Port Adelaide
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Ranked: 7th
Carlton
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Ranked: 8th
Last time
Port Adelaide missed out on stealing a win after Angus Monfries failed to convert three late chances, but the game had already passed it with Carlton dominating proceedings and only its own inaccuracy keeping the Power in the game.
Round 8, 2013: Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) def by Carlton 16.13 (109) at Etihad Stadium
Form Guide
Past 5: Power 1 v Blues 4
Past 25: Power 13 v Blues 10 (Drawn 1)
The fine print
AFL Round 23
Port Adelaide v Carlton
Saturday 31 August
AAMI Stadium
Turner Drive, West Lakes SA
First bounce: 4:10pm (ACST)
Live Social: #pafclive #aflpowerblues
Match information
Buy tickets
Entertainment
This is going to be a real treat for supporters.
From 2:15pm a number of paying supporters will have the rare privilege of lining up alongside heroes of the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Legends Game curtain-raiser.
At 3:40pm the club will then feature the top three greatest moments at the ground on the superscreen, as voted by supporters on portadelaidefc.com.au.
Then at 3:45pm a host of club greats will salute Football Park one last time as part of a Legends Motorcade and Premiership Parade.
It will also be the last chance for supporters to farewell the retiring Brett Ebert as part of the motorcade.
After the game supporters will be able to have a kick-and-catch after the second siren, while 22 players will present 22 members with a guernsey on the field as part of Member Recognition Round.
Then its back to The Port Club at Queen Street, Alberton for the post-game festivities. It's going to be a great night with the player presentation and club coaches and officials in attendance. Access to the upstairs Oval Rooms will be given only on presentation of a 2013 membership card (subject to capacity), but the downstairs section of the facility will be open to all members and supporters with stages and player presentations as well. Make sure you're there to get the house rocking after the match!
More game-day information
The three
1. Travis Boak
The first-year captain has shown exactly why he deserves consideration as a Brownlow smokey and a decent look at a second John Cahill Medal. Noone could fault the 26-year-old this year. His skill and class when his team is firing has been the envy of the football world, while his ferocity and passion under pressure has been crucial in the Power’s tight games. Boak grew up supporting Carlton, but don’t expect him to hold back this weekend – he is Port Adelaide now.
2. Chad Wingard
If Boak is the Power’s hard edge, Wingard is its X-Factor. He averages 21 disposals and two goals a game and is still a chance to be the club’s leading goal kicker after Saturday’s match (he trails Jay Schulz by one). He has loved playing big games this season and will steel himself for a good showing before the club’s finals campaign. Expect his best.
3. Matthew Lobbe
While Boak and Wingard have taken the limelight throughout the year, Matt Lobbe has flown under the radar as one of the Power’s big - if not biggest - improvers. Having equalled the third-most hit outs in VFL/AFL history just three weeks ago, Lobbe has also become a regular goal kicker and one of the Power’s foremost tacklers. He’ll come up against Matthew Kreuzer on Saturday afternoon in what will be another great challenge for him in the lead up to the elimination final.
Final Word
This is it.
Season 2013 has been one of hard work and reward for Port Adelaide.
Ken Hinkley’s mantra throughout the home-and-away season has been that his young side will get what it deserves.
Having earned finals qualification in its own right, it deserves the opportunity to match it with the country’s best in September.
But the job isn’t finished and the Power hosts a hungry Carlton at AAMI Stadium in what promises to be a cracking match.
In one of football’s ironies, it was Carlton’s loss to Essendon that hand delivered the Power its finals berth.
And in another great twist of fate, Carlton has a second chance to play in the finals following Essendon’s removal from the top eight during the week.
Everything is on the line for both of these teams. While a win for the Blues would guarantee them eight place, the resulting loss for Port Adelaide would deprive them of crucial momentum heading into a knockout final at either the MCG or Etihad Stadium.
With a close to full complement of players to choose from at the selection table – both injury returns and players in quality form in the SANFL – the Power should come into the match close to full strength.
