Brayden Cook's last-gasp goal seals one-point Showdown 59 win for Adelaide Crows

Key facts

• Brayden Cook kicked the winning goal with 10 seconds remaining, giving Adelaide an 11.10 (76) to 11.9 (75) victory over Port Adelaide.
• Joe Berry had given Port Adelaide a five-point lead with 46 seconds left before Cook's reply.
• Sam Berry won the Showdown Medal with 19 tackles, 28 disposals (16 contested) and 627 metres gained.
• Aliir Aliir recorded 21 disposals, 14 intercepts and 14 marks for Port Adelaide.
• Taylor Walker suffered a hamstring injury before quarter time, reducing Adelaide's interchange for most of the match.
• 15-year-old Kye, who lives with autism and ADHD, served as junior mascot, led the coin toss and presented the Variety Showdown Medal.
• The Variety-Crows partnership has since 2018 enabled 4,000 South Australian students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access the Open Parachute mental health program.
• Kye is the only footballer among 72 recipients in this year's Variety scholarship program.

A finish for the ages

Adelaide has snatched one of the most dramatic victories in Showdown history, with winger Brayden Cook slotting a running goal with just ten seconds left to defeat Port Adelaide by a single point. The final score of 11.10 (76) to 11.9 (75) capped a frantic final minute in which the lead changed twice. Cook, visibly shaking after the match, told Fox Footy: “I have no idea, everything is just spinning… I’m muttering my words because I’m so rattled!” The win came after Port Adelaide forward Joe Berry had kicked what seemed a match-winning goal with 46 seconds remaining, putting the Power five points ahead. But Adelaide, showing composure beyond its young roster, worked the ball forward for Cook to seal the triumph. The match, though lower-scoring than some previous Showdowns, was described by commentators as every bit as thrilling.

Sam Berry and Aliir Aliir shine in contrasting roles

Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry was awarded the Showdown Medal for a performance that combined relentless pressure and offensive drive: 19 tackles, 28 disposals (16 contested) and 627 metres gained. His work rate was central to the Crows’ second-half resurgence after a scrappy opening half. Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir continued his outstanding season with 21 disposals, 14 intercepts and 14 marks, anchoring the Power’s backline in a display that reinforced his All-Australian credentials. The first half was a tight, error-ridden contest, but Adelaide burst out after the main break, kicking five consecutive goals to take control into three-quarter time and early in the final term. The Crows’ momentum was built on fierce tackling and rapid ball movement, though they had to manage without star forward Taylor Walker, who succumbed to a hamstring injury before quarter time, leaving them a man short on the interchange for almost the entire match.

A night of dual celebrations: Kye’s dream role

Beyond the on-field drama, Friday night marked a personal milestone for 15-year-old Kye, a Variety scholarship recipient who lives with autism and ADHD. As part of the long-standing partnership between Variety and the Adelaide Crows, Kye served as the team’s junior mascot, leading the players through the banner at Adelaide Oval. He also conducted the coin toss and later presented the Variety Showdown Medal to the player judged best on ground. Kye’s mother Amanda described the profound impact of the scholarship, which covers his football fees, uniform, equipment, training and clinics. “This grant has absolutely helped Kye achieve amazing things, and we will be forever grateful for the opportunities Variety has provided him with,” she said. Kye, who finds social situations challenging but thrives in physical activity, has grown enormously through sport, according to his family.

Variety’s broader impact through the Showdown partnership

The collaboration between Variety and the Crows, in place since 2018, extends far beyond individual scholarships. The partnership funds the Open Parachute program, which focuses on improving child and youth mental health, and has enabled 4,000 South Australian students from disadvantaged learning environments to participate. Variety SA CEO Mark McGill noted that Kye is the only footballer among the 72 scholarship recipients this year, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to supporting children facing sickness, disadvantage or disability. The coin toss experience for Showdown 59 was donated to Variety by Crows partner Sterling Homes. McGill said Friday night would be “a real highlight in his emerging football career” as Kye took on the roles of junior mascot, coin toss leader and medal presenter.

What the result means for both sides

For Adelaide, the win provides a significant morale boost and demonstrates the team’s ability to prevail in high-pressure moments. Matthew Nicks’ side showed resilience after losing Walker early and weathering Port Adelaide’s comeback. The Crows’ goalkickers included Ben Keays (3), Josh Rachele and Tom Murray (2 each), along with Luke Pedlar, Izak Rankine, Riley Thilthorpe and Cook. Port Adelaide, despite Aliir’s heroics and Berry’s late goal, will rue a missed opportunity to claim bragging rights in a match that slipped away in the dying seconds. The Power’s inability to close out the game after taking the lead with under a minute remaining will be a focus in the days ahead. Both teams now turn their attention to the remainder of the AFL Premiership Season, with the Showdown result likely to have implications for ladder positions and momentum.

A night that encapsulated sport’s power to inspire

Showdown 59 will be remembered for two distinct but equally compelling narratives: a last-second victory that reaffirmed the rivalry’s capacity for drama, and the inclusion of a young footballer whose journey embodies the transformative potential of community support. The convergence of elite competition and grassroots impact, facilitated by Variety’s partnership with the Crows, offered a reminder that sport can produce moments of joy far beyond the final score. For Kye, leading his heroes onto the field and presenting the medal was the culmination of a scholarship that has helped him pursue his passion. For the thousands of students reached through the Open Parachute program, the benefits of the partnership continue to unfold.

The bottom line

• Brayden Cook’s goal with 10 seconds left gave Adelaide a 76–75 win in Showdown 59, one of the closest finishes in the rivalry’s history.
• Sam Berry’s 19-tackle, 28-disposal performance earned him the Showdown Medal; Aliir Aliir recorded 14 intercepts for Port Adelaide.
• Taylor Walker’s early hamstring injury forced Adelaide to play most of the match with a reduced interchange.
• 15-year-old Kye, a Variety scholarship recipient with autism and ADHD, served as junior mascot, led the coin toss and presented the medal.
• The Variety-Crows partnership has provided 4,000 disadvantaged South Australian students access to the Open Parachute mental health program since 2018.
• Kye is the only footballer among 72 Variety scholarship recipients this year, highlighting the program’s breadth beyond sport.