Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston says his side has prepared for a hot contest this Saturday night as it takes on Brisbane at the Gabba. 

The Lions, who are undefeated at their home ground in 2023, will present a challenge for the Power, but one Houston feels the group is ready to take on.  

Fresh from receiving maiden All Australian honours, the 26-year-old spoke to the Adelaide media about preparing for finals, being tagged as the underdogs, and the plans for tackling Brisbane. 

Houston on Brisbane’s record at the Gabba 
“I think it's a home ground advantage like any team that has a home ground, they defend it well. They're a contest team, they play well up there and aside from (it being) their home ground, they're a quality side that play good, contested footy and it's going to be a tough task for us this weekend.” 

Houston on Brisbane’s strengths 
“I think their contest and they've got a really strong forward line, they're a really well-rounded team and we think we’ve got some areas we can pick them apart in but they're a strong side and it will be a four-quarter effort that will need to get done to beat them. 

“I think we’re building, I think that's always a good way to go into finals. I think we've still got a step to go and we've got a good test (ahead of) us, Brisbane at the Gabba, and we'll find out exactly where we're at. We've definitely worked on some things we need to work on going into the game and as I said, it will be a good test against a quality side.” 

Houston on preparing for finals football 
“I think we know that the pressure goes up and the intensity goes up another level in finals and we’ve tried to bring that and make sure the boys that have come from the SANFL, today have put in for us and helped us out with the intensity and the standard. We had a quality session today and we'll build going into the game on Saturday night.  

“We're prepared to play any style that we need to play and we've looked at a few stats compared to seasons and finals and the contested footy, intercepts, ground balls, all that sort of stuff is a lot higher, which does indicate that it's a little bit more scrappy, which is obviously due to the intensity going up so we're prepared to play that. We know that there will be stages where it will open up and we’ll get the game going but we are prepared for a scrap as well.” 

Houston on drawing on past finals campaigns 
“Nah we actually haven't but we’ve still got a lot of senior players that have played in past finals which we've leant on and even some coaches like Hamish Hartlett who have played big finals chip in with their two cents about what it's like. Every final is different and played a different way and we've prepared for a contested game with high intensity. 

Houston on Trent McKenzie   
“He was moving well, I think he's back at 100 per cent, he's ticked off almost every box I think, so he'll be putting his hand up for selection this week. I think it's hard coming back into the team from a stint on the sidelines and coming into a final is probably a little bit harder. Trent's a senior player, he's played a lot of games, so I think he'll be fine stepping up to the level.” 

Houston on Orazio Fantasia 
“I think on the weekend he showed he needs minimal touches and gets maximum impact. He's a goal sneak and a moments player almost, so he ticks the box for finals. You know, kicking goals from minimal touches and making the most of every opportunity, so it will be interesting to see if he gets selected or not, and if he was I think it would be a good opportunity for him.” 

Houston on being tagged as the underdogs this week 
“I think it's fine for them to have their say and we know within our four walls that we've got what it takes to beat any side and we’ve proven that throughout the year so that sits fine with us.” 

Houston on being All Australian 
“It's weird, I think with my journey and where I've come from I've always been looking forward and what the next step is for me and to get All Australian and have that, it's good but I feel like I've still got the next four weeks to really prove myself and build on that. I almost feel like I've got to keep building to keep me on edge that's what I'll be looking to do.” 

Houston on opposition teams planning to stop him 
“I think each side's different in how they set up and how they look to defend with their forwards  and we’ve had different looks across the whole year. It's a team effort and if I'm not playing the game I want to play, it opens up opportunities for other players as well so I think we've handled that fine in the past. 

“I just have to play my role and my role isn't 100 per cent offence, I've still got to defend as well and that's where I can add to the team, not just playing one side of the game and not the other, making them work both ways.” 

Houston on being a finalist for goal of the year 
“It's a bit odd a set shot being in the goal of the year. In the moment and the context of the game, it was a good goal and it's good to get recognised in that way. I'll see how it plays out at the end of the year.”