Opinion Dead rivalry

[Greymatter]

Looking at the photo of Walker and Wines with the Showdown shield got me thinking: is the rivalry a pale imitation of what it could (and should) be?

I remember being a teenager and the town genuinely coming alive with Showdown fever, active bickering with the other mob's fans leading up to the game and the general hallmarks of a footy rivalry.

Now we have a shield reflecting only two games being played, a picture of the Bond brothers hugging (I get why but it's hardly evocative of rivalry) and some Variety values that again stand apart from footy's clash of rivals. Over the years I've felt the talk coming out of both camps indicates they care little as well...yeah there are exciting and close finishes but that's no different to any other blockbuster. Is this another example of what makes our club a footy club being eroded and we're just watching crows vs crows2.0 or am I way off? I need some comforting.

 

[edgie]

The rivalry suffered a loss when the team went easy post Walsh.

It's still recoverable, but now we have the two teams coached by non SA people with non SA captains it is bound to lose a bit of feeling.

 

[chiwigi]

Professionalism, homogenisation and 'Duty of Care', make footy rivalries a lot different these days.

 

[Janus]

Just wait until Saturday.

I have a feeling Rozee and Butters will do some things that will ignite it again.

 

[Andre]

Our support base has been beaten down by the club, with the club having actively distanced itself from being 'Port' in recent times. If the club shows some balls and fights for the PB's for Showdowns (every year, not a rollover once in 2020), then the fans may go back to feeling it was the traditional club versus the bastard child born in a court room.

 

[Smithy7]

Just wait until Saturday.

I have a feeling Rozee and Butters will do some things that will ignite it again.

And Duusma fires at least 5 arrows

 

[Lockhart Road]

The rivalry suffered a loss when the team went easy post Walsh.

It's still recoverable, but now we have the two teams coached by non SA people with non SA captains it is bound to lose a bit of feeling.

Rucci hasn’t helped.

 

[Doctor Feel]

The whole thing jumped the shark the minute they introduced that atrocious shield/plate, what the **** even is that.

I don't care because the rivalry has been so incredibly one sided for a long time, and also I generally don't care as much about the club these days. My club parochialism has waned significantly, I mean we have done so much that makes us a joke and takes us away from who we were. Co-captains lol.

Additionally the Crows are a pathetic rival who don't understand it, they've got no banter whatsoever.

 

[tribey]

The new trophy and medal are pathetic. Cheap and nasty.

 

[Capital Power]

I think it would help if we didn't play them seventeen times a year in various guises. There's no build-up any more other than "oh blimey we're going to get pantsed"

 

[RossFC]

This is showdown 4 of 7 for the year.

 

[tribey]

Our support base has been beaten down by the club and has actively distanced itself from being 'Port' in recent times. If the club shows some balls and fights for the PB's for Showdowns (every year, not a rollover once in 2020), then the fans may go back to feeling it was the traditional club versus the bastard child born in a court room.

It’s also a bit weird when the banter consists of one side acting like they’re Real Madrid to our Las Palmas when the overarching results of both clubs at the level don’t at all reflect this.

 

[El Zorro]

It’s also a bit weird when the banter consists of one side acting like they’re Real Madrid to our Las Palmas when the overarching results of both clubs at the level don’t at all reflect this.

I miss the days when we were Barcelona (not so long ago). Even in the shittiest of shit times we managed to beat this campaigners. Enter Ken Hinkley...

 

[MilitaryLC]

Is it because we go in now expecting a loss and usually get it? I know when Motlop kicked that sealer I burnt my vocal chords out screaming. It's still there with me but I go into these games now days very quietly. The sh!t I've copped from Crow supporting mates the last few seasons has almost broke me. What's worse is none of them are members.

 

[Dav]

I think this is a bit too far with the doom and gloom. Showdown is still our biggest home & away game all year. Easy to get caught in an echo chamber on here but there's still a general excitement around and the games are still electrifying to attend.

