THEY’VE got the Power to win and that’s exactly what Port Adelaide will do against Melbourne on Sunday. Port Adelaide has never beaten Melbourne at the MCG but this exciting Power outfit isn’t one to conform to tradition. The boys insist they are taking it one game at a time, but a near-perfect five and one record after Sunday’s game will have the scent of September wafting through the air at Alberton.
Michael Wilson and Steve Salopek are big outs but speedster Danyle Pearce is a worthy replacement. Looking to prove his worth is tough midfielder Matt Thomas, who looks set to play his first game after complications from an appendectomy robbed him of much of the pre-season and a hefty 16 kilos.
Port Adelaide’s recent form:
Beat St Kilda by 53, beat Collingwood by 18, lost to Adelaide by 24, beat Kangaroos by 18 and beat Fremantle by 16.
Recent form against Melbourne:
Round 13, 2006, Melbourne 18.12 (120) d Port Adelaide 12.10 (82), AAMI
Round 15, 2005, Port Adelaide 20.17 (137) d Melbourne 11.9 (75), AAMI
Round 19, 2004, Port Adelaide 18.17 (125) d Melbourne 6.16 (52), AAMI
Round 4, 2004, Melbourne 18.16 (124) d Port Adelaide 10.11 (71), MCG
Round 20, 2003, Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) d Melbourne 15.8 (98), AAMI
Strengths:
The Power will welcome Danyle Pearce back to the middle where he will join the brothers Burgoyne and the brothers Cornes in the best Port Adelaide midfield Kane Cornes has seen. David Rodan was impressive last week, as was Nathan Lonie in his role as the link-up player. Mark Williams will assign Kane Cornes or Jacob Surjan the task of minding dangerous Demon Cameron Bruce, but otherwise the Power will back themselves in against the Melbourne midfield of James McDonald, Travis Johnstone, Brent Moloney and Aaron Davey.
Potential weaknesses:
Underestimating the Demons. According to midfielder Kane Cornes, the boys are aware of the club’s poor record against Melbourne at the MCG. Hopefully, that statistic is enough to keep the young squad grounded following a dream start to the season. On paper, there is no way Port Adelaide can lose, but it wasn’t too long ago the Power were the underdogs upsetting sides that took them lightly.
The Demons are zero and five for the season but even with all their injuries, still have some potential match-winners in Cameron Bruce, Aaron Davey and the returning David Neitz.
They’re sweating on:
Warren Tredrea had a welcome-return to form last week, booting three goals and overshadowing the Power’s leading goalkicker Brett Ebert. In conditions that didn’t allow for any structure, the Power ran over St Kilda, booting 14 goals. Assuming the rain clouds don’t board the plane with Port Adelaide, Sunday’s game will be a good test for the Power forward line. Damon White, Brett Ebert and Josh Mahoney did the job in Tredrea’s absence but it remains to be seen if the attacking 50m is big enough for all of them in his presence. Daniel Motlop and Justin Westhoff have also been named in the squad but in a forward line already brimming with talent it’s hard to see how Mark Williams will find room to play either.
Danger men:
Josh Mahoney: Mahoney enjoys playing against the Demons and why wouldn’t he? The unassuming small forward has booted seven goals in the Power’s last two clashes with Melbourne. Mahoney didn’t trouble the scorers last week but was at his pesky best against Collingwood in round four, snaring two goals to go with his 22 possessions. With a number of young Power players jostling for a position, the 29-year old will be keen to continue his torment of the Demons and keep his name at the fore.
Warren Tredrea: Last week, for the first time since returning from a knee injury the Power captain was at his imposing best in the Port Adelaide forward line. It was Tredrea who kept Port Adelaide’s hopes alive against St Kilda with two first-half goals. ‘Tredders’ finished with five shots on goal for a return of 3.2. But it was the four-time All-Australian’s presence and seven marks that impressed Power fans the most. Tredrea is still a few games away from regaining full match fitness but the signs are ominous for Demons supporters.
Darryl Wakelin: Coach Mark Williams has made it clear that the veteran defender will only be named if there is a match up for him. Wakelin is perhaps the only person at Alberton happy to hear that Melbourne full-forward David Neitz has been named to make his return from injury this week. In his 250th game, Wakelin celebrated by keeping Saints spearhead Fraser Gehrig goalless. Now, after becoming a father for the second time, Wakelin will be looking for another solid performance.
It’s not generally known…
Consistent midfielder Kane Cornes has played 85 consecutive AFL games for the Power.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
