More than just bragging rights might be up for grabs in this weekend's Showdown between the Crows and Power, with two of the state's biggest stars also potentially looking to show why their side is the ideal landing spot for a close mate who is perhaps looking to return to South Australia.
Gold Coast tall Jack Lukosius' future in Queensland has come into some doubt in recent weeks, with speculation surrounding the former Pick 2 selection growing stronger after he was axed from the Suns' side to face Essendon in Round 22.
The 24-year-old, while contracted for the next two seasons, has been tied to both the Power and Crows, with the latter viewed as the more likely landing spot for the Woodville-West Torrens product.
At West Lakes, Lukosius could reunite with a Sun-turned-Crow in old teammate Izak Rankine, with the pair close mates after attending Henley High School together before flying north to Carrara in 2018.
The duo were a key piece in South Australia's undefeated U18s National Championships that year, with the pair a lethal forward force while North Adelaide gun and current Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee also stamped his placing as a top-five draft selection.
With Rozee and Rankine set to go head-to-head on Saturday night in front of a packed Adelaide Oval crowd, the two could also be pulling strings off the field to try and lure Lukosius to their respected clubs.
The Suns forward has ties to both the Crows and Power given his close relationships with Rankine and Rozee, with the latter in constant dialogue with his old Croweaters teammate.
With Lukosius and now Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen potentially both landing in South Australia this coming off-season, the Showdown could present as a platform for both clubs to show their worth.
Asked about the Power's list planning and the potential opportunity to out-do their state rivals, Rozee said there are "conversations to be had" as Port Adelaide could be "going pretty hard through" the player movement space.
"There's lots of people out there, it doesn't matter who it is, we want to get better every year," Rozee said on Wednesday.
"That includes going pretty hard through (the) trade period - which we have done the last few years - and the draft. An important part of our side is getting people from interstate.
"We've got a really good retention rate when we get people to come to our club, and that'll be no different this year. I'm sure there'll be some sort of movement, whether that's us or other clubs.
"There'll definitely be some conversations to be had."
Having played a part in the Power's hopes of luring South Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy to the club last year, Rozee was questioned on the role he could hold in looking to lure Lukosius to Alberton Oval.
The Power skipper said we may "have some convincing to do".
"We speak almost every day. Not specifically about the situation, but he's going OK," Rozee added.
"I might have some convincing to do. I'm sure he'd love to come home, he's a South Australian, but there's a lot to play out and it's a very personal decision."
Rankine, who was taken one selection after Lukosius in their draft year, joined Adelaide from the Suns in 2022 in exchange for Pick 5 from the Crows while a number of later selections swapped hands.
