SOUTH Australia's two AFL clubs will unite on the field and around the ground in tributes to the late Phil Walsh, who is a Port Adelaide life member, 10-year assistant coach and was the principal of the Adelaide Crows in 2015.
While Sunday's sell-out match is a Power home game, Alberton has put its arm around West Lakes by modifying its usual pre-game activities to include both clubs.
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Supporters of all clubs have been welcomed to join the traditional pre-game March from the Mall, which will depart from the intersection of Rundle Mall and Gawler Place at 1:30pm.
It is on the ground where both clubs will unite.
The Power and Crows playing groups will exit their respective races before the game before running through a joint banner.
Each team's club song will play as the teams complete their final warm-ups.
A special rendition of "Never Tear Us Apart" featuring images of Walsh's tenure at both the Power and Crows will play in the minute leading up to the first bounce.
If the total game attendance is over 50,000 on Sunday, Port Adelaide, in conjunction with its membership partner RAA, will donate its $10,000 giveaway to game day charity partner, the Childhood Cancer Association.
The victorious team's song will not play after the game, instead both sides will gather for the presentation of the Showdown Trophy and Medal before a minute's applause fro the crowd will pay a final respect to Phil Walsh.
It provides an opportunity for supporters of both clubs to unite and remember Walsh on either side of a gripping Showdown, according to Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas.
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“The amount of support that both clubs have received from each other over the last couple of weeks has been extraordinary and it’s great to able to continue that theme into Sunday’s Showdown,” Thomas told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“From a supporter perspective, Port Adelaide is encouraging Crows fans to join our people on our traditional March from the Mall.
“And then for both teams to run through a joint banner is extremely significant and something which we may never see again.
“There’ll be some very special moments across the day including Never Tear Us Apart and the minute’s applause to conclude the afternoon.
“Rest assured though that in between these tributes both sides will be smashing into each other hell-bent on victory as only Walshy would have wanted and expected.”
