Port Adelaide vs Adelaide - Aami Stadium- Sunday
Port Adelaide - 14th - 5-11 - 77.81%
Adelaide - 10th - 7-9 - 93.58%
Showdown 29 will see the two South Australian sides lock horns with neither having enjoyed the finest seasons of their respective histories.
The Crows however have ressurected their fortunes and could possibly still play finals in 2010 which would be a remarkable achievement given they were 0-6 at one stage.
Port Adelaide on the other hand have lost their past nine games, changed their coach, and appear set for a long and arduous rebuild over the next few years.
Last week the Crows brought down the might of Geelong to win their fourth game in a row and move to 10th on the table, just one win outside the eight.
They still need to face Collingwood, the Bulldogs and St.Kilda in the run home, as well as a rejuvenated Richmond at the MCG so the road home is difficult, but if they win this their is plenty of reason for optimism.
The Blues appear to be staggering, and the crows will at least have their destiny in their own hands again.
Port Adelaide have lost Salopek for the year in another frustrating twist on a season that promised so much when the siren sounded at Etihad Stadium in Round 7.
At that stage Port Adelaide sat fifth on the table with a 5-2 record, but it has all fallen apart since then.
And last week best summed up their season. They kicked five goals in a row against the Bulldogs to take control of the game before meekly surrendering.
Three sloppy free kicks in a row to start the second term gifted goals to the Bulldogs and the momentum swang accordingly.
Port would kick just two more goals for the game in a poor display of resistance so common with this club of late.
Adelaide's midfield group is in great form, but it is their defensive efforts that deserve a big mention from last weeks game.
The Crows were so good defensively back when they were a force in 05 and 06 but this was a super display by the whole Adelaide back six reminiscent of them at their best.
Johncock, Doughty, Stevens, Davis and Goodwin all beat their men last week and produced more spoils then I can ever remember in a game.
Combine this with the form through the middle of Mackay, Van Berlo, Vince and co, and the confident form of Walker, Dangerfield and Tippett and the mojo is back at the Crows!
If you barrack for Adelaide, this year has seen you say goodbye to some of the club's finest servants.
But you must now rest easy knowing the future seems to be in good hands.
Port key position wise are ok down back, but they will struggle to control the host of creative smaller players the crows have down there. Walker and Dangerfield certainly, but also Henderson and young Jaensch who have both been great in recent weeks.
Josh Carr has hung up the boots for the Power, he has been a wonderful player, but probably went on at least one year too long.
Chad Cornes returns in what could be the last six weeks of his career, and he tends to lift in the showdowns so expect a good showing from him.
Port are the worst tackling team in the comp, and also over the last eight weeks the lowest scoring.
Adelaide's spread of runners will exploit this, and their in form defence will compound Port's woes.
The Crows are running on confidence, and are playing too well accross the board. A disciplined well coached group will take their fifth win in a row, and keep the finals window wide open.
Adelaide by 37 points
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