From cut-throat Preliminary Finals at the MCG to making his debut for a new Club, Isaac Cumming has experienced a lot of tense moments during his 90-game AFL career. 

But when reflecting on his first Showdown, the noise when Power midfielder Jason Horne-Francis was streaming into the forward 50 in the dying moments of Kuwarna’s thrilling victory, was at a level he had never witnessed before.

That moment was the culmination of a pulsating Showdown 57, that had moments of individual brilliance, dramatic momentum swings and extreme dedication to the contest. 

It was the perfect introduction to the storied rivalry, with the night being one the Broken Hill native said he would never forget. 

“The game was off its head, honestly it definitely lived up to the hype and then some,” Cumming said. 

“When Horne-Francis went on that run late in the last quarter, that noise was probably the loudest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. 

“Playing in front of the away crowd was a lot of fun as well, it felt like I got the full Showdown experience and it’s going to be a night I certainly won’t forget.” 

Embracing the contest is a key pillar to every clash against the Power, and fellow Showdown debutant James Peatling was in the thick of the fight. 

Battling hard in the midfield, Peatling recorded a game-high 12 tackles with the intensity of the match a perfect fit for the New South Welshmen’s hard edge. 

“I’ve always watched from afar, and it’s a game growing up I always tried to tune into as it’s a great battle,” Peatling told Kuwarna Media. 

“But being out there tonight and experiencing it first-hand, it exceeded all my expectations, I absolutely loved it.

“Being a tight game, I felt I got the whole Showdown experience, every contest felt like it meant that little bit more, and I loved being out there and cracking in.

“Putting my head over the footy and embracing the contest is something I love, and to be able to do that on such a big stage was so enjoyable.” 

The Club’s third Showdown debutant, Alex Neal-Bullen, was no stranger to the magnitude of the occasion.

A proud South Australian, and Kuwarna supporter as a kid, Neal-Bullen dreamed of one day suiting up in the tri-colours in the state’s biggest football rivalry.

“It was very cool to be out there playing, Showdowns were something I grew up watching and dreaming I’d one day be involved in, so to have that experience is something I’ll never forget,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“Even when I was in Melbourne, I’d always tune in and watch the Showdown, it is always such a great game of footy and tonight I got a first-hand experience of just how intense the atmosphere is. 

“I was really proud of the way we won the game as well, which really added to the experience, and overall it is going to be a night I’ll look back on fondly when my career is over.” 

The trio’s first Showdown ended with a famous finish, as Kuwarna held off the fast-finishing Yartapuulti to claim a gritty five-point victory. 

All three players spoke of the emotions that took over when the final siren sounded, with each offering different explanations of their immediate reactions. 

For Neal-Bullen, pride in what the group had accomplished was the first thing that sprung to mind. 

“My first thought was just how proud of the group I was to be honest,” Neal-Bullen said. 

“Those are the games we want to win, when the opposition is throwing absolutely everything at you, and we are able to stand up and get it done. 

“We are continuing to grow in that space and mature in those close-game situations, so to be able to get it done, I could not be prouder.” 

Peatling spoke to the joy of the moment, and how close games bring about a feeling of “elation.” 

“The overwhelming emotion was just relief to be honest, but also just elation, I absolutely loved every second of it,” Peatling said. 

“You can’t beat that feeling of winning a close game, and especially with it being a Showdown, seeing how much it meant to the older boys was very cool.”

Meanwhile Cumming mirrored many Kuwarna fans across the country with what was an overwhelming sense of relief. 

“First reaction was just hands in the air, head back and saying to myself ‘Thank F…’,” Cumming said.

“Moments and nights like this are the reason you play footy, and when I look back at my career, it will be a moment I reflect on very fondly.”