Showdown week in South Australia is always a special occasion.
Like other local derbies or fierce rivalries—think the Western Derby or the old-school Victoria Park Collingwood–Carlton clashes—it doesn’t matter where either team sits on the ladder, or how different the fortunes may be at Adelaide and Port Adelaide. When it comes to the Showdown, form often flies out the window. Both sides lift. It’s a battle for South Australian football supremacy—and bragging rights that echo around barbecues, workplaces, and family dinners for months.
The Crows, who have hosting rights for this edition of the Showdown, took another big step toward locking away a top-four finish after belting the Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval.
Billed as a battle between two finals hopefuls—and a spicy rematch after their controversial earlier meeting this season, complete with post-siren heat and some push and shove—the Crows were simply too big, too slick, and too powerful. They blew the Suns away in a ruthless first half, booting nine goals while keeping the visitors goalless. And boy, did they let Mac Andrew know all about it after his antics in the last encounter.
Port Adelaide, meanwhile, limps into this one heavily undermanned and coming off a loss to the Hawks in the freezing winds of Launceston. The Power are out of the finals race, but they’ll be looking to cause some carnage on the way out—and nothing would give them more satisfaction than spoiling the Crows’ top-four push. Especially in what shapes as an emotional one: Ken Hinkley’s final Showdown at the helm of the club.
Say what you will about Ken, but he’s been front and centre for plenty of iconic Showdown moments—who could forget the after-the-siren winner in 2018 or the chaos of that 2013 boilover? He’ll want this one badly. He’d love nothing more than to go out with one last, signature Showdown scalp.
Of course, it’s hard to mention Showdown heroics without thinking of Jordan Dawson. In just his third game as a Crow, Dawson etched his name into Showdown folklore with that after-the-siren winner in 2022—a curling left-foot set shot that sailed through and sent the Adelaide Oval into raptures. It’s the kind of moment that lives on in highlight reels and pub debates for years.
They’re always massive occasions. It’s just a pity this one’s hidden behind a paywall, buried off free-to-air TV and not given the primetime, marquee fixture slot it deserves. But that’s a whinge for another day.
On the selection front, Crows defender Mitch Hinge will face a fitness test after being subbed out with a nasty corky against the Suns. Brayden Cook has cleared concussion protocols and will be hopeful of regaining his spot.
Young gun Sid Draper continues to shine in the SANFL and is pushing hard for a recall, but spots in this high-performing Crows side are tough to crack.
Over at Alberton, Power captain Connor Rozee is giving himself every chance to return after missing the trip to Tassie with a hand injury. Willie Rioli responded with two goals in the SANFL and could come under consideration. So too could Jeremy Finlayson, who snagged four majors and reminded selectors of his presence.
For the latest team news, in-depth analysis, odds, and betting tips, scroll on for our full Crows vs Power Showdown preview below.
Adelaide vs Port Adelaide Predicted Teams
Adelaide Predicted Team List
B: Josh Worrell, Nick Murray, Rory Laird
HB: Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Wayne Milera
C: Isaac Cumming, Jordan Dawson, Dan Curtin
HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Darcy Fogarty, Ben Keays
F: Izak Rankine, Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker
Foll: Reilly O’Brien, Jake Soligo, Sam Berry
Int: James Peatling, Mitch Hinge, Chayce Jones, Luke Pedlar, Zac Taylor
Port Adelaide Predicted Team List
B: Logan Evans, Allir Allir, Lachie Jones
HB: Connor Rozee, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Kane Farrell
C: Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines, Travis Boak
HF: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jack Lukosius, Jase Burgoyne
F: Ollie Lord, Mitch Georgiades, Joe Richards
Foll: Jordan Sweet, Willem Drew, Zak Butters
Int: Lachie Jones, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Josh Sinn, Dylan Williams
Adelaide vs Port Adelaide Prediction & Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
While both clubs have split the last 10 Showdowns at five games apiece, the Crows hold sway in recent times, winning four of the past five head-to-head matches.
The Crows, right from the early rounds of the season, have looked impressive, and as the year has gone on, they have only gotten better and refined their profile into a potential premiership-winning model.
They’re ranked third for offence and second for defence, with Champion Data guru Daniel Hoyne this week declaring their backline “bulletproof.”
Can in-form Power big man Mitch Georgiades breach that? The Power has improved their collective forward pressure over the past month and has steadily increased time in the forward half. They just need to find a way to share the scoring load and convert all the opportunities.
It’s hard to look past the Crows in their current form, so we’re going with them here.
Betting tip: Crows
First Goal Prediction
Death, taxes, and Izak Rankine kicking goals in Showdowns.
He’s kicked 24 goals straight from his past five matches against the Power, so you know he’s going to be amongst it again. We’re tipping him to kick the first.
Betting tip: Izak Rankine
Most Disposals Prediction
Jake Soligo has his place in the Crows’ starting midfield unit, but often he’s left aside with focus rightly put on the likes of Dawson, Rankine, Keays, and now Curtin.
A one-time Showdown medallist in his own right, He’s only averaged 20.8 disposals per game in his previous five games, but we’re backing him in to remind his coach, Matthew Nicks, he deserves a place in this team moving forward with a big performance here.
Betting tip: Jake Soligo 25 disposals
Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Power Match Details
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
First Bounce: 8:10pm AEST
Location: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
How to watch: Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports