For those who aren't aware, with Richmond unlikely to win another game for the year, Adelaide needs to win 2 more games for the year to finish above us on the ladder, handing us pick 10 instead of pick 12 in this years draft.
And with 6 rounds to go, what better way to cheer on our new number 2 team by starting with a win over the power!
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http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/preview-adelaide-v-port-adelaide-131875VENUE & TIME: AAMI Stadium, Sunday, July 31, 4.10pm (CST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 30, Adelaide 13, Port Adelaide 17
LAST TIME: Port Adelaide 14.14 (98) def Adelaide 9.12 (66), Round 4, 2011 at AAMI Stadium
LAST TIME AT VENUE: As Above
WALKING WOUNDED:
The biggest wound for the Crows probably belongs to Neil Craig. Sure, he appeared to have lost the players after their insipid effort against St Kilda but it looks like he was effectively railroaded out of his job by former greats in the media. Anyway, enough ranting and on to their proper injury list: Brad Symes (broken jaw) and Matthew Jaensch (shoulder) are TBC, which is never a good sign, while there's a few players two weeks away in mature-age recruit Ian Callinan (hamstring), Sam Shaw (hamstring) and Richard Douglas (ankle). Shaun McKernan (knee) will be tested for this week, while Jason Porplyzia and Phil Davis are both gone for the season with their shoulder injuries.
Port are not far behind their cross-town rivals in terms of injuries and other concerns. Skipper Dom Cassisi's wife is about to go into labour but he reckons he'll be there will bells on. Justin Westhoff, the winner of the Showdown medal last time these teams played, is trying to shrug off a toe injury but may be right to go. Aside from this pair, Dean Brogan (calf, 2 weeks), Jasper Pittard (hamstring, 2-3 weeks), Alipate Carlile (hip flexor, 3 weeks) and Ben Newton (hip flexor, 4 weeks) are all a few weeks from resuming, while Simon Phillips (shoulder) and Paul Stewart (shoulder) are done for the year.
FORM:
Adelaide's Past Five:
Round 18: Loss, 3.6 (24) - 19.13 (127) v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium
Round 17: Loss, 10.13 (73) - 12.12 (84) v Essendon, AAMI Stadium
Round 15: Win, 8.9 (57) – 6.14 (50) v Sydney, AAMI Stadium
Round 14: Loss, 10.13 (73) – 19.11 (125) v Geelong, Skilled Stadium
Round 13: Loss, 10.10 (70) – 15.10 (100) v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium
Port Adelaide's last five:
Round 17: Loss, 17.11 (113) - 14.8 (92) v Melbourne, TIO Stadium
Round 16: Loss, 8.5 (53) - 17.7 (109) v St Kilda, AAMI Stadium
Round 15: Loss, 13.10 (88) - 15.9 (99) v Brisbane, Gabba
Round 14: Loss, 14.7 (91) - 21.10 (136) v North Melbourne, AAMI Stadium
Round 13: Loss, 13.10 (88) - 15.20 (110) v West Coast, Patersons Stadium
Nothing to write home about in the form section for either of these sides as they've recorded just one win between them in their last 10 games. That was to the Crows, who recorded a gutsy victory over Sydney in Round 15, but that result was their only win from the last nine matches and will be a distant memory to Adelaide's players after the events of the last week. The Power, though haven't won since surprising the Tigers in Darwin in Round 10. They did have the bye last week, though, and may be mentally and physically refreshed for this one.
WHO'S HOT:
While many of the Crows simply hung their heads in shame and let Stephen Milne dance around them, Scott Thompson and Jared Petrenko tried showing the way for their club. Thompson had 26 touches and Petrenko 25, but despite their efforts, 19 of their team-mates failed to make it to 20 possessions.
For Port, we have to wind the clock back an extra week to look at their hot player. However, in one for the old guard, this time it was Chad Cornes who produced the goods with three goals from his 17 possessions in his best performance of the season.
WE THINK:
Showdown XXXI was looking like the most forgettable clash ever between these two bitter city rivals. But Neil Craig's departure has added some real spice to this contest as the Crows look to atone for what's been a sad week in the club's history. I, for one, felt Craig's resignation was somewhat surprising as I thought he'd take the club through to the end of the season. Shows what I know, but I guess the figures speak for themselves. On Friday night, the Crows booted the lowest score in the club's history in their ninth-worst loss of all time. It was the first time Adelaide have been beaten by over 100 points since a 141-point flogging by Brisbane in 2004 just a few weeks into Craig's tenure. Since that time, Craig developed his list into a particularly formidable unit - remember the Crowbots in 2006 - through the use of the Neil Craig non-negotiables, but the combination of mass retirements, injury and poor form ultimately proved too much.
The Adelaide players appeared shattered in the press conference as Craig announced his intentions and it will be interesting to see if they can recover from this in time for the Sunday twilight Showdown. History says teams who have lost their coach have a good record backing up the following week, so it bodes fairly well for Mark Bickley, but most team don't play a bitter local derby in their next game and Port Adelaide, for one, will be keen to apply the blowtorch even further.
The Power produced one of their two wins from a dismal season over the Crows in Round 4. In many ways, this loss almost sounded the death knell for Adelaide's season even then, while many felt Port had untapped levels of potential that finally shone through on that night. That may still be the case as the Power has some impressive young talent in Travis Boak and Robbie Gray to name a few, but the team as a whole have really struggled to put four quarters together this season, even if they can look impressive at times when they get run-ons going. Adelaide, though, when they put it together, does have some real talent on their list. If they apply themselves for a full game, one gets the impression they can go some way towards recognising their former coach. But, with emotions on edge, who knows what could transpire in this game as neither side has much to lose. Is another 'Line in the Sand' game in the offing? Who knows but I think Adelaide will overcome a fresher Port this week in a bruiser. Crows by 9 points.
