Preview: Port Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval

SUMMARY
After a season to forget, the Power are determined to resume their chase for the club's second premiership. Many pundits believed Port were primed for a flag last season before the wheels fell off Ken Hinkley's hard-running team. The necessary talent is still there, although the addition of big-name forward Charlie Dixon has been offset somewhat by the losses of Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries to season-long doping bans. St Kilda's rebuild is still under construction, although fans will expect to see the young Saints assume more responsibility and push beyond last year's six wins.

WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, March 27, 2.50pm ACDT

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2015, Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) d St Kilda 6.13 (49) at Adelaide Oval
R12, 2014, Port Adelaide 19.15 (129) d St Kilda 9.5 (59) at Adelaide Oval
R17, 2013, Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) d St Kilda 13.14 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2012, Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) d St Kilda 13.7 (85) at Football Park
R16, 2011, St Kilda 17.7 (109) d Port Adelaide 8.5 (53) at Football Park

THE SIX POINTS
1. Adelaide Oval hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Saints, suffering losses by 70, 79, 46 and 63 points. Port won seven of 12 home games at the venue last year.

2. The Saints' developing defence needs to tighten up for them to be more competitive in 2016. They conceded the fourth-most goals and 98 points against per game last year.

3. Being thumped in the clearances didn't help St Kilda's back line. The Saints were ranked 17th last year at clearing the ball from stoppages, while Port was seventh.

4. Robbie Gray ran riot in the crushing win over the Saints last year with 37 disposals and one goal earning him three Brownlow Medal votes. Chad Wingard kicked four majors.

5. The Power's small forwards are among the most dangerous in the AFL, with Gray and Wingard combining for 77 goals last year. The Saints have high hopes for promising youngsters Jack Billings and Jack Sinclair to fill similar roles.

6. Port has more established stars on its list, with seven players featuring in the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings compared to St Kilda's three.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Charlie Dixon. The ex-Suns key forward has joined the Power on big bucks, and after five injury-riddled seasons at Gold Coast it's time for the potential star to step up and lead Port's attack.

PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 32 points

Port Adelaide hosts St Kilda in AFL Opening Round on Easter Sunday, March 27 at 2:50pm (ACDT).

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