THEY'VE only played three AFL games between them, but Showdown XXXIV is shaping as a battle between two of the competition's brightest young stars in Port Adelaide hard nut Oliver Wines and Adelaide prodigy Brad Crouch.

Wines' pre-season readied Power fans for what has been an emphatic start to his AFL career, with his 24-disposal debut earning the first NAB Rising Star nomination for 2013.

The 18-year-old gathered another 19 touches last weekend against GWS, while Crouch collected 18 disposals in his long-awaited debut in the Crows' win over the Brisbane Lions.

Crouch looked at home in his first game at the elite level after spending last year on Adelaide's list but unable to play due to being only 17 when he joined the club via the GWS mini draft in 2011.

Having both spent time in the midfield it's possible the pair could match up on each other during Sunday's Showdown, something Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo said would be a sight to behold.

"It's great to see two young guys playing some great footy and leading the way for the other younger teammates," van Berlo said.

"A lot of our young guys look up to 'Crouchy' and the way he's been going about his footy and I've got no doubt the Port Adelaide young guys would be the same with Ollie Wines.

"They set a great example and they certainly do bring energy to the group when they come on game day…we've seen the way Ollie Wines attacks the footy, and Crouchy's fearless as well.

"It's refreshing for everyone and it's just great to see we've got some talent coming through."

Van Berlo will line up for his side on Sunday after he escaped suspension for striking Lion Tom Rockliff in the second quarter on Saturday night.


Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.