Showdown (AFL)

The Showdown is a term used to refer to the derby match between local rivals the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the sport of Australian rules football in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Background

The Adelaide Crows joined the AFL in 1991, and Port Adelaide joined in 1997. The South Australian Brewing Company, makers of West End beers, decided that the "Showdown" would be an appropriate name as a promotional opportunity for games between these two clubs, since it was the first time two South Australian teams had played against each other in the AFL.

West End no longer holds naming rights to the Showdown as the Adelaide Crows changed their beer sponsor to the Victorian based Carlton and United Beverages brands in 2005. The game is now sponsored by Balfours.

Port beat the Crows in the inaugural Showdown in 1997. Having won their first match in the AFL against Geelong the week before, a pumped up Port jumped the Crows in the first half and managed to hold on in the final quarter as the Crows mounted a comeback. The game also featured a fight between Port's Scott Cummings and Adelaide's Rod Jameson.

In the 2005 AFL Finals Series, Adelaide and Port Adelaide met in a semi-final, the first time in their history they had played against each other in a finals game. What was billed as a tight contest turned out to be a fizzer after half time, with Adelaide thrashing Port Adelaide by 83 points.

Showdowns are referred to by their number, e.g. Showdown X for the tenth game between the clubs. Only matches during the Premiership Season or Finals Series are given this distinction. Pre-season matches are often referred to as Showdowns, but are not officially given the title. There have been 31 games played between the clubs, with Port Adelaide leading the Crows 17-14 on match wins at the end of the 2011 season.

The player adjudged best on ground in each match is awarded the Showdown Medal.

History of the series

In the 30 showdowns to date the Power lead the all time series 17-13. The longest winning streak belongs to Port who beat the Crows 7 times, the first win was recorded in round 22 of 2000 (Showdown VIII) while the last of the 7 wins was recorded in round 22 of 2003 (Showdown XIV).

Year by year & overall standings

Results

Showdown I – X

Showdown XI – XX

Showdown XXI – XXX

Showdown XXXI – XXXX

Showdown XXXI

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Statistics

Scoring

• As of Round 4, 2011, overall scores sit at 382.358 (2650) for Adelaide and 369.331 (2545) for Port.
• In their 13 wins to date, Adelaide has an average winning margin of 35.69 points, while Port averages 20.53 for its 17 wins. The average winning margin of the 28 Showdowns to date is 28.53 points.
• The highest score in a Showdown is 23.15 (153) by Port in Showdown IX. The lowest score is 5.10 (40) by Port in Showdown XIX (the 2005 Semi Final)
• The highest winning margin by Adelaide is 83 points in Showdown XIX, 18.15 (123) to 5.10 (40). The highest winning margin by Port is 65 points in Showdown IX, 23.15 (153) to 13.10 (88).
• The lowest winning margin by Adelaide is 6 points in Showdown XXIV, 12.13 (85) to 11.13 (79). The lowest winning margin by Port is 8 points, on three consecutive occasions: Showdown X, 16.11 (107) to 15.9 (99); Showdown XI, 14.6 (90) to 12.10 (82); and Showdown XII, 12.12 (84) to 11.10 (76).
• The longest winning streak by Adelaide is 4 (Showdowns XVII - XX). The longest winning streak by Port is 7 (Showdowns VIII - XIV).
• Adelaide currently kicks with a 52.37% accuracy at goal, and Port 52.69%.
• Close games are common: 9 of the 28 matches been decided by less than 10 points and a further 5 matches decided by 16 points or less.

Attendances

• In the 30 Showdowns, 1,312,126 people have so far attended the matches, with crowds ranging between 31,662 (Showdown XXV) and 51,140 (Showdown XIII) and averaging 43,737 people.
• The Crows' attendances range from 40,296 (Showdown IX) to 51,140 (Showdown XIII) and average 45,329 people. So far 634,608 people have attended Crows home matches.
• Port's attendances range from 31,662 (Showdown XXV) to 50,275 (Showdown XII) and average 48,394 people. So far 677,518 people have attended Port home matches.

See also

• West End Slowdown
• Western Derby

References and notes