THE stage is set for a grandstand finish as one chapter of Australian football’s greatest rivalry comes to an end this weekend.

The 35th Showdown between Port Adelaide and Adelaide is set to be the last played at AAMI Stadium – both sides begin playing home games at Adelaide Oval next season – and one can’t help but feel something special is brewing in the City of Churches.

The Power head into the final derby at West Lakes as slender favourites. Ken Hinkley’s men sit eighth on the ladder and charged home from 31-points down to overrun the 12th placed Crows in the Round 3 encounter earlier in the year.

However, a quick look into the history books will be enough to remind those at Alberton that nothing can be taken for granted on Showdown day and nothing but hard work, determination and a pinch of luck will get the job done.

The Power have made AAMI Stadium a fortress this year – losing only three games in Adelaide this year, with two of those against pacesetters Geelong and Hawthorn.

Meanwhile, the Crows are one of a select few teams to topple the Cats this season and players, coaches and supporters of both sides know Showdowns are rarely settled on current form.

Adelaide welcome Patrick Dangerfield and Ben Rutten back into the fold, while the loss of Rory Sloane helps counterbalance the absence of the suspended Tom Jonas in the Power’s defence.

A win would help Port lock away a return to September action and simultaneously close that door for its rivals.

Make no mistake, this one is set to be a belter.

SHOWDOWN FORM GUIDE

Past 5: Power 2 v Crows 3
Past 34: Power 18 v Crows 16

Last time
The Power overcame a 31-point deficit to draw level with Adelaide a three-quarter time and secure a thrilling win in front of a ‘home’ Showdown crowd.

Round 3, 2013: Port Adelaide 17.16 (118) def. Adelaide Crows 16.13 (109) at AAMI Stadium

ONES TO WATCH

1) Chad Wingard

The mercurial 19-year-old is enjoying a breakout season in Port Adelaide’s attack. The Sturt product has taken his game to another level in 2013, pushing his disposal output above 20 per game and slotting 30 goals so far this season. He booted three goals in the Round 3 win over the Crows and it wouldn’t be beyond him to better that total in the return leg.

2) Travis Boak

Port Adelaide’s inspirational skipper has been instrumental in the Power’s buy-in to coach Ken Hinkley’s mantra to ‘never, ever give up’. Has been in the trenches and a key cog in Port overrunning teams in the final term all season. If the going gets tough against the Crows, expect the reigning Showdown Medallist to be in the clinches effecting the contest.

3) Angus Monfries

An off the wall pick here, but the former Bomber has begun to find his legs in his second season with the Power. Has goalled in all but three of his 17 games this season, including two bags of three and four against his former side a month ago. A speculative pick, but you can’t help but feel Gus will have an impact against the Crows…

WHERE TO WATCH

Catch all the classic Showdown action from 7:30pm tonight on 7Mate, with further coverage on the club’s Twitter page @pafc throughout the evening.