SUMMARY
With just one defeat there since 2012, the old 'York Park' remains a fortress for Hawthorn, however Port Adelaide probably couldn't have picked a better time to travel to Tasmania, having enjoyed the bye while the Hawks are coming off a six-day break and a bruising slog against West Coast. With the Power it often seems a question of what is happening upstairs, and provided they come with the right mindset, they'll probably be a bit too slick and quick for the Hawks. A win keeps the Power in touch with the top four, while a fourth straight loss would make it tough for the Hawks to play finals. They'll bring the effort and keep it close, but it might not be enough.
WHERE AND WHEN: University of Tasmania Stadium, Saturday, June 2, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R11, 2017, Port Adelaide 13.20 (98) d Hawthorn 7.5 (47) at Adelaide Oval
R16, 2016, Hawthorn 15.11 (101) d Port Adelaide 12.7 (79) at Adelaide Oval
R21, 2015, Port Adelaide 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2015, Port Adelaide 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 13.13 (91) at Adelaide Oval
2PF, 2014, Hawthorn 15.7 (97) d Port Adelaide 13.16 (94) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The game was over by half-time when the sides last played. Port Adelaide kicked 9.8 to 0.3 and led by 59 points at the main break. Brad Ebert was best on ground with 34 disposals and 12 tackles.
2. The Hawks began the year playing high-scoring football, kicking an average score of 97 points per game in rounds one to six, but since then that's dropped to 73 points.
3. Port Adelaide has had the better of Hawthorn recently, winning four of the last six matches; its 51-point win in 2017 was the biggest over the Hawks since a 96-point victory in 2006.
4. The Power are one of the best clearance teams this season, averaging 41.3 per game, and its thanks largely to their centre clearance work, ranked in the top three averaging 13.3.
5. Hawthorn has lost its last three games and hasn't lost four in a row since the opening four weeks of the 2017 season. Port Adelaide will be aiming for three straight wins for the second time this season.
6. Port's Robbie Gray (9) and Hawk Ben McEvoy (17) will be the top-ranked players on the ground for each club, according to the Schick AFL Player Rankings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
When the two clubs played last year it was Charlie Dixon who took the Hawks to the cleaners, so James Frawley faces a big afternoon. He needs to clamp down on the Port power forward.
PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 10 points
