Crows overrun Energy in final time period for epic Showdown win

Adelaide have ruined Port Adelaide’s occasion, breaking clear within the final time period to win an epic AFL Showdown by 31 factors.

Crows captain Jordan Dawson gained the Showdown medal as star recruit Izaak Rankine, younger key ahead Riley Thilthorpe and stalwarts Rory Sloane and Rory Laird shone within the 18.9 (117) to 13.8 (86) win on Saturday evening at Adelaide Oval.

It’s Adelaide’s first win of the season and leaves the fierce native rivals with 1-2 data.

Rankine kicked a aim after the ultimate siren to cap his star efficiency, with the previous Gold Coast ahead kicking 4 majors.

With Darcy Fogarty injured, Thilthorpe stood up and kicked a career-best 5 targets.

Port had gained 5 of the previous six Showdowns and likewise had a significant victory forward of this match, placing a take care of Collingwood that allowed them to put on their conventional black-and-white “jail bar” guernsey.

The Energy began favourites of their house sport, however the Crows ran excessive of them after a pulsating duel, with seven targets to 2 within the final time period.

Adelaide sprung a tactical shock, enjoying Dawson within the midfield somewhat than his normal defensive position, and he was huge early.

Dawson was mighty with 12 contested possessions, however Rankine, Laird and Thilthorpe had even greater video games in a well-known Crows win.

Port kicked the primary two targets, however Adelaide hit again instantly in a frantic begin that set the stage for a titanic wrestle.

There was controversy when Adelaide defender Lachie Sholl took a mark, went barely off his line and was tackled by Sam Powell-Pepper, who kicked the aim when it ought to have been a Crows clearance out of hazard.

After taking a one-goal lead into quarter time, Port broke out to a 17-point benefit within the second time period and appeared like they may be about to take management.

However the Crows kicked the final three targets of the half and, fittingly, scores have been degree on the primary break.

The depth of the match was summed up at the beginning of the third time period when Crows teenager Max Michalanney was ironed out by Rowan Marshall.

Michalanney, Adelaide’s first father-son recruit, was charging at full tempo after the ball when Marshall got here from the opposite route and cleaned him up with a brutal front-on bump.

It was a good hit that despatched Michalanney to the bench with sore ribs, however the 19-year-old sucked it up and returned to the sector to be among the many Crows’ finest.

With the stress huge, the 2 groups went goal-for-goal earlier than Adelaide blew some possibilities late within the third time period and led by three factors on the final change.

Port kicked two of the primary three targets within the final quarter and led by 4 factors at 10 minutes.

Junior Rioli dropped a mark in assault and Rankine then gained a crucial ball on the wing, establishing Lachie Murphy for a aim that gave Adelaide again the lead.

That opened the floodgates, with the Crows kicking the final six targets of the match.

Conor Rozee starred for the Energy as Powell-Pepper and Charlie Dixon kicked three targets apiece.