An opportunity to complete a rare clean-sweep of Showdown victories in 2025 awaits Adelaide next Friday night, as it hosts cross-town rival Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval.
The Crows have had a firm grasp on the Variety Showdown Shield in 2025, winning both AFL clashes against the Power, as well as the Clubs’ two SANFL clashes.
Now it’s the AFLW team’s chance to take to the Showdown stage, and complete the Club’s quest for a perfect five wins against the Power.
In Round Nine, the two Clubs battled out a Showdown classic, as the Crows prevailed by five points in a see-sawing affair.
Facing a determined Port Adelaide unit, in front of its vocal home crowd, Adelaide answered every challenge to produce a statement-making victory.
Led by three goals apiece from forward duo Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty, and a scintillating final term by Izak Rankine - the performance laid the platform for what was a successful year against the old enemy.
Earlier that day, the Crows produced a professional 45-point SANFL victory in the curtain raiser, with Brodie Smith (29 disposals), Lachlan Sholl (29 disposals) and Blake Drury (22 disposals and two goals) leading the way.
The Variety Showdown Shield was up for grabs again 11 weeks later, as the two Clubs faced-off against each other in Adelaide’s home Showdown.
The AFL encounter was a polar opposite of the previous match-up, as the Crows dominated their cross-town rival to produce a record-breaking 98-point victory.
Thilthorpe claimed his first Showdown medal with a prolific performance up forward, which included three goals and 19 disposals, while Jake Soligo recorded a career-high 35 disposals and two goals.
It was Adelaide’s fifth-straight win and propelled it to the top-of-the-ladder for the first time in season 2025, as it eventually went on to win the minor premiership.
The SANFL Showdown was a much closer contest, as the Crows held off a brave Port Adelaide outfit to produce a 15-point win.
Recently retired midfielder Matt Crouch was the standout, collecting a match-high 36 disposals, while Harry Schoenberg and Luke Nankervis both impressed with 28 and 26 disposals, respectively.
Having got the job done in all four 2025 Showdowns to date, the focus now shifts to making it five-for-five, with the AFLW Showdown next weekend.
The Crows are yet to lose to their cross-town rival in the AFLW, recording victories in 2022 (by 60 points), 2023 (30 points) and 2024 (14 points).
Chelsea Randall, Niamh Kelly and Ebony Marinoff have each received Showdown medals.
But the improvement of the Power has been clearly evident in recent seasons, and after halving their losing margin in each contest, they will be desperate to record that elusive first win this time around.
A classic Showdown battle awaits next week, with the Crows searching for that perfect five-for-five in 2025, and most importantly a ticket to the 2025 finals series, as they sit fifth on the ladder with a 6-3 win or loss record.
Don’t miss your chance to see us strive for a Showdown clean-sweep in 2025! Get your tickets here.
