Head to head: Sydney Swans 12 wins, Port Adelaide six wins
Last time: Sydney Swans 18.15 (123) d Port Adelaide 10.8 (68), round nine, 2009 at SCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Port Adelaide
John Butcher (back) - indefinite
Robbie Gray (back/hamstring) - 1 week
Nathan Krakouer (groin) - 3-4 weeks
Andrew Moore (groin) - 4-5 weeks
Marlon Motlop (foot) - indefinite
Michael Pettigrew (knee) - 8-10 weeks
Daniel Stewart (ankle) - test
Warren Tredrea (ankle) - 10-11 weeks
Sydney Swans
Craig Bolton (Achilles) - 4 weeks
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Tadhg Kennelly (knee) - test/1 week
Jake Orreal (back) - season
Mark Seaby (ankle) - 7 weeks
FORM
Port Adelaide: WLLLL
Sydney Swans: LLLLW
SUMMARY
Both sides have recorded just one win from their past five starts and desperately need to halt their respective slides down the AFL ladder with four points on Saturday night.
The Swans went some way towards correcting their form slump last weekend with a thrilling nine-point win over Essendon, while the Power found themselves on the losing end of a close contest, going down to Hawthorn by 11 points.
The Swans went some way towards correcting their form slump last weekend with a thrilling nine-point win over Essendon, while the Power found themselves on the losing end of a close contest, going down to Hawthorn by 11 points.
Injuries to key forwards Warren Tredrea and Daniel Bradshaw have created headaches up forward for both coaches.
The Power are yet to win a game without their star veteran this season but it’s their intensity and delivery inside50, rather than a lack of scoring power, that has come under the microscope in the last month.
The Swans have been far more reliable this season, losing only to top-four fancies Geelong, St Kilda, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs, as well as a resurgent Hawthorn.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Injury-ravaged Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop has endured a tough season both on and off the field. The mercurial goalkicker was held goalless last week for the first time since round four of 2009, and the Power need more from him in the absence of Tredrea and Robbie Gray.
Swans tough nut Jude Bolton almost single-handedly dragged his side over the line against Essendon, finishing with 36 disposals, 12 tackles and five frees for. Bolton racked up 29 touches and a goal last time these two sides met and the forecast wet weather will favour his in-and-under style of play.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Port Adelaide match the Swans’ competitive spirit? The Swans rarely afford opposition teams and easy game and the Power will need a committed, four-quarter effort to end their four-game losing streak on Saturday night.
Can the Swans maintain their impressive record against the Power? Port Adelaide has managed just six wins against the Sydneysiders in the club’s 14-year history, including losses in the past five games played between the two teams.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Power cast aside their reputation as downhill skiers, displaying a more defensive and fiercely competitive game plan in the opening rounds of the season, but have slipped back into old habits over the past month.
The Swans have blooded some fresh faces in 2010, but their tough and uncompromising style hasn’t changed and it could get ugly for the Power if they don’t bring their A-game this weekend.
PREDICTION
Swans by 12 points
Chat with host James O’Connell and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 6.40pm Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflpowerswans
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
