This story originally appeared on afl.com.au
SUMMARY
What was considered a foregone conclusion has suddenly turned into a danger game for Port Adelaide as it looks to resurrect its top-four aspirations. So impressive through the opening 10 rounds of the season, the Power suffered its first major setback with an embarrassing 70-point thumping at the hands of Essendon last week. That's left the Power (6-5) in fifth place on the ladder, but equal with five other teams on 24 competition points. The Power cannot afford another slip-up, especially against a rebuilding Brisbane Lions side. The last-placed Lions (2-9) turned in their best performance of the season to snap a nine-game losing streak, beating Fremantle by 57 points last week. Lions midfielders Dayne Zorko and Dayne Beams are in wonderful form, but the Power's physical pressure around the ground and slick ball movement will be hard to stop.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, June 17, 4.05pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2017, Port Adelaide 22.18 (150) d Brisbane Lions 10.7 (67) at the Gabba
R19, 2016, Port Adelaide 25.23 (173) d Brisbane Lions 11.13 (79) at the Gabba
R7, 2016, Port Adelaide 21.10 (136) d Brisbane Lions 7.17 (59) at Adelaide Oval
R7, 2015, Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) d Port Adelaide 8.17 (65) at the Gabba
R4, 2014, Port Adelaide 24.15 (159) d Brisbane Lions 7.4 (46) at Adelaide Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Port Adelaide had the game won at half-time in round six last year at the Gabba, kicking 11 goals to three in the first half. The Power’s small forwards were impressive, with Robbie Gray and Jarman Impey kicking eight goals between them.
2. Despite their lowest score of the season last week, the Power remain one of the highest scoring teams this season, averaging 103 points. In comparison, the Lions are ranked 17th, scoring only 82 points per game.
3. Port Adelaide has thrashed the Lions recently, winning five of the past six contests, with four by more than 70 points and the last three by an average margin of 85 points.
4. The Power are one of the top-ranked teams this season for inside 50s, averaging 61.4, while the Lions are 17th, with 47 per game. Port is fourth for marks inside 50, while the Lions are last.
5. Not in the Lions' favour is their record at Adelaide Oval, losing all four games by big margins of 113, 87, 77 and 138 points and managing an average score of only 47 points to their opponents' 130.
6.Brisbane Lions young guns Jake Barrett (14.4), Jarrod Berry (13.4) and Hugh McCluggage (10.9) are all coming off career-high scores in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Barrett, with 24 possessions, was important for the Lions in their 57-point victory over Fremantle last weekend.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Travis Boak
After such a disappointing loss to Essendon, it's up to the Power skipper to lead from the front and get a quick response from his troops. Boak needs to get heavily involved from the outset, stamp his influence on the game and not let the young and energetic Lions get a sniff of an upset.
PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 55 points
