PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas believes a Showdown between the Power and Crows deserves the spotlight of a marquee Friday night timeslot on national free-to-air television.

The Crows have a narrow edge 23-22 in the 45 meetings between the two clubs since Port entered the AFL in 1997.

This year's two meetings between the sides were instant classics – Power speedster Steven Motlop kicking the match-winner to seal a five-point win in round eight, before Josh Jenkins' controversial goal that appeared to graze the goalpost helped the Crows get home by three points in round 20.

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Both games were played in the Saturday afternoon timeslot and shown nationally on Fox Footy.

Thomas said there was no reason the excitement and atmosphere of a Showdown – played regularly in front of capacity crowds of more than 50,000 at Adelaide Oval – wouldn't resonate in the round's featured Friday night timeslot.

"They're absolutely worthy of a national audience," Thomas said.

"The game is doing the supporters of the game and the AFL a disservice by not showing it more broadly.

"They are as good a game, and as good a rivalry, anywhere you'll see in Australia."

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For the second straight year, the Crows and Power will also face off in the pre-season, this time heading to Port Pirie for a game in the JLT Community Series on March 2.

The Power would prefer that wasn't the case as it has the potential to dilute the importance of when the two clubs square off for premiership points.

"We're on record as saying we're not particularly thrilled playing the Crows, or doing Showdowns in pre-season," he said.

"I don't think anyone thinks that's a fantastic idea.

"However, it does mean we don't have to travel out of SA, so you take that.

"I'm sure it's going to be fantastic for Port Pirie.

"We have a lot of supporters up there and we're looking forward to it."

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Meanwhile, the South Australian government will contribute $350,000 and retain the naming rights for the Power's game against St Kilda in Shanghai next year.

As it was for this year's game against Gold Coast, the ground will be called Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan Stadium.