TWO ruckman or one for Showdown L?
Port Adelaide worked one specialist ruckman, Scott Lycett, in Showdown XLIX in round 8 relying on key forward Charlie Dixon for support. This theme matched Adelaide's lone-ruck strategy built on Reilly O'Brien.
But does the impressive form of Peter Ladhams since his return to AFL football in the past three weeks change this? And is "Pistol" on the selection whiteboard as a forward or a ruckman?
"He kicked three goals last week (against Greater Western Sydney) so he should be seen as a forward," Lycett said of Ladhams on Thursday.
"But when he goes into the ruck he has an impact as well.
"I love playing with Pete and I think we are a better team when we both are in the team. We push each other at training - and we are feeling fresh (by sharing ruck duties).
"It is a lot harder for other teams to scout us - you have two guys going into the ruck and not a drop-off going in there.
"Rucking all day, like I have done at times and like Reilly does week in, week out can be pretty tiring and getting that second ruck gives you relief.
"A guy like Pete is no easy beat (in ruck); he will give you a good challenge. He is going really well at the moment."
Port Adelaide won hit-outs in the first Showdown this season with Lycett out-pointing O'Brien 34-28 and Dixon winning six hit-outs while Adelaide forward Elliott Himmelberg chimed in with four.
Ladhams' recall has eased the battering of Dixon.
"It has helped Charlie a fair bit," said Lycett of the removal of the All-Australian from centre-ruck contests. "He is looking pretty banged up and he is still taking the most contested marks. You don't do that without being pretty sore. He does not mind getting in the ruck but he likes kicking goals more."
Another big question to be answered at selection on Thursday night is the prospect of a recall for Showdown specialist, Robbie Gray, who is coming off the injury list after knee surgery.
"I hope so," Lycett said of the midfielder-forward who has won five Showdown Medals. "Robbie has had a fair bit of training. And when you have won five Showdown Medals you can put your hand up to say you are right.
"Who is going to say 'no' to Robbie Gray if he says he is right? Ken (Hinkley) knows how good he is. Wait and see ..."
Lycett enters the 50th derby as a traditional Port Adelaide player with his SANFL roots at Alberton.
"It is pretty special," Lycett said of the Showdown. "I remember as a kid watching the Showdown - and I was growing up in the country where footy is everything. To be able to play in the 50th Showdown is a pretty big honour and something that is pretty special for me and my family.
"Anything can happen in a Showdown, so we are not going to be thinking it is an easy four points," added Lycett as Port Adelaide takes favouritism to win its fourth consecutive derby.
"We are looking forward to getting back to Adelaide Oval. It has been a long time (since the last game - against Melbourne in Thursday Night Football on July 8)."
Lycett started his AFL career at West Coast where its Western Derby against Fremantle has not generated the same tight ledger for bragging rights, currently 25-24 in Port Adelaide's favour in Showdowns.
"Growing up in South Australia with the Showdown, I think there is more (to the SA derby) for me," Lycett said. "The rivalry (in Perth) is not as big. Port Adelaide always has had that underdog status and it is something I love about them.
"It is good to be home."
