Crows predict fire, braced for Power surge in Showdown
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson is braced for a strong response from Port Adelaide in the next instalment of one of the AFL's greatest rivalries.
The Power were dealt a 90-point humiliation by the Western Bulldogs in round eight, ending their three-match winning streak in brutal fashion.
It followed a 91-point thrashing from Collingwood in round one - the two heaviest defeats of coach Ken Hinkley's 13-year tenure.
But Port have made a habit of bouncing back from heavy losses in recent times and will be geared up for a huge Showdown in front of their home fans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Since the start of last season, the Power have responded to all four of their defeats by more than 40 points with a win the following week.
"We were in a similar position this time last week after the Freo game," Dawson said of Adelaide's 18-point loss in Perth, which the Crows followed with a 60-point burial of Carlton on Saturday.
"So we'll be very wary of Port responding.
"They always respond well, so it's going to be a great game.
"We respect them highly and we look forward to the battle this weekend."
Showdown 57 is the first meeting between the sides since last August's fiery encounter, which reached a flashpoint when then-Power star Dan Houston laid out Adelaide's Izak Rankine with a brutal high bump.
Houston, now with Collingwood, incurred a five-game suspension, ruling him out of Port's 2024 finals campaign and the opening round of this season.
Before the game, Adelaide's Josh Rachele and Darcy Fogarty stoked the fire with public comments about Port and their supporters.
Rachele notably took a swipe at Power fans by saying they have "no teeth" in a radio interview.
On Monday, Dawson and Port captain Connor Rozee played the straightest of bats when they fronted South Australian media.
Asked how they feel about their arch-rivals, both skippers said they "respect" the opposing side.
"They always have a bit of fire," Dawson said of the Adelaide derby.
"We might leave the build-up for (the media) but for us it's just about playing footy.
"No matter where the teams are on the ladder, it's always a good contest and we all love playing in them as well."
Rozee conceded not much went right for Port against the Bulldogs in Ballarat, where they conceded 18 goals to three after quarter-time.
But he wasn't dwelling on the result, insisting it's a long season.
"We've shown in the past that when we have a bad loss we're able to respond," Rozee said.
"That's because we stay tight as a group and listen to what Kenny says and what we need to do the following week.
"That will be the same approach this week."
Port's 22-point win over the Crows last August snapped a three-match losing streak against their arch-rivals and squared the all-time ledger at 28 wins apiece.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
AFLW marquee stars inducted to hall of fame
Erin Phillips has paid an emotional tribute to her father Greg as she joined him in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame. Phillips and Daisy Pearce are the first AFLW players to be inducted, joining trailblazer Debbie Lee as female inductees. South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, whose induction was delayed because of his family move to the United States, joined the Hall of Fame, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hard nut Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, a key member of the club's most recent SANFL premiership in 1964, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens are this year's historical inductees. Darley's larrikin speech was one of the highlights of the evening, but Phillips' words to her Dad were particularly special. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." Greg Phillips, a Port Adelaide great, was inducted in 2020, and he and Erin are the first father-daughter selections. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Pearce and Phillips ended their stellar playing careers at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. They were the two obvious players who would benefit first from the rule change. In her speech, Phillips also thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Pearce's last AFLW game was the Melbourne 2022 grand final victory and she called it the best day of her life, even though her twin children Sylvie and Roy were in the room, hamming it up for the TV cameras. "It's controversial to say this, as a mother ... don't get me wrong, they're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but on a technicality, the day itself is not that good," she said. "Give me grand final day every day of the week." Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Pearce and Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Pearce returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewolt went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. He said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said. Erin Phillips has paid an emotional tribute to her father Greg as she joined him in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame. Phillips and Daisy Pearce are the first AFLW players to be inducted, joining trailblazer Debbie Lee as female inductees. South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, whose induction was delayed because of his family move to the United States, joined the Hall of Fame, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hard nut Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, a key member of the club's most recent SANFL premiership in 1964, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens are this year's historical inductees. Darley's larrikin speech was one of the highlights of the evening, but Phillips' words to her Dad were particularly special. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." Greg Phillips, a Port Adelaide great, was inducted in 2020, and he and Erin are the first father-daughter selections. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Pearce and Phillips ended their stellar playing careers at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. They were the two obvious players who would benefit first from the rule change. In her speech, Phillips also thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Pearce's last AFLW game was the Melbourne 2022 grand final victory and she called it the best day of her life, even though her twin children Sylvie and Roy were in the room, hamming it up for the TV cameras. "It's controversial to say this, as a mother ... don't get me wrong, they're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but on a technicality, the day itself is not that good," she said. "Give me grand final day every day of the week." Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Pearce and Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Pearce returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewolt went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. He said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said. Erin Phillips has paid an emotional tribute to her father Greg as she joined him in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame. Phillips and Daisy Pearce are the first AFLW players to be inducted, joining trailblazer Debbie Lee as female inductees. South Australian goalkicking machine Ken Farmer was elevated to legend status at Tuesday night's annual dinner in Melbourne. St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, whose induction was delayed because of his family move to the United States, joined the Hall of Fame, along with four-time Hawthorn premiership hard nut Luke Hodge and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon. South Adelaide ruckman Peter Darley, a key member of the club's most recent SANFL premiership in 1964, Tasmanian team of the century vice-captain John Leedham and seven-time East Perth premiership player George Owens are this year's historical inductees. Darley's larrikin speech was one of the highlights of the evening, but Phillips' words to her Dad were particularly special. "To Dad, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to tell your 13-year-old daughter that she couldn't play the game she loves any more," she said, her voice breaking. "And 27 years later, she's standing next to you in the Hall of Fame." Greg Phillips, a Port Adelaide great, was inducted in 2020, and he and Erin are the first father-daughter selections. Fos and Mark Williams, Hayden Bunton Sr and Jr and umpires Jack McMurray Sr and Jr are the father-son inductees. Pearce and Phillips ended their stellar playing careers at the end of 2022. The five-year player eligibility rule for the hall of fame was changed for women last year. AFLW players can now be inducted within a year of retirement. They were the two obvious players who would benefit first from the rule change. In her speech, Phillips also thanked the "incredible women" who made the AFLW possible and singled out Lee. "You kicked down this door so others could walk through," she said. "I'm so proud to be by your side and I can't wait to kick down more doors with you Deb." Pearce's last AFLW game was the Melbourne 2022 grand final victory and she called it the best day of her life, even though her twin children Sylvie and Roy were in the room, hamming it up for the TV cameras. "It's controversial to say this, as a mother ... don't get me wrong, they're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but on a technicality, the day itself is not that good," she said. "Give me grand final day every day of the week." Phillips was Adelaide's inaugural captain and the first women's best and fairest winner, playing in three Crows flags despite needing a knee reconstruction. She then switched to Port Adelaide when they joined the league in 2022. When the women's league started in 2017, marquee players such as Pearce and Phillips were crucial for its profile and credibility. Pearce returned from having the twins in 2019 to captain Melbourne to the flag. Farmer, who died in 1982, is the SANFL's most prolific goalkicker, with 1417 for North Adelaide from 1929-41 in 224 games at an extraordinary average of 6.33 per game. He was never goalless in a game and coached the Roosters to two premierships. Riewolt went agonisingly close to a premiership, playing in St Kilda's draw and two losses across 2009-10. He said he had made his peace with not being able to help the Saints win their elusive second flag "Rather than feeling like I walked away with the game still owing me something, I walk away feeling like the game gave me absolutely everything," he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
AFL Hall of Fame 2025: Inductees revealed including Garry Lyon, Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt
Lyon had to laugh at himself the replays of him sitting under two of Melbourne's best ever marks as both Shaun Smith and Jeff Farmer used their teammate as a stepladder. It was fitting in one sense: Lyon made his teammates better. He coached Australia in International Rules but never wanted to be a coach. His love of the game had no limits, but he limited how much the game controlled his life. Now 26 years – almost to the day – since he retired after 226 matches due to back issues, his contribution to the game has finally been recognised. Joining him are two modern greats, both No.1 draft picks, who also parlayed their football brilliance into media careers in Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt. Of course Hodge's final 41 games were spent in a Brisbane Lions jumper, but he is a Hawthorn great. He led the club to three consecutive flags in 2013-2015 and was best on ground in his first in 2008, one of two Norm Smith medals won by Hodge. He played on the biggest stages without losing the perspective he'd gained in the rough and tumble of football in Colac. A brilliant left foot kick he attacked the football with zeal and controlled the game from wherever he was positioned, maturing into the game's best leader. The saint Nick Riewoldt was a blond high-flying forward who ran opponents off their legs to mark on the wing or around the 50-metre mark or deep in the goal square. Part of a golden generation at the Saints who just fell short of a premiership he became their best player and captain. His mark at the SCG in 2004 when he tracked the flight of the ball to storm into oncoming players is regarded as one of the most courageous taken this century. Set to be inducted last season he was living overseas with family; with his moment arriving now. AFLW pioneers Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame ahead of time as the league considered it necessary to ensure the vital contribution of these champion female players is recognised. Phillips becomes the first father-daughter inductee joining her father Greg who was inducted in 2020 while Pearce's name is synonymous with AFLW. South Australian goalkicking freak Ken Farmer became a legend for his incredible goalkicking feats while former greats South Australia's Peter Darley, Western Australia's George Owens and Tasmania's John Leedham were also inducted.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
AFL Hall of Fame 2025: Inductees revealed including Garry Lyon, Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt
Lyon had to laugh at himself the replays of him sitting under two of Melbourne's best ever marks as both Shaun Smith and Jeff Farmer used their teammate as a stepladder. It was fitting in one sense: Lyon made his teammates better. He coached Australia in International Rules but never wanted to be a coach. His love of the game had no limits, but he limited how much the game controlled his life. Now 26 years – almost to the day – since he retired after 226 matches due to back issues, his contribution to the game has finally been recognised. Joining him are two modern greats, both No.1 draft picks, who also parlayed their football brilliance into media careers in Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt. Of course Hodge's final 41 games were spent in a Brisbane Lions jumper, but he is a Hawthorn great. He led the club to three consecutive flags in 2013-2015 and was best on ground in his first in 2008, one of two Norm Smith medals won by Hodge. He played on the biggest stages without losing the perspective he'd gained in the rough and tumble of football in Colac. A brilliant left foot kick he attacked the football with zeal and controlled the game from wherever he was positioned, maturing into the game's best leader. The saint Nick Riewoldt was a blond high-flying forward who ran opponents off their legs to mark on the wing or around the 50-metre mark or deep in the goal square. Part of a golden generation at the Saints who just fell short of a premiership he became their best player and captain. His mark at the SCG in 2004 when he tracked the flight of the ball to storm into oncoming players is regarded as one of the most courageous taken this century. Set to be inducted last season he was living overseas with family; with his moment arriving now. AFLW pioneers Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame ahead of time as the league considered it necessary to ensure the vital contribution of these champion female players is recognised. Phillips becomes the first father-daughter inductee joining her father Greg who was inducted in 2020 while Pearce's name is synonymous with AFLW. South Australian goalkicking freak Ken Farmer became a legend for his incredible goalkicking feats while former greats South Australia's Peter Darley, Western Australia's George Owens and Tasmania's John Leedham were also inducted.
