Do or die in Showdown XXXVI

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and injured Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo with the Showdown trophy. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

BROWNLOW Medallist Gavin Wanganeen uses one line to capture all a Showdown means to a Crows or Power player, in particular those at Port Adelaide.

"It's kill or be killed," says Wanganeen, the inaugural Power captain who missed Showdown I by suspension.

"It's the day a player shows if he is prepared to die for his club's jumper."

It seems extreme, but this is the game that not only divides a state but defines a player's reputation.

And after 36 Showdowns at Football Park since 1997 - where bragging rights were shared on a 19-16 split in the Power's favour - a piece of history is on the line tomorrow.

Port claimed the first Showdown.

Adelaide won the first Showdown final ... and now there is the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows will meet in round two of the AFL season with their eyes firmly on the road ahead, but with a quick nod to the past, it's easy to see why this fixture has become one of the most intense in the competition.

The script has been in the writing for as long as the builders have spent transforming the Oval in the past two years into a venue that stands as one of the nation's finest if not the best in the AFL.

"And the Showdown rivalry," says Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, "is as big as there is in AFL football. What a game to open the new Adelaide Oval ..."

Port hosts this derby with winning form, albeit built on a p oor start and big finish against Carlton.

Power coach Ken Hinkley leaned on that strong close to emphasise his team will seek to out-run any opponent, particularly on the Oval's fast deck.

Adelaide plays off a 38-point away loss to Geelong that Sanderson says was strong for endeavour - and delivered invaluable reminders of the changes the Crows need to make to win a derby: Contested ball and tackling.

"You don't have to win contested ball as long as you are tackling - and we didn't do either," Sanderson said.

"So there is plenty to work with."

WHO'S RUNNING HOT

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson chats with his star, Patrick Dangerfield. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: News Corp Australia

CROWS

SAM JACOBS

ADELAIDE'S No. 1 ruckman has reclaimed the simple theme of dominating the rucks and letting leadership follow from his example on the field. Jacobs can expect his Power opponents to seek to crash into his body as often as possible.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD

CLEARLY Adelaide's best player - as recognised by opposition teams that set their best taggers on the line-breaking, hard-running midfielder. This week's question - after the agenda has been "protecting" Dangerfield - is how the umpires will watch Dangerfield's opponent.

RORY SLOANE

VERY much the soul of the Adelaide line-up. Steps up in the Crows midfield whenever the team is challenged - and pushes this advantage whenever Patrick Dangerfield is being locked down. It is an example many other Crows need to follow.

Power's Justin Westhoff is always hard to match-up on. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

POWER

JUSTIN WESTHOFF

TURNED the game for Port Adelaide in the season-opener against Carlton with a stunning four-goal second term loaded with contested marks and perfect kicking as a key forward. Also can pinch-hit in ruck and be an effective sweeper in defence.

JARED POLEC

HAS emerged as a game-breaker with his speed on the wing since starting his Port Adelaide chapter after leaving Brisbane in September. Also redefined his reputation as a ball-winner - rather than receiver.

OLLIE WINES

NO second-year blues for the bull in the Port Adelaide midfield rotations. Defines all coach Ken Hinkley admires from his players, particularly his appetite for contested football.

WHO'S CHALLENGED

Crows big man Shaun McKernan has find consistency in his game. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

CROWS

SHAUN McKERNAN

HAS to back-up Sam Jacobs in ruck - and prove his worth as a key forward who stretches the Port Adelaide defence. Consistency still challenges McKernan who is living on the edge with a one-year contract and no suitor elsewhere.

JAMES PODSIADLY

UNLUCKY with injury in his first premiership game for the Crows. If Adelaide Oval is very much like his former home at Kardinia Park - long and narrow - then Podsiadly could prove a major player in this derby.

POWER

JOHN BUTCHER

KEN Hinkley's line: "You are always walking on a twig with Butch" sums up the gamble the Power takes every week with its young key forward. As long as he competes - demanding a prime defender - opportunities open up for Justin Westhoff and Jay Schulz.

JASPER PITTARD

FULL of energy and gravado, the Port Adelaide defender will never die guessing ... but he will test his coaches' (and supporters') hearts. Will be encouraged to take risks, but has to measure them with greater precision.

Crows defender Brodie Smith is likely to get the job of stopping Chad Wingard. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

KEY MATCH-UPS

JUSTIN WESTHOFF v DANIEL TALIA

SUPER duel. Justin Westhoff as the far-roaming, strong-marking key forward. Daniel Talia as the strongly disciplined, close-checking key defender. Whoever wins this match-up, sets up his team for a Showdown victory that enters the history books.

