"OFFENCE sells tickets. Defence wins championships."

American football coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant changed the college football and NFL professional game - and inspired two NFL teams, Chicago and Pittsburgh, to build dynasties during the 1980s and 1990s - by emphasising defence.

Port Adelaide has stayed in the AFL race to September, after a 0-5 start in March and April, by refloating its game off a sound foundation of team defence.

While scoring has been a challenge, Port Adelaide's survival in the tightrope race to September's top-eight finals with a 7-2 rebound in the past nine matches has thrived on strong defensive themes - and manic pressure from half-forwards Sam Powell-Pepper and round 15 Rising Star nominee Lachie Jones in setting the example to keep the play in Port Adelaide's forward half.

Port Adelaide has conceded an average score of 72 points this season, despite constant changes in key defensive roles forced by injury to All-Australian Aliir Aliir, Trent McKenzie and Tom Clurey. The 72-point average is ranked third behind AFL premier Melbourne ... and Fremantle.

Fremantle's defence has conceded a 65-point average this season - the lowest in the club's AFL history (excluding the 2020 season with shortened matches during the start of the COVID pandemic). This is a significant change for a team that was already considered tight in defence when working to the orders of former senior coach Ross Lyon.

"Defence wins championships" seems a theme well embraced by new Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir from his tenure as an assistant coach to Nathan Buckley at the defensive-minded Collingwood.

Champion Data statistics highlight Fremantle is stronger in breaking down opposition rebounds from the defensive-50 - and the work of small forwards Sam Switkowski, Lachie Schultz, Michael Walters, Travis Colyer and Michael Frederick in locking the play in Fremantle's forward half very much reflects what Port Adelaide has mastered in recent seasons in the battle to control territory on the football field.

This Sunday evening game at Perth Stadium could be about which team delivers best to the same philosophies on defence being an all-ground theme. Only once in a combined count of 28 games this season - with Port Adelaide leaking 120 points to Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval in round two - has an opponent broken the watershed 100-point barrier against Port Adelaide or Fremantle.

"It’s 18 players on the field buying in," says Longmuir of the team defence themes embraced by his side and Port Adelaide.

Fremantle assistant coach Josh Carr, the Port Adelaide 2004 premiership midfielder and Showdown hero, says Longmuir's game style "caters for whatever the opposition throws at us".

"We have a balanced style of play," Carr said. "It is built on the back of defence more than anything. But our offence is pretty solid.

"All of it is built on being good at the contest. We do need to win the ball inside to give our players a good look."

Some of the AFL's soundest pundits are intrigued as to how Port Adelaide will deal with Fremantle's penchant to block space with extra players immediately behind the ball.

Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery expects a new-look attack to avoid the trap of being lulled into "Hail Mary" plays to the goalsquare - and being left without a prayer should Fremantle succeed in setting up its game from turnovers inside Port Adelaide's attacking 50.

"We have made some inroads in (overcoming) that part of the game," Montgomery said. "If we were going to be kept getting beaten the same way - from opposition rebound after kicking long to the goalsquare and relying heavily on key forward Charlie Dixon - we needed to change.

"That is by method and personnel.

"Charlie is back. Todd Marshall is a much, much-improved player. And our method going in has more composure. We are in a better place."  

OPPO WATCH

Fremantle is ranked fourth (rising from last year's 11th placing after finishing 12th in Justin Longmuir's first season as senior coach in 2020).

Fremantle has won 10, lost four so far this season. During the past month, Fremantle has beaten AFL premier Melbourne by 38 points, top-four contender Brisbane (14 points), also ran Hawthorn (13 points) and lost - at its last start - to top-eight rival Carlton (31 points).

The 10 wins include a notable three-point win against Geelong at Kardinia Park in round seven.

"Fremantle has put together an incredibly balanced side. They are a lot more of a challenge than just defence. They are incredibly connected. The synergy is good - and they control the tempo of the game based on the added defensive pressure they put on you. They control the tempo of the ball equally as well."

Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery.

HANDS UP

JARROD WITTS one week - and one of his rivals for the All-Australian ruck mantle the next. At 203cm and 100 kilograms, Fremantle lead ruckman Sean Darcy is six centimetres shorter than Witts and 11 kilograms lighter.

But Darcy is still taller than Port Adelaide's new lead ruckman, Jeremy Finlayson (197cm, 94kg).

Finlayson has had an extraordinary month leading the Port Adelaide rucks against Richmond pair Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo and Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Wiits. His strength has been his competitive spirit in the air - and his determination to win the follow-up contests after each ruck battle.

