The Showdown rivalry is one of the biggest in the AFL with each game proving an exciting and tough contest. Image: AFL Photos.

ON the field, Showdowns have proven - to use an old (and appropriate) cliche - that it takes two to tango. Almost three decades from the first derby in 1997, the Showdown ledger tells of an intense rivalry that defies the "Big Brother" theme in the other non-Victorian hometown battles for bragging rights ... and more.

The Showdown ledger has been locked at parity nine times - 1-1 in 1997; 2-2 in 1998; 3-3 in 1999; 4-4 in 2000; 12-12 in 2008; 21-21 in 2017; 22-22 in 2018; 24-24 in 2020; 27-27 last year and possibly 28-28 by Saturday night. Only between 2001-2003 did the gap become wide with Port Adelaide holding a 10-4 lead while building its breakthrough AFL premiership in 2004.

The figures of how many Showdowns have been won by a goal or less (seven); two goals or less (20); and four goals or less (31 of 55) reaffirm all Hall of Fame legend Malcolm Blight sought to underline when he described the South Australian rivalry as the best in the AFL.

Off the field, it has been far more than just theatre to promote ticket sales or find higher ground in the battle for hearts and minds.

The intensity of the rivalry exists before, during and after - as highlighted by the Ramsgate derby in 2002 - the Showdowns.

At West Lakes, Neil Craig not only avoided referring to "Port Adelaide" by name; he also emphasised his dislike of the neighbour by saying he would find every road to work that avoided passing Alberton, even if he had to clock up extra kilometres.

Matthew Nicks recently went down the same path and a little further with the thought Port Adelaide was still true to its pre-AFL motif of "Magpies" for striking from behind.

Seven Showdowns have been won by a goal or less. Image: AFL Photos.

And at Alberton there has been no shortage of verbal artillery fired towards West Lakes Boulevard. Mark Williams never held back; football chief Chris Davies in 2021 spelled out the spirit of the derby rivalry with themes that echoed from Showdown LIX to the press conferences for later derbies where leading Port Adelaide players declared their "hatred" of the rivals  ... and amid the raised eyebrows many seemed to ignore Nicks had the same thoughts.

"The clubs hate each other ... and we love that," Nicks said in 2021 adding "that is what sport is about".

At times it has taken a bigger cause to bring unity - and great outcomes - across the great divide between two rivals who call the western side of Adelaide their home. Today, this is highlighted by the partnership to support the Variety charity with the sponsorship and naming rights to the derby, the pre-match Friday lunches at Adelaide Oval and the match trophies that now extend to the AFLW Showdown as well.

Now in question is how the battle to have the Showdown command a prime timeslot and national commercial television coverage will play out.

The opening Showdown of this season was the first to have a stand-alone timeslot (Thursday night) with national coverage with the AFL free-to-air telecast partner, Channel Seven, during a home-and-away season. (The 2005 semi-final at Football Park was the only other Showdown with the same spoils that resonate with commercial and corporate backers).

Port Adelaide was the "away" team in this high-profile Showdown on May 2.

When the AFL and Seven next come to assign a Showdown the same national exposure - and hopefully it will not take another two decades for a repeat moment - will the home rights rotate to Port Adelaide?

The Round 8 2024 Showdown was the first to have a stand-alone timeslot with national coverage during a home-and-away season. Image: AFL Photos.

Such an invaluable billing to a Showdown - that has been built on taking two clubs to tango - surely cannot be owned by one derby rival.

Despite the perception that "home" status at the derby - or even the rights to the first Showdown - is on rotation when the AFL fixture is drafted each November, nothing could be further from reality.

Port Adelaide has been the "away" team to the past two Showdowns - after being the "home" side at the previous two derbies.

Port Adelaide was the "home" team to the opening Showdowns of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons.

It is all a moot point as to which team is named first on the Adelaide Oval scoreboard when the Showdown is not seen on national free-to-air television or away from the prime-time slots of Thursday and Friday nights.

But it is far from irrelevant when it comes to the commercial gains and advantages of having home rights for a Showdown presented on free-to-air national television.

After all, it takes two to Showdown.