HIS ice-cool finish at the death saw Port Adelaide end a five-game hoodoo against its cross-town rival, but Steven Motlop’s Showdown XLIV heroics are “done and dusted” as far as he’s concerned.

Motlop arrived at Alberton from Geelong in the off-season as a finisher, renowned for his foot skills and poise under pressure.

The 27-year-old stole victory for the Power with 21 seconds remaining in the last Showdown in May to become an instant fan-favourite with his club’s faithful.

“That’s done and dusted though for me,” Motlop told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“The season’s gone on and it’s another big clash with them.

“I think they’re pushing to make finals and we’ve seen how close the competition is, we need to keep winning as well so we need to focus on this week and get the job done.”

Motlop grew up very aware of the rivalry between Adelaide and Port, watching his brother Daniel star for the Power.

But he concedes playing in a Showdown is different to anything he had experienced in his time with the Cats.

“I’ve played in a few big games,” he said.

“We had a big rivalry when I was at Geelong against Hawthorn and they’ve got the sort of same feeling about them.

“Being in one town and having the two clubs is huge for everyone so it’s a big week for everyone around here and a big week for our club.”

Motlop is expecting the Crows will be smarting after the narrow loss in the previous Showdown meeting and will be eager to atone for another close loss at home to Melbourne last week.

“We know how good they are as an opposition,” he said.

“They’ve played a lot of good sides this year and beaten them as well so they’ve been in games where they’ve been in games until three quarter time and lost as well.

“We know how good they are so we’ll be prepared.”

The silky smooth 152-gamer is also prepared for a fierce contest, with the Crows keen to upset the Power’s hopes of a top-four finish.

But he says it’s too soon to think about ladder eventualities just yet.

“We aren’t really thinking about top four, we’re just thinking about winning this week and pushing for finals,” he said.

“I think we’re only two games in the top eight, that’s what separates you from the next eight so you just have to keep winning. 

“We’ve seen how close the competition is and the points on the ladder so you can’t get too far ahead of yourself.

“Finals are just around the corner but you just have to play week by week and stay in the moment and worry about this week.”

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