SATURDAY'S clash with Richmond has been declared a 'must-win' for the Power if they are to keep their finals hopes alive.
Mathematically Port Adelaide would still be in with a chance even with a loss to Richmond, but with games against the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide and Collingwood beckoning it's a case of win at home this week or kiss the season goodbye.
Port Adelaide's recent form: lost to Geelong by 59, lost to Carlton by 12, beat Fremantle by 28, lost to Sydney Swans by 11 and lost to Hawthorn by 15.
Recent results against Richmond:
2007, round 16, Port Adelaide 24.11 (155) d Richmond 15.10 (100), MCG
2007, round seven, Port Adelaide 16.19 (115) d Richmond 10.15 (75), AAMI
2006, round 14, Richmond 14.8 (92) d Port Adelaide 6.18 (54), AAMI
2005, round 17, Port Adelaide 14.12 (96) d Richmond 12.11 (83), AAMI
2005, round six, Richmond 19.19 (123) d Port Adelaide 9.13 (67), TD
Strengths:
The Power showed some spirit in the loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium last week and will need to channel that energy again on Saturday to topple the Tigers, who rank highly in the contested ball category.
Port Adelaide has been competitive in the majority of its games this season, as has Richmond, and put simply, the team that maintains its intensity for longer will claim victory.
Brett Ebert should finally return from an ankle injury to help bolster the potency of the forward line and with their season on the line, expect a committed performance from the Power.
Potential weakness:
The Port Adelaide faithful has endured five long, painful walks down West Lakes Boulevard this season with the Power having lost all but one game at AAMI Stadium this season.
Twice Port Adelaide has inflicted maximum embarrassment on its fans squandering what should've been match winning three-quarter time leads to lose to Carlton and the Brisbane Lions and, well … enough is enough.
Port Adelaide dropped just four games at home for the entire 2007 season and it's time the Power reclaimed their home turf as a fortress and rewarded their loyal fans with a desperate, four-quarter effort on Saturday afternoon.
They're sweating on:
Tiger Matthew Richardson, or 'Richo, Richo Man' as he is known on airwaves across the border, dashed Melbourne's hopes of a second win this season with 21 possessions, 18 marks and five goals in a dominant display on the wing last week.
Young defender Troy Chaplin wants the job on Richardson and it's likely to be either him or the super quick Michael Pettigrew who gets it. The in-form veteran has wreaked havoc both up forward and as a loose man in defence and Williams will need to devise a strategy to limit the number of damaging possessions Richardson gets across the forward 50m.
Dangermen:
Peter Burgoyne: Burgoyne has averaged 24 possessions this season, but has been less damaging than in his successful comeback year of 2007. Williams put the acid on his senior players after Sunday's loss to Geelong and Burgoyne, along with brother Shaun, Chad Cornes and Brendon Lade, will be looking to respond to the criticism with a strong display on Saturday.
David Rodan: was one of the highlights for Port Adelaide in the second half last week finishing with 19 touches and two brilliant goals. Rodan provides a spark with his capacity to break the lines and attack the goal face and his teammates will again look to him for inspiration against his former team this week.
Brendon Lade: the big man was best on ground when the two sides met in round seven last year with three goals, 15 touches and 12 hit-outs. Lade has been down on form this season when compared to his lofty standards, and as a vice-captain of this club will be desperate to do better. Much has been made of Dean Brogan's passion and inspirational qualities, but Lade also has the ability to ignite the Power with his clever tap downs to the club's speedy onballers.
It's not generally known …
Gutsy midfielder Steve Salopek is ranked fourth in the league for kicks (189).
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
