SUMMARY
When these teams last met in round seven the Eagles were copping the blowtorch for an inability to perform at their best interstate, but now Port Adelaide is under fire. The Power are yet to beat a top-eight team in five attempts this season and have been labelled "pretenders", which should make for a spicy clash at Domain Stadium on Sunday. Port dominated the previous meeting but couldn't take advantage on the scoreboard, however the AFL's second-highest scoring team will pose a threat to West Coast on its home turf. The Eagles have lost two of their past three at Domain Stadium, but are playing a stronger brand of football since the bye – with a renewed focus on pressure and intensity – and could be close to full-strength with star spearhead Josh Kennedy, skipper Shannon Hurn, Matt Priddis and Mark LeCras likely to be available.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, July 9, 2.40PM AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2017, West Coast 15.7 (97) d Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) at Adelaide Oval
R9, 2016, West Coast 14.10 (94) d Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) at Adelaide Oval
R6, 2015, West Coast 11.12 (78) d Port Adelaide 10.6 (68) at Adelaide Oval
R5, 2014, Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) d West Coast 7.14 (56) at Domain Stadium
R5, 2013, Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) d West Coast 10.19 (79) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In round seven the Power had 71 more disposals, took 21 more marks, won the tackle count, won the clearances and had 29 more inside 50s but the Eagles still won the game. Mark LeCras booted four goals for West Coast.
2. Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley admits his side can't argue the "pretenders" tag after losing all five games to top-eight opposition this season.
3. West Coast’s last four Domain Stadium games against Melbourne, Geelong, GWS and the Bulldogs have been decided by an average margin of eight points.
4. The Power continues to be the No.1 team for taking the ball inside 50 averaging 61.1 per game - a long way ahead of the Eagles, who are ranked 13th (51.1).
5. This is the first Domain Stadium clash between the sides since 2014. Port Adelaide has lost three of its last four and six of their last eight in Perth.
6. WA product Sam Powell-Pepper is ranked the AFL's No.1 first-year player by the Official AFL Player Ratings. The Port Adelaide young gun is 391st overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Brad Sheppard
The tough Eagles backman was superb blanketing Power star Robbie Gray and holding him goalless in round seven, and another shutdown job will be required against the Port dangerman.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 10 points.
