Port Adelaide returns home to Adelaide Oval to take on the Bombers looking to take a win into the mid-season bye. Image: AFL Photos.

BROWNLOW Medallist Gerard Healy dubbed it "The Portress" in 2014 when Port Adelaide returned to Adelaide Oval with AFL games - and started an eight-game winning streak at the redeveloped city ground where the club's history dates to the 1870s with hundreds of matches.

This weekend, with Game No. 103 (of the AFL variety) at Adelaide Oval, Port Adelaide is compelled to "defend the port" while narrowing the gap on its AFL win-loss ledger (currently 4-6).

Since winning Showdown XLIX at the Oval in round 8 last year, Port Adelaide has put together an 8-7 win-loss count.

The sequence in those 15 games tells a few stories. There was the win-loss-win-loss run for six games through the winter months of last season; then three wins in a row capped with the 43-point triumph against Geelong in the qualifying final; and an unprecedented four consecutive AFL  losses - starting with the preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs last year and continuing with the first three matches from rounds 2-4 at the Oval this season.

A new line in the sand has been drawn with the past two home matches delivering wins against West Coast (the first win against the Western Australians at the Oval) and the preliminary final rematch against the Western Bulldogs.

Now it is Essendon, Sunday twilight ... and time to make Adelaide Oval known again as "The Portress".

Port Adelaide midfield coach Brett Montgomery notes so much has been done outside the boundary line - particularly on the terraces where the fans play their part with the pre-bounce Never Tear Us Apart anthem - that it is time to step up the work on the field.

Port Adelaide will look to secure Adelaide Oval, reinstating the "The Portress" title against Essendon. Image: AFL Photos.

"There is absolutely no doubt (that Port Adelaide should have a better than 53 per cent winning rate at home)," Montgomery said. "We would be least proud of what we have done in the past little while.

"Our supporters, our fans, our town make this environment at Adelaide Oval that is pretty much second to none in terms of making it difficult for the opposition. And clearly we have not been able to back that up.

"There have been some big games against really good teams in finals. We get that. But that record just needs to be set straight - there is no doubt about it."

HE'S BACK

AFTER 260 days - and two rounds of ankle surgery - the big Charlie Dixon will stand tall in the Port Adelaide goalsquare. And there will be a forward combination never seen before with senior coach Ken Hinkley opting to pair Todd Marshall and Greater Western Sydney recruit Jeremy Finlayson with Dixon.

Young forward Mitch Georgiades falls out of the starting line-up with the question - "Can Port Adelaide play all four tall forwards?" - complicated by the forecast of rain and gusty winds to sweep over Adelaide Oval late on Sunday.

It will be Dixon's eighth match against Essendon - and first since round 2 last season when he kicked 4.2 at Adelaide Oval.

Dixon's return - for his 178th AFL match, 113th at Port Adelaide - follows two SANFL matches and Hinkley insisting Dixon would be selected only when he could be assured of having a successful comeback.

"We know that Charlie will be a far better player in two or three weeks' time," Hinkley said of the expectations on Dixon.

"We know that is going to happen because of his preparation. But we had to get him back in the team - we need to get him in the team and playing because we have a bye. Getting a game into Charlie is really important."

Charlie Dixon celebrates a goal against the Bombers in Round 2, 2021. Image: AFL Photos.

Dixon's absence has brought greater attention - and demands - on fellow key forward, Todd Marshall who has become Port Adelaide's most-accurate forward with 19.3 in 10 matches this season.

"Todd has developed as a player - and he looks forward to the opportunity of playing alongside Charlie," Hinkley said. "He also knows his responsibility to the team is not going to change because Charlie is back in the side.”

THEME OF THE WEEK

IF it is not the starts, it is about the most-quoted barometer of Port Adelaide football - contested football.

Port Adelaide last week had its worst differential on contested ball - minus 29 - for the season.

But there was much more than the contested possession numbers being poor against Geelong during the 35-point loss at Kardinia Park last Saturday. It was also the stark contrast in Port Adelaide's work in the first and second halves in dealing with harassing opponents around stoppage.

As Hinkley notes "it is a fluctuating form for us".

"It should not be - and we don't want it to be," Hinkley said on Saturday before the captain's run closed the training week.

"We expect and demand more of that over the ground and we did not deliver on that last week."

Hinkley: We expect and demand more contested possession

In demanding conditions - should the forecast of rain and wind prove accurate - Port Adelaide's willingness to work the blue-collar game will be tested to the limit. By trends, Port Adelaide has been solid in other areas, particularly in defence recently.

During the past five rounds, Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas has led the league's meanest defence that conceded just an average of 54 points. Jonas' men also have given up just seven marks a match during the past month to also lead the league in this category.

OPPO WATCH

HALL of Fame premiership coach Michael Malthouse forecast Essendon as the 2022 premiership winner. At the end of round 10, Essendon was in the bottom four with two wins - against Adelaide at home in round 4 and against Hawthorn in round 8.

"Every club has had their issues at some point through this season," notes Hinkley. "Everyone has had their moments where they have not quite had it right.

"Like any team feeling pressure, they are working really hard. They are like us, they are trying to make sure their contest stuff is at a better level than it has been."

Travis Boak lays a tackle on Kyle Langford in the contest. Image: AFL Photos.

The Champion Data analysts highlight this point by noting that Essendon has struggled in breaking down opposition plays by ranking 16th of 18 on intercept marks and are 18th for pressure on opponents. Essendon is 17th of 18 in the rankings for winning defensive one-on-one contests.

Where Essendon is leading the way - ranking second of 18 - is with marks inside the forward-50 arc.

JUST SAYING ...

IT is a team game. Far-running half-forward Steven Motlop has scored 9.5 this season ... but he also has delivered 19 score assists, the best figure across the AFL.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"We definitely believe. We had to stay connected at the start of the year because teams can really unravel (at 0-5). Ken was really positive and we are a strongly connected group. We believe was have plenty left in the tank - and it has shown (in the four consecutive wins).

"Ken was a big part of (the revival) with his positivity and his belief drove us."

Port Adelaide half-forward Sam Powell-Pepper

BIRD SEED

(the little stuff that matters most)

Where: Adelaide Oval

When: Sunday, May 29, 2022

Time: 4.10pm (SA time)

Last time: Port Adelaide 18.11 (119) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at Adelaide Oval, round 2, March 27, 2022.

Overall: Port Adelaide 19, Essendon 14

Past five games (most recent first): W W W L L

Scoring average: Port Adelaide 100, Essendon 90

Tightest margin - Port Adelaide by three points (109-106) at the Docklands, round 7, May 8, 2010; Essendon by two points (62-60) at Adelaide Oval, round 16, July 5, 2014.

Biggest margin - Port Adelaide by 96 points (158-62) at Football Park, round 1, March 28, 2004; Essendon by 94 points (156-62) at the Docklands, round 1, March 9, 2000.

By venues - Adelaide Oval (3-2), Football Park (8-3), MCG (1-1), Docklands (7-8).

By States - SA (10-5), Victoria (8-9).