PORT ADELAIDE is back in form. Can it knock over its first top eight side on Saturday?
Clubland
No changes for the Power. That's right. None. Nada. Zip.
It's the first time Port hasn't made a forced or unforced change to its line-up in 2016. That's a positive.
Mitch Honeychurch replaces the injured Toby McLean in the Bulldogs' side.
Dear Western Bulldogs, the roof is open
Yes, that's right, there will be open skies at the Adelaide Oval today. That's good for the Power, because they basically deal with whatever random conditions Adelaide throws up once a fortnight, the Doggies on the other hand won't have the luxury of a hard deck, no wind and the acoustics of the Etihad Stadium roof to aid them.
OK, it might not be a huge advantage for the Power, but against a top eight finalist from last year, every little bit counts.
Deeefence
AFL Media last week wrote the Bulldogs have a premiership-winning defence. That might well be true, with Champion Data rating the 'Scray's backline 'premiership standard'. Port Adelaide doesn't have either a premium defensive or offensive rating. What it does have is a set of dynamic forwards that have been slowly, but surely, gelling. Charlie Dixon was the general of the attack last week with his multiple team efforts, albeit not scoring. He needs to trouble the 'Goal' column this week though.
Two on the trot
Port is in-form, but yet to beat a team in the top eight this year. The Bulldogs are an important first-up test for the Power. A win today would go a long way to restoring confidence, solidifying the team line-up and putting some crucial premiership points on the board.
Final word
It'll be dog eat dog on Saturday.
Afterwords
This is the first time Port Adelaide has not made a change to the previous week's line-up.
Stella Motley will kick the first goal of the game at approximately 12.30pm on behalf of her grandfather, nine-time premiership player and Magarey Medallist Geof. Stella is the daughter of former Sturt and Carlton player Peter Motley who will also be on the ground.
Geof Motley pictured holding the 1965 SANFL Premiership Cup
Port Adelaide hosts the Western Bulldogs at 1.10pm (ACST) at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday 11 June.
