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Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL Round 8 Tips - Power well placed to cause Showdown upset

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Thu 30 Apr 2026 11:09

Adam Cusworth 30 Apr 2026

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The game will be played at Adelaide Oval on Friday, 1st May, with the bounce at 8:10 PM (AEDT)
Which side will take win-loss record to 4-4?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL Round 8 Tips

Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power, Round 8 2026 - Expert Prediction

It shapes as another high-stakes Showdown when Adelaide take on Port Adelaide on Friday night, and the Power are well placed to hand the Crows another defeat.

Both sides enter with identical 3–4 records, but Port Adelaide carry genuine momentum after a 30-point upset win over Geelong — a performance that highlighted the steady growth of their system under Josh Carr.

While Adelaide were clearly the stronger side across 2025, there are growing concerns around how quickly games have been slipping away from them. Their recent 52-point loss to Brisbane exposed issues at centre bounce, where they were unable to stem momentum once the Lions gained control.

To their credit, the Crows have faced the tougher draw compared to their cross-town rivals, but even their win over St Kilda a fortnight ago lacked authority. That leaves them vulnerable here, particularly against a Port Adelaide midfield that thrives on pressure and territory.

Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters come into this in red-hot form, and it is through the midfield where Port Adelaide can gain a decisive edge. Their ability to win the ball at speed and surge forward will test Adelaide’s defensive setup.

Inside 50, Mitch Georgiades looms as a major threat after generating consistent scoring opportunities, while at the other end, Riley Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker will need significantly more supply. The Crows managed just 43 inside 50s to Brisbane’s 64 last weekend, a gap that is difficult to overcome — particularly against a Port side that has conceded just 70 points per game across its past four matches.

From a betting perspective, Port Adelaide with the 12.5-point start appeals, with Butters likely to have a major influence through the middle. Izak Rankine looms as Adelaide’s most dangerous player and potential match-winner if the Crows are to challenge in what shapes as a tight contest.

Port Adelaide have conceded just 70 points per game over the past four rounds.
The Power come off a 30 point win over last year’s Grand Finalists, Geelong, and registered 30 scoring shots to 15.
Zak Butters has had 30+ disposals in his past five matches against Adelaide
Izak Rankine has kicked 15 goals from his past five matches against the Power

Head to Head Stats

Adelaide have won five of the past six matches between the two sides and took out a close edition of the Showdown in Round 9 last season by five points, before crushing the Power by 98 in Round 20. Jake Soligo was a standout in that match with 35 disposals and two goals.

Standout player performances in recent head to heads have come from;

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)- 30+ disposals in his past five matches against the Crows.
Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)- 25+ disposals in his past three
Izak Rankine (Adelaide)- 15 goals from his past five matches against the Power
Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide)- 3+ goals in his past two matches against Port Adelaide

Adelaide Crows Form Analysis

Adelaide sit with a win-loss record of 3-4 and come off a 52-point loss to the Brisbane Lions last weekend. They seem to be well off their 2025 form that saw them end the home and away season with an 18-5 win-loss record.

Adelaide’s game style remains built around defence and efficiency rather than volume. They rank lower for disposals and inside 50s, but their ability to stay in games through structure and execution has kept margins tight throughout the season. Their biggest losing margin was just eight points, prior to the blowout against the Lions, while their three victories have been by an average margin of 14.

Jordan Dawson returned to the side last week and led the way with 28 disposals and two goals, while Rory Laird picked up 29 disposals. Izak Rankine kicked two and had 19 disposals. Dawson averages just under 25 disposals in 2026 with Wayne Milera topping their averages at 25. Riley Thithorpe (12 goals from seven matches) and Taylor Walker (11 from six) have been the main targets up forward.

Port Adelaide Power Form Analysis

Port Adelaide sit 3-4 and look to be on a promising trajectory with the last forntight nearly seeing them pull off a big upset when going down by three points to Hawthorn before knocking over Geelong by 30 last weekend.

They completely controlled Geelong in a number of key statistical measures, including clearances (46-28) and inside 50s (58-35) and probably should have won by more were it not for some inaccuracy in front of goal in the 13.17.95 to 10.5.65 scoreline.

Zak Butters was able to shake off the tag that Geelong placed on him with 30, while Jason Horne-Francis starred with 34 disposals and a goal. Horne Francis has had a run of three weeks with 25+ disposals and has kicked seven goals in his last four matches.

Butters has had a run of six straight matches of 30+ disposal games, while on the goalkicking front, Mitch Georgiades comes off four majors against the Cats and has kicked 2+ goals in every match this season.

Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power Team List & News

Adelaide Crows Team News

There were no injuries to come out of the Brisbane loss. Dan Curtin returns for his first game of 2026, while Jordan Dawson misses again for personal reasons.

Port Adelaide Power Team News

Port Adelaide remain without Connor Rozee for an extended period but got through last weekend’s match without any fresh injuries. Todd Marshall was a late withdrawal due to illness and is expected to be available, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Will Lorenz and Jackson Mead are among a number with some strong SANFL form that are pushing to be promoted into the lineup.

Adelaide Crows	POS	Port Adelaide
J. Worrell, J. Borlase, M. Michalanney	B	T. Marshall, L. Jones, M. Bergman
R. Laird, J. Butts, W. Milera	HB	J. Burgoyne, A. Aliir, K. Farrell
I. Cumming, B. Keays, B. Cook	C	E. Mackinlay, J. Horne-Francis, J. Wehr
I. Rankine, R. Thilthorpe, J. Rachele	HF	C. Moraes, M. Georgiades, J. Berry
D. Curtin, T. Walker, Z. Taylor	F	D. Byrne-Jones, J. Whitlock, J. Richards
L. McAndrew, S. Berry, J. Peatling	FOLL	J. Sweet, Z. Butters, W. Drew
L. Pedlar, A. Neal-Bullen, T. Murray, J. Soligo, H. Bond	I/C	C. Durdin, O. Wines, J. Lai, L. Evans, D. Visentini

Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL 2026 Round 8 FAQ’s

How to watch Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL 2026 Round 8?

You can watch the Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL 2026 Round 8 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL 2026 Round 8?

To buy tickets to the Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power AFL 2026 Round 8 game check the AFL website or the official Adelaide Crows site.

Verdict

Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Power

Power to push the Crows all the way

Port Adelaide +12.5

Handicap -12.5

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