 

[Alberton Proud]

Honestly this is our best chance to smack them in years

But **** me I'm numb from the constant disappointment of the last few years

 

[Capital Power]

Is it because we go in now expecting a loss and usually get it? I know when Motlop kicked that sealer I burnt my vocal chords out screaming. It's still there with me but I go into these games now days very quietly. The sh!t I've copped from Crow supporting mates the last few seasons has almost broke me. What's worse is none of them are members.

I remember in my early Port-supporting days loving the build up to Showdown, knowing we'd put in regardless of our position on the ladder. Nowadays I think i'd rather play just about anyone else, and just about anywhere else. I think I had more hope of an upset last week than I do this.

 

[Janus]

"Essendon had belted up Hawthorn for years. Hawthorn had not got within a bull's roar of them, and they were a better team. But they emotionally belted up Hawthorn as well. They scared them into submission before the first bounce. I'm a big believer that actions speak volumes of what you want to do, what you want to achieve. If you make an action, you have to live up to that action. I think that day, Hawthorn broke the mould.

Ripping bloke too, from Essendon...Mark Johnson. He slam tackled...a young kid only then, he's a premiership player...Robert Campbell. Whistle went, because the ball was pinned to him. So play went dead. Inexperienced young Robbie then went limp, relaxed and Johnno slam tackled him. I went down at half time, and they were geeing themselves up. They were well on the way to a frenzy. And I, when I went into the toilet, which is a long open trough being the MCG rooms. And it just so happened that the one time Richie (Vandenberg) and Campbell Brown were there. And my words were 'Don't let Mark Johnson walk off the ****ing ground.'

The average losing margin for Hawthorn in previous encounters was 10 goals plus. The next time they played Essendon, Essendon won by three points. Hawthorn won the next ten." - Dermott Brereton

 

[Power Raid]

The Derby has a better fan feel than the Showdown

Perhaps rivalry can be respectful

 

[FrankDrebin]

When Motlop kicked that goal last season it didnt feel like the Showdown had lost any importance or significance. And i'm sure when Jenkins Hit the post kicked that goal crows fans felt the same way. Just think at the moment both clubs fans are a bit flat with how their sides are going (and clubs are being managed) which has taken a bit of sting out of the contest from a fans perspective. Also seems like the players from both clubs are a lot more chummier with each other these days which is a shame. I also think the over saturation of footy in general plays a part in weakening rivalries such as this. Every week is built up as some blockbuster or some round. I mean we are just coming off 'Country Game' FFS.

I personally wouldnt go as far to say the rivalry is dead by any stretch. Hopefully though on SAturday we get a few physical incidents on the field which give it a shot in the arm.

 

[Capital Power]

I can imagine our youngsters being fired up by the atmosphere, especially on a Saturday night. It'll be a new experience for them.

I'm sure our players sweat on selection night for the home showdown more than any other H&A game. That certainly has to be a positive.

 

[Forzaport]

I've always viewed showdowns as a real traditional club vs the bastardised abortion of the remaining SANFL clubs.

 

[Palpatine_Power]

For me it's knowing we won't be up for the fight.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Looking at the photo of Walker and Wines with the Showdown shield got me thinking: is the rivalry a pale imitation of what it could (and should) be?

I remember being a teenager and the town genuinely coming alive with Showdown fever, active bickering with the other mob's fans leading up to the game and the general hallmarks of a footy rivalry.

Now we have a shield reflecting only two games being played, a picture of the Bond brothers hugging (I get why but it's hardly evocative of rivalry) and some Variety values that again stand apart from footy's clash of rivals. Over the years I've felt the talk coming out of both camps indicates they care little as well...yeah there are exciting and close finishes but that's no different to any other blockbuster. Is this another example of what makes our club a footy club being eroded and we're just watching crows vs crows2.0 or am I way off? I need some comforting.

You want the great rivalry back, then it has to mean something big, like a cut throat final.

Great rivalries come from the history of warrior teams playing each other or some hatred.

Neither club has a warrior team and the reality of murder after Phil Walsh died, put past hatreds into perspective.

 

[The Rubber Man]

Rivalry is still extremely strong.

I just think both fan bases are currently a bit disillusioned with each of their clubs hierarchy/management.