Background
The Adelaide Crows joined the AFL in 1991, and Port Adelaide joined in 1997. The South Australian Brewing Company, makers of West End beers, decided that the "Showdown" would be an appropriate name as a promotional opportunity for games between these two clubs, since it was the first time two South Australian teams had played against each other in the AFL.
West End no longer holds naming rights to the Showdown as the Adelaide Crows changed their beer sponsor to the Victorian based Carlton and United Beverages brands in 2005. The game is now sponsored by Balfours.
Port beat the Crows in the inaugural Showdown in 1997. Having won their first match in the AFL against Geelong the week before, a pumped up Port jumped the Crows in the first half and managed to hold on in the final quarter as the Crows mounted a comeback. The game also featured a fight between Port's Scott Cummings and Adelaide's Rod Jameson.
In the 2005 AFL Finals Series, Adelaide and Port Adelaide met in a semi-final, the first time in their history they had played against each other in a finals game. What was billed as a tight contest turned out to be a fizzer after half time, with Adelaide thrashing Port Adelaide by 83 points.
Showdowns are referred to by their number, e.g. Showdown X for the tenth game between the clubs. Only matches during the Premiership Season or Finals Series are given this distinction. Pre-season matches are often referred to as Showdowns, but are not officially given the title. There have been 33 games played between the clubs, with Port Adelaide leading the Crows 17-16.
The player adjudged best on ground in each match is awarded the Showdown Medal.
Read more about this topic: Showdown (AFL)
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