Showdown 50: Who are the 50 greatest showmen in Showdown history? Graham Cornes, John Cahill and The Advertiser reveal the full list, from 50 to number 1

As the Crows and Power get set for Showdown 50, the call on the greatest player in the rivalry’s history has been made - and it’s hard to argue. See the top 50 and have your say.

When you ask former Crows star Bernie Vince to describe Robbie Gray, he sums it up in one.

It isn’t finding Gray that is the problem, it is trying not to lose him.

Vince admitted this week that the Crows used to put extra time into the damaging Power superstar because they knew he could turn a game. At any moment.

“You would just lose where he was,” Fox Footy’s Vince told The Advertiser.

“He would start mid and then do a little switch with someone who was starting forward and you could just lose what position he would be in.

“And then he would just pop up and kick a goal and you would be like, ‘well who was on him then?’ He had that licence to be able to do that.”

Ahead of Showdown 50 on Saturday night, The Advertiser’s expert panel — Graham Cornes, John Cahill and Andrew Capel — has anointed Gray the greatest “Showman”.

They named him No.1 of the top 50 players in the history of the biggest game in town.

After all, Gray, who returns from a knee injury on Saturday night, has five Showdown medals, in Showdown 28, 38, 44, 45 and 47 — one of which was awarded despite Power losing the match.

“It’s an incredible effort to win that many medals in the same fixture,” Vince said.

But it is the way that Gray has won those medals, and in turn games, that had him as No.1.

Click each player read more about their Showdown accomplishments.

“He is one of those few players in the competition that could turn the game in a really short period,” Vince said.

“And he always seemed to do it in Showdowns so we were always wary of him, even though in the start of his career he was playing majority forward.

“He became really good when he could play mid and forward.

“It didn’t matter how much you were up by, if Robbie Gray began to fire then he could close the gap really quickly.

“So we always put a bit of time into him, where he was and who would take him in certain areas.

“Because he was able to play forward and mid he was one of those players you just needed to have something assigned for him wherever he was floating around because he was so dangerous.”

Gray won his first medal in Showdown 28, after his five goals helped Port Adelaide claw back a seven-point deficit at three quarter time.

His next was a 32 disposal, one goal game in Showdown 38 — a pretty comfortable win for the Power.

And then came Gray’s finest game in the Showdown.

Eight months after being diagnosed with cancer, Gray kicked six goals - five within a quarter - to help the Power to a thrilling win in Showdown 44.

Just before halftime the Power were down by 27-points before Gray kicked a goal just prior to the siren.

John Cahill (middle) with Mark Williams and Ken Hinkley at Alberton. Picture Sarah Reed.

In the third Gray kicked five goals to have the Power 12-points clear at the final break.

“I think if you go through your career you can pinpoint players who rise to the occasion and Robbie is one of them who relishes those opportunities,” Port captain Tom Jonas said.

“It’s an absolutely privilege to play with Robbie and he will be one I tell my grandkids about.

“To kick five in a quarter is pretty phenomenal, I think we sometimes take him for granted.”

Gray’s record-breaking fourth medal came in the very next Showdown, when he was judged to be best on ground despite Port going down in another thriller.

His fifth came in a big win for Port Adelaide in 2019, giving him clear air on top of the Showdown Medal standings.

“To win all those medals and the way he reads the ball he is just a talent,” Cahill said.

Vince said this gave him an edge over players in the games.

“He is so clean with the footy and a one touch player, and what that does is give you time with the footy,” Vince said.

“If you aren’t fumbly and you don’t have to second grab it, what it does is give you more time to make a decision from there.”

With Gray a consensus No. 1, who next was a hard one.

While Sam Jacobs also had three Showdown Medals, debate as to who was the next cab off the rank centred around whether it should be Josh Francou or Mark Ricciuto at No. 2.

Both have three Showdown Medals, and both would be in line for a fourth if the clubs ever get around to retrospectively awarding honours for the games before the medal was introduced.

Both Cahill and Cornes were big Francou fans.

“Josh Francou was the best player that could read the ball off hands that I ever coached,” Cahill said.

“He was a freak.”

Cornes said he believed Francou didn’t get the recognition he deserved at times.

“He is such an underrated player,” he said.

“Someone has to right that wrong and we have a chance to do it.”

But it was Ricciuto’s impact on games, such as his 41 disposal, four goal, 11 clearance and five mark performance to drag the Crows back from 42-points down in Showdown 7 that just gave him the nod.

Cahill and Cornes.

After Francou at three a bit of a wildcard pick was thrown up.

Josh Carr didn’t win a Showdown Medal, and only played in the fixture 10 times.

But he won every Showdown he played in, and had some outstanding battles with Ricciuto.

“He was an outstanding player,” Cahill said.

Cornes said their duels were electric.

“The thing that epitomises the Showdown to me is Josh Carr and Mark Ricciuto, two warriors going at each other and neither giving any quarter,” he said.

“Nothing epitomises the Showdown more than that.”

Despite being dubbed ‘Mr Showdown’ Cornes’ son Chad was pipped by Crows legend Andrew McLeod for No. 5.

Gavin Wanganeen came in at No. 7, despite not winning a Showdown Medal, with Travis Boak (three medals), Scott Thompson and Rory Sloane (one) rounding out the top 10.

Three-time medal winner Sam Jacobs and two-timer Simon Goodwin were judged to be No. 11 and 12.

And at No. 13, Cornes threw up a name he wanted to ensure was high up.

“This is where I throw Ben Rutten in the mix,” Cornes said.

The panel agreed that Rutten should be rewarded for his consistent performances on Port star Warren Tredrea, who later came in at No. 20.

One spot ahead of him was current Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield, who was rewarded for his strong form while he was at Adelaide.

The highest goalkicker in the Showdown, Taylor Walker was 23rd, while despite having one of the worst losing records in the fixture two-time Crows premiership captain Mark Bickely was 24th.

Now at Hawthorn, Chad Wingard rounded off the top 25 for his matchwinning ability in multiple Showdowns.

Originally published as Showdown 50: Who are the 50 greatest showmen in Showdown history? Graham Cornes, John Cahill and The Advertiser reveal the full list, from 50 to number 1