Showdowns in South Australian footy; they are something else, aren’t they?
The two occasions a year, that divides households, workplaces and school across the state.
For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, ‘Showdown’ is the name given to the Australian Football League match played between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power.
Showdowns in South Australia are more than just the normal weekend game of football. They give people many emotions – hope, enjoyment and amazement, disappointment and frustration.
The games usually live up to expectations, with 12 of the 29 clashes so far having been decided by two goals or less, leaving hundreds of thousands of South Australians watching on nervously, biting their fingernails to the final siren.
Whilst there are big matches in the AFL, such as Collingwood versus Carlton and Essendon versus Hawthorn, it is a bit different here, because as our friends in the west would know, Adelaide is predominately a two-team town.
The rivalry can be traced back to the Port Magpies’ fierce rivalry with almost every team in the SANFL.
Not helping the cause, was the 1990 Port Adelaide bid into the AFL which was rejected; out of this the Adelaide Football Club was born.
It is disappointing that around 10,000 seats are yet to be sold for this Saturday nights clash; once upon a time, a Showdown ticket was the hottest ticket in town.
The ‘AAMI Stadium is too far away’ myths have ballooned over the last few years, with both teams’ crowds down.
Live telecasts on television also do not help the cause.
However, I remember that the Showdown was so big that back in the early days, the game would be shown live and then a replay of the match would be shown directly afterwards to give those who were at the game a chance to see the game on television or for fans who wanted to watch the game at ease, knowing that they have earnt bragging rights until the next clash.
Showdown XXX has a new fresh feel about it, with many youngsters trying to fill the boots of former retired stars Andrew McLeod, Mark Riccuito, Simon Goodwin, Warren Tredrea, Gavin Wanganeen and Josh Carr.
The selection table has given us a few surprises with senior power players, Kane Cornes and Danyle Pearce dropped.
The Crows are plagued with injuries and have called on Luke Thompson to make his AFL debut.
I urge all South Australians to get along to the upcoming Showdown, because it really is more than just a football match.