CAN PORT ADELAIDE win consecutive games for the first time in 2016?
Clubland
Undermanned big time last weekend, the Power got some respite from its injury plague with the return of Chad Wingard from concussion. Jackson Trengove, too, slots back into the team from a one-week suspension.
Brisbane has made three changes, none more notable than bringing back Dayne Beams from injury. Josh Schache and Marco Paparone also slot into the Brisbane line-up.
A step in the right direction
Port Adelaide took a step forward against Richmond. Considering its poor stocks of fit men, the Power did well to break away from the Tigers on the MCG.
It was a popular win, but not perfect; leaking goals against Richmond early in quarters is something Port can ill-afford against top eight sides.
Brisbane may be down the pecking order but they can certainly challenge the best in the competition (see last week's game against Sydney).
The Power aren't out of the woods by any stretch, but a follow-up four quarter effort against the AFL's other big cats on Sunday will be a huge confidence booster.
The last time they met...
Port's season hit the skids in a wet game in Brisbane.
The territory is different this time - Adelaide Oval saw the Power post their second-biggest win in the AFL the last time Brisbane visited - but the unpredictability of the Lions leaves this game wide open.
Does Port need to use last year's upset loss as motivation? Probably not. At 3-3 and a win out of the top eight, the Power are already precariously positioned.
As Ken Hinkley pointed out, if his side wishes to atone, looking back 12 months is unnecessary when losses to the Crows, Cats and Giants should still sit heavy in the gut.
100 games for a famous name
100 games ago...Brad Ebert celebrates a first-up win with his club in the AFL at Football Park in 2012 [pic: AFL Media]
Get the stencil ready - 'Ebert' will feature twice on the No. 7 locker after this weekend.
Russell's nephew Brad plays his 100th game for Port Adelaide this on Sunday.
It's been a long road for ‘Ebo’, in a career that has ridden the ups-and-downs typical of elite football careers.
Dropped from West Coast's 2011 semi final team, Brad returned home to Alberton for the 2012 season and enjoyed a superb year which saw him tie for second in the club's best-and-fairest count.
A senior leader at the club, his 100th club game will also see him break the 100 consecutive games mark. His form has steadily improved from a tough 2015 season; he'll be looking for a strong performance on the ball against the Lions.
A faded rivalry?
Roger James kicks the sealer against Brisbane at Football Park in 2002 - an all-time thriller [pic: AFL Media]
No two sides forged a bigger rivalry in the 2000s than the Power and Lions.
Distance, the indifferent performances by both clubs at the turn of the decade, the Lions operating in a non-traditional market and the battle for both sides to get the attention of the national footy media means this has been a rivalry that has seen most of the heat go out of it.
A great game is sorely needed to get the Power-Lions rivalry back to where it once was.
The Final Word
Winning is tough in AFL. Winning two in a row is tougher.
Afterwords
Brad Ebert plays his 100th Port Adelaide (AFL) game and 100th consecutive AFL game against the Lions.
Port Adelaide plays Brisbane Lions at the Adelaide Oval at 4.10pm (ACST) on Sunday 8 May.
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