"Jeremy has comprehensively outplayed the opposition ruckman once the ball hits the floor," said Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery. "Last weekend, Jarrod Witts was far too damaging with his silver service tapwork to the Gold Coast midfielders. But there is no doubt that once the ball hits the ground, Jeremy has been the best of the talls on the oval.

"So what do you put a price on? What do you value? At the moment, we are getting a great return from valuing what Jeremy offers away from the ruck contest."

Darcy has chalked up 340 hit-out in 11 matches this season (while averaging 14 disposals). He ranks at No. 4 across the AFL with a 30.91 season average for hit-outs (behind Witts as the league leader at 38).

Jeremy Finlayson is at No. 42 with a 4.67 hit-out average. But it is his follow-up work that has drawn such admiration - and given the Port Adelaide midfield the chance to win clearance statistics while losing on the hit-out counter.

"I have memories of our first meeting with Jeremy when he first arrived from Greater Western Sydney. What struck me was his remarks on how much he loves ruck work ... something I don't think I ever heard any player say, even ruckmen. We knew we had a different character on our hands. And Jeremy has embraced the task of being our lead ruckman (in the absence of Scott Lycett)."

Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery

HANDS OUT

WITH no guarantee of hit-outs to advantage, the Port Adelaide midfield led by Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines and former captain Travis Boak cannot take anything for granted.

There might be question marks at Fremantle on the readiness of Caleb Serong after limited training runs this week and the work of seasoned midfielders David Mundy (from wear and tear this year) and Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

But there is no question on how the Port Adelaide midfield has needed to approach every contest while working to "makeshift" ruck combinations since the exit by injury of lead ruckman Scott Lycett (shoulder) and the return of novice ruckman Sam Hayes to the SANFL.

 "There is no doubt about the mindset of our midfield," said Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery. "There is no doubt they are on edge for longer. The complacency - or comfort level - is out of the picture. And we have noticed that.

"But there are other reasons why the midfield is sharper," added Mongomery, who since the 0-5 start has gained Connor Rozee from the attack to the midfield rotations. "It is about the type of player and type of game we are trying to play in the midfield.

"What we have been able to do in the ruck (with key forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Charlie Dixon) is quite astounding. They have been so good."

ROAD TRIPS

TOUGHEST road trips in the AFL game?

Geelong at its exclusive Kardinia Park where the home side has won 102 of the past 117 games since the start of the 2007 AFL season.

Richmond at the shared MCG where the 2017-19-20 premier has won 53 games and drawn two of its past 70 from the start of the 2017 campaign.

Brisbane at the Gabba where the Queensland club is 36-6 since emerging as a top-four side in 2019.

And Fremantle at Perth Stadium? Since 2020, Fremantle is 16-10 at the billion-dollar Perth venue and has won six of its past eight games at home.

Port Adelaide is returning to Perth Stadium for the first time since April 3, 2021. This will be Port Adelaide's sixth game at the AFL's newest arena - and third against Fremantle. The previous two have ended in nine and 21 point wins for Fremantle in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

BURGOYNE MARK III

JASE Burgoyne becomes the third member of his extended family to make his AFL debut with Port Adelaide.

This follows his father Peter, who started in Port Adelaide's first AFL game - against Collingwood at the MCG in 1997.

He follows his uncle Shaun, who played his first AFL match against St Kilda in round 3, 2002 at the Docklands in Melbourne.

Jase Burgoyne will be in the line-up with another father-son recruit, Jackson Mead, the son of 1997 AFL club champion Darren.

"My nephew Jase is going to play his first (AFL) game this week. He has done extremely well. Watching you grow up, chase your dream to play AFL football, to play AFL at the club where your dad played has been a dream. You have made the family extremely proud. You are a skinny kid, but you handle yourself really well ... and you know how to find your way in and out of footy. You are continuing the legacy, but you are creating your own pathway as well. You play footy as you want to play it."

Shaun Burgoyne at Alberton on Friday

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

BIRD SEED

(the little stuff that counts most)

Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Perth Stadium

When: Sunday, July 3, 2022

Time: 4.50pm ACST / 3:20pm AWST

Last time: Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) d Fremantle 9.15 (69) at Adelaide Oval, round 11, May 30, 2021

Overall: Port Adelaide 22, Fremantle 17

Past five games: From the most recent, W W W L L

Scoring average: Port Adelaide 94, Fremantle 86

Tightest margin: Port Adelaide by seven points at the WACA Ground in round 17, 1999; Fremantle by seven points at Subiaco Oval in round 1, 2015

Biggest margin: Port Adelaide by 92 points (163-71) at Subiaco Oval, Perth in round 14, 2001; Fremantle by 79 points (151-72) at Subiaco Oval, Perth in round 22, 2006

By venues - Adelaide Oval (Port Adelaide 6-0), Football Park (7-5), Subiaco Oval (7-9), WACA Ground (1-1), Perth Stadium (0-2) and Metricon Stadium (1-0).