EDDIE BETTS v TOM JONAS

AFTER a five-goal return in his first game for Adelaide - against Port Adelaide in the summer Showdown at Richmond Oval last month - Carlton recruit Eddie Betts revealed just how damaging he can be as a finisher of plays and in assisting his team-mates. He will get far more attention in the real derby with Tom Jonas most suited to suffocating Betts.

CHAD WINGARD v BRODIE SMITH

THIS is the most-intriguing match-up of the game. Does Adelaide opt for the hard shadow on Chad Wingard with Sam Kerridge following the All-Australian from the Power's attack to midfield rotations - or does Crows coach Brenton Sanderson test Wingard's defensive game by having him be accountable for Brodie Smith when he sets up Adelaide's exit plays from half-back or running to the wing?

HOME-GROUND ADVANTAGE

PORT ADELAIDE has a 1-0 record at the Oval - the old Oval - from its win against Melbourne at the end of the 2011 home-and-away season when the bulldozers were still seven months away from starting the redevelopment. The Crows have a 2-1 advantage for major training sessions on the new Oval.

Neither side has a true handle on how the ground will reveal its true character, particularly when players kick for goal or kick-in from behinds, or how the city's prevailing south-westerly wind will come off the new southern grandstand.

But it is clear the ground will favour hard-running teams. On this factor, advantage: Port Adelaide.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says the Showdown rivalry as is as big as it gets in AFL. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

SANDERSON'S TEST

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson has three major challenges:

CLEARING away the major issues from 2013 that resurfaced against Geelong last week - tackling, efficiency inside-50, fade-outs in critical periods of the game and finding the right match-ups of playmakers, either in the midfield or of the sweeper in Port Adelaide's eight-man defence.

DECIDING to persist with a zone defence - and having Power opportunist forwards Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries bite as they did in the last Showdown - or opt for a hard-lock, man-on-man derby.

BLOCKING any negative vibes his players have from last year's two losses in the Showdowns in which Adelaide gave up significant leads - and the mind games started by Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to suggest his players can out-run any opponent.

Power coach Ken Hinkley has never lost a Showdown. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

HINKLEY'S TEST

POWER coach Ken Hinkley has three major challenges:

ENSURING the Port Adelaide players - who have been eager to play this derby since the Crows tried to dress themselves in the State jumper for this derby - hold their composure. Without calm heads, the Power's risky plays - the "brave football" Hinkley demands - would become damaging turnovers on a fast ground that punishes mistakes.

FINDING strategies that allow Port Adelaide to emphasise its advantage in speed - real speed. This requires Hinkley - and his midfield tactician Phil Walsh - to keep the Power winning the advantage in clearances and contested possessions and minimising turnovers.

PROVING the bad starts - that were a feature of the Power's pre-season and season-opener against Carlton - are just a phase rather than a fault in his players' mindset. Playing catch-up football is the toughest challenge in football - and the Power cannot keep pushing its luck.

VERDICT

PORT ADELAIDE. 17 points.

SO much - in particular the new venue - makes this Showdown difficult to read. The Power appears in better form, although Adelaide's competitive spirit against Geelong at Geelong should not be under-estimated.

Key difference in the sides is that major debating point: Which team has the stronger and deeper midfield? Advantage Power.

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Carlile dodges baby blues

Former Showdown players Darryl Wakelin and Darren Mead have a kick on the new Adelaide Oval ahead of the Port Adelaide Legends game.

PORT Adelaide is confident full back Alipate Carlile will not miss the historic first Showdown at Adelaide Oval to attend the birth of his first child.

Carlile and partner Jo Sutton, a former Adelaide Thunderbirds netballer, are expecting the arrival of their baby next week, but the Power has put key backman Tom Clurey on standby in case matters change.

Clurey has had an outstanding pre-season and was particularly impressive when standing St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt in a practice match at Alberton Oval.

Port coach Kenny Hinkley said it was unlikely Carlile would need to miss as Port completed its final training session at Adelaide Oval on Friday morning.

But he was strong in his sentiments what he would like Carlile to do should the birth clash with the match against the Crows.

``If that happened, I'd like him to attend the birth of his child,'' Hinkley said. ``That's more important.''

Hinkley has never had to deal with the issue before, with his children born outside of the football season and none of his teammates during his career with Fitzroy and Geelong being forced to make the choice.

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Crows get off to a shaky start

Adelaide Crows forward Lewis Johnston faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for rough conduct following a challenge on Geelong's Steve Johnson.

