Watch highlights from the last time we played Richmond on PTV above.
It’s Port Adelaide’s final game for the season and the Power boys travel to play their sole MCG fixture for the year against Richmond with a view to securing their sixth win for the year.
The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L L L L L L W W W L L L L L W L L L L
Ranked: 14th
Richmond
Form: L L W L L W W L W W L W L W L L L W W L W
Ranked: 12th
Keys to victory
Desire to finish the season on a high should be motivation enough for the Power this weekend.
Should the playing group defeat the Tigers, Port Adelaide will have achieved the small milestone of doubling last year’s win total.
It’s an important game for the Power in the overall scheme of things, it may be the last time some players run out for the club as the players look to demonstrate their value ahead of the appointment of a new senior coach.
Richmond’s midfield remains its chief strength despite dropping games in the late part of the year.
Conversely, Port Adelaide’s strength in previous weeks has come through its youth stepping up to the plate.
The return of Hamish Hartlett will bolster Port’s defensive and midfield run, and Jay Schulz has found support in Justin Westhoff up forward during the past two weeks.
On the wide paddock of the MCG, the Power will need to ensure that the Richmond midfield is constrained as much as possible.
Having dominated the centre clearances against Brisbane last week, there is no reason why the midfield can’t set up again from the middle.
It will just need to hold its marks inside 50.
[ Related: Young guns sign up ]
Selection table
Hamish Hartlett is an automatic inclusion to the Port Adelaide side having been named on-ball this weekend.
Hartlett returns from a two-match suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli.
Ruckman Jarrad Redden also returns to the side replacing injured big man Matthew Lobbe.
Redden had 40 hit outs for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL last weekend and will look to finish the season how he started with a strong performance as Port’s lead ruckman.
Daniel Stewart and Simon Phillips have been named on the extended bench for the Power alongside David Rodan, Aaron Young, Nathan Blee, Darren Pfeiffer and John McCarthy.
[ Related: Round 23 Selection ]
Forming up
Chad Wingard
The Round 23 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee had his breakout game against the Lions last Saturday. His 27 touches were the result of him running free in the midfield and his snap goal was the icing on the cake for the 19-year-old first round draft pick. He has been named in the forward pocket against Richmond but may be given the opportunity to run through the centre again. He is now Port’s X-factor.
Matthew Broadbent
Having played every game in 2012, Broadbent’s 18-disposal performance against Brisbane featured three goals and a number of other influential acts. In his breakout year, Broadbent has gone from fringe player to midfield mainstay and his ability to win and use the football had the pundits heaping praise on the 22-year-old. Expect him to put in another strong performance to cap off his year.
Brad Ebert
Undoubtedly the standout player of Port’s season, Ebert has come home to Alberton and displayed the pride and passion for the jumper that club’s die-hard supporters expect. He will feature highly in the count for the Power’s best and fairest award and it’s no surprise given his proven ability to win the football and heap pressure on the opposition when hunting it. Playing in the midfield but capable of running forward to score goals Ebert, like Broadbent, will look finish the season on a high.
Fact file
Port Adelaide has not defeated Richmond at the MCG since 2007.
The ledger
Played: 21. Port Adelaide: 14, Richmond: 7
The last time
Round 6 2012, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) def by Richmond 13.13 (91)
Match details
Port Adelaide v Richmond
MCG, Melbourne
Sunday 2 September 2012
Opening bounce: 3.15pm (EST)
Game Day and Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Pride, passion and positive momentum are on the line this weekend so there’s every incentive for Port Adelaide to win.
Matthew Broadbent
Having played every game in 2012, Broadbent’s 18-disposal performance against Brisbane featured three goals and a number of other influential acts. In his breakout year, Broadbent has gone from fringe player to midfield mainstay and his ability to win and use the football had the pundits heaping praise on the 22-year-old. Expect him to put in another strong performance to cap off his year.
Brad Ebert
Undoubtedly the standout player of Port’s season, Ebert has come home to Alberton and displayed the pride and passion for the jumper that club’s die-hard supporters expect. He will feature highly in the count for the Power’s best and fairest award and it’s no surprise given his proven ability to win the football and heap pressure on the opposition when hunting it. Playing in the midfield but capable of running forward to score goals Ebert, like Broadbent, will look finish the season on a high.
Fact file
Port Adelaide has not defeated Richmond at the MCG since 2007.
The ledger
Played: 21. Port Adelaide: 14, Richmond: 7
The last time
Round 6 2012, AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) def by Richmond 13.13 (91)
Match details
Port Adelaide v Richmond
MCG, Melbourne
Sunday 2 September 2012
Opening bounce: 3.15pm (EST)
Game Day and Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Pride, passion and positive momentum are on the line this weekend so there’s every incentive for Port Adelaide to win.
