ADELAIDE chairman Rob Chapman believes Showdowns between his club and archrival Port Adelaide could be changed forever by Phil Walsh's tragic death.

Both organisations have embraced a bitter rivalry that stretches back to before the Crows' inception into the AFL in 1991.

But in the wake of Walsh's death the two clubs and their fans have united like never before.

The outpour of support from all sides has been heartwarming – and appreciated by those most affected by Walsh's passing.

It remains to be seen whether the rivalry between the Crows and Power will ever return to its former state but Chapman said next Sunday's Showdown would be like no other.

"Keith Thomas (Port's CEO) texted me prior to last night's game wishing me luck, I did the same to him Thursday night," Chapman said.

"It's not often you're going to see the leaders of two local clubs do that.

"There's been a lot of support for each other leading into [the Showdown] and you saw that with the players last night.

"We have some plans for our fans to congregate on the other side of the [River] Torrens this week and I'm sure supporters of both sides are going to mingle pre and post-game."

Many of Adelaide's players were overcome with emotion after Saturday night's 56-point loss to West Coast – tears streaming from their eyes as they walked off the ground.

The next few weeks will keep testing their emotional strength too, with Walsh's memorial service scheduled for Wednesday ahead of Sunday's Showdown, which is followed by the club's first home game since Walsh's death.

Chapman said it wouldn't be until after that home game – against Gold Coast in round 17 – that Adelaide would be truly able to focus on the rest of the season.

"We do need to get up for Sunday's game and then of course the following week is our fans' first opportunity to come to a home game and share that experience with the players," he said.

"So probably two weeks and then I'd like to think yes we can move on and finish this season off the way Phil [would have] wanted us to."

Ruckman Sam Jacobs said he was "emotionally drained" after arriving at Adelaide airport on Sunday afternoon.

Along with several of his teammates Jacobs was visibly upset as he left Domain Stadium, the strain of the week bubbling over.

As much as it was a relief to play again, he said it was equally important to let go emotionally at the game's conclusion.

"You build yourself up to play a game and coupled up with the emotions as well, I think it all probably gets too much at the end of the game," Jacobs said.

"It's good to get it out of your system."