PORT ADELAIDE development coach Scott Thompson says he’ll be a relaxed observer when the Power takes on Adelaide in Showdown XLIV on Saturday afternoon.

It’ll be the first time the former Crow comes up against his old side, after retiring last year with a record including 308 AFL games with Melbourne and Adelaide.

This season, the 35-year-old moved back to Alberton, where he played his junior football with the Port Adelaide Magpies.

“I want Port to win, obviously,” Thompson said.

“I know a lot of the Adelaide players pretty personally and I spent a long time at that club so I still keep an eye on those guys.

“I like to see my ex-teammates and friends perform well but come match day, now that I’ve left the club I don’t have any emotional attachment to the club.”

Thompson was always a revered combatant in the twice-annual Showdown matches and in 2015 he went on to win the Phil Walsh Medal as best on ground.

While admitting he would be very interested in how the game plays out on Saturday, Thompson’s focus will be elsewhere because he is an assistant coach for the South Australian SANFL representative team which will face a West Australian WAFL team in a curtain raiser to the Showdown.

“Marty Mattner, who is coaching Sturt, is the coach of the side and he called me to ask if I would have any interest in helping out and looking after the midfield,” Thompson said.

“The fact I knew Marty and Jarrod Cotton who is one of the other assistant coaches as well, I thought it would be a good opportunity to work with them and in a different environment.

“The players are motivated guys, some are ex-AFL footballers, and aside from playing AFL and winning Premierships, State games are a big honour.”

Thompson never had that honour while a player but he said he was impressed with the quality of the players selected in 2018.

However, he lamented the fact that no Port Adelaide Magpies were in the side.

“Steven Summerton was in the side but missed the final cut,” he said.

“It’s a real shame for him because he has played representative footy in the past and performed really well.

“It’s a shame that we don’t have a Magpie guy in the side and I think it’s the first time ever that there’s not someone from the club representing the team so that’s unfortunate.

“But we’ve got some very motivated people who want to do well for South Australia and let’s hope we have some success on Saturday.”

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