Showdown 55 Adelaide v Port Adelaide: New shield unveiled after threat of legal action in 2023

The Crows and the Power will face off for a new Showdown shield on Thursday night, after the image of Troy and Shane Bond was at the centre of a threat of legal action in 2023.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: The Crows pose with the Variety Showdown Shield after winning the round 20 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval, on July 29, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

The Crows and Port Adelaide will face off for a new Showdown shield to avoid using a contentious image of two ex-players.

A depiction of brothers Troy and Shane Bond hugging in the rain after Showdown 2 had adorned the trophy since 2018 and was at the centre of a threat of legal action they made against the clubs last year.

The Bonds had sought a formal agreement and payment for past and ongoing use of their image rights, only to withdraw their court threat hours before the Crows-Power match in July.

It was understood that while a settlement was never reached, the issue made the clubs reassess the shield’s design.

The new Showdown trophy does not feature any footballer, but instead a host of small handprints, as well as the logo of children’s charity Variety and a map of South Australia.

Adelaide and the Power used the opportunity to create a more universal shield, given it would also be presented at AFLW Showdowns.

Jesem Hayal, 10 and Elsie McBride, 5 with the Showdown trophy that will be awarded for the first time when Adelaide and Port Adelaide clash on Thursday. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The new design features the words equality, joy, community and action, which are Variety’s core values, while the handprints symbolise the thousands of children the charity supports each year.

It is the latest is a series of iterations of the trophy since the inaugural Showdown in 1997.

The new shield will be presented for the first time at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, a Crows home game.

Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said the redesign reflected the modern landscape of South Australian football, celebrating both the men’s and women’s competitions.

“I know our club will be doing everything we can to keep the trophy at West Lakes,” Silvers said.

“But as fierce as the on-field rivalry with Port Adelaide is, both clubs are united off the field in supporting the amazing work Variety does in the community and the Showdown is a great opportunity to highlight that on various occasions throughout the year.”

Shane and Troy Bond. Picture SARAH REED

Variety, which has been heavily involved with the Showdown since 2018, supports children and families who are facing many challenges through sickness, disadvantage or living with disability.

Silvers said his club was proud of its partnership with the charity, which this year would enable 4000 more disadvantaged SA students to participate in the Crows’ Open Parachute program.

Variety SA chief executive Mark McGill said the organisation was proud of its work with the community and association with the Showdown.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact created for children in need in SA,” McGill said.

“The investment made is the catalyst for change for these kids and we remain indebted to our generous and kind supporter base as their hard work allows this to happen.”

Originally published as Showdown 55 Adelaide v Port Adelaide: New shield unveiled after threat of legal action in 2023