ADELAIDE'S season of redemption hit an early roadblock at Simonds Stadium on Thursday night.

After having Geelong on the ropes, the Crows collapsed in the final 15 minutes, losing a last-quarter lead to crash to a 38-point defeat in their premiership season opener.

Missing eight-first choice players because of injuries or interrupted pre-seasons, Adelaide was on the verge of a shock upset but couldn't deliver the knockout punch.

Vote now: Will Dangerfield leave the Crows?

When the game was on the line it was Geelong's stars who stood tall, with 250-gamer Jimmy Bartel, captain Joel Selwood and the brilliant Steve Johnson all instrumental in the win.

Leading by one point early in the final term after fighting back from an early four-goal deficit, the Crows could not stay with the Cats when they put their foot on the throttle.

A cracking performance from milestone man Jimmy Bartel inspired Geelong to an opening round win over Adelaide on Thursday night.

Geelong kicked the final six goals of the match to continue their remarkable home record.

The win was the Cats 44th in their past 45 minor round matches at Simonds Stadium.

They have lost just once there since the start of the 2008 season - against Sydney in round 23, 2011.

But Adelaide gave it a mighty scare.

And while it will be disappointed with its final quarter fadeout it will take some positives from the loss.

Jimmy Bartel, left, celebrating his 250th match, and skipper Joel Selwood inspired the Cats to a 38-point victory over the Crows at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Michael Dodge.

With its best players having little influence on the match, Matthew Wright (31 disposals), Sam Kerridge, Lewis Johnston (three goals), Mitch Grigg, Matthew Jaensch and Brodie Smith played well, highlighting the club's improved depth.

But while they worked hard to complement some tough work from stand-in captain Patrrick Dangerfield, it wasn't a happy homecoming for Crows key forward recruit James Podsiadly, who struggled against his former club, going goalless.

Adelaide's other ace forward recruit Eddie Betts was more effective, kicking 2.1 from 16 disposals.

The Crows wore black arm bands in honour of former assistant coach Dean Bailey, who died of cancer 10 days ago, and were playing catch-up football from the start.

They were three goals down in the blink of an eye, with Mitch Brown, Mitch Duncan and Tom Hawkins goaling in the opening five minutes.

Former Cat James Podsiadly put under pressure by Geelong defenders Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan. Picture: Michael Dodge.

Mitch Grigg put Adelaide on the scoreboard in the eighth minute after goaling from a mark but the visitors continued to leak goals. With ruckmen Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson getting in on the act, the Cats had six goals on the board in the opening 20 minutes to break to a 22-point lead.

The game was quickly getting away from the Crows before Betts kicked his first major for his new club and Dangerfield followed with a sensational goal from deep in the forward pocket to close the gap.

The first term was a goalfest with 11 kicked between the two sides. And the run of goals didn't end there.

After Sam Jacobs gave Adelaide its first lead at the start of the second term, Bartel appeared to blow the game wide open.

He kicked three goals in a brilliant blitz, including a superb bouncing left-foot snap, which again pushed Geelong clear.

Crows midfielder Patrick Dangerfield breaks free of an attempted tackle from Geelong's Cameron Guthrie. Picture: Michael Dodge.

But Brenton Sanderson's side refused to surrender.

With Johnston starting to have an impact and Betts continuing to cause the Cats defenders problems, the visitors hit back hard to close the gap to 10 points at the long break.

Of concern to Adelaide was that of Geelong's 11 goals, eight had been kicked from turnovers.

GEELONG 6.0 11.3 12.7 18.11 (119)

ADELAIDE 5.3 9.5 11.8 12.9 (81)

BEST - Geelong: Selwood, Bartel, Johnson, Stokes, Kelly, Caddy, Enright. Adelaide: Wright, Kerridge, Jacobs, Jaensch, Dangerfield, Grigg.

GOALS - Geelong: Bartel 4, Brown 3, Selwood 2, Simpson, McIntosh, Johnson, Murdoch, Duncan, Caddy, Hawkins, Stokes, Enright. Adelaide: Johnston 3, Betts, Dangerfield 2, Jaensch, Jacobs, Smith, McKernan, Grigg.

INJURIES - Geelong: Caddy (cut head).

REPORT- Adelaide: Johnston for rough conduct on Johnson in second term.

UMPIRES - M. Stevic, S. Stewart, M. Leppard.

CROWD - 23,622 at Simonds Stadium.

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Tania: I had to defend my husband

Tania Hird, the wife of suspended Essendon coach James, has stood by her comments on the ABC's 7.30 Report that the Bombers were tipped off by AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou about the ASADA drugs scandal.

