Port Adelaide has smashed the Adelaide Crows to the tune of 75 points in the 48th edition of the Showdown.
The Crows kicked the first two goals of the game but from there it was all Port Adelaide as the Power lit up Adelaide Oval.
Wearing their traditional prison bars guernsey, Port Adelaide kicked nine goals straight during the second and third quarters to assert themselves as South Australia's premier team.
Adelaide’s task wasn’t made any easier when Jake Kelly was ruled out for the remainder of the night midway through the first term due to concussion.
Crows skipper Rory Sloane also suffered a leg injury early in the third term with the game all but over and didn't return to the field.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: Return of crowds
The Showdown was the first match of the 2020 season to welcome back crowds as 2,000 people spread out around level two of the Adelaide Oval.
Port persisted with their traditional pre-match rendition of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart” and while it was mixed with canned crowd noise, the sight of Port fans holding their scarves aloft made it feel like the real thing was back.
The host broadcaster persisted with the crowd effects to boost their coverage but at times it was difficult to tell real from fake.
Each time Taylor Walker touched the footy he was greeted with booing, so those in attendance certainly made their presence known.
Missed this. ⚡️#AFLPowerCrows pic.twitter.com/I5Ud8FWrK0
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 13, 2020
Port's youngsters
Xavier Duursma, Zac Butters, and Connor Rozee continued their stellar 2019 form against the Crows. The well documented future of the Port Adelaide Football Club are becoming more the present each and every game, with the trio at the forefront of the battle.
Duursma (17 disposals) booted three goals while Butters (21) and Rozee (17) managed one each. 21-year old Todd Marshall also looked threatening up forward, kicking two goals.
What’s next?
Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide will venture north to take their place in the Queensland hub. The Crows will take on Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon at Metricon Stadium while Fremantle host Port at the same venue later that evening.
Full Score
Port Adelaide: 4.2 / 8.4 / 14.7 / 17.8 (110)
Adelaide: 2.1 / 3.2 / 4.3 / 5.5 (35)
BEST
Port Adelaide: Butters, Rockliff, Duursma, Boak, Ebert
Adelaide: M. Crouch, B. Crouch, Laird, Lynch
GOALS Port Adelaide: Duursma 3, Dixon 3, Westhoff 3, Motlop 2, Marshall 2, Boak, Butters, Ebert, Rozee Adelaide: Crocker, Smith, B. Crouch, Fogarty, Sloane
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Jake Kelly (Concussion), Rory Sloane (Leg)