THERE might not be any hate as far as Erin Phillips is concerned, but the Port Adelaide skipper expects plenty of heat when the Power clashes with cross-town rivals Adelaide in the highly anticipated inaugural AFLW Showdown.

Former Port champion and current men's assistant coach Chad Cornes added some spice to the last Showdown of the recent AFL season when he publicly expressed his hate for the Crows.

Cornes addressed the Power’s AFLW squad on Tuesday in a bid to fire up the team ahead of Friday night’s historic local derby at Adelaide Oval.

While Phillips said Cornes’ passionate speech about his experiences playing in the heated rivalry gave the players goosebumps, she still couldn’t bring herself to hate her former teammates.

“I definitely don’t hate the Crows,” Phillips said from Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

“Obviously for me this is going to be a little bit weird, a little bit strange, playing against my former teammates, but I’m a competitor.

“As soon as that ball goes up it’s going to be game on.

AFLW INJURY LIST How healthy is your team?

“I’m expecting an absolute fierce contest from both teams.

“It’s going to be absolutely epic.”

Phillips played 46 games for the Crows, including three winning Grand Finals, and twice won the AFLW best-and-fairest award before switching to the club where her dad Greg was an eight-time SANFL premiership player.

The 37-year-old is a good chance to be pitted against Chelsea Randall, whom she shared captaincy duties with at Adelaide, with their friendship to be put to one side should the blockbuster match-up unfold.

“No matter who she matches up on each week I expect Chelsea Randall to (compete hard),” Phillips said.

“If it’s me she runs alongside I’d expect that.

“We’re great mates and we have a lot of respect for each other but we both play to win.

“There will probably be a bit of rough and tough (play) between Chels and I.”

Phillips is yet to kick a goal for her new side and admits it would be sweet to boot her first major against her old club.

While bragging rights are up for grabs, the Showdown also comes at a critical juncture in Port’s inaugural season.

AFLW FIXTURE Who does your team play in season seven?

The 14th-placed Power (1-3-1) is six points adrift of Richmond in eighth spot and needs a win against the second-placed Crows, who are coming off a record 96-point drubbing of Greater Western Sydney, to stay in touch with the top eight.

“This league is so tough … on any given night anyone is beatable,” Phillips said.

“You’ve got to bring your best game every single time that you step onto the field.

“I know they’ll be looking to do that, so will we, and if we play hard Port footy we’ll give it a real crack.

“The AFLW season is short and every game is really important - it’s almost like a final.

“Given that it is the first Showdown I’m sure there are bragging rights up for grabs and I think there’s breakfast and a coffee on the line for Chelsea if we don’t get the job done.”