WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Sunday July 29, 12.40pm
LAST TIME: Fremantle 12.15 (87) defeated Port Adelaide 7.5 (47), round 7, 2012 at Patersons Stadium
The scenario for Fremantle is clear: continue to win and a finals spot may open up. They sit in ninth spot, but equal with the eighth-placed North Melbourne on wins. If Fremantle lose these games that they're expected to win, a finals berth looks unlikely. For the Power, another win would boost their tally to six (double their total from 2011). With a few opportunities left in 2012, it would give them something to work from next season.
THE FOUR POINTS
PORT ADELAIDE
1. While their 12.12 score line against Melbourne last weekend suggested missed opportunities, to kick a winning score with only 45 inside 50s implied the opposite. As they have all year, the Power really struggled to get the ball into their forwards against the Demons, but there's no doubting that when the ball does get inside 50 the forwards use it well. The formula seems simple for the Power; if they can get the ball into attack more than they've managed to thus far, a win is very achievable.
2. After losing so many games from winnable positions this season, the Power will be seriously buoyed by finishing strongly against Melbourne. This week, against a side vying for a spot in the eight in Fremantle, a four-quarter effort will be a necessity. If they can compete for the entire game and not let Fremantle have free reign for 10 minutes, the Power will believe they can get the job done.
3. Port Adelaide's ruck department has failed to deliver its midfielders with its fair share of first use in recent weeks and, while it held its own against Stefan Martin and Jake Spencer, Fremantle's Jonathon Griffin and Zac Clarke will be a much bigger handful. But the Power have managed to shark the opposition's taps well this season and Fremantle have struggled to win clearances, so an opportunity exists for the likes of Brad Ebert, Dom Cassisi and Matthew Broadbent to really take control of the game.
4. Paul Stewart has emerged as an exciting forward for the Power this season. His last three weeks of football has been terrific to watch as he has returned 10.1. Stewart credited former Power coach Mark 'Choco' Williams' "kicking schools" for developing his great shot at goal, but it has been the current coach Matthew Primus reaping the benefits. Given his current form, Stewart ought to attract a good defender, which could open the door for another forward to hit Fremantle where it hurts - on the scoreboard.
FREMANTLE
1. Wasted opportunities were a major concern for Fremantle against Greater Western Sydney, despite the final margin of 95 points. In the second term, 16 forward entries resulted in 2.13, with Kepler Bradley missing three straightforward set shots. Chris Mayne, who is the AFL's most accurate goalkicker this year with 29.3, should return from a calf complaint to help Freo make more of its midfield's hard work.
2. Nat Fyfe was Fremantle's most influential midfielder in the opening two rounds before a serious shoulder injury stalled his season. The young star is poised to return after missing 11 matches, with his availability now a conditioning issue. Fremantle penciled in this week's clash for Fyfe's return months ago and his recovery from a second shoulder reconstruction has been faultless.
3. Line-breaking midfielder Stephen Hill has enjoyed a strong fortnight against Melbourne and GWS, averaging 21 disposals, kicking four goals and getting the ball in dangerous positions forward of centre. David Mundy and Michael Barlow should now be expected to produce consistent football after slow starts to the season, helping bring Hill into the game more frequently. Blocking and shepherding for the team's best run-and-carry player should also be a focus for Fremantle.
4. Captain Matthew Pavlich (45 goals) is closing in on Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin (51 goals) and he could catch the star Hawk this week. Pavlich booted four goals against the Power in a 40-point win at Patersons Stadium earlier this season, but the Freo champion had only kicked a total of four goals in his three previous clashes against Port. Playing more forward than midfield this season, a big match looms for the AFL's in-form goalkicker.
ODDS: Port Adelaide 2.20 : Fremantle 1.65
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
