Adelaide and Port Adelaide battled it out in the closest Showdown in history on Friday night, with the Crows claiming a heart-stopping one-point win.
Showdown 59 had it all, from lead changes and momentum swings, contentious calls, and a last-gasp winner.
Here’s a round up of everything you might’ve missed.
Ibis’ third-quarter blitz
The first half of Showdown 59 was a tussle, with Port Adelaide taking a 12-point advantage into quarter-time, and a six-point lead at half-time.
But the Crows came out hungry in the third term and flipped the momentum their way.
With veteran Taylor Walker being forced out after the first quarter due to an injured hamstring, Murray was moved into a deep forward role for part of the game.
And he rose to the challenge, taking a mark on the lead deep in ‘Eddie’s pocket’, before going back and booting his first career goal.
Murray then converted a second major just two minutes later, after another strong mark on the lead.
A fired up Crows doc
Long-time Crows doctor Marc Cesana could be seen passionately cheering from his position on the bench in the moments after Brayden Cook’s match-winning goal went through.
Ces, as he is affectionately referred to among players and staff, celebrated so hard that he caught the attention of coaches’ box who played up his passionate fist-pumping ahead of the team meeting post-game.
Dubious decisions threaten to derail Crows’ charge
The Crows’ charge was caught by a few contentious umpiring decisions, with two goals disallowed at crucial times in the game, angering the 53,000-strong crowd.
Halfway through the third quarter, Adelaide was down by 13 points when Jake Soligo snapped a high-arching goal from just outside the goalsquare on a slight angle.
The goal umpire immediately signalled a goal, but as the ball went back to the centre, the ARC called for a delayed score review.
Audio from the ARC then played: “Review complete - looking at these angles, we can see the ball crosses the line over the top of the goal post. Decision on the scoreboard.” The decision on the scoreboard was in fact, a behind.
Dashing defender Wayne Milera then nearly kicked the game-winner for the Crows, but his goal was also disallowed after an umpire deemed Josh Rachele to have pushed Logan Evans on the goal line, resulting in a free kick to the Power.
That looked set to decide the contest, when Joe Berry's snap with 46 seconds remaining appeared to hand Port Adelaide bragging rights.
But the Crows weren’t done yet, with Brayden Cook slotting a running goal with just 15 seconds left to claim a one-point victory.
Cook’s match-winning goal
Growing up a Crows supporter, wing Brayden Cook once only dreamt of kicking the winning goal in a Showdown.
After his dream came true on Friday night, Cook gave fans an insight into how he was feeling post-game and was almost lost for words, describing the moment as an “out-of-body experience”.
You can read the inside story here.
Tackle King Sam Berry wins Showdown Medal
Midfielder Sam Berry claimed his first Showdown Medal after a brilliant performance, which included collecting 29 disposals and making 19 tackles.
Berry’s 19 tackles fell one short of the Club and V/AFL record held by Rory Laird.
The 24-year-old’s previous high was 17, in the 2022 season when he also recorded a 14 tackle game and three games of 13.
Berry also posted a career-high 704 metres gained.
Read more in behind the numbers here.
Crows crowd continues to show up
Adelaide’s home crowds so far this season have been strong, with more than 40,000 turning up for each game at Adelaide Oval.
Showdown 59 attracted a crowd of 53,045.
It was the fourth highest Showdown crowd in history and fans were treated to a game that well and truly delivered.
Supporters will have another chance to watch the Crows live at Adelaide’s next home game against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, May 16, at 12.45pm.
Tickets to the game can be purchased here.
Around the grounds
Here’s what else you may have missed across socials.
Players’ reactions
See how some of the players reacted to the win.
