For weeks, the Power had threatened victory and, on Sunday, they got a much needed morale booster with a win over West Coast at Subiaco Oval.
Now, Port Adelaide must consolidate its season with a win at home against St Kilda.
The Power’s outage in last quarters has been a concern, but the Saints have also won just two final terms this season and Saturday night’s game is shaping as a test of wills.
Port Adelaide’s recent form: beat West Coast by 24, lost to Brisbane Lions by 20, lost to Adelaide by nine, lost to Sydney by 68 and lost to Geelong by nine.
Recent results against St Kilda:
Round 5, 2007 Port Adelaide 14.12 (96) d St Kilda 6.7 (43), AAMI Stadium
Round 16, 2006 St Kilda 8.16 (64) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60), Aurora Stadium
Round 4, 2006 Port Adelaide 19.18 (122) d St Kilda 18.10 (118), AAMI Stadium
Round 11, 2005 Port Adelaide 16.8 (104) d St Kilda 11.15 (81), Aurora Stadium
Preliminary final 2004 Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) d St Kilda 13.10 (88), AAMI Stadium
Strengths:
Last week a switch was flicked and the Power, sensing a premature end to their season, sparked into action to claim victory numero uno for 2008.
The first three quarters were vintage Port Adelaide with run, carry and high scoring again features of the game. Adam Thomson and Tom Logan added grunt in the midfield and the talent-laden forward line fired with some healthier supply.
Potential weakness:
Last week the goal was to play four quarters of football and the Power nearly achieved that in the west, dictating the play for around three-and-a-half terms.
Port Adelaide fans, still in shock from the loss to Brisbane, sat nervously as West Coast kicked seven goals to claw within 24 points in the final quarter, but the Power were determined not to let their first win of the season slip.
Port Adelaide’s efforts away from home effort were a considerable improvement on the week before, but the Power will need to lift again to beat the seemingly finals-bound St Kilda.
They’re sweating on:
Equality for interstate teams in the AFL draw is a myth. Port Adelaide, who played the twilight game in Perth on Sunday, will face off against St Kilda, fresh from a clash at Telstra Dome last Friday night. Adelaide’s flight curfew left the Power with little choice but to stay in WA until Monday afternoon, giving them just five-and-a-bit days to prepare compared to St Kilda’s eight.
Dangermen:
Kane Cornes: Cornes was back to his bothersome best last week, keeping West Coast match-winner Daniel Kerr to just 13 touches while gathering 27 of his own.
The All-Australian picked up Nick Dal Santo when these two sides met in torrential rain last season and is likely to get the same job this week. Saints stalwart Robert Harvey also made a statement last week with 29 possessions and the Power midfield will need to run hard to counter Harvey, Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna and Luke Ball.
Daniel Motlop: The Port Adelaide forward line came to life against West Coast with Motlop, Ebert, Tredrea and Westhoff all getting on the scoreboard. Motlop was a livewire, particularly in the first half, and booted four goals alongside Ebert. The crafty goalsneak has the ability to inspire teammates with his nous and defensive pressure and will be a valuable player in the important weeks ahead.
Brendon Lade: The veteran workhorse notched up his 200th game in a valuable win last week and will be looking for a big game against the Steven King-less Saints.
Lade is yet to hit his dual All-Australian form this season, but in combining with Brogan it could be an edge in the ruck for the Power this week.
It’s not generally known…
Port Adelaide has won 10 of its past 11 games against St Kilda.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
