Port Adelaide is familiar with its rival’s defensive style of play, but the Power are yet to experience Adelaide’s revised game plan, which includes a distinctively more attacking approach.
“Neil Craig is a very tricky man,” Williams said with a laugh.
“We had some time after the round one game to watch Adelaide play against the Western Bulldogs and it was one of the most exciting games I have ever been at.
“They were down and out for a while and had the chance to win in the last quarter and that is the excitement they have brought to their game.
“If you want to paraphrase it, in the past it [the Showdown] has probably been a bit boring as far as not very high scoring, but the Crows are into it now.
“It’s a new bag of tricks, we’re aware of it and we’ll have to play really well to beat them.”
Last weekend, the Power's defence battled with a productive Sydney forward line and, despite Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin booting seven goals against West Coast, Williams was also expecting the Crows to share the load in attack.
“Simon is a very talented player, but you consider all the guys in the group, like Kurt Tippett and Jon Griffin who are doing well and are emerging,” he said.
“If you forget them, they’ll kick goals on you as well. They have versatility in their side. Andrew McLeod has played forward, Goodwin has played back and in the midfield and Graham Johncock can play forward as well.
“These are all possibilities Neil could chuck up and we have to be ready for them.”
Williams said it was “ridiculous” to try and pinpoint why his team has struggled against Adelaide in recent years.
The Power won seven Showdowns in a row in the early 2000s, but has slipped to drop six of the past seven encounters.
“Last time we played the Crows, I think they had their whole backline out and Dean Brogan got injured before the start of the game,” Williams noted.
“Every game is a whole lot different to the one before. When we won seven in a row was there a secret formula against the Crows? I don’t think so.
“Each game was completely different and I suspect the last seven have followed that trend.”
