Head to head: Port Adelaide 14 wins, Hawthorn six wins
Last time: Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) d Hawthorn 14.19 (103), round 18, 2009 at AAMI Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Hawthorn
Max Bailey (knee) - indefinite
Campbell Brown (knee) - 4-6 weeks
Lance Franklin (suspension) - 1 week
Josh Gibson (hamstring) - 4-5 weeks
Rhan Hooper (hamstring) - indefinite
Simon Taylor (fractured leg) - indefinite
Port Adelaide
Dean Brogan (back) - test
John Butcher (back) - indefinite
Brett Ebert (concussion) - test
Robbie Gray (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Cameron Hitchcock (shoulder) - test
Nathan Krakouer (groin) - 3 weeks
Andrew Moore (groin) - 4-5 weeks
Marlon Motlop (foot) - indefinite
Michael Pettigrew (knee) - 8-10 weeks
Steven Salopek (shoulder) - test
Warren Tredrea (ankle) - 10-12 weeks
FORM
Hawthorn: LLWWW
Port Adelaide: WWLLL
SUMMARY
Hawthorn comes in to this game in the rare position of being the form side. The Hawks have won their past three games but only the Carlton victory has been truly convincing. That said, they have a better recent record than the Power who have dropped must-win games against Melbourne and Richmond over the past two weeks.
Mark Williams’ team looked to be a finals contender after some good form early in the season but they desperately need to get back on the winners’ list before the year slips away. Port Adelaide may be weary after playing in tough weather conditions recently but will be well rested after an eight day break.
The Hawks got over the line against the Swans last week but are without the suspended Lance Franklin and the injured Rhan Hooper who looked dangerous in the early stages last week.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Shaun Burgoyne has taken no time easing into the Hawthorn side over the past couple of weeks. Both Burgoyne and his former Port Adelaide teammates would have had this date circled since he left the Power at the end of last year and all eyes will be on him.
Josh Carr has defied all the critics to carve out a role for himself at Port Adelaide this year. He had 23 disposals in the wet against Richmond last week and the close-checking tagger may be in line to go head to head with former teammate Burgoyne. It might not be a friendly catch-up.
QUESTION MARKS
Will the Hawks cope with their changed forward line? Taking out Franklin and to a lesser extent Hooper will have an impact on the way Hawthorn structures up.
Where will Port Adelaide get its goals? This is the Power’s main weakness. Forwards Robbie Grey and Warren Tredrea are both out injured while Brett Ebert is in doubt after he was concussed.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Despite Hawthorn’s poor start to the season, few have been prepared to write them off. Three consecutive wins later and the Hawks are lurking around the top eight. Luckily for Alastair Clarkson’s men, they are catching Port Adelaide when they are at their most vulnerable and on the road. Even without Franklin, Hooper and Campbell Brown the Hawks should win.
PREDICTION
Hawthorn by 29 points
Chat with host Adam McNicol and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 1.40pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflhawkspower
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
