Ken Hinkley has repeatedly said his side's form was building towards September action.
The Power pushed minor Premier Sydney all the way in Round 20, trailing by just two goals with two minutes to play. The final margin of 26 points didn't reflect just how close the game was. Hinkley lamented the Power's inability to win key moments in that game.
A strong showing on the Gold Coast in tough conditions where the visitors has 71-38 inside 50s was backed up by a 103-point demolition of an in-form Carlton at Adelaide Oval.
An 8-point loss to Freo in Perth and a big win over Richmond in the Elimination Final suggest Port Adelaide isn't far off playing its best footy for 2014.
Equally, Freo's form has been strong with an excellent back half to the year winning 12 of the final 14 home and away games, meaning the two sides will meet at the top of their powers.
History is against the Power
Just two lower-ranked sides have won a Semi-Final since the current Top 8 format was introduced 14 years ago.
Hawthorn pipped Port in 2001 at Footy Park and Collingwood beat a depleted West Coast in extra time in 2007 to advance to Preliminary Finals - both eventually losing in the Prelim by under 10 points.
While history is against the Power, history ultimately doesn't affect the two teams that will run out onto Patersons Stadium on Saturday.
Ballantyne the barometer
Dangerous small forward Hayden Ballantyne's absence will be felt on the field not just for his goals, but also for the way he lifts the Dockers and their crowd.
Ballantyne is often referred to as Freo's barometer and that proved to be true in Round 23 against the Power, when he booted four second half goals and pumped up the Subiaco crowd in the process.
His absence with a broken jaw will be felt, but with Michael Walters, Chris Mayne, Matthew Pavlich and co up forward, the Power defence will have a challenging day ahead.
The crowd
Port Adelaide and Fremantle both have strong claims for the loudest crowd in the AFL and while the Power's travelling support of around 3,000 will make plenty of noise, silencing the 37,000 Freo fans will be difficult.
Port Adelaide will aim to get on top early to help quell the influence of the ‘purple haze’ at Subiaco.
