Port Adelaide can consolidate second spot on the ladder when it locks horns with arch rival Adelaide in a massive Showdown.
The Power have won four-straight games to surge into the No. 2 seed as Ken Hinkley’s side has arguably its best opportunity yet to win a premiership.
Meanwhile the Crows can spoil the party for their cross-town rival — who they’ve beaten in four of the clubs’ last five meetings — and go into the game with solid form behind them.
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Josh Rachele spiced things up ahead of the game on Adelaide radio station FIVEAA, revealing a sledge to Port supporters for not having ‘many teeth’, also stating he doesn’t care if they boo him.
The game gets underway at 7pm ACST from Adelaide Oval.
Watch it live on Fox Sports 503, streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl, from 6:55pm ACST.
GAME UPDATES …
Izak Rankine kicked the opening goal of the night before celebrating with gusto as Crows fans erupted.
To no huge shock, Josh Rachele was booed loudly whenever he got the ball in response to his sledge during the week.
It was a back and forth first quarter played under intense heat.
“They are targeting Izak Rankine … it is a Showdown!,” Crows legend Mark Ricciuto said on Fox Footy.
“They are into Izak Rankine and so they should be. Going to try and put him off his game.”
Adelaide couldn’t take its chances in front of goal, but still led 2.5 (17) to 2.3 (15) at the first change.
Set up by a crafty ruck tap from Jordon Sweet, Jason Horne-Francis kicked an epic left footer goal to open the second term — his second major for the night — to give Port the lead back.
“I’m not sure if there’s anyone in the competition that has more impact on a game when they’re in full flight than Jason Horne-Francis,” Ricciuto said.
In a big injury concern, Sweet landed awkwardly on his knee in a contest and twisted it as he had to come from the ground. In a sigh of relief, the Port ruckman later returned to the game.
The hits kept coming, with Lachie Jones coming off second best in a marking contest.
Josh Rachele’s moment came late in the second term, kicking a ripper goal and the run before running to the fence and celebrating with a cheeky point to his teeth.
“He is asking for trouble!,” Ricciuto said with a laugh.
It was a tight start to the third term, with Adelaide missing a couple of chances to extend its lead.
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Source Agencies
