AFL round eight 2026, scores, results, odds, stats and start time from Adelaide Oval in Adelaide
Brayden Cook’s stunning goal with just 10 seconds remaining gave Adelaide a thrilling one-point victory over Port Adelaide in one of the greatest Showdowns in the competition’s history.
After Wayne Milera’s equally magnificent goal at the other end was controversially spoiled by Josh Rachele being called out for shoving Logan Evans from behind in the goal area, the Power looked home when Joe Berry did indeed score with 46 seconds on the clock.
The SA derby was described by long-serving former Power coach Ken Hinkley during the week as “the greatest rivalry in Australian sport other than Australia’s game against England in the Ashes”. The Friday night edition lived up to Hinkley’s billing.
This Insta classic had it all: a massive finish, a controversial incident, two key injuries and a goal of the year contender from Izak Rankine.
It was played under warm skies and in front of a packed crowd of 53,045; this was the seventh biggest in an AFL match at Adelaide Oval and the third biggest in the Showdown.
This wasn’t Adelaide’s most dominant win against their arch-nemesis. But he is definitely among the bravest.
The Crows were already without captain Jordan Dawson for the week before losing previous captain Taylor Walker to a hamstring injury ahead of the quarter (personal reasons).
Key back Jordon Butts, tasked with Mitch Georgiades’ charge, followed with a groin concern and his night ended late in the third term.
Unknown third player Nick Murray scored the first two goals of his AFL career in the final 67 seconds of the third term to give Adelaide their first lead since the opening stages.
The Crows kicked five unanswered shots either side of three quarters to take a 21-point lead on a blinding left-foot shot from Riley Thilthorpe; Adelaide had been through the best part of three quarters.
Sam Berry fought like a man possessed, collecting the Reckoning Medal for his lion-hearted efforts in midfield. Milera controlled the play behind the ball, while Rankine and Josh Rachele produced spells.
Zak Butters, the best player of the first half, remained relatively calm after the break. After the crows knocked on the door, they suddenly began to generously mine the coal surface. Port appeared to be gone. Then suddenly they didn’t.
Three successive goals to Georgiades, Joe Berry and Jack Whitlock reduced the lead to two points.
The silky talented Chef turned up the heat just in time for the finest moment of his rising career, one that will forever be etched in Showdown folklore.