Essendon's hierarchy will meet on Friday to discuss the future of suspended coach James Hird following explosive claims made by his wife Tania on the ABC's 7.30 Report on Thursday night.

Tania Hird, the wife of James Hird, has dropped a bombshell early in Andrew Demetriou's farewell season, claiming the AFL boss did tip Essendon off prior to last year's ASADA investigation.

Suspended coach James Hird joins The Hangar for a candid discussion on the support from Essendon fans, his relationship with Mark Bomber Thompson and how he will spend the next few months on the sidelines from the AFL.

James and Tania Hird pictured in 2013. Source: Supplied

Tania Hird says Andrew Demetriou tipped Essendon off. Picture: David Caird Source: News Limited

TANIA Hird has defended explosive allegations she made about Andrew Demetriou on ABC's 7.30 show on Thursday, insisting she had to stand up for her husband.

Speaking on Friday morning, James Hird's wife said she felt the need to defend his reputation.

"Hysteria's been allowed to mount on the basis of things that are just not accurate," she said.

"We're still waiting to see anything of substance.

SHOULD HIRD BE SACKED? VOTE AND HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW

"Moving on was part of the reason that we took the sanction at the end but people aren't moving on.

"People are saying we should move on but every day I read someone saying James was an irresponsible official or James shouldn't come back and coach becasue of what he saw, what he did. It's totally inaccurate

"There comes a point that I, as the wife, I'm just sick of the wrong thing being written about my husband.

"He is such a caring, loving, wonderful person, he really is a fabulous person, he's not vain, he's not arrogant ... that is so far from the type of person that he is."

GET LIVE UPDATES AND ALL THE LATEST REACTION TO THIS STORY BELOW

Earlier, Essendon chairman Paul Little expressed his disappointment after Tania Hird declared her husband James was a scapegoat in the AFL drugs saga and revived the explosive allegation that Demetriou tipped off the club.

Eddie McGuire asked Little on Triple M this morning if it was becoming more untenable for Hird to return to Essendon as coach.

"Up until the events of the last 24 hours we believed that James was acting and responding to our requests in a positive way," Little said on Triple M's The Hot Breakfast.

Little denied that Hird has been sacked, but said the club would be discussing his future today.

"The club will have to meet now to determine how we go forward in relation to the James Hird issue and probably the broader group that surrounds James," Little said.

After the interview, host Eddie McGuire said: "I'll make a bold prediction, I don't think we'll see James Hird coach Essendon again."

CLICK HERE TO READ A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PAUL LITTLE INTERVIEW

Essendon chairman Paul Little says Tania Hird's comments on Thursday night's 7.30 report on the ABC were 'disappointing' and 'less than helpful' as the club once again was sent into crisis mode

Outgoing AFL chief Demetriou strenuously denies the "tip-off" claim, first raised in July last year, that he spoke to then-Bombers chairman David Evans shortly before Essendon came under ASADA and league investigation.

Speaking on 3AW radio this morning, Demetriou said he was disappointed by the Tania Hird interview which he said was just another distraction in the long-running saga.

"This issue is not about any individual, this is about a regime, a system where young men were being injected with substances, some of which are unknown, some of which we know are banned for use in humans, and we put a stop to that, that shouldn't be forgotten," Demetriou said.

He said Hird's future was "a decision for the club".

Essendon's hierarchy will meet on Friday to discuss the future of suspended coach James Hird following explosive claims made by his wife Tania on the ABC's 7.30 Report on Thursday night.

"Hearing Paul's voice (in the interview with McGuire this morning) - there's a tremendous amount of frustration," Demetriou said.

"I have a lot of sympathy for the Essendon supporters and the club.

"The last thing they want to be talking about is (the Tania Hird) interview.

"People are fatigued by this issue. We need to move forward."

Demetriou flatly denied "for the 125th time" Tania Hird's claims he tipped Essendon off.

"She's not the first one, I've heard that before," he said.

"It's impossible (that I tipped off Essendon) when I wasn't privy to the information, I didn't have access to it. I stand by my reputation."

CLICK HERE TO READ A TRANSCRIPT OF THE DEMETRIOU INTERVIEW

Should Essendon sack James Hird?

Tania Hird, who is a lawyer, said she was listening on a speakerphone when her husband spoke to Evans on July 25.

"I was taking notes - I take a lot of notes,'' she told the ABC's 7.30.

"David admitted that he said to James, 'Go into ASADA and tell the whole truth, but don't say what Andrew Demetriou told us'.

