Last season was one of vastly different fortunes for the Crows and Power, but there's a valid argument to suggest Port Adelaide is the form South Australian side heading into Sunday's Showdown XXXIV. While this is undoubtedly the club's biggest on-field test of the year, the Power will enter the game brimming with confidence on the back of two big wins over Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. Adelaide returned to the winners' circle last weekend with a narrow victory over the Brisbane Lions, but this too shapes as an important game for its season. A loss to its cross-town rivals would see serious questions raised about Adelaide's ability to back up its sensational 2012 campaign.
WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Sunday April 14, 4.10pm
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R15, 2012: Adelaide 17.14 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) at AAMI Stadium
R5, 2012: Adelaide 16.14 (110) d Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) at AAMI Stadium
R19, 2011: Adelaide 16.15 (111) d Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) at AAMI Stadium
R4, 2011: Port Adelaide 14.14 (98) d Adelaide 9.12 (66) at AAMI Stadium
R17, 2010: Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) d Adelaide 9.15 (69) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Port might have won two games on the trot this season, but Adelaide have won the last three Showdowns by an average of 36 points
2. Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs dominated the Power in round 15 last season with 61 hit-outs. He's averaged 30 hit-outs in the first two rounds this year, compared to Port's Jarrad Redden (15) and Matthew Lobbe (11).
3. Of the players likely to feature this weekend, Kane Cornes has played the most Showdowns with 22, ahead of Graham Johncock with 21. Brett Ebert has booted the most goals (26).
4. Taylor Walker starred with six goals in the first 2012 Showdown, but missed the second due to suspension. His last two Showdowns have yielded 10 goals, suggesting he has no trouble with Port's defence.
5. There are stars on both sides, but Scott Thompson was the main man in last year's Showdowns. He dominated the midfield in both games with 34 and 32 possessions.
6. During the home-and-away season in 2012, each time Adelaide lost it went on to win at least the next two games. A loss to the Power on Sunday would ruin that record.
