AFL round 9: Port Adelaide’s four Showdown debutants prepare for fierce clash against Adelaide

There is no bigger stage in South Australia than the Showdown. Port Adelaide’s four debutants tell Simeon Thomas-Wilson how they’re preparing for the ultimate battle.

Some have waited years, others have only had to wait for months.

Regardless, four Port Adelaide players will get their first on-field taste of the incredible rivalry that is the Showdown on Saturday night.

While for first year player Christian Moraes the experience of playing against fierce rivals Adelaide comes in just his seventh game and around six months after he was drafted, Josh Sinn’s maiden Showdown game on Saturday comes after he was selected at the end of 2021.

For key forward Ollie Lord the wait has been a year less despite him playing 24 games for the Power at AFL level.

“Yeah I know, it is funny (the stat),” he said.

“I’m bloody excited.

“I think, just the atmosphere I have been in the stands for quite a few of the Showdowns and it has been quite remarkable.

“It goes to another level, the crowd is insane and the games are of high intensity and I feel like I can feed off that.

“I have played in a couple of finals so I am expecting a similar atmosphere.”

Josh Sinn, Joe Richards, Christian Moraes and Ollie Lord are preparing to play in their first Showdown. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Lord’s journey to taking on the Crows this year has been a different one to what many were expecting following Charlie Dixon’s retirement.

He wasn’t selected for Rounds 1 and 2, but after injury gave him an opportunity against St Kilda in Round 4 he has grasped that with both hands.

“I’m pretty happy with how I have been able to build on my games week to week, I had a bit of a down week last week so it has been about just building consistency and I feel like every single game I play a new part of my game is unlocked and evolves,” he said.

“A little bit (it tested his patience) but I probably understood that I wasn’t where I needed to be.

“Patience is a good thing and everything happens for a reason.”

Small forward Joe Richards has played in some all-Victorian blockbusters for previous club Collingwood at the MCG.

He said he was extremely keen to find out what Showdowns were all about.

“It obviously wasn’t the whole reason why I came over here but it was part of the reason,” he said.

“It was part of the sell as well, coming over to Adelaide and playing in the Showdown.

“From what I have been told by the guys, it is a pretty hot contest and it seems to be that way for four quarters.”

Richards got a taste of what Adelaide Oval can be at full flight when the Power shocked Hawthorn to end Gather Round last month.

“I’m expecting it to be a little bit bigger than the Hawthorn game and that was a big one in itself,” he said.

Originally published as AFL round 9: Port Adelaide’s four Showdown debutants prepare for fierce clash against Adelaide