PORT ADELAIDE will travel down the coast to face Glenelg at ACH Group Stadium in Round 8 SANFL action on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies and Tigers clash will be the only match to take place over weekend with the split round, and it is set to be a cracker, with both Port and Glenelg in good form.

The Tigers sit on top of the SANFL ladder with five wins from their first seven matches, while the Magpies sit in sixth position, with a 4-3 win/loss record in a remarkably close competition.

Last Saturday, Port’s young and inexperienced side took it right up to the second-placed Adelaide.

The Crows held a 34-point lead heading into the major break, then a strong second half from the Magpies saw them reduce the margin to two goals but it wasn’t enough as Adelaide claimed victory by 16 points.

The Magpies were challenged in defence last week, conceding 121 points thanks to big performances by the Crows dominant forwards, with Josh Jenkins, Tyson Stengle and Darcy Fogarty kicking 12 goals between them.

Port will undertake yet another challenge this week against the best defensive and second-best attacking team in the competition so far this season.

With forwards Liam McBean (16 goals), Lachlan Hosie (16) and competition-leading goal scorer Luke Reynolds (18) lining up in every game thus far, the Tigers have averaged 90 points per game.

Glenelg’s defence has been the strongest across the league, averaging just 66 points against.

With Port averaging almost 96 points per game, the Magpies v Tigers clash has all the ingredients to be an exciting shootout.

Despite going down to Adelaide last week, Port managed to score 105 points with Tobin Cox (five goals) and Sam Davidson (two) finding avenues to score.

Cox has scored 14 goals this season, leading the way for the Magpies and will face his former side on Sunday.

Port had the opportunity to play nine of its contracted players in last week’s match, and to compete against the strong Crows team for most of the contest was a really impressive effort.

Captain Cam Sutcliffe was vital last Saturday, playing his best game for the club since joining from Fremantle this season gathering 32 disposals, while Boyd Woodcock, Davidson and Matt Appleton were all important.

Jack Trengove, Kai Pudney and Peter Ladhams all had strong performances and continue to shine for the Magpies - they will again be important in the blockbuster against Glenelg this weekend.

Port Adelaide will face Glenelg from 1.10pm this Sunday at the Bay.