"It has been referred to as the tip-off.

"James did say in return 'if I'm not asked about it, I won't offer it up, but if I'm asked about it, like anything I'm asked about, I will answer it honestly and truthfully and to the best of my knowledge'.''

Her claims were broadcast last night, a day before Essendon start their season against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Tania Hird, the wife of James Hird, has dropped a bombshell early in Andrew Demetriou's farewell season, claiming the AFL boss did tip Essendon off prior to last year's ASADA investigation.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna told SEN on Friday that the Hirds would have been better off staying silent on the eve of the footy season if they really want to act in the best interests of the club.

"You just need to bring all the parties together, sit across a table and say, 'We need to work this out'," he said.

"One of those is getting a fair few buttons out there and putting (them) on a fair few lips, and just shut up.

"God there is a football season about to start for your football club - if you love it that much, just button it.

"You might feel aggrieved, you might feel slighted, you might feel your reputation's tarnished, whatever the case may be, it's for the greater good of your football club.

"I would think you would just take your time off, do what you have to do, then sit down in cooler heads and have a conversation about it and get it right, because ultimately, the club is bigger than the individual."

Former Brisbane coach Michael Voss also blasted the latest developments as "completely inappropriate".

"It would be the last thing I would want as 'Bomber' Thompson, sitting here, you've gone through everything that you have gone through in the last 12 months, and on the eve of the season, when it should be about Essendon and their new season and 2014, it is now about James Hird again," he told SEN.

"I don't think that's right."

Suspended coach James Hird joins The Hangar for a candid discussion on the support from Essendon fans, his relationship with Mark Bomber Thompson and how he will spend the next few months on the sidelines from the AFL.

In late July last year, Evans suddenly resigned from Essendon because of health issues and a month later Hird received a 12-month suspension from the AFL.

Essendon remains under ASADA investigation.

Last July, the Herald Sun reported that Demetriou spoke to Essendon officials on February 4, the night before the Bombers announced they would come under AFL and ASADA investigation.

Demetriou denies discussing with Evans a confidential Australian Crime Commission report that the AFL had received a few days previously.

The AFL boss adds no specific club was mentioned in the ACC briefing.

"We were told prior to the announcement that there was going to be an investigation into Essendon involving performance enhancing drugs or supplements,'' Tania Hird said.

"We were told that at a time when we shouldn't have been told that.''

The AFL declined to comment about Tania Hird's claim.

She added her husband only agreed to his 12-month suspension because of bullying from AFL officials.

Hird is now in France on a study trip, with Tania and their children to join him later this month.

"He didn't plead to any breach of the player rules, he wasn't found guilty of any breach of the player rules,'' she said.

"In the end it was the threats and bullying of the AFL to the club and to himself.

"It is a really great game, but at the moment it is an industry where there are a lot of people who are frightened about speaking the truth, about speaking their mind.''

Hird's AFL suspension ends in August.

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Crows’ success is a must for Danger

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson expects recruit James Podsiadly to fire against his former side Geelong on Thursday night.

Patrick Dangerfield will be highly sought after when he becomes a free agent next year. Source: Getty Images

PATRICK Dangerfield has reportedly ruled out extending his contract at Adelaide this season.

The star midfielder will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2015 season and will be highly sought after by rival clubs.

Do you think Patrick Dangerfield will stick with the Crows?

But in an interview with Fairfax Media on the eve of the Crows' season-opener in Geelong tonight, Dangerfield said his decision would be based on the potential for on-field success, not money.

Vote now: Crows, Powers fans like twlight games

"When I do it will be a decision based on success not on money, that's for sure," Dangerfield said.

More: J-Pod Crows' secret weapon for Cats

"I'm one of those players who want to know the direction of the club. I'm always asking David Noble (Crows list manager) about where we are at because clearly there has been a lot of talk here about the problems we've had.

Dangerfield in action during a practice match against GWS. Source: Getty Images

"We lose Kurt Tippett for nothing and then you lose first and second round draft picks for two years and it makes it a lot more difficult to have success."

More: Bryce Gibbs and his Carlton wish list

Dangerfield said he would wait until the final year of his contract before making a decision about his playing future.

It's a similar message to that coming from the camp of this year's star free agent, Carlton's Bryce Gibbs.

More: J-Pod Crows' secret weapon for Cats

Gibbs, who is on the Crows' wishlist, will reportedly not sign a new contract with the Blues until he is confident in its list management and direction.

