SUMMARY
What appeared to be a comfortable victory for Port Adelaide is suddenly a danger game after St Kilda's resurgence. The Saints have played with flair and abandon in wins over the Demons and Gold Coast – traits largely missing from their disappointing first half of the season. With Jack Billings proving a handful, Jade Gresham lighting up the scoreboard and Jack Stevens, Jack Sinclair and Seb Ross creating havoc through the midfield, the Saints have the potential to shape the top eight. Port is travelling very nicely as well, having won its past four games to stay well in the hunt for a top-four position. The Power's big bodies in the engine room allow them to capitalise on Paddy Ryder's ruck dominance, their under-rated backline matches up well on small and tall forwards and Robbie Gray performs pieces of magic every week. The Power will go in as the favourites, but only a fool would write off the Saints.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, July 7, 4.05pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2017, Port Adelaide 9.9 (63) d St Kilda 8.13 (61) at Adelaide Oval
R1, 2016, Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) d St Kilda 15.10 (100) at Adelaide Oval
R18, 2015, Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) d St Kilda 6.13 (49) at Adelaide Oval
R12, 2014, Port Adelaide 19.15 (129) d St Kilda 9.5 (59) at Adelaide Oval
R17, 2013, Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) d St Kilda 13.14 (92) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Power pulled off a miracle escape courtesy of Robbie Gray's goal with seven seconds on the clock in the round 19 encounter last year. The Saints led by 10 points late before goals to Aaron Young and Gray delivered the Power a famous victory.
2. Tackling has been one of the Power's strengths this season. They're the No.1 ranked team in the competition, averaging 72.4 per game, way above St Kilda, who are 15th with 61.2.
3. Led by star ruckman Paddy Ryder and big-bodied midfielders Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper, the Power are the best clearance side in the League with 42 per game. The Saints have struggled in that department, ranked last in the competition with 33.4 clearances per game.
4. The Saints will need to end a six-game losing streak against the Power if they're to cause an upset. Their most recent win over the Power was in round 16, 2011 by 56 points. The Saints have also lost all eight times they've played at Adelaide Oval.
5. A win on Saturday for the Power will be the first time they've won five straight since they won eight in a row in early 2014. The Saints can record their third straight victory for the first time since midway through last season.
6. Power ruckman Paddy Ryder has moved to a career-high 50th on the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Last year's All Australian ruckman has improved 118 places this season after starting the year ranked 168th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Saints star Seb Ross should've been in the pocket of Robbie Gray when the Power champion received the tap from Paddy Ryder and kicked the match-winning goal in their epic round 19 clash last year. You can bet Ross won't make the same mistake again when Gray rolls through the midfield.
PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 20 points
