PORT ADELAIDE'S finals chances have suffered a major setback after losing to cross-town rivals Adelaide by 70 points in Showdown XXVII at AAMI Stadium on Sunday evening, 19.18 (132) to 9.8 (62).

The Power was the better side early on, but the Crows kicked seven goals to none in the second quarter to take control of the contest. Port Adelaide faded badly in the last term, and was out-scored seven goals to one after three-quarter time.

Crows defender Nathan Bock was awarded the Showdown medal after claiming 27 possessions with 100 per cent kicking accuracy, and added a goal in the last quarter.

Brett Burton thrilled the Crows faithful with four goals in his second game back from a 12-month injury-induced layoff, while Chris Knights also chipped in with three.

Brent Reilly amassed 32 possessions, with fellow midfielders Bernie Vince and Andrew McLeod collecting 30 touches each.

For the Power, Robbie Gray kicked three goals, all in the first quarter, and Kane Cornes produced a manful effort with 25 disposals.

Despite losing the clearances (42-36), Adelaide was able to move the ball forward more efficiently, resulting in a lopsided forward 50 entries count (60-35)

Port lost ruckman and reigning Showdown medallist Dean Brogan to a corked thigh on Saturday, and it proved pivotal as Brendon Lade’s influence tailed off as the match progressed.

The Power got out to a fast start as Gray ran down Graham Johncock in the forward 50 to kick the first goal inside a minute.

When Simon Goodwin conceded a free kick moments later, Danyle Pearce bent home a superb effort from outside 50 to double Port Adelaide's early advantage.

The Power settled much better and won the first six clearances, but the Crows began to work their way into the match, missing three set shots before Brett Burton announced his return to AAMI Stadium with a trademark specie and goal.

Gray added two more goals to his tally and Burton another, but more wastefulness from Adelaide saw Port leading by seven points at quarter-time.

The second quarter was a different story, as the Crows booted seven goals to none, including two each from Michael Doughty and Simon Goodwin. The Power could only muster four behinds for the term to trail by 33 points at the major break.

Much as it did in its round six victory over the Crows this season, Port Adelaide dominated the clearances in the first half (21-11), but it was the Crows who entered forward 50 with greater regularity (31 entries to 15). Adelaide amassed 231 disposals to 166 in the opening half to help overcome the lopsided clearance count.

It took 10 minutes for a goal to be kicked in the third term, Kane Cornes using the breeze to bend the ball back for a much-needed major, the Power's first for almost 40 minutes.

When Burton kicked his third and Knights his second, it looked as though the Power were out for the count, but Jason Davenport, Justin Westhoff and Domenic Cassisi kicked consecutive goals to keep Port Adelaide in the game.

Just when it looked as though Port Adelaide would head to the final change with a sniff of a come-from-behind win, Crows veteran Andrew McLeod converted a set shot to give the Crows a handy 34-point lead with a quarter to play.

Bernie Vince put the game beyond doubt with a goal early into the final quarter as the Power failed to break down a resolute Adelaide defence. Burton kicked his fourth and Knights his third as the Crows romped home to a comfortable victory.

Port Adelaide drops to 8-9 with the loss, and falls to 10th on the ladder. The Power take on Hawthorn, who also have an 8-9 record but sit in ninth place by virtue of a superior percentage, in a critical contest at AAMI Stadium next Sunday.

Adelaide            2.5    9.7    12.15    19.18 (132)
Port Adelaide    4.0    4.4    8.5        9.8 (62)

GOALS
Adelaide: Burton 4, Knights 3, Goodwin, McLeod, Tippett, Doughty 2, Dangerfield, Vince, Bock, Porplyzia
Port Adelaide: Gray 3, Pearce, K Cornes, Westhoff, Cassisi, Davenport, Boak

BEST
Adelaide: Bock, Reilly, Doughty, Vince, Goodwin, Burton, Johncock, Knights, van Berlo, McLeod
Port Adelaide: Cassisi, K Cornes, Rodan, Surjan, Gray

INJURIES
Adelaide: Otten (corked thigh), Martin (knee)
Port Adelaide: C Cornes (knee), Surjan (calf), Chaplin (bruised shin), Boak (corked thigh), Brogan (corked thigh) replaced in side by Broadbent

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Vozzo, Ryan, Avon

Official crowd: 46,859 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.