WHEN it comes to a Showdown, history shows ladder positions are irrelevant.

So too is the fact that it's the first round of the NAB Cup, with no premiership points at stake. A Showdown is a Showdown.

While Mark Williams has indicated there will be a degree of experimentation involved in the game, there is no doubt his players will be out there to win.

Keen to put an injury-marred 2006 behind them, the Power have named a near full-strength squad (absentees are Warren Tredrea, Toby Thurstans and Jacob Surjan) to take on Adelaide tonight.

Recent Form:Lost to Fremantle by 79, beat Adelaide by 14, lost to Collingwood by 2, beat Bulldogs by 14 and lost to Kangaroos by 19.

Past five encounters vs. Adelaide:Round 21, 2006: Port Adelaide 14.11 (95) def Adelaide 11.15. (81)Round 6, 2006: Adelaide 15.13. (103) def Port Adelaide 8.5. (53)NAB Cup, Round 1, 2006: Adelaide 2.16.13. (127) def Port Adelaide 0.8.7 (55)Semi Final, 2005: Adelaide 18.15. (123) def Port Adelaide 5.10. (40)Round 20, 2005: Adelaide 13.10. (88) def Port Adelaide 12.9. (81)

Strengths:RUCKBrendon Lade is arguably the league's best ruckman and enters the 2007 season with All-Australian selection and the John Cahill Medal under his belt. Lade will be supported by a fit and focused Dean Brogan who is raring to go after missing seven games last year through injury.

MIDFIELD:At full strength the Port Adelaide midfield is nothing short of explosive. Peter Burgoyne will make his welcome return to the side after hamstring surgery reduced his 2006 game-tally to just 10. Younger brother Shaun will be looking to continue his rapid rise to the AFL's elite, after a stellar season earned him All-Australian honours and sixth place in the Brownlow Medal. Add to the mix the ever-reliable Kane Cornes and a fit Dom Cassisi and then you just have to slot in Rising Star Danyle Pearce.

Potential weaknesses:UP FORWARDWho can replace Warren Tredrea? The answer is nobody. The captain is still recovering from knee surgery that restricted him to just 10 games in 2006. Josh Mahoney was the club's leading goalkicker last season with 29, but he will need more support from his teammates if the Power is to get over Adelaide and be a force in 2007.

Mark Williams is likely to use the NAB Cup to try several players in key forward positions. The versatile Chad Cornes could be used to float across half-forward, while small forward Daniel Motlop and new recruit David Rodan will be looking for a good start to 2007. Big men Damon White, Ryan Willits and Michael Pettigrew could all be goal-kicking options, having shown promise in the past.

Sweating On:YOUTHPort Adelaide had four Rising Star nominees last season and will be hoping they can go on with the job this year. Even with players missing through injury Adelaide is still an experienced side. Youngsters Thomson, Symes, Bentley, Lower, Logan and Willits have all played 15 games or fewer and could face opponents with significantly more AFL experience. Impressive No5 draft pick Travis Boak could make his AFL debut, along with Nathan Krakouer and Adam Cockshell.

Battle of the midfields:The Power boasts a magnificent midfield, but the Crows aren't slouches in that department either. When the boys from Alberton have tasted Showdown glory, it's usually because they have stopped Adelaide veterans in Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Mark Ricciuto. With both teams lacking a strong forward structure, the game is likely to be won in the middle.

Dangermen:Chad Cornes: Cornes' versatility often troubles opponents. He can mark, lead, kick a goal, and at 192cm, is a handy midfielder. The Showdown Medallist in round 22 last year, Cornes single-handedly led the Power to a famous come-from-behind victory over the more fancied Crows. Adelaide will struggle to find a match-up for Cornes, with tall utilities Bock and Stevens expected to fill the holes left by injuries to Hentschel, McGregor and Maric.

The Burgoyne brothers: As if Shaun alone didn't cause enough damage to opposition teams last season, now Peter has returned to join in the act. Peter appears to be fully fit, recording the club's fastest time over 20 metres during the pre-season. While Shaun was well held by Robert Shirley in the last Showdown, he will have the support of a near full-strength Power midfield to lessen the weight on his shoulders.

Danyle Pearce: The 2006 NAB Rising Star. His pace and agility are up there with the best in the AFL and provide a challenge to any potential opponent. If Pearce can break the tag of whichever unfortunate Crow is assigned the task, the Power will go a long way towards winning the game.

DID YOU KNOW?Port Adelaide welcomed 12 new players to Alberton in 2007, the highest number at any AFL club.

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the club.