The Magpies suffered a disappointing loss in the first of the SANFL finals, but having earned the double chance, will be looking to make the most of it in the do-or-die first semi final against Central District.
SUMMARY
Central District has been steamrolling towards the SANFL finals - beating South Adelaide to take the coveted fifth spot in September - and knocked defending premier Norwood out of the race last weekend. They meet a wounded Port Adelaide side coming off a stunning loss to West Adelaide in the qualifying final. This is a knockout semi final, so both teams will be fighting it out in a gritty battle for the first time since 2000.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday 13 September, 12.10pm
ACST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: 7MATE (Channel 73) and LIFE FM 107.9FM
THIS YEAR
Round 14, Alberton Oval: Port Adelaide 12.7 (79) def Central District 9.8 (62)
It was icy conditions at Adelaide Oval as the sides went goal for goal before Port Adelaide got a three goal buffer heading into the half time break. Central came out firing in the third quarter and mounted a challenge to the Magpies, pulling the margin back to within two goals at the final term. One goal was scored in the final quarter as Port Adelaide held on for a 17-point win.
Round 8, Playford Alive Oval: Port Adelaide 13.7 (85) def Central District 11.11 (77)
What a game! Port and the Bulldogs wrestled all day long, with Central looking very strong at home against an inexperienced Magpies outfit. It took a thrilling kick from Port skipper Steve Summerton in the dying moments to seal the victory for the visitors by just eight points.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
R16, 2014, Central District 16.8 (104) d Port Adelaide 15.11 (101) at Elizabeth
R19, 2014, Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) d Central District 12.6 (78) at Alberton
R16, 2013, Central District 21.12 (138) d Port Adelaide 13.14 (92) at Alberton
R10, 2013, Port Adelaide 8.5 (53) d Central District 8.3 (51) at Elizabeth
R5, 2013, Central District 18.7 (115) d Port Adelaide 11.6 (72) at Alberton
THE FOUR POINTS
1. Port Adelaide and Central District played their first final in a preliminary decider back in 1971. 14 finals have been played between the two clubs with 11 going in Port's favour, including the only two grand finals between the two clubs.
2. Port and Central have slender injury lists. Only Luke Wilson - a Magpies contracted player - and Mason Shaw have been ruled out this weekend, with Billy Frampton to face a fitness test on Wednesday. For the Doggies, Retzlaff and Jansen will have tests before selection.
3. The Magpies ranked as the third most attacking side in 2015 with an average of 83 points per game, while the Bulldogs were the seventh with an average of 73. Port was also better defensively, conceding 65 points per game while Central fared marginally worse with an average of 69 points conceded.
4. Port Adelaide's loss to West was its first against the Bloods for the season and ended a winning run of five straight games. The Bulldogs are in hot form having won four straight and seven of their last nine. Certainly this is the battle between two of the competition's two three 'form' sides.
Steven Summerton celebrates his match winner against Central District in Round 8 [pic: Chris Kelly Photographics]
GAME INFO
SANFL First Semi Final
Port Adelaide v Central District
Adelaide Oval
Sunday 13 September
First Bounce: 12:10pm
Hashtags: #PortDogs #SANFL
Tickets available at gate
Adult $17.50
Concession $12
Children (6-17) $6
Children under 6yo, Adelaide Oval SMA and Essential Power members free