At Perth Stadium: Port Adelaide 1-4; Fremantle 30-21.

IF you could have chosen two Port Adelaide players to kick goals to win an AFL match, they would be Robbie Gray and Todd Marshall.

Gray with the AFL record of winning more games than any other player with late shots on goal. Marshall with the phenomenal 82 per cent conversion rate in goalscoring before this match at Perth Stadium.

In the last 157 seconds, Gray and Marshall missed the last two shots on goal - set shots - that would have given Port Adelaide the most remarkable win against Fremantle.

Instead, there is a gut-wrenching eight-point loss. Now it gets even tougher to keep the dream alive - and to have Port Adelaide mentioned with credibility as an AFL finals contender. It is more likely to carry the unsatisfying tag of being the team that shapes the race to the top-eight finals in September.

With the narrow loss, Port Adelaide slipped back into negative territory with its win-loss count turning to 7-8. And it remains 12th.

Port Adelaide lost control of the game - and struggled to roll the match agenda back to its way - from the start of the second term when Fremantle went on a four-goal surge while monopolising the Sherrin. Across 10 minutes it was: four goals, one behind and 27 disposals for Fremantle while the Champion Data statistics recorded just two tackles by Port Adelaide players.

Those 10 minutes ultimately made the difference.

There was the last-quarter surge built on key forward Charlie Dixon's early command of the ruck battles, giving the Port Adelaide midfielders - in particular Connor Rozee and Travis Boak - the chance to relive the 2015 AFL semi-finals when Port Adelaide overcame a four-goal deficit at half-time to stun Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

Port Adelaide opened the last term with a four-goal rush that included two from Dixon and the first in AFL company from Jackson Mead to have the margin at nine points with time in favour of a win against the odds. It stayed at nine with 2:37 to play when Gray missed everything from a set shot from 30 metres.

It finished at eight when Marshall missed from a set shot from 35 metres with 1:28 to play.

This game had three critical themes after being all-square (26 each) at quarter-time.

1. Fremantle was completely dominant in the first 10 minutes of the second term, creating a defining 25-point margin.

2. Port Adelaide was desperate in the last term after staring at a 34-point deficit - and proving it will "never, ever give up". The five-goal charge might have finished at seven goals - and an extraordinary win.

3. Fremantle had the game on its terms during the third term when the territory battle was firmly in the home team's hands. Port Adelaide was forced to take more and more risks - and for 30 minutes repeatedly paid the price with turnovers for being rushed and squeezed at the contest.

Early in the third term there was a moment that summed up how Port Adelaide was suffocated by Fremantle's pressure game as soon as it crossed the line marking its forward 50-metre arc. Gray had a handpass from the boundary line smothered. And every Port Adelaide player who worked the spill - Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper - was harassed into a hasty and often incomplete disposal. Space and time was a luxury beyond Port Adelaide's budget.

And now the crunching of the numbers on the AFL premiership ladder tell of how Port Adelaide is living with no chance of finding an overdraft. At 7-8, Port Adelaide is now two wins behind seventh and eighth-ranked Richmond and Sydney. But this effectively becomes three wins considering Port Adelaide is 17 percentage points behind these two rivals.

With seven games to play, Port Adelaide effectively needs to win at least six (with the fixture carrying big tests against Greater Western Sydney, AFL premier and competition leader Melbourne, Geelong, Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and Adelaide).

It is very, very tight now.

Port Adelaide ultimately did find a way to pierce Fremantle's well-known defensive systems. There were 12 goalscorers. There were goals from midfielders such as Karl Amon, Kane Farrell, Rozee and Boak, and even a defender in Ryan Burton.

Port Adelaide's attack found three goals from its permanent key forwards Mitch Georgiades (two) and Todd Marshall (one) while fellow tall forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Charlie Dixon dealt with the demanding challenge of muting Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy.

Georgiades surely leaves his home city of Perth with a nomination for AFL mark of the year for his soaring leap over Fremantle swingman Brennan Cox just before the siren at three quarter-time. His set shot missed, leaving Port Adelaide 34 points behind.

