Port Adelaide pleased to retain underdog status

PORT Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin is hopeful Sunday's Showdown at AAMI Stadium will follow a familiar theme by going the way of the underdog.

The Crows, who have won seven of their past eight games, will start warm favourites against the ninth-placed Power but should know it doesn’t always pay to be the fancied side.

Some of Port Adelaide’s most memorable Showdown wins, including the inaugural encounter in 1997 and the second meeting in both 2006 and 2008, have come from outside of favouritism.

On Tuesday, Chaplin said he was confident the Power could spring another upset.

"Last year, we were having a poor year but we came out and won the last Showdown, which just goes to show that it doesn’t matter where you sit on the ladder," Chaplin said.

"The euphoria of the game is like a final. You walk taller and it shouldn’t take a Showdown to get you up – it should be like that every week – but there’s just something about the Showdown that means a hell of a lot more."

Port Adelaide responded to its poor performance against Melbourne in round 15 with a comfortable win over West Coast last weekend.

The Crows suffered their first loss in two months at the hands of an unbeaten St Kilda on Sunday, but Chaplin said the Power wouldn’t read too much into the lopsided result.

"We know it’s going to be a much tougher task against Adelaide this week (compared to West Coast) because the Crows have been in some great form," he said.

"St Kilda has won 16 in a row and we got smashed by them earlier in the year as well. The Crows are travelling really well and it’s going to be a huge test for us this week."

Chaplin, who was best on ground in his last game against the Brisbane Lions in round 14, will return to the side having served a two-match ban for rough conduct.

Chad Cornes filled in at centre half-back last week, but Chaplin said he was hopeful there was still a spot for him in defence.

"I’ve had my two weeks off and I’m raring to get back out there again because I hate watching footy," he said. "I’m [champing] at the bit to get out there."

"It’s good to have a little bit of fun before the game," he added of the Showdown week festivities. "But when it comes to Sunday it’s all jokes aside.

"You cross that white line and all that’s on your mind is beating your opponent."

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