The Power needs to get on top of the Blues early though. It failed to do that in Round 8 and found itself getting hammered for inside 50s and scoring opportunities at Etihad Stadium.
A desperate Carlton, a determined Port Adelaide and 40 years of dominance at Football Park to celebrate will combine with sunny and warm conditions on Saturday afternoon – it’s a game no supporter will want to miss.
Current odds
Port Adelaide 1.80 – 2.00 Carlton
At 3:40pm the club will then feature the top three greatest moments at the ground on the superscreen, as voted by supporters on portadelaidefc.com.au.
Then at 3:45pm a host of club greats will salute Football Park one last time as part of a Legends Motorcade and Premiership Parade.
It will also be the last chance for supporters to farewell the retiring Brett Ebert as part of the motorcade.
After the game supporters will be able to have a kick-and-catch after the second siren, while 22 players will present 22 members with a guernsey on the field as part of Member Recognition Round.
Then its back to The Port Club at Queen Street, Alberton for the post-game festivities. It's going to be a great night with the player presentation and club coaches and officials in attendance. Access to the upstairs Oval Rooms will be given only on presentation of a 2013 membership card (subject to capacity), but the downstairs section of the facility will be open to all members and supporters with stages and player presentations as well. Make sure you're there to get the house rocking after the match!
More game-day information
The three
1. Travis Boak
The first-year captain has shown exactly why he deserves consideration as a Brownlow smokey and a decent look at a second John Cahill Medal. Noone could fault the 26-year-old this year. His skill and class when his team is firing has been the envy of the football world, while his ferocity and passion under pressure has been crucial in the Power’s tight games. Boak grew up supporting Carlton, but don’t expect him to hold back this weekend – he is Port Adelaide now.
2. Chad Wingard
If Boak is the Power’s hard edge, Wingard is its X-Factor. He averages 21 disposals and two goals a game and is still a chance to be the club’s leading goal kicker after Saturday’s match (he trails Jay Schulz by one). He has loved playing big games this season and will steel himself for a good showing before the club’s finals campaign. Expect his best.
3. Matthew Lobbe
While Boak and Wingard have taken the limelight throughout the year, Matt Lobbe has flown under the radar as one of the Power’s big - if not biggest - improvers. Having equalled the third-most hit outs in VFL/AFL history just three weeks ago, Lobbe has also become a regular goal kicker and one of the Power’s foremost tacklers. He’ll come up against Matthew Kreuzer on Saturday afternoon in what will be another great challenge for him in the lead up to the elimination final.
Final Word
This is it.
Season 2013 has been one of hard work and reward for Port Adelaide.
Ken Hinkley’s mantra throughout the home-and-away season has been that his young side will get what it deserves.
Having earned finals qualification in its own right, it deserves the opportunity to match it with the country’s best in September.
But the job isn’t finished and the Power hosts a hungry Carlton at AAMI Stadium in what promises to be a cracking match.
In one of football’s ironies, it was Carlton’s loss to Essendon that hand delivered the Power its finals berth.
And in another great twist of fate, Carlton has a second chance to play in the finals following Essendon’s removal from the top eight during the week.
Everything is on the line for both of these teams. While a win for the Blues would guarantee them eight place, the resulting loss for Port Adelaide would deprive them of crucial momentum heading into a knockout final at either the MCG or Etihad Stadium.
With a close to full complement of players to choose from at the selection table – both injury returns and players in quality form in the SANFL – the Power should come into the match close to full strength.
The Power needs to get on top of the Blues early though. It failed to do that in Round 8 and found itself getting hammered for inside 50s and scoring opportunities at Etihad Stadium.
A desperate Carlton, a determined Port Adelaide and 40 years of dominance at Football Park to celebrate will combine with sunny and warm conditions on Saturday afternoon – it’s a game no supporter will want to miss.
Current odds
Port Adelaide 1.80 – 2.00 Carlton
