Mark Ricciuto exclusive on iconic Showdown rivalry, Adelaide vs Port Adelaide, Showdown LV, Josh Carr, Josh Francou, injury, who wins, tips, latest news

One of, if not the biggest rivalry in the AFL will reignite South Australia on Thursday night, with the bi-annual match between Port Adelaide and Adelaide ready to again capture the attention of rival states.

The two cross-town rivals have played each other 54 times since their first ever match in 1997, with the Crows and Power inseparable at 27 wins each.

Perhaps the most inclined – and greatest – AFL player to speak on the long-time rivalry is Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto.

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Ricciuto is one of just five players to ever become an eight-time All-Australian – a competition record he shares with Gary Ablett Jr., Lance Franklin, Robert Harvey and former Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

Having played 18 Showdowns in the time he had his last seven nominations, the ex-superstar midfielder was at the peak of his powers during the rivalry’s introduction.

Speaking exclusively to foxfooty.com.authe 312-game player humbly recalls Showdown VII – the first ever match where a Showdown Medal was awarded, with Ricciuto the inaugural recipient in a game that left viewers starstruck.

Ricciuto was awarded the medal after a monstrous game, which included 41 disposals, 11 clearances and four goals from the midfield – all while fighting his side back into a one-lop-sided contest.

“It’s great to win them (Showdowns) and great to come from that far back, I remember being down a fair way… they’re obviously the sweetest victories,” Ricciuto said.

Both South Australian clubs were struggling in the AFL at the time, with the Crows and Power both with one win and five losses to their name, sitting 14th and 15th on the ladder respectively.

After a fast start from Port Adelaide, the Crows were down by 29 points at half-time, before blowing out to a game-high 42 points early in the third quarter – with the real threat of Ricciuto’s side being made a mockery of.

Ricciuto however, led from the front with sheer dominance, and remarkably pulled the Crows out of the trenches and onto the winners list with an eventual seven-point win in front of 41,101 fans.

Throughout his career against Port Adelaide, two players stood out to the 2003 Brownlow Medalist as his most respected.

“I absolutely respect Josh Carr and how he played – Josh Francou was also always one that was hard to play against; he was very tough, very fast and very competitive,” Ricciuto explained.

“They’re probably the standout two I think.”

While the respect has often been there between the two clubs, that certainly doesn’t take away from the on-field distaste for each other.

“It was huge from day dot (1997) – the games started off always tight, and there were always upsets… it kicked off from the start, and it’s still going today,” explained Ricciuto on the rivalry.

Unfortunately for the Australian Football Hall of Famer, he was unable to play the Power during the last two years of his career through injury – with his last ever match against them a semi-final demolition in 2005, where the Crows won by 83 points.

Looking towards Thursday night’s match, Ricciuto agreed when asked if prior form is often thrown out the window each time the two teams clash.

“It seems to be one of those types of games where form goes out the window; you just see sides get themselves up for it,” the three-time Showdown medalist said.

“There’s a bit more focus around town … some supporters are happy if they just win the Showdown and don’t make finals, it means that much to them.

“I guess there’s more than just the four points to win, and I guess that why even (Thursday) night with Port favourites, it’s still a 50-50 game.”

Despite this, both the Crows and Power will be looking to lean on recent form for the Thursday night thriller with both sides starting to find their groove.

A win for Adelaide would give them a chance of finishing the round just one win outside the top eight, while Port Adelaide will find itself inside the top four if Melbourne lose on Saturday night to an undefeated Geelong.

“A loss would make things very hard (for Adelaide), but a win would give them the confidence to keep going, that’s for sure,” Ricciuto commented.

“I don’t think Adelaide’s form is bad; they’re just not playing anywhere near their best.

“You’ve got to play three to four quarters of good footy to beat the best sides – I think the Showdown will straighten them up, and I think they can do that tomorrow night.”

Adelaide’s midfield comes up against one of, if not the best midfield in the competition, now staring down a date with Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis.

Ranking second in the competition for marks inside 50, the Power have been precise with their delivery inside the attacking arc, and will keep Adelaide’s defense on high alert.

The Crows, somewhat surprisingly, rank higher in the competition for clearances than the Power, with Rozee’s brigade no doubt ready to set the midfield record straight.

Ricciuto highlighted a few key Crows personnel who have been instrumental in the side this season, despite their below-par win-loss record.

“(Matt) Crouch is tough and in-and-under, he’s very hard to beat inside, you’ve got ‘Lairdy’ (Rory Laird) who’s starting to get a lot of the ball again last week – Jordan Dawson’s also had two great weeks, while (Jake) Soligo is having an absolute breakout year,” the 1998 premiership player said.

“They’ll have bursts from (Izak) Rankine and (Josh) Rachele through there as well – I’d say their midfield is looking pretty good at the moment.”

The match starts at 7pm local time (7:30pm AEST) at the Adelaide Oval.