Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power are set to go head-to-head in the first Showdown of the AFL season on Thursday evening.
Port have made a strong start to the season, winning five of their opening seven games, but the Crows have just two victories to their name.
Despite it still being very early in the season, this derby clash could be a defining moment for both sides.
The Crows are already priced at 8.50 to make the top eight and play finals and another loss would put an even bigger dent in their chances.
Port need the points to stay in the mix for the top four, which would boost their hopes of going all the way and winning the grand final and they can be backed at 15.00 to do just that.
Skipper Connor Rozee making a sharp recovery from a hamstring injury will also boost their chances of breaking a two-game losing streak against the Crows.
. What: Adelaide v Port Adelaide
. Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
. When: 20:30, Thursday 2nd May 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 7
. Odds: Adelaide 2.25, Port Adelaide 1.65
Crows need to start flying
The Crows have a good recent record in the Showdown, winning the last two meetings and they could really do with another on Thursday night.
Adelaide picked up just their second win of the season last week, but it was against a North Melbourne side who have yet to win.
Even so, they can take heart from the 57-point win, when they piled on 138 points against the Kangaroos.
Izak Rankine booted four goals in that win and can be backed at 13.00 to kick the first of the game, or 1.17 to score at anytime.
Adelaide also showed what they are capable of when shocking Carlton in round five. They won by two points at Marvel Stadium and would settle for the same again.
The Crows can be backed at 6.00 to win by 1-12 points.
The Showdown will also see very highly-rated draftee Daniel Curtin make his AFL debut and the Crows are confident the 19-year-old has what it takes to step up to the plate.
Power handed major Rozee boost
Port Adelaide have been handed a welcome boost with the news that skipper Connor Rozee has been given the all-clear to play.
Rozee picked up a hamstring injury in last week's win over St Kilda, but it is only low grade and barring any setbacks he will face the Crows.
However, Power will be without Sam Powell-Pepper, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL.
Aliir Aliir will also be missing after suffering a concussion against the Saints, so Port have a couple of holes to fill and utility Jeremy Finlayson could fill one of them as he returns from suspension.
Charlie Dixon stood out in the 10-point win over St Kilda, making the difference as he booted four goals and the forward is priced at 9.50 to kick the first of the Showdown.
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