South Australia’s two AFL teams had a terrible start to the 2000 season. Adelaide lost its first five games of the 2000 season before thrashing Hawthorn in round six to sit in 14^th spot, while Port was 15^th with the same win-loss ratio. Showdown VII was therefore a fight for pride and an opportunity for one of the teams to revive their season. Adelaide appeared to be heading for another loss when the Power kicked the first two goals of the third term to lead by 42 points. But from this point the Crows added eight of the next nine goals to win by seven points. At the centre of the stirring revival was vice-captain Mark Ricciuto, a regular star in Showdowns. One of the few Crows to stand up against Port’s dominance in the first half, the midfielder became the matchwinner by collecting 41 disposals, 11 clearances and four goals, including a snap over his shoulder to give Adelaide the lead for the first time. “We got out of this game with some pretty special things and commitment from the 22,” coach Gary Ayres said. “Ricciuto’s game was first-class”.

This is the fourth nomination in a 19-part series to find the greatest individual performances by Crows footballers.

Previous nominations: Peter Vardy’s six-goal effort in the 1998 second semi-final; Darren Jarman’s 1997 grand final; Tony Modra’s 13 goals against Carlton in the opening round of 1994.