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Crows ready to fly, says Sando

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson: "We won't fear Geelong ... we're ready to play." Picture: Daniel Kalisz. Source: Getty Images

BRENTON Sanderson says Adelaide has put a tough pre-season behind it and is in "a really good head space'' going into Thursday night's round one clash against Geelong.

While the club has had to deal with the shock of losing popular assistant coach Dean Bailey to cancer and a long list of injuries, Sanderson said the players had switched their focus to the daunting road trip to Simonds Stadium.

"And we'll be going over there to play well and win,'' the Crows coach said.

"We're fit, we're strong and there seems to be a really good resilience among the boys at the moment.''

Sanderson will hand Crows debuts to gun recruits James Podsiadly, recruited from Geelong, and former Blue Eddie Betts on Thursday night.

He has surprisingly overlooked prized rookie Matt Crouch, naming him as an emergency, and athletic big man Josh Jenkins, who has lost out to Shaun McKernan, in the battle to be Sam Jacobs' ruck partner. Jenkins is the travelling emergency.

Crows co-captain Rory Sloane at training on Wednesday. Picture: Daniel Kalisz.

The underdog Crows, who could not consider eight first-choice players because of injuries or interrupted pre-seasons, will field a bunch of players who haven't been AFL regulars, including McKernan, Lewis Johnston, Brodie Martin, Sam Kerridge, Sam Shaw, Matthew Jaensch and Jarryd Lyons.

"There are some good stories of guys who have worked their backsides off over the summer and forced their way into the round one side, which is great," Sanderson said.

Sanderson said the Crows would not use Bailey's passing as extra motivation to start well.

"We won't mention it at all in the pre-game,'' Sanderson said.

"Players will be driven their own personal way, whether it's with the memories of Dean or the opportunity to play well in round one.

Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows will meet in round two of the AFL season with their eyes firmly on the future, but with a quick nod to the past, it's easy to see why this fixture has become one of the most intense in the competition.

"But I can't see myself using those sort of cliches like 'do it for Bails' — whether it's round one or round 20 or in the finals, we'll just leave it up to the players to use their own inspiration.''

Sanderson said the players would be fully focused on their task on Thursday night after having "a bit of closure'' at Bailey's memorial service at Adelaide Oval last Saturday.

"It was a really nice, beautiful send off, and I think for most us that was a bit of closure. That was our chance to say goodbye,'' he said.

"And probably since that Saturday afternoon our focus has purely been on getting back to focusing on round one.''

Sanderson described playing at Simonds Stadium — where Geelong has won 43 of its past 44 home-and-away matches — as "the toughest road trip in the AFL''.

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson expects recruit James Podsiadly to fire against his former side Geelong on Thursday night.

"For whatever reason, they play the ground really well,'' Sanderson said.

"So it will be a tough assignment for us but we're certainly going over there to play well and win.

"We certainly respect this team, Geelong is a very good side, particularly at Simonds Stadium.

"But we won't fear them, we'll go over there with a good young side which is ready to play.''

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Time on Power’s side

Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray has praised Ollie Wines for his star performance against Carlton, the young star showing no signs of second season blues.

PORT Adelaide believes the split first round can form as its greatest ally by giving them extra time to recover from the Carlton win and prepare for their first match at Adelaide Oval.

Swingman Justin Westhoff, who laid claim to man-of-the-match honours against the Blues, said having a weekend off would allow the Power to get over the physical bruises from the intense first match.

FINE WINES — OLLIE'S GREAT START TO CAREER

It will also give the players and coaches more time to study the Crows' first match against Geelong.

``There were a few sore bodies after the game so it's probably good to have a few days off, to freshen up a bit'' Westhoff said. ``But there's always a worry when you've had a bit of extra time off that you go into the game a bit slow.

``But we come back after a few days off on Sunday ready to have a big week on the track and we'll be going into the game ready to go.''

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Crows hold fire on Cameron

Adelaide has trained for the first time since Assistant Coach Dean Bailey lost his battle with lung cancer. While the club is still in mourning, they have to get back to business - they say that's exactly what Bailey would've wanted.

ADELAIDE has decided against elevating rookie Charlie Cameron for its tough premiership season opener against Geelong tomorrow night.

Clever forward Cameron did not train with the Crows' 25-man squad this morning and will not travel with the team to Victoria this afternoon.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said the club had enough depth to cover a long injury list and was in no hurry to promote a rookie for captain Nathan van Berlo, who has been put on the long-term injury list.

This fuelled speculation Cameron might have been promoted for the Simonds Stadium clash against the Cats.

