PORT Adelaide has made a late change for Friday night’s semi-final against Hawthorn.
Veteran key forward Charlie Dixon failed a fitness test on Adelaide Oval less than two hours before the first bounce.
The Queenslander has been dealing with illness and is the latest out, following Ryan Burton's failed fitness test on Thursday.
Will Lorenz has come into the 23 for just his second game.
The Victorian has been rewarded after a strong block in the SANFL for the Port Magpies, after averaging 25.6 disposals across his past five games.
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
LATE CHANGES
Port Adelaide: Charlie Dixon (illness) replaced in selected side by Will Lorenz
Hawthorn: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Will Lorenz
Hawthorn: Luke Breust
SUMMARY
The pressure is on Port Adelaide as it seeks to avoid a second consecutive straight sets exit, but it won't be easy against a Hawthorn side that fears no one.
The Power get another chance after they were comprehensively beaten by Geelong in the qualifying final, while the Hawks show rolled on with an impressive 37-point elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs.
The two sides have met just once this season, resulting in a come-from-behind one-point win for Port Adelaide back in round 10. But the Hawks are a completely different proposition now and will head over to Adelaide full of belief after winning 12 of 14 games since that time.
The Hawks have made just one change with youngster Jai Serong replacing Sam Frost, who has undergone season-ending foot surgery. Will Day and Cam Mackenzie weren't considered due to injury. Port, meanwhile, has brought in Todd Marshall to try to stretch the Hawks' defence, with Josh Sinn the other inclusion for Ryan Burton (calf) and Jed McEntee.
Where and when: Adelaide Oval, Friday September 13, 7.10pm ACST
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 10: Port Adelaide 11.14 (80) beat Hawthorn 12.7 (79) at Adelaide Oval
Despite trailing by 41 points in the third quarter, Port Adelaide orchestrated the most epic of comebacks to snatch a one-point victory in the dying stages. Still staring at an 11-point deficit with less than 30 seconds on the clock, Willie Rioli kicked a goal for Port before Darcy Byrne-Jones soccered the ball through from a tight angle to score the match-winner with a mere two seconds remaining. Zak Butters (31 disposals) and Jason Horne-Francis (27, two goals) were outstanding for the Power, while Hawthorn's Blake Hardwick kicked a career-high five-goals.
THE STATS THAT MATTER
Port Adelaide
There were a number of worrying signs for Port Adelaide against Geelong, but none moreso than its work around the stoppages with the Power conceding 75 points from clearance chains - their third-most since 2010. Of that 75, Port gave up 66 points from clearances where Jordon Sweet was contesting the ruck, while scoring just 3.3 themselves. They say bad kicking is bad football, and Port isn't winning this game unless they can straighten up in front of the big sticks. The Power's shot at goal accuracy sits at 42.5 per cent this season, ranking them dead last in the competition.
Hawthorn
Whether it's in the air or on the ground, the Hawks' incredible ability to move the ball quickly generates more inside 50s than any other side. In its last four games, Hawthorn has won the inside 50 count by 21.5 per game, ranking it No.1 in the League. Their quick ball movement is the catalyst, with the Hawks opting to play on from a mark 25.5 per cent of the time (ranked No.1 in the League) while they've lost the groundballs just three times all season, winning that stat by nine per game (also ranked No.1).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR ...
Port Adelaide
Port's band of small defenders. The Power were comprehensively beaten in most areas in the qualifying final, but it was down back where they were hurt the most. Port's defence had no answers as the Cats' small forwards got off the chain and effectively did as they pleased to kick the bulk of their side's goals. The Power's task doesn't get any easier against the Hawks, with the likes of Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan and 300-gamer Luke Breust roaming about their forward line.
Hawthorn
He can certainly talk the talk, but can Jack Ginnivan walk the walk? Ginnivan's 'See you in 14 days' comment on Swan - and ex-Magpie - Brodie Grundy's Instagram certainly raised some eyebrows, and while it was just some cheeky banter between former teammates, Port players and fans will be ready for him. Ginnivan was serviceable against the Western Bulldogs, finishing with 15 touches and a goal, but the enigmatic forward would want to put in a big one if he will, indeed, see his former teammates in a week's time.
PREDICTION
History says sides respond in the semi-final after being on the wrong end of a qualifying final belting, but we're not sure that will be the case this time. Hawthorn entered the finals series as one of the form sides in the premiership race, and its dismantling of an equally red-hot Western Bulldogs last week was impressive. Can the 'Hollywood Hawks' continue their fairytale run? You betcha. Hawks by 21 points.
