IN the 34th installation of the local Adelaide derby, the Power hosts the Crows in its final ever home Balfours Showdown at AAMI Stadium.

The Teams


Port Adelaide
Form: W W
Ranked: 2nd

Adelaide Crows
Form: L W
Ranked: 10th

Last time


Port Adelaide struggled to hold touch with the Crows en route to a 58 point loss in its home Balfours Showdown.

Round 17, 2012: Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) def by Adelaide Crows 17.14 (116) at AAMI Stadium

Memorable moment: Paul Stewart’s courageous mark in the opening minutes and drop punt goal from 50 metres out.

Form Guide

Past 5: Power 2 v Crows 3
Past 33: Power 17 v Crows 16

The fine print

AFL Round 3 – Balfours Showdown XXXIV
Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows
Sunday, April 14
AAMI Stadium
Turner Drive, West Lakes SA
First bounce: 4:10pm (SA time)
Broadcast: Live on FOX FOOTY and Seven
LIVE WIRE: Starts at 4:00pm
Twitter: #pafclive #aflpowercrows
Buy tickets

Our top three

1. Justin Westhoff
Is the Hoff back? His two excellent performances in Rounds 1 and 2 have brought one of the best beards in the competition back into the limelight. Westhoff’s performance against the Giants last week was one of the best individual showings in a Power jumper for some time. He was dangerous up forward, solid in defence and also involved through the middle of the ground. His five goals, 25 possessions, 14 marks and a Lifebroker Mark of the Year nomination to boot highlighted the way Westhoff can play when fully unleashed.

Forwards coach Garry Hocking said he hoped for a consistent year from the Hoff to truly show his underrated potential as a key player and he has laid the best foundation to do that over the past fortnight. A former Balfours Showdown medallist, he loves the local derbies and could be the critical tool in the Power’s arsenal of Sunday afternoon.

2. Chad Wingard
Wingard looks at home in Port’s 22 and his game last week was hopefully a sign of things to come for the small, elusive forward. Working in tandem with young Jake Neade, Wingard’s three goals were momentum-boosters against the Giants, but he was also damaging against the Demons the week before. If he can keep his good start to the year going, he could prove the difference up forward for the Power.

3. Kane Cornes
Port Adelaide’s midfield will be critical to its chances on Sunday afternoon. But slipping under the radar again this year has been Kane Cornes – Port’s reliable best and fairest winner who continues to win the outside ball and help set up the Power’s key forward movements. His 30 disposals last week came at an incredible 80% efficiency – a rarity in the modern game. But while his ability to win the footy is obvious, it’s his ability to tag opponents that forged his national reputation. If Hinkley makes him tag any of the Crows mids this weekend, he could be up for another famous performance.

Final word

Showdowns are about more than four points and Port Adelaide supporters love nothing more than to beat the Crows. Even though the Power sits higher in the ladder, most pundits still rate the club as the underdog heading into Sunday’s match – a tag that it has historically been comfortable having before beating a more fancied Adelaide opponent.

Port’s first two wins have been positive for its supporter base, but the chance to take a big scalp against a top-eight fancy will appeal to player and supporter alike.

The keys to victory in the past two weeks have been Port Adelaide’s ability to respond to challenges – like in the first term against the talented young Giants side last week – and use its defensive capabilities to restrict opponents from scoring inside their 50.

Its desire to win has also been important - a desire that should, if anything, increase this weekend with the chance to claim local bragging rights early in the year on the line.

Odds: Port Adelaide 2.70 - 1.45 Adelaide Crows