Planning a day trip to Renmark to see the Power play? Buy your tickets here
The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L
Ranked: 5th in NAB Cup
Melbourne
Form: L L
Ranked: 15th
Last time
Port Adelaide has twice played Melbourne in pre-season competition including most recently winning in the final NAB Cup game of 2012 at AAMI Stadium. Prior to that, the Power were narrowly beaten by the Demons in the 2010 NAB Cup opening round.
NAB Cup Round 4, 2012: Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) def Melbourne 9.10 (64) at AAMI Stadium
Past 2: Power 1 v Demons 1
The fine print
NAB Cup Round 2
Port Adelaide v Melbourne
Sunday, March 3
Renmark Oval
Paringa Street, Renmark
First bounce: 4:00pm (SA time)
Broadcast: Full match replay on portadelaidefc.com.au post-match
LIVE WIRE: Starts at 4:00pm
Twitter: #PAFClive #NABCUP
The Port Adelaide Cheer Squad is running a bus service to Renmark for the game. Contact Ian Wilson on (08) 8268 5870.
The Rules
Following the heavily modified version of the game prevalent in the first round of the NAB Cup, a more traditional format will be played at Renmark Oval this weekend.
The modifications in place this weekend include:
Match duration: 4 x 15 minute quarters plus ‘time on’ of up to 7.5 minutes; 6 minute quarter and three quarter time breaks, 20 minute half time break.
Interchange: 3 man bench with 3 substitutes, cap on interchange rotations at a maximum of 20 per quarter. In extreme heat these substitutes will become full-game players as part of a 6 man bench.
Supergoals: Nine points for goals kicked from outside the 50 metre arc
50 metre penalties: Options for a player receiving a fifty metre penalty to space within the attacking fifty metre arc to either take the full penalty, or take a set shot for a nine-point goal fifty metres from goal.
Umpires: Boundary and goal umpires to award holding and high contact free kicks and Umpire coaches are permitted to communicate with on-field umpires.
Show Your True Passion and join the club as a member in 2013 at www.weareportadelaide.com.au
Crystal Ball
With predicted temperatures of around 31 degrees and winds, the typically dry summer weather of rural South Australia will be ever present this weekend’s clash (so too a likely contingent of passionate Riverland football supporters!).
Director of Coaching and Strategy Alan Richardson says the football program is focused on preparing for the season proper and that will likely mean the Power rests several first-choice players this weekend.
While the conditions are likely to again test the playing group’s fitness following the opening round scorcher at AAMI Stadium, the extended interchange and substitute rules will provide some relief this Sunday.
Melbourne may carry a young side to Renmark and take the opportunity to rest more experienced players, while the Power will take a side of up to 26 players without the likes of Angus Monfries (who sustained a hamstring injury in round one).
Victory is a definite possibility for the Power, but its priorities are quite rightly on crafting a match fit side for the 2013 season.
Get your Official ISC gear for this weekend’s game at the Power Megastore, where 100% of the profit stays with the club. Click here to browse the range.
