Jordan Dawson Out as Adelaide Vs Port Adelaide Starts at 7.40pm

adelaide vs port adelaide has arrived at Adelaide Oval with Adelaide making four changes for Friday night’s Showdown at 7.40pm ACST. Jordan Dawson is out for personal reasons, while Dan Curtin returns for his first game of 2026 after overcoming a knee injury.

Adelaide Oval Changes

Adelaide also brought Alex Neal-Bullen and Jake Soligo back into the side. Nick Murray, Finnbar Maley and Charlie Edwards were omitted as the Crows reshuffled around Dawson’s absence and Curtin’s return.

The timing adds another layer to a fixture Adelaide have treated carefully, because Port Adelaide have taken one of the past six Showdowns. Adelaide have also been carrying form questions after conceding their highest score since 2018 against Brisbane and allowing opponents to build momentum too easily.

Port Adelaide’s One Change

Port Adelaide made one change, with Todd Marshall returning in place of Jack Watkins. That keeps the Power close to the side that stunned Geelong in what was their most impressive win for more than a year, a result built on a plus 18 clearance count and a plus 23 edge in inside 50s.

Josh Carr’s side took that control into the selection table, while Adelaide had to respond without their skipper. The one-sided change count points to two different moments entering the game: Port Adelaide arriving settled, Adelaide forced to manage absences at the top of the lineup.

Friday Night Double-Header

The Showdown was one half of a Friday night double-header, with Western Bulldogs facing Fremantle at Marvel Stadium at 7.30pm AEST. For Adelaide, the immediate issue is replacing Dawson’s leadership and keeping the midfield stable. For Port Adelaide, the task is to carry over the pressure and clearance edge that powered the Geelong win into a rivalry game where they have won only once in the previous six meetings.