
Taylor Walker kicks a bag of 7.4 (the most goals in a Showdown). The best of the bunch, baulking Aliir Aliir on the right foot, to slam one home on the left from fifty metres out. Aliir was controversially allowed back on the ground after a huge head knock.
The “Rankine Files”
Round 3, 2023
In his first Showdown, Izak Rankine snags an incredible snap – his fourth – and celebrates with style as the siren goes. Riley Thilthorpe comes of age with 5 goals.
The Gray and Schultz show
Round 15, 2014
Sam Gray took a ridiculous hanger. Jay Shulz did the same. Eddie kicks a ridiculous goal on the run to seal the game. Crows knock off the top of the table Power. It was some game.
The Prison Bars return
Round 8, 2021
Following their dominant Showdown win, the Power made a statement, changing into their storied and controversial Prison Bars jumper before they sang their song.
Honourable Mentions
2014 Round 2: Kenny almost backhands an assistant coach
2015 Round 5: Eddie’s pocket: “Line it up Eddie!”
A commentary line that we all know and love. Eddie does it again from his pocket.
2016 Round 22: The goal kicking pocket in Eddie’s 250th
In Eddie’s 250th, the Crows claimed a top two finish to end their year. Robbie Gray kicked a seemingly impossible goal from the pocket, only to be outdone by Eddie with a sealer as the final siren rang.
THE COMBINED TEAM
Leading into Showdown 58, we have compiled a combined team, based on form and availability to play on Saturday night.
FB: Josh Worrell (Adelaide), Aliir Aliir (PA), Miles Bergman (PA)
Worrell is having a breakout season and will be right in the mix with the All-Australian selectors. Aliir has held down the fort for the Power and retains his spot, while the highly versatile Bergman is chosen in a back pocket.
HB: Max Michalanney (Adelaide), Mark Keane (Adelaide), Kane Farrell (PA)
Michalanney is ultra reliable, Farrell offers terrific ball use from half-back, while Irish backman Keane has had a stellar year.
C: Jake Soligo (Adelaide), Jordan Dawson (Adelaide), Daniel Curtin (Adelaide)
The first, but not the last Adelaide dominated line. Soligo is putting together another strong season, Brownlow Medal contender Dawson is in the centre and Rising Star favourite Curtin is on the other wing.
HF: James Peatling (Adelaide), Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide), Ben Keays (Adelaide)
Thilthorpe has been brilliant, kicking 41 goals this year, while Keays and his 28 goals (and slick locks) just couldn’t be left out of this side. It is Adelaide heavy, but it is deserved given the Crows’ ability to pile on the goals.
FF: Izak Rankine (Adelaide), Mitch Georgiades (PA), Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide)
Neal-Bullen has been the perfect fit for his hometown Crows, slipping in alongside Rankine seamlessly. Georgiades is on his way to claiming back-to-back goal kicking awards for the Power and maybe even his first All-Australian jacket.
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide), Zak Butters (PA), Connor Rozee (PA)
O’Brien edges Jordon Sweet. Port Adelaide may not be having the year they’d like to be in the wins and losses category but you can’t deny the performances and talent of both Rozee and Butters.
INT: Wayne Milera (Adelaide), Willem Drew (PA), Ollie Wines (PA), Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
This was the hardest section, finding the right balance of form, size and position. Drew brings tackling pressure, Wines and Walker have wealth of experience, while Milera offers polish from half-back
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SUB: Travis Boak (PA)
We could not leave the veteran out for Hinkley’s last Showdown.
CAPTAIN: Jordan Dawson
Adelaide’s high-flying form gives Dawson the nod over Rozee.
COACH: Matthew Nicks
I’d love to give Kenny a fairytale send-off, but this one was pretty easy for Nicks.
Unavailable due to injury/suspension: Ryan Burton, Jason Horne-Francis, Todd Marshall, Sam Powell-Pepper, Esava Ratugolea, Josh Rachele, Jordon Butts, Mitch Hinge
Originally published as The best Showdowns between Adelaide and Port Adelaide in the Ken Hinkley era
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