"Not at this stage," Sanderson said of an imminent rookie promotion.

"Even though we've got a lot of our first team A-graders out, we've got pretty good depth at the moment and it still looks like we'll be able to put a really fit, strong side out on the park this week.

"We'll promote a rookie when we want to play one."

VOTE: YOUR FAVOURITE TIMESLOT FOR FOOTY AT ADELAIDE OVAL

Sanderson's first-round team will be selected from the 25 who trained this morning.

Cam Ellis-Yolman was the surprise trainer but is not expected to survive the cut.

Tough half-back Rory Laird trained but could be deemed underdone as he played no practice matches because of an adductor strain.

Prized rookie Matt Crouch is likely to join his brother Brad in the team, although Sanderson was remaining tight-lipped on his selection.

Sanderson said the Crows would take 23 players to Geelong and that his biggest selection dilemma remained whether to play both Josh Jenkins and Shaun McKernan or just one of the key forwards/rucks.

"That's still being debated," Sanderson said, adding he wanted to see the Cats' side before making a final call.

In good news for the club, ace midfielder Richard Douglas (groin) and forward Tom Lynch (shoulder) are recovering well from their injuries and could be set for earlier-than-expected returns.

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Slow start gives way to onslaught

Carlton's Marc Murphy tries to slow down Power skipper Travis Boak. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley isn't concerned by his side's poor start in their win over Carlton, despite it being a recurring theme from last season.

Fox Footy crew review Carlton's break down in the 4th quarter of their round one clash with Port Adelaide

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has added to his AFL team's "never give up" mantra this season: "We will turn up."

If he could get his Power players to turn up 30 minutes earlier ....

The Power's dominant big man Justin Westhoff is tackled by Carlton's Jarrad Waite. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

Port's slow starts - a carry over from last season and the pre-season - continued as the new campaign opened last night with a strong-closing 34-point win against Carlton at Etihad Stadium. As concerning as the poor starts are, the Power's big finish with a seven-goal last term reaffirms fitness coach Darren Burgess has built the AFL's strongest-finishing team, and reassures Hinkley his players are mentally sound to not give up.

MALTHOUSE: OUR LAST QUARTER WAS DISMAL

So why do they start so poorly?

The one Port player who meets the full script of turning up and never giving up is key forward Justin Westhoff. A stand-out during the Power's five-game winning streak at the start of last season, Westhoff last night was exceptional - first as a defender and then as a beacon in attack where he took four contested marks and kicked four goals in the second term.

Bryce Gibbs and Angus Monfries battling for possession. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

After giving up four goals and a 22-point lead to Carlton in the first half-hour, the Power players did live up to Hinkley's promise of never giving up.

They turned up for six minutes at the start of the second term. They blitzed the goalsquare with three goals. And the margin was back to four points after the third goal was scored by key forward Jay Schulz, whose trademark leap in the goalsquare has again offered an early contender for the AFL mark of the year.

Hamish Hartlett of the Power spins out of an attempted tackled by Carlton's Kade Simpson. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

As quickly as the Power responded, they also disappeared again. The Blues counter-punched with their own scoring rush of four unanswered goals that pushed the margin to 24 while underlining how costly turnovers are when Port players chose bad options or were poor with their skills. Carlton's scoring surge was started when defender Jasper Pittard opted to pass from half-back to the centre circle where team-mate Kane Cornes was surrounded by three Blues opponents - and was inevitably swamped for a turnover that set up Bryce Gibbs for a running shot on goal.

Hinkley's explanation of the poor starts on a slack mindset from his players is easy to translate from the scoreboard, the statistic sheets and even the video snaps that showed the Carlton players hunt the ball with greater intensity, move the ball with greater speed and swamp their opponents with suffocating pressure.

The numbers simply did not lie as they again exposed Port for falling short in contested football and efficiency.

But the Port players do not give up - and they have an extraordinary fitness base that allows for far more encouraging finishes than starts. There are two Port Adelaides ... and the one Hinkley likes needs to turn up earlier if the Power is to keep its top-eight ranking this year.

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Port too smooth for Blues

Fox Footy crew review Carlton's break down in the 4th quarter of their round one clash with Port Adelaide

Ollie Wines amassed 11 clearances. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

YOU wouldn't blame Mick Malthouse if he sat awake last night hacking into a premiership clock to wind it backwards.

The Carlton coach, a firm believer in the flag window, had his Blues at 11 o'clock during the week.

But after watching his side cop a last quarter bullying from Port Adelaide's rampant generation next at Etihad Stadium, Malthouse may have taken a screwdriver to the time piece.

