TWO MONTHS ago these teams were the Cinderella stories of the AFL, but when they meet at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, their seasons are at the crossroads. Gold Coast has lost three of its four games since Gary Ablett's season-ending shoulder injury to plummet from the top eight, while Port have dropped six of eight to not only fall from top spot, but also bring its own finals credentials into question. They showed promising signs of revival against the Sydney Swans last weekend, and former Suns assistant Ken Hinkley will return to Metricon Stadium with designs on not only winning, but righting his team's sinking ship. Gold Coast is significantly better at home, but it's a last hurrah of sorts, with a loss spelling the end of its finals dreams. The desperation from both teams should make for an intriguing contest.

WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday August 16, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FOUR TIMES
R21, 2013, Port Adelaide 16.17 (113) d Gold Coast 14.12 (96) at AAMI Stadium
R4, 2013, Port Adelaide 16.8 (104) d Gold Coast 9.12 (66) at Metricon Stadium
R9, 2012, Port Adelaide 17.16 (118) d Gold Coast 10.10 (70) at Metricon Stadium
R5, 2011, Gold Coast 15.14 (104) d Port Adelaide 15.11 (101) at AAMI Stadium

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THE SIX POINTS
1. It took a big last quarter for Port Adelaide to defeat Gold Coast last time the teams met in 2013. Travis Boak picked up the three Brownlow votes with 35 disposals and three goals.

2. The Power is ranked second this season for marks inside 50, averaging 13.2 a game, far exceeding Gold Coast's 9.9 a game, good enough for 13^th in the AFL.

3. Gold Coast has struggled against Port Adelaide in two games at Metricon Stadium, losing by an average of 43 points.

4. Port Adelaide’s slide since round 12 has been stark. Not only has it gone from first to fifth on the ladder, but its scoring has dropped from 109 points a game to 83.

5. Gold Coast is ranked third for contested possessions in 2014, with 145.1 a game, while the Power is ranked seventh with an average of 142.3 a game.

6. While the Power struggle, captain Boak continues to thrive. Following last week's 31 disposals and two goals, Boak has jumped to an equal career-high 11^th on the Official AFL Player Ratings.

Prediction: Port Adelaide by 24 points