MATCH DETAILS
Port Adelaide v St Kilda at AAMI Stadium, Saturday 26th April, 7.10pm
FORECAST
Showers. Max: 18°C
BETTING
Port Adelaide - $1.58
St Kilda - $2.30
LAST TIME THEY MET
Port Adelaide 14.12. (96) def St Kilda 6.7 (43), Round 5 2007 at AAMI Stadium.
FORM GUIDE
The Saints have bounced back after losses to two of the best teams in the competition.
Nick Dal Santo and Robert Harvey were instrumental in the win over Essendon last week, while Max Hudghton simply dominated Matthew Lloyd at full-back.
The Saints may struggle in the ruck, with Steven King joining Michael Gardiner on the sidelines. The duo of Michael Rix and Justin Koschitzke is no match for Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan, so the Saints midfielders will have to work hard to earn their centre clearances.
The Saints have also been hit by an injury to running defender Sam Gilbert who will miss six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury. Gilbert has not yet reached the heights of last year, but his absence will put more pressure on Sam Fisher and the out of sorts Jason Gram to provide the run from the back half.
David Armitage impressed many with his efforts in the middle last week and showed that he has the right combination of skill and determination to be a big part of St Kilda’s future.
The return of Steven Baker from suspension is crucial to the Saints and with Sean Dempster and Leigh Fisher, St Kilda now have the ability to put the brakes on the most skilled of midfields.
The Power go in unchanged after opening their account against West Coast last week.
The Cornes brothers once again were the form players, while small forward Brett Ebert booted four. Ebert has a history of troubling the Saints and will be a high priority in Ross Lyon’s plans.
RANDOM FACTS
- The Saints have not beaten Port Adelaide at AAMI stadium since round 22, 1997. It was the same day Princess Diana died and also the same day the Saints secured the minor premiership.
- Robert Harvey’s 29 disposals last week was the eighth highest in the league. Not bad for a man who turns 37 this season.
- Max Hudghton managed to hold Matthew Lloyd goalless. It was only the sixth time Lloyd hasn’t goaled in his past 186 games.
KEY MATCH UPS
Michael Rix v Dean Brogan
The Saints are somewhat undermanned in the ruck but can be guaranteed that Rix will be competitive and contest every tap. The Saints midfielders have had their lives made easier by Steven King and Michael Gardiner this year but will have to work for the ball in this game.
Lade and Brogan could set the tone of the game and if Port Adelaide gets the jump on the Saints it will be hard to see them coming back.
Sam Fisher v Warren Tredrea
It is hard to see Tredrea having just the one opponent for the day, so expect Matt Maguire and Max Hudghton to get their turns as well. The Saints can exploit him though, with Fisher’s love of dashing out of the backline. Tredrea can chase but is much more use to the Power when he is in the forward 50. Tredrea is not at the peak of his powers but if he gets going, watch out.
Steven Baker v Brett Ebert
With Leigh Fisher and Sean Dempster capable of run-with roles in the middle, Baker may be used deep in defence as he works to build up match fitness after a long lay off.
Brett Ebert is one of the AFL’s most dangerous small forwards and can devastate visiting sides at AAMI Stadium.
Baker loves it rough and Ebert can contest with the best of them so this should be a big match-up. The Saints will have some concerns about Baker’s ability to match it with Ebert in the air, but will have no worries with his commitment to the task.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon
“They’re last year’s grand finalists and it’s very difficult to win at Subiaco at any time and to go over there and win is very good, so to get on the board, they’ll be feeling good.
“Mark Williams knows his group and knows the competition. And you don’t have to do much wrong to end up 0-4 in this competition and you only have to wait a couple of quarters and blink and the ledger, win-loss, doesn’t look good.”
Port Adelaide player Toby Thurstans
“Michael Pettigrew’s got the speed and athleticism to go with Nick Riewoldt, He's probably the kind of player you don't just play one player on throughout the game, you probably throw one or two different people at him to break up his rhythm. It could be any one of four or five players who get him.”
