SUMMARY
One of the most important games of round 18 has been saved until last. The Power (fifth, 11-5) are aiming to keep in touch with the top two, while the Giants (seventh, 9-6-1) are back inside the top eight after last week's thrilling two-point win over reigning premiers Richmond. The key for Leon Cameron's men is continuing that momentum on the road against a Power side coming off its worst loss of the season – a nine-point defeat to Fremantle in Perth. The Power will be without last year's All Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder (hip flexor), putting more pressure on Ollie Wines, Tom Rockliff, Chad Wingard and Sam Powell-Pepper in their midfield battle with Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward. Toby Greene is the Giants' X-factor in a forward line missing the suspended Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton (knee). The Power will be desperate to show they are genuine premiership contenders, but the Giants also have finals on their mind.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, July 22, 4.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2017, Greater Western Sydney 16.16 (112) d Port Adelaide 11.15 (81) at UNSW Canberra Oval
R18, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 11.13 (79) d Port Adelaide 9.6 (60) at Adelaide Oval
R4, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 22.19 (151) d Port Adelaide 9.11 (65) at UNSW Canberra Oval
R20, 2015, Port Adelaide 16.15 (111) d Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) at Adelaide Oval
R7, 2014, Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) d Greater Western Sydney 15.7 (97) at UNSW Canberra Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Key forward Jonathan Patton starred for the Giants with a career-high six goals in a 31-point victory over the Power in round four last year. Toby Greene was also influential with four goals, while Tom Scully had 32 disposals and seven clearances.
2. The two best clearance teams in the competition will square off. Port Adelaide is ranked first, averaging 41.2 clearances per game, just ahead of the second-placed Giants (39.7).
3. Nothing separates the two clubs in their eight previous meetings, with the ledger all square at 4-4. The Power won four of the first five.
4. Both teams play a high-possession game. The Giants are ranked fifth in the League with 383.7 disposals per game, ahead of the sixth-ranked Power with 382.
5. The Power have established Adelaide Oval as a fortress this season, winning seven of their eight home games. But the Giants know how to win at the ground, having beaten Adelaide there in round 11.
6. Giants' mature-age recruit Zac Langdon had a memorable third quarter in the Giants' two-point win over Richmond last Saturday. The 22-year-old's 10.2 Schick AFL Player Rating points from nine disposals and a goal was the 10th-best individual quarter of round 17.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Paddy Ryder's hip flexor injury will see key forward Charlie Dixon spend plenty of time in the ruck. The 200cm, 105kg Dixon will relish the challenge of playing on the ball and getting involved around the ground, but he needs to give his midfielders quality service to prevent the Giants' star-studded on-ball brigade from getting on top.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 12 points
