GENUINE rivalry has returned to the football landscape here in South Australia.

The Crows have had it all to themselves in recent years as the Power struggled from one dilemma to another, but those days appear over and the fight to become the state's number one club is back on.

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Port Adelaide supporters may well claim to have already made significant inroads to the Crows dominance on and off the field after their brilliant season in 2013 and with a couple of wins in the current trade period over their arch rivals, football has rarely looked better for all South Australians in recent times.

The move to a new home at Adelaide Oval in 2014 will be the icing on the cake.

Rarely has excitement been so great about what lies ahead for our two AFL teams.

And it's only October 20.

The season doesn't begin for another 140 odd days, but with one week left in the Trade period, the National draft just around the corner, the 2014 home and away schedule soon to be released and the Adelaide Oval soon to be unveiled there is plenty to keep us interested in as the countdown continues.

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That said, the argy bargy of the last few weeks between the Power and the Crows has been fascinating stuff.

1st it was the battle for the signature of disgruntled Brisbane youngster Jared Polec.

Just when the Crows appeared to be his club of preference, the Power swooped and made him one of theirs.

Welcome to the new world.

History suggests it's been a battle the Crows rarely lose.

Those days may well be over.

Power supporters have much to thank Ken Hinkley, Alan Richardson, Keith Thomas and David Koch for.

With the smell of preseason training in the air and both clubs youngsters set to return in early - mid November the Power again jumped on the front foot to announce their trip to the United Arab Emirates for a preseason training camp in Dubai.

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Senior players will return early from their break to join the clubs youngsters in a sensational way to launch a new season.

Suddenly the have not's at Alberton have become the have's.

The players put their hands in their own pockets to help fund the trip.

Clear indication this is a club on the scent of something special.

The final blow to the Crows mantle as the dominant team here in South Australia came at the hands of the AFL.

With the new look and at this stage semi-completed Adelaide Oval set for its first test in early December when the Aussies take on England in the 2nd Ashes Test of the summer, the AFL revealed which club would get the rights to host the 1st game at the new venue in 2014.

The Adelaide Football Club put forward a very strong case.

CEO Steven Trigg debated their right to it better than any man could.

He lost.

The AFL was wounded in the battle but did not concede defeat.

The Port Adelaide Football Club won the race, delivered yet another heavy blow to the Crows and took the honours this preseason 3 nil.

It was a whitewash!

Equalisation in its early stages? Perhaps

The right decision? Probably.

A final slap to the Crows for Tippett-gate? Most definitely.

In the end it does not matter.

Crows supporters must accept the club fought the good fight.

Power supporters can rejoice in the knowledge the gap between the have's and the have not's is closing.

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Originally published as Balance of power in SA is changing