ADELAIDE has suffered a 26-point defeat in Showdown XXVI at AAMI Stadium, losing to Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) to 12.7 (79).

The Crows kicked the first two majors of the game, but struggled to find an avenue to goal in the second and third terms.

Fiery ruckman Dean Brogan, who finished with 27 hit-outs, 16 possessions and four clearances, was awarded the Showdown Medal for best on ground.

The Power, through Brogan, dominated at the stoppages and had too many options up forward for the under siege Adelaide defence.

Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea and Robbie Gray were instrumental with three goals each and Jason Porplyzia took his tally without straying to 16 with a triple on the night.

Kane Cornes and Steve Salopek both found plenty of the ball, finishing with 37 and 33 touches, respectively. Bernie Vince (29 possessions) and Nathan Bock were the shining lights for Adelaide.

The Crows got off to a dream start when sharp-shooter Porplyzia slotted his 14th goal straight of the season in the opening minute.

The Power faltered under Adelaide’s early pressure and struggled to navigate a way forward. Scott Thompson used one of his eight first-quarter possessions to kick the Crows’ second goal inside six minutes.

Port Adelaide gradually adjusted to the speed of the game and managed to wrestle the ascendancy half way through the term.

Motlop was everywhere, but proved most damaging up forward, where he responded with a clever mark and goal.

Former skipper Warren Tredrea continued his hot streak in front of the sticks with two quick goals to snatch an eight-point lead at the first break.

The tight tussle continued in the second term.

Motlop was at his laconic best when he snuck up on the pack to mark on the goal line and extend his side’s lead to 16 points.

Midfielder Vince capitalised on some quick ball movement, kicking the first of his two majors for the quarter.

A brilliant running goal from Michael Doughty cut the margin to just five points, but the Power ramped up the intensity.

Young onballer Myke Cook became tough nut Matt Thomas’ latest Showdown victim when he was helped from the field after copping a heavy knock to the thigh.

Brogan and Brendon Lade outmuscled their younger Crows’ opponents and helped the Power establish complete control in the centre square.

Port Adelaide capitalised on its dominance with goals to Tredrea, Danyle Pearce and Gray, which helped extend the lead to 22 points at half time.

It took Showdown specialist Chad Cornes just 18 seconds to stretch the margin even further at the start of the third term.

Cornes, who got on the end of some brilliant Brogan tap work, was quick to stick it to the Adelaide fans, but they gave it right back when teenager Jared Petrenko kept his side alive with a goal at the other end.

The scoreboard indicated the two sides went goal-for-goal, but the 25-point three-quarter-time lead flattered the Crows.

The Power registered nine scoring shots to six for the term, but were wasteful inside 50m.

A brain fade from defender Michael Pettigrew gifted Petrenko his second goal and gave Adelaide a sniff going into the final quarter.

The Crows’ hopes of a late revival were all but snuffed out in the opening five minutes.

Lade continued to work the Adelaide ruckmen over and slipped forward to slot his first goal. Another mercurial moment from Motlop in the goal square all but sealed the valuable Showdown win.

The Crows, through youngsters Patrick Dangerfield and Taylor Walker, showed heart to outscore the Power in the last term, but it was a case of too little too late.

PORT ADELAIDE  3.4  8.6  11.12 15.15 (105)
ADELAIDE  2.0  5.2  8.5 12.7 (79)

Goals
Port Adelaide: Warren Tredrea 3, Daniel Motlop 3, Robbie Gray 3, Chad Cornes 2, Danyle Pearce 2, Brett Ebert, Brendon Lade
Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia 3, Bernie Vince 2, Jared Petrenko 2, Patrick Dangerfield 2, Scott Thompson, Michael Doughty, Taylor Walker

Best
Port Adelaide: Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek, Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Tom Logan, Kane Cornes
Adelaide: Bernie Vince, Nathan Bock, Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko

Injuries
Port Adelaide: Hamish Hartlett (hamstring)
Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Chamberlain, Kamolins
Official crowd: 41,558 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.