Let him cook, they said. And my word did Brayden Cook deliver one of the greatest ever Showdown moments across its 59 instalments.

Down by five points in the dying stages of another cross-town rivalry epic, Happy Valley’s own got on the end of a fast-paced handball chain involving Wayne Milera and Dan Curtin before lining up for the final shot on goal in the Friday night blockbuster.

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Cook couldn’t have nailed the moment any better, splitting the middle from 45 metres out in the left forward pocket to send Adelaide Oval into absolute delirium and give his Crows a minuscule one-point lead that they would ultimately hang on to.

The 23-year-old’s goal came just 36 seconds after rival Power player Joe Berry kicked what he thought was a match-winner of his own.

Berry snapped beautifully on his left to snatch back the lead for Port for the first time in the final term, leaving Adelaide just 46 seconds to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.

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Speaking to Fox Footy immediately after the final siren, Cook was lost for words when asked what was going through his mind after the magic moment.

“I have no idea, everything is just spinning,” Cook said.

“It’s an old saying but no matter where either side is on the ladder it’s always a cracking game in the Showdown. Growing up as a Crows supporter, to be a part of it is just unreal.

Cook’s winning kick, captured in a perfect frame (Photo by James Elsby via Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesAnd a celebration as calm as you could possibly ask for from such a clutch goal (Photo by James Elsby via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I’m muttering my words because I’m so rattled.

“I don’t know (how many times I’ll watch it), I guess it depends how many times I get tagged on Instagram!”

Cook’s 38th AFL game was his fifth Showdown, and brought about a fourth win over his cross-town rival. After playing just three games at the top level in 2025, the South Adelaide junior has solidified his place on a wing in a crucial role for Matthew Nicks’ side.

“You dream about that as a kid, about kicking the winning goal in front of a ‘packed house’. And it’s happened for Brayden Cook,” Crows legend Mark Ricciuto told Fox Footy in the changerooms post-game.

“He has had an absolute breakout season. He was recruited as a forward, and he’s been chucked back to use his ball skills and he’s still kicking goals.

“It was a great effort by the young fella.”

Four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne added: “That goal was really hard. The wind had picked up as well, it was coming into his face to make that kick harder.”

Cook (left) carries the Showdown Trophy off alongside teammate Josh Rachele (right) (Photo by Sarah Reed via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Cook shone with 21 disposals, seven marks and a goal assist to go with his major. He was well supported by fellow young gun Sam Berry, who amassed 19 tackles to become just one of five AFL players to record the feat.

Their coach was glowing in his assessment of the baby-faced match-winner when speaking to media post-game.

“That’’s Brayden’s weapon (poise). He’s had that when he arrived at the club when he thought was a 13-year-old,” Nicks laughed.

“We knew he’d take a little bit of time to round his game out. He’s always (been) a high-end talent with the ball in is hand. IT was a matter of getting him in the right positions, and getting him to understand the contest part to it.

“I think we’ve all seen it this season especially that he’s taken his game to a new level. His leadership in the off-season was as good as some of our recognised leaders … it’s so pleasing.

“To have the ball in his hands at that point, I think most of us would be reasonably confident that he was going to finish the job.”

After coming into Showdown 59 off a five-day break, Adelaide won’t play again until next Sunday when they take on the winless Richmond at the MCG.