Rozee injury mystery deepens after surprise call; how 'stifling' Crows ...

The Adelaide Crows have clinched Showdown 55 with a clinical 12.6 (78) to 5.18 (48) victory over cross-town rivals Port Adelaide.

The Power were terribly inaccurate in front of goal - their third-worst performance ever - wasting ample opportunities to apply scoreboard pressure on the Crows.

Port Adelaide will be sweating on the health of captain Connor Rozee, who looked well below his best before being subbed out with hamstring tightness at three quarter time.

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Jake Soligo (27 disposals) and Matt Crouch (28 disposals) were superb in the midfield for Adelaide, while Irishman Mark Keane shut down Port spearhead Charlie Dixon.

Izak Rankine booted three goals, while Zak Butters tried his heart out for the Power, finishing with 32 disposals and five tackles.

Soligo won his first Showdown Medal as the Crows celebrated the retiring Rory Sloane in fine fashion.

THE 3-2-1 (via Jack Jovanovski)

3. MORE ROZEE INJURY MYSTERY AFTER ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ BLOW

The Connor Rozee injury mystery deepens.

Following days of speculation about the Port Adelaide skipper’s curious ailment, the electric midfielder was named to play against Adelaide, putting the rumblings to bed — for a time.

Rozee appeared to step awkwardly while in possession on Thursday night, with his left knee seemingly bothered by the incident thereafter.

The Power superstar spent close to 10 minutes on the bench before going for a brief jog and a ride on the exercise bike in attempts to prove his fitness.

He returned to the field of play for a brief period before three-quarter-time, but that would be the last time Rozee was seen on Thursday night.

“I don’t think that had anything to do with his hamstring,” Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy at the final change.

“It was an awkward sort of landing. (He) jarred or hyperextended that left knee, which can make you feel a bit uncomfortable for a few minutes.

“We saw him warm it back up and get back out there, and he’s been OK (tonight), he’s had 15 disposals, nine contested possessions.”

The Power substituted Rozee out of the game during the three-quarter-time break, prompting additional questions over his health — as well as why he was allowed to re-enter play.

Making matters worse for Port Adelaide injury-wise, key forwards Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall also received medical treatment late in the game, while defender Lachie Jones appeared bothered after pulling up sore in the waning stages.

2. CROWS WIN ‘ELIMINATION FINAL’ IN ‘STIFLING’ EFFORT

Two-time premiership winner David King described Thursday night’s Showdown as an early “elimination final” for the Crows — and they prevailed.

The Power might have been wasteful going forward, but Adelaide applied immense pressure and made life uncomfortable for their arch-rival.

Heading into Round 8, the Crows ranked second-worst in the AFL for contested possession differential and worst for ground-ball differential in their forward 50.

There wasn’t a desperate need for contested dominance in their forward half, though, as the Crows were able to string together numerous free-flowing transition chains as Port Adelaide defenders were left exposed and scrambling.

The Crows answered the call in their pseudo-final, but it was more-so due to the efforts of some of their lesser names than their stars.

Jake Soligo claimed the Showdown Medal after recording 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 tackles and four inside-50s, while unheralded backman Mark Keane stood tall in defence for Matthew Nicks.

“It (was) a one-sided match-up,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said of Keane’s battle with Port veteran Charlie Dixon.

“Mark Keane (has been) one of the best players on the ground. Charlie beat him once … but aside from that, he’s been beaten handsomely. He’s also given away five free kicks.

“What Keane does is he just reads the ball. If he sees it, he’ll leave Dixon at every opportunity and just back his athleticism to run away from Charlie and get to the ball first.

“On most occasions he’s attacked the ball and I think he (was) outstanding.”

The 24-year-old notched a game-high eight intercept possessions to half-time and finished the match with 17 disposals and four marks.

The Power had their chances, but it was the Crows who were more potent.

“Port Adelaide dominated territory but it was Adelaide who looked like scoring a goal every single time they went forward — they looked so dangerous,” Dunstall said.

Adelaide scored 32 points from turnover in the first half alone. To compare, over the first seven rounds of the season, the Crows averaged 40 for an entire game.

“They’ve started to get their game going, they’ve been able to score from the back half, getting the turnovers and making (Port) pay. It’s been impressive,” Montagna said.

“They’ve stifled any opportunity for the Power to get their ball movement going.

“Credit to Adelaide, they’ve really come to play from the outset.”

1. POWER STRUGGLE: ‘SERIOUS ISSUES’ REAR HEAD AMID COSTLY ABSENCE

Port Adelaide squandered opportunity after opportunity en route to its third-most inaccurate performance of all-time (with a minimum of 15 scoring shots).

Their scoreline of 5.18 was never going to be enough to stage a winning effort.

Going into Thursday night ranked a lowly 16th in the AFL in accuracy in the competition, the side’s output against the Crows did nothing to make inroads.

“It’s been happening week after week after week,” Adelaide icon Mark Ricciuto told Fox Footy.

“I’ve heard Ken Hinkley talk about it in interviews — he’s frustrated about their kicking. They’re doing a hell of a lot of practice, but obviously they’re not getting it quite right.”

The Power were +11 in inside-50s at half-time and +10 at full-time, but they weren’t able to translate those chances to scores.

“It’s just very clunky,” Dunstall told Fox Footy. “They’ve got some problems, Port.

“They’ve had dominant patches of the game where they just can’t turn it into a score on the scoreboard, and that’s creating some serious issues for them.

Montagna said: “We’ve seen this story before with Port Adelaide. Plus 11 (in) clearance, plus 11 (in) inside-50s, they dominate territory (but) they don’t convert.

