IF ROUND one was anything to go by, this shapes as a contest between the final-term masters in Port Adelaide and the faders in Adelaide. The Power sprinted home to easily account for Carlton while the Crows barely put up a fight in the last quarter as Geelong cruised to a 38-point win. But as has been said before, form counts for nothing in Showdowns and the first such encounter at Adelaide Oval promises to be a blockbuster. Neither side has had much of a look at the newly-developed oval's surface, but early analysis suggests it will produce a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Regular football left Adelaide Oval in 1974 – it finally returns.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, March 29, 4.15pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2013, Port Adelaide 17.5 (107) d Adelaide 15.13 (103) at AAMI Stadium
R3, 2013, Port Adelaide 17.16 (118) d Adelaide 16.13 (109) at AAMI Stadium
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
THE SIX POINTS
1.Port Adelaide won the only previous AFL game played at Adelaide Oval, defeating Melbourne by eight points in round 24, 2011.
2. The Power also claimed victory in both Showdowns last year, winning by nine points in round three and by four points in round 19.
3. South Australia's recent showcase games have been even affairs – it's three wins apiece since the start of that season.
4. In round one, Adelaide was the fourth most prolific user of the interchange bench with 115 rotations. The Power had only 94 rotations, ranking them 12th.
5. The Power took 15 contested marks in round one – the second-most in the competition, while the Crows took eight leaving them 10th.
6. Crow Patrick Dangerfield is the only player from either side inside the Official AFL Player Ratings' top 20 (No.2). Fellow acting skipper Rory Sloane is ranked No.21, while Power captain Travis Boak comes in at No.26.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 21 points
