The Adelaide Crows sent a resounding message to the competition on Saturday night, delivering a crushing 98-point victory over bitter rivals Port Adelaide Power in a rain-soaked Showdown LVIII at Adelaide Oval.
In front of a packed and poncho-draped crowd, the Crows dominated from start to finish, powering to a 20.13 (133) to 5.5 (35) win — the largest margin in Showdown history.
Crows Claim Temporary Top Spot with Statement Win
The emphatic win sees Adelaide temporarily rise to the top of the AFL ladder, bolstered by another percentage-boosting performance. Riley Thilthorpe was the star of the show, taking home his first-ever Showdown Medal after an all-round masterclass in horrendous conditions.
Thilthorpe finished with 19 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 hitouts and 3 goals, including a highlight-reel bomb in the second term that broke the game wide open.
“Rain, hail or shine – this team keeps finding a way to win,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said post-match.
Port Adelaide Power Crumble in Coach Ken Hinkley’s Final Showdown
It was a nightmare farewell for Ken Hinkley, who coached his final Showdown after more than a decade with Port Adelaide. His team had no answers for the Crows’ relentless pressure and structured ball movement.
Despite a mini-run late in the first term — sparked by a clever snap from Jed McEntee — the Power were overwhelmed by Adelaide’s forward trio of Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty.
Port’s defensive unit, already stretched thin, struggled to contain the aerial threat. By halftime, Adelaide held a 29-point lead, which ballooned to 60 by the final change.
Midfield Masterclass: Soligo, Dawson, and Keays Lead the Charge
Jake Soligo was everywhere, racking up 35 disposals and two goals, while skipper Jordan Dawson added another 21 touches and a goal of his own. Ben Keays was instrumental across half-forward, kicking three goals and applying constant pressure in the wet.
Adelaide’s midfield, led by Rory Laird and Wayne Milera, maintained composure in the torrential downpour, keeping the ball locked in their forward half and calmly rebounding out of defence.
Power Stars Battle On, But Stats Tell the Story
Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters fought valiantly with 12 clearances, and Aliir Aliir tried to hold down the backline, but the Power could only muster two inside-50 marks by the final quarter — a telling indictment of their night.
Connor Rozee, playing with a broken hand, showed courage with several smothers but was largely ineffective in a midfield role after half-time.
Injuries Add to Port’s Woes
To compound the misery, defender Lachie Jones was subbed out early with a corked thigh, and Jack Lukosius suffered a calf tweak, as confirmed by Hinkley post-match. For Adelaide, Max Michalanney exited in the third quarter with a hamstring strain.
Showdown Medal: Thilthorpe Thrills in the Wet
Big men aren’t supposed to shine in the rain, but Riley Thilthorpe defied the odds, running hard, clunking marks, and shutting down intercepting attempts from Aliir. His third goal, in particular, sealed the fate of Port Adelaide and brought the crowd to its feet.
“It’s a dream come true. To win a Showdown like that, in front of our fans, is something I’ll never forget,” Thilthorpe said post-match.
What’s Next?
With finals approaching, the Crows look every bit the premiership contender, while Port Adelaide must regroup quickly and fight to secure a top-eight finish amid growing injury concerns and off-field changes.
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