THE SANFL finals have arrived and Port Adelaide will take on Adelaide in what will be a massive Saturday night qualifying final at the Adelaide Oval.
The Magpies finished in second place on the ladder with 13 wins, while the Crows landed in third with 11 wins, but the slate will be wiped clean as both sides are primed for a big month of football.
Glenelg (first), Sturt (fourth) and Norwood (fifth) make up the top five and a big crowd is expected to turn out to Adelaide’s home of football for a finals double-header on Saturday.
The Double Blues will face the Redlegs at 3.20pm in the elimination final before the Magpies and Crows clash at 7.05pm.
Port has been in strong form to close the home and away season, winning nine of its last 10 matches, including a 90-point win over Central District last Saturday.
The finals bound Magpies players were buzzing in the rooms after the match and coach Matthew Lokan will be hoping his side can carry the enthusiasm into the finals series.
“Hopefully there will be a huge crowd, it’s a Saturday night with no AFL footy so I encourage all supporters to get out there and watch,” he said.
“Adelaide are a quality side with quality players so it will be a tough contest.”
The Crows line-up will be ready to bounce back following a shock loss to South Adelaide in Round 18, but possess damaging players with the likes of Darcy Fogarty, Sam Jacobs, Andy Otten and Jordan Gallucci available for selection.
Port has fielded a young team all year - which is a sign of the talent coming through the ranks at Alberton - and the likes of Joe Atley, Willem Drew, Boyd Woodcock, Joel Garner, Kane Farrell and Billy Frampton will continue to headline the side throughout the finals series.
Experienced players Jack Trengove, captain Cam Sutcliffe and Trent McKenzie have also been vital through the midfield and defence this season.
The Magpies have played Adelaide twice this season with two very different results coming from them.
Port hosted the red-hot Crows at the Alberton Oval in Round 7, with Adelaide getting the job done by 16 points, before both teams hopped on the bus to Port Pirie for the Round 13 country game.
It was a great day for the Magpies who dominated most of the game to win by 30 points as Frampton starred with six goals.
The winner of Saturday night’s qualifying final at Adelaide Oval will take on Glenelg for a place in the Grand Final the following week, while the loser will face the winner of Sturt and Norwood looking to qualify for a preliminary final berth.
