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.

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.

Jordan Dawson wins it after the siren in 2022

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.

Steven Motlop wins the game for the Power

And Ken Hinkley goes bonkers

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.

Angus Monfries kicks that goal in 2013

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.

The Showdown victory two weeks after Phil Walsh's death

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).

Even Josh Jenkins admitted this one hit the post

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.

Josh Rachele celebrates with the Power fans

Dan Houston was suspended for six matches after this bump

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.

Tex Walker kicked a Showdown-best seven goals on this night in 2023

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.

Izak Rankine starred in his first Showdown

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.

Jay Shulz's mark of the year contender in 2014

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.

The Power players after changing into the Prison Bars jumper

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.

Daniel Curtin is in some serious form. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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.

Miles Bergman and Zak Butters celebrate. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

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