Showdown 53 Recap: Adelaide Rallies to Beat Port Adelaide

Crows Secure First Win of the Season in Front of 48,962-Strong Crowd

Showdown 53 will be one to remember, as Adelaide overwhelmed Port Adelaide in a stunning victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. The 31-point win marked the Crows’ first victory of the season, outscoring Port Adelaide 18.9 (117) to 13.8 (86) as the Crows scored six unanswered goals in the final quarter.

Young Guns Outshine in Adelaide Victory

The Crows’ victory was secured by a trio of young guns, Riley Thilthorpe, Izak Rankine, and Luke Pedlar, with Thilthorpe scoring five goals and Rankine scoring four. Charlie Dixon was the Power’s leading scorer with three goals. Crows captain Jordan Dawson, ruckman Reilly O’Brien, and veteran midfielders Rory Laird and Rory Sloane were influential in the match.

Battle Between Arch-Rivals Leads to Free-Flowing Contest

The game started with a high-octane opening quarter with a combined total of 11 goals. However, neither team could dominate and ended up tied 9.3 (57) to 9.3 (57) at half-time. The intensity of the match picked up in the third quarter, with Max Michalanney’s courageous effort typifying the increased commitment of the players.

Power Still on the Back Foot After Loss

Back-to-back losses have put the Power on the back foot, making it a difficult start to the season. With a 1-2 record, they now face a tough match against the Swans in Sydney next Saturday night. Losing to Adelaide, who had yet to win a game this season, will be a hard pill to swallow for the Power faithful.

Crows Rebuild Tracking Nicely with Exciting Young Core

The Crows can take heart from the exciting group of young players in their lineup, including Thilthorpe, Pedlar, Soligo, Rachele, Michalanney, Rankine, and Berry, who could be major contributors for the next decade. Thilthorpe’s performance, in particular, showed his immense potential, making him a player to watch for in the future.

Versatile Dawson Proving to be a Quality Recruit

The Crows’ captain, Jordan Dawson, was again a standout player in his third Showdown, proving his worth with a range of skills both in the midfield and on defense. After the match-winning goal at last year’s showdown, Dawson looks comfortable in the state’s biggest rivalry, showing his potential as a quality recruit for the Crows.

Acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of Country

The AFL acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We honor their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Credit: https://www.afl.com.au/news/893327/gun-recruit-exciting-forward-lead-crows-in-showdown-classic

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