ANOTHER FOUNDATION CLUB CRASHES

MALTHOUSE: "DISMAL" LAST QUARTER

In a game of massive momentum swings, the Power were swinging when it counted most, slamming on the first five goals of the last quarter to flip a six-point three quarter-time deficit into a convincing 33-point win — 18.12 (120) to 12.15 (87).

It was a demoralising defeat for the finals hopeful Blues, who had lead by 24 points 20 minutes into the second quarter. On this evidence, September is much further away than the five and a half months on the calendar.

Brad Ebert gets away from Kade Simpson. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

The home side was then ripped apart by a fluid Port Adelaide propelled by young tyros Ollie Wines, Chard Wingard and Jared Polec. That trio's work was finished off, first by an unstoppable Justin Westhoff (five goals), and later by a red-hot Robbie Gray (four goals).

Watching Port is a bit like seeing a bunch of kids walking home from school. It only takes one to egg a roof and then they're all into it, fuelled by bravado and energy.

On the football field the teal enthusiasm is irresistible. Last night, when the Blues threatened to destroy one of the AFL's youngest teams, Wines and Wingard were the constants that kept them in touch.

Dale Thomas kicks his first Carlton goal. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

But then Westhoff roared to life on Matthew Watson in the second term with four goals, Polec then caught fire out of the middle, sub Matthew Broadbent provided energy and Gray kicked three matchwinning last quarter goals.

As the Power took a vice-like grip on the contest, there was no more symbolic moment than that which occurred three minutes into the last term.

Wines and Marc Murphy stood toe-to-toe under a high ball on the wing. The Power youngster built more like a wood chopper shrugged the Carlton captain aside, ran off and drove his side forward. Was it a glimpse into the future?

Ollie Wines of the Power celebrates a goal Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

On the ropes more than once, Port ran harder, longer and used the ball to perfection when it counted. A game that was built as a flip of the coin job and was hotly contested for three quarters, was blown to smithereens in the fourth.

Ken Hinkley modestly reviews his sides win over Carlton

Port's 120 points was its highest against Carlton in nine years. It had 53 more disposals, dominated the uncontested ball, had 16 more tackles and four more inside 50s.

Carlton had its moments, but just how Port were able to get multiple run-ons — six goals across the second and third quarters and that devastating five-goal burst to open the fourth — is what will keep Malthouse and co. busy this week.

Mick Malthouse of the Blues asks for more from Bryce Gibbs Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

Ed Curnow was excellent for the Blues, keeping both Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett under control while helping himself to 19 disposals and two goals. For the most part Murphy was more like the Murphy of old, Bryce Gibbs was influential, David Ellard (two goals) was a surprise packet up forward and Kade Simpson was his courageous and prolific self. Zach Tuohy also deserves praise for his job on Travis Boak.

A very honest Mick Malthouse says there is no question his side were outclassed in the last quarter

And yet for all that Carlton couldn't hang on, with its prime movers were rendered mute in the last 30 minutes and a forward line that never really got going.

It had started so well, too. New boys Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt kicked the game's opening two goals and the Blues were buzzing with pressure and vigour.

Then came Westhoff's staggering second term. The 'Hoff' kicked two consecutive goals, was then forced from the field after being poleaxed by Andrew Walker, and then returned to bag another two for a four-goal haul at the main break,

It wasn't the knock out blow, but it allowed it to happen.

CARLTON: 12.15.87

PORT ADELAIDE: 18.12.120

SAM EDMUND'S BEST

CARLTON: Curnow, Gibbs, Simpson, Murphy, Ellard, Bell

PORT ADELAIDE: Wines, Westhoff, Gray, Polec, Cornes, Boak, Hartlett

Hamish Hartlett kicks a long goal Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

MATCH IN A MINUTE

FIRST QUARTER

The Blues jumped out of the blocks, with goals to new recruits Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt and David Ellard not only tagging running defender Jasper Pittard but hitting the scoreboard.

SECOND QUARTER

The Hoff puts on the Superman cape. Justin Westhoff kicks four goals for the term, including one from a 50m penalty that will see Andrew Walker draw match review panel heat for a high elbow.

THIRD QUARTER

The momentum ebbs and flows as Port Adelaide surges with four straight goals. Then Carlton flicks the switch and kicks three in a row, two of them from powerful Jarrad Waite marks.

FOURTH QUARTER

Chris Yarran kicks a surging goal then the Blues simply stop. Robbie Gray kicks three of six straight goals to surge away from the Blues. Ouch.

Jon Ralph

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