PORT Adelaide will be without key forward Charlie Dixon for its pivotal clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

Dixon has withdrawn because of illness and will be replaced by young ruck Dante Visentini. Small forward Francis Evans will be the starting substitute for the Power, while veteran Michael Walters will be Fremantle's sub. 

DOCKERS v POWER Follow it LIVE

In the last game of the home and away season, finals are on the line when Fremantle and Port Adelaide clash in Perth.

The Dockers (12-9-1) had a top-four finish firmly within their grasp when sitting off second spot only on percentage three weeks ago, but a trio of narrow-but-costly defeats by an average of seven points have seen them slip down to ninth spot.

Fremantle now needs to beat Port Adelaide and have other results to go its way to snatch back a top-eight spot.

Meanwhile, Carlton defender Mitch McGovern was a late withdrawal from the Blues' must-win game against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium this afternoon.

McGovern was under a fitness cloud during the week due to a hamstring issue and despite being named in Carlton's squad of 23 on Friday, he has been withdrawn and replaced by Orazio Fantasia.

BLUES v SAINTS Follow it LIVE

The Blues have had a horror run of injuries in recent weeks and must beat the Saints without star forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, amongst a host of other key injuries.

The Blues (13-9) put their finals hopes back in their own hands with a brave victory on the road against West Coast last week when they were significantly undermanned.

02:13

Match Previews R24: Carlton v St Kilda

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Blues and the Saints at Marvel Stadium

Published on Aug 20, 2024

A victory today will ensure a top-eight finish, but a defeat will leave them at risk of being overtaken by Fremantle in the last game of the day.

St Kilda (10-12) has been laying strong foundations for next season with five wins from its past seven matches and could notch another victory to finish their season on a high.

Carlton v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Carlton: Mitch McGovern replaced in the selected side by Orazio Fantasia

SUBSTIUTUTES
Carlton: Ashton Moir
St Kilda: Hugo Garcia

Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 4.10pm AWST

LATE CHANGES
Port Adelaide: Charlie Dixon (illness) replaced in the selected side by Dante Visentini

SUBSTIUTUTES
Fremantle: Michael Walters
Port Adelaide: Francis Evans

 

01:59

Match Previews R24: Fremantle v Port Adelaide

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Dockers and the Power at Optus Stadium

Published on Aug 20, 2024