PORT ADELAIDE faces Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Round 20 clash.
Port has lost three consecutive games - its most recent to Greater Western Sydney by one point at Adelaide Oval - and sit a game and percentage out of the top eight.
The Bombers on the other hand have won their last five matches and sit two games clear of eighth-placed Adelaide in seventh spot.
When the Power and Dons met at Adelaide Oval in Round 23 last year, it was John Worsfold’s men who led from the outset to claim a 22-point victory.
The Bombers kicked six goals to one in the opening term to blow the Power out of the water, and were never challenged despite a late surge from the home side.
Zach Merrett and Devon Smith were both brilliant for the visitors, each collecting 29 touches, while Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard and David Zaharakis were all busy through the midfield.
Aaron Francis had a breakout game in the defensive half, while Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford and Mitch Brown all booted three goals.
Former Power players Chad Wingard (32 touches) and Jared Polec (30) racked up plenty of the footy, with Travis Boak and Ollie Wines also prolific.
Justin Westhoff kicked five goals from 20 touches and eight marks, while Brad Ebert was the only other multiple goal-kicker for Ken Hinkley’s men with two majors.
Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash, John Worsfold has brought back small forward Orazio Fantasia and rebounding defender Connor McKenna at the expense of Ben McNiece and Laverde.
At Alberton, Ken Hinkley has made three changes, with Charlie Dixon, Peter Ladhams and Todd Marshall replacing Dougal Howard, Scott Lycett and Joel Garner.
Essendon has won the last three contests between the two sides by 22, 22 and 70 points respectively, while the Power won the two games prior.
Overall, Port holds a 16-14 head-to-head advantage over the team from Windy Hill.
The Bombers host the Power at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the first bounce at 1.45pm AEST.
The last five games:
2018 Round 23
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 13.11 (89)
ESSENDON 17.9 (111)
2018 Round 4
Marvel Stadium
ESSENDON 16.10 (106)
PORT ADELAIDE 12.12 (84)
2017 Round 12
Marvel Stadium
ESSENDON 19.17 (131)
PORT ADELAIDE 8.13 (61)
2016 Round 3
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 17.10 (112)
ESSENDON 7.9 (51)
2015 Round 17
Marvel Stadium
ESSENDON 17.14 (116)
PORT ADELAIDE 20.9 (129)