Dixon was outstanding with his defiance in ruck - and his two goals that started Port Adelaide's last-quarter fightback. Neither was from a mark-and-kick scenario, as expected from a power forward such as Dixon. The first when pinned on the boundary line, repeating the opportunism that marked his 300th career goal last weekend at Adelaide Oval against Sydney. The second was when following up his centre-ruck work to be fed a handpass from Boak before kicking accurately from outside the 50-metre arc.

Ultimately, Fremantle will note how it won the hit-outs 51-22 with 38 from Darcy (while Dixon had 15 and Finlayson just five). And Fremantle also won the clearances, 19-10 at centre and 28-20 away from centre ruck.

But it was Port Adelaide that won the pressure game, forcing Fremantle into the game-high 73 turnovers compared with Port Adelaide's 67.

It is the start of the second term that defines opportunity missed for Port Adelaide.

That game-breaking second quarter began with an avalanche from the so-called purple haze of Fremantle led by Andrew Brayshaw, Jordy Clark and James Aish. The numbers in the first nine minutes and 42 seconds were totally one sided: Fremantle with 27 disposals, four goals and no Port Adelaide player credited with a disposal until vice-captain Ollie Wines took a mark in the defensive 50-metre arc.

It was a whitewash that ultimately carried a painful price.

And while Port Adelaide put a hold on the bleeding, never letting the margin extend beyond 40 points at time-on of the third term, it struggled to answer on the scoreboard. There was very little complete movement from defence to attack - and very little hold on territory inside the forward-50 arc. The contrast was perfectly summed up by the figures for possessions inside forward 50 during the second term - Port Adelaide 22,Fremantle 77.

The 25-point deficit from this Fremantle blitz remained 25 at half-time after Fremantle midfielder Careb Serong completed the six-goal charge with a stunning left-foot snap from a boundary throw-in in a pocket with four seconds to play.  

If Port Adelaide could take back 10 minutes ...

The opening was true to a game holding high stakes - Port Adelaide eager to stay in the race to September's top-eight finals; Fremantle wanting to hold a top-four berth.

Remarkably, the teams ranked at No. 2 (Fremantle) and No. 3 (Port Adelaide) for defence this season, opened with eagerness to hit the scoreboard delivering an eight-goal first term. But true to both teams being damaging in team defence, five of the eight first-quarter goals came from plays originating from the back half of the field.

Port Adelaide certainly was on from the start. Finlayson - again - won the first centre tap and followed up with the kick out of the centre square. Half-back Burton set the agenda for pressure football by keeping the ball in the forward half with the first tackle to be rewarded with a holding-the-ball free kick - and Burton had Port Adelaide's second goal when the inside-50 count after five minutes was 7-0 in Port Adelaide's favour.

There was an 18-point lead from the first three goals of the match - that included two goals from Georgiades with perfect kicks from set shots - before Fremantle scored in the 10th minute to start its momentum shift.

And there was no advantage after 16 minutes when Fremantle's advantage was at stoppages, particularly at the centre where Darcy was commanding the hit-outs against Finlayson and Dixon, and in moving the ball from inside to out. This was measured by Fremantle’s plus-29 count on disposals at quarter-time.

Port Adelaide will leave Perth on Monday morning with the game having claimed Rising Star nominee Lachie Jones for the injury list. He limped out of the game midway through the third term with a right hamstring strain.

Wingman Xavier Duursma was removed from the match 22 after reporting a quad-muscle concern. He was replaced by Miles Bergman while Steven Motlop started as the medical substitute.

For the record, the other father-son recruit on the field Jase Burgoyne (following Jackson Mead) finished the match - after starting on the interchange bench - with the statisticians recording 17 disposals in his AFL debut (with a 76 per cent disposal efficiency).

FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE

PORT ADELAIDE      4.2    6.3        9.4         14.7 (91)
FREMANTLE             4.2     10.4     14.8       15.9 (99)

BEST - Port Adelaide: Wines, Boak, Dixon, Rozee, Byrne-Jones.

GOALS - Port Adelaide: Dixon, Georgiades 2, Amon, Boak, Bergman, Burton, Farrell, Marshall, Mead, Powell-Pepper, Rozee.  

INJURY: X. Duursma (quad, replaced in line-up by M. Bergman). L. Jones (right hamstring).

MEDICAL SUBSTITIUTE: S. Motlop (activated in the third term for Jones).

CROWD: 41,326 at Perth Stadium.

NEXT: Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.