Recent results against Melbourne:
Round 21, 2008, Port Adelaide 18.21 (129) d Melbourne 7.9 (51), AAMI
Round 17, 2007, Port Adelaide 15.13 (163) d Melbourne 11.8 (74), AAMI
Round six, 2007, Port Adelaide 10.16 (76) d Melbourne 9.17 (71), MCG
Round 13, 2006, Melbourne 18.12 (120) d Port Adelaide 12.10 (82), MCG
Round 15, 2005, Port Adelaide 20.17 (137) d Melbourne 11.9 (75), AAMI
Medical room:
Port Adelaide: Justin Westhoff (broken foot) four weeks, Mitch Banner (concussion) test, Jackson Trengove (hamstring/knee) indefinite
Melbourne: James Strauss (ankle) available, Matthew Whelan (calf) available, Simon Buckley (groin) one week, Jack Grimes (back) 1-2 weeks, Daniel Bell (broken thumb) two weeks, Mark Jamar (foot) five weeks, Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) two weeks, Paul Wheatley (quadriceps tear) six weeks, Colin Garland (foot) indefinite
Summary:
An off-the-boil Port Adelaide blew any chance of improving their impressive record at Subiaco last week by kicking a costly 1.6 in the first term.
The Power were beaten by a more switched-on West Coast and appeared to lack the intensity and endeavour that instigated their round one win over Essendon.
Steve Salopek, Dom Cassisi and Travis Boak tried hard and the mercurial Daniel Motlop kicked four goals, but it was overall, a dark day for the visitors, compounded by the loss of key forward Justin Westhoff to a foot injury.
Melbourne also suffered a hefty round two defeat, but actually led at quarter time in the clash with Collingwood and trailed by just seven points at the main break.
However, for the second week-in-a-row, the young Dees managed just one goal in the final term and were completely blown away.
The Port Adelaide players have expressed embarrassment over their performance in the West and, after serving as West Coast's bunnies last week, will be steeled for redemption against Melbourne on Easter Sunday.
Steve Salopek, Dom Cassisi and Travis Boak tried hard and the mercurial Daniel Motlop kicked four goals, but it was overall, a dark day for the visitors, compounded by the loss of key forward Justin Westhoff to a foot injury.
Melbourne also suffered a hefty round two defeat, but actually led at quarter time in the clash with Collingwood and trailed by just seven points at the main break.
However, for the second week-in-a-row, the young Dees managed just one goal in the final term and were completely blown away.
The Port Adelaide players have expressed embarrassment over their performance in the West and, after serving as West Coast's bunnies last week, will be steeled for redemption against Melbourne on Easter Sunday.
Key match-up: Dean Brogan v Paul Johnson
Brogan was sorely missed last week as his teammates struggled to assert any authority around the stoppages. He watched from the sidelines as West Coast star Dean Cox ran riot with 21 possessions and two goals to go with his 23 hit-outs. The Melbourne ruck department of Johnson and teenager Jake Spencer also failed to make an impact in round two. The duo managed just 17 hit-outs for the game, while Collingwood big man Josh Fraser dominated.
Brogan’s leadership and ferocity at the contest is invaluable to this Port Adelaide side and he’ll be set for a big game having served his contentious, one-week suspension.
Kick it to me:
In a week where the stats sheet did little, in terms of accurately reflecting the Power’s individual performers, future star Travis Boak was an exception. Boak wasn’t Port Adelaide’s leading possession winner, but the majority of his 25 touches were quality. The exciting onballer worked hard for nine contested possessions, four clearances and easily could’ve finished with two goals, if not for a case of the yips that proved contagious early on Sunday.
Somebody stop me:
Melbourne dynamo Aaron Davey was allowed to go unchecked for four quarters against Collingwood last week and the made the most of his rare freedom. The former Port Adelaide Magpie racked up 31 possessions at an efficiency rate of 97 per cent. Davey will be out to impress in his 100th game this week.
At the selection table
Motlop is free to play his 100th game after beating a striking charge at the tribunal, but the Power will still have to cover the loss of Westhoff. Westhoff had been in good form prior to breaking a bone in his foot against West Coast, but there are plenty of potential replacements on hand. Justin’s younger brother Matthew impressed with three goals for Central Districts last week and former rookie Nick Salter kicked 1.3 for Woodville-West Torrens.
Inform midfielder/defenders Matt Thomas and Nick Lower and livewire Wade Thompson could also be a chance to come in, if the selection committee decide to re-work the forward line structure.
It’s not generally known that…
Justin Westhoff took more marks last season than any other Power player (119), behind big possession-winner Kane Cornes (128).
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
