Adelaide Crows captain Jordan Dawson has committed his club to playing a "straight bat" in the media ahead of the 57th Showdown against Port Adelaide this Saturday night.
The Crows found themselves deep in controversy after young forward Josh Rachele made taunting comments ahead of Showdown 56, joking in a radio interview that Port Adelaide supporters "don't have many teeth". Following the 22-point loss, Rachele was dropped from the senior side, with teammate Rory Laird suggesting that the youngster's comments were "misaligned" with the team approach to the game.
That approach hasn't changed heading into the first Showdown of 2025, according to Dawson.
"I don't think [there will be instigating comments]," Dawson told media on Monday.
"We won't revisit last year. We're a completely different team this year, we've got some new guys that have come in and stepped up. We've focused on this year and I think you always try to learn from hard games like [Showdown 56]. I think we've learnt some lessons but we won't revisit what happened last year."
"I definitely think (we're more mature). We've brought some guys in who are experienced campaigners in the AFL who have added real leadership and mature heads to our group. Along with natural progression from a lot of guys who have stepped up this year, I think whatever situation we come across we're able to handle it because we've matured as a group. We've come a long way."
Dawson also provided an insight into the club's selection with Mitch Hinge set to return after a one-week ban, but believed that the club's growing depth will play a big part in their 2025 success. Brodie Smith will make Matthew Nicks' call a tough one, however, returning for the Carlton clash after a stint in the SANFL, kicking a goal to go with his 17 disposals at 94% efficiency.
"Hinge will hopefully come back in. [Brodie Smith's performance last week] shows our depth at the moment," Dawson said.
"Obviously he's a 250-gamer and a highly respected player of our club. To be able to come out and play exactly how we expected him to play with the awesome footy he's been playing at the SANFL level... I'm really proud of Smith for the way he's gone about it this year and I'm not surprised he's able to come in and play his role the way he did.
"Sam Berry has been playing the best footy of his career and came in as sub and impacted for us. [Jordon] Butts was once our number one key defender and he's had to fight for his spot.
"We've definitely got depth which enables us to bring guys in [when we have injuries] and they're able to perform at a really high level. Our depth is at its best since I've been here for sure."
The anticipation of Showdown 57 is sky-high as both clubs look to surge toward September, with first bounce at 8:10pm AEST.
