Adelaide and Port Adelaide have agreed to award retrospective Showdown Medals for games in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

The Showdown Medal was introduced in Round Seven, 2000 and awarded to Mark Ricciuto, meaning in the first three years of the rivalry, no honours were given.

Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman announced the decision before Showdown 47 on Saturday afternoon.

“This game, the Showdown, is now being recognised as one of the great rivalries in Australia sport,” Chapman said.

“The Showdown Medal, since its inception in 2000, has been won by some of the greats of both Clubs - names like Mark Ricciuto, Josh Francou, Warren Tredrea, Andrew McLeod, Robbie Gray, Simon Goodwin, Travis Boak and Rory Sloane. 

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“However, in the initial years from 1997 to 1999, whilst this rivalry built, there was not a Showdown medal awarded.

“The two Clubs have been in discussions about this and have agreed that we should retrospectively award Showdown medals for those games played between 1997 and 1999.”

Chapman confirmed that the two clubs would work together during the offseason to finalise the details.

“We look forward to sharing more details with you next year,” Chapman said.