“But then as soon as the other team gets the chance on the counter-attack, they’re able to score and punish going the other way.”

Meantime, conceding five of the game’s first six goals and reeling for most of the evening, Aliir Aliir’s absence proved troublesome for Port.

The Power struggled to contain Darcy Fogarty (14 disposals, eight marks, two goals) and Taylor Walker (four marks, two goals) as the Crows created multiple over-the-top scoring opportunities.

“(Esava) Ratugolea went to (Elliott) Himmelberg, which left Lachie Jones on (Darcy) Fogarty,” Dunstall said at quarter-time, explaining the match-ups.

“They didn’t go with (Ryan) Burton or (Dylan) Williams, who have a bit more height. They went with maybe thinking Lachie Jones could be a bit more aggressive in the contest — it didn’t work.

“Fogarty got on top and kicked a couple of goals. Few issues … it’s their set-up behind the ball that’s causing all sorts of headaches for Port Adelaide.”

King added: “They’re getting lost way too easily and far too quickly down back.

“I haven’t seen a back six look as confused as this for a long time, and the Crows’ stroll-in goals are the difference. When you take it the full length of the ground, it’s easy to convert.”

MATCH UPDATES

The substitutes for tonight’s Showdown clash are Brodie Smith (Adelaide) and Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide).

Before the first bounce, players, coaches and umpires stood together arm-in-arm to pay silent tribute to the women who have lost their lives in gender-based violence.

Crows key forward Darcy Fogarty started the game on fire, booting the first two goals of the game before teammate Taylor Walker kicked a beautiful goal on the run from the 50 metre arc.

Charlie Dixon responded shortly after for the Power but the Crows then went end to end as Ned McHenry got out the back.

It was a story of efficiency early, with the Crows having scored four goals from five inside 50s compared to the Power scoring one major from seven entries.

“This is absolutely shut the gate stuff,” Channel 7 commentator Alistair Nicholson said.

The Power sent Lachie Jones to Fogarty in the early stages of the contest, which Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said “didn’t work”.

“(Esava) Ratugolea went to (Elliott) Himmelberg, which left Lachie Jones on (Darcy) Fogarty,” Jason Dunstall explained.

“They didn’t go with (Ryan) Burton or (Dylan) Williams, who have a bit more height. They went with maybe thinking Lachie Jones could be a bit more aggressive in the contest — it didn’t work.

“Fogarty got on top and kicked a couple of goals. Few issues … it’s their set-up behind the ball that’s causing all sorts of headaches for Port Adelaide.”

Adelaide led 5.0 (30) to 3.4 (22) at quarter time.

“It was a really entertaining first quarter,” Dunstall said.

“Adelaide looked like kicking a goal every single time they went forward, they were so dangerous.

Remarkably, Port were +11 for inside 50s but were unable to translate that dominance into scoreboard impact.

“They’ve got to be a little bit less predictable,” Dunstall said of Port Adelaide.

Izak Rankine and Lachie Sholl were the only goalkickers of the second term.

Adelaide led 7..2 (44) to 3.7 (25) at half time.

“They’ve been really good Adelaide, I like their methodology going forward,” Dunstall said.

“They’ve got some problems Port, they’ve had dominant patches of the game where they just can’t turn it into a score.

“It’s creating some serious issues for them and they are leaking like a sieve down back.”

North Melbourne champion David King was concerned with the performance of Port Adelaide’s backline in the first half.

“They’re getting lost way too easy and far too quickly,” he said.

“I haven’t seen a back six look as confused as this for a long time.”

Power spearhead Charlie Dixon struggled to make an impact in the first half and was well held by Crows defender Mark Keane.

“It’s a one-sided matchup right now… he’s been beaten handsomely,” Dunstall said of Dixon.

Keane had 12 disposals and eight intercept possessions at half time, compared to Dixon’s five touches and a goal.

Crows champion Mark Ricciuto said the Power, ranked 16th for goal kicking accuracy in 2024, would be ruing missed opportunities in front of goal.

“It’s been happening week after week after week,” the Fox Footy commentator said.

“I’ve heard Ken Hinkley talk about it in interviews — he’s frustrated about their kicking. They’re doing a hell of a lot of practice, but obviously they’re not getting it quite right.”

“You’re going to cost yourself games, it nearly cost them the Freo game, nearly cost them the St Kilda game, arguably cost them the Melbourne game and it could cost them a Showdown.

Taylor Walker was at his vintage best in front of goal as Izak Rankine kicked an absolute beauty from the forward pocket to extend Port Adelaide’s lead to 31 points.

Concerns over the fitness of Power captain Connor Rozee were raised again, with the superstar spending over 10 minutes on the bench during the third term.

“As he ran on, it did look like he was limping,” Channel 7 commentator Erin Phillips said.

Rozee was put through run throughs on the boundary line and spent time on the exercise bike as he tested out what appears to be a knee issue.

Accuracy in front of goal continued to plague the Power, but Jason Horne-Francis bobbed up with a goal late which kept them in the hunt.

The Crows led 9.4 (58) to 4.11 (35) at three-quarter-time.

Rozee was subbed out of the contest with what the club described as “hamstring tightness” in what is sure to be a major talking point post-match.

Jackson Mead was his replacement, while the Crows brought veteran Brodie Smith on for debutant Dan Curtin.

Another goal from Jason Horne-Francis cut the margin to three goals as the Power lifted, threatening to apply some serious scoreboard pressure on the Crows.

The Power continued to waste chance in front of the big sticks before a cruel bounce at the other end of the ground saw Lachie Sholl find Josh Rachele streaming into the open goal.

Ben Keays iced the game with a mark in the goal square, extending the margin to an unassailable 24-point lead.

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