SUMMARY
After another tough loss, this time to Sturt, the Magpies are off to Noarlunga to take on the Panthers in Saturday arvo footy. South Adelaide had an ideal start to the season, but have now fallen to third on the ladder with seven wins and two losses.
WHERE AND WHEN: Hickinbotham Oval, Saturday 18 June. First Bounce: 2:10pm.
TICKETS: Tickets available at gate: Adult $14, Concession $8, Children U18 Free.
TV AND RADIO: Channel 7, 1:00pm.
LAST FIVE TIMES
2016, Round 9: Port Adelaide 20.11 (131) def South Adelaide 12.11 (83) at Alberton Oval.
2015, Round 18: Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) def South Adelaide 9.9 (63) at Alberton Oval.
2015, Round 2: Port Adelaide 16.11 (107) def South Adelaide 6.5 (41) at Hickinbotham Oval.
2014, Preliminary Final: Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def South Adelaide 10.10 (70) at Adelaide Oval.
2014, Round 15: South Adelaide 10.11 (71) def Port Adelaide 8.6 (54) at Hickinbotham Oval.
THE SIX POINTS
1. Port has been South’s bogey side for a while now, dishing out some convincing wins in recent times. Port has won eight of the 10 games played between them since 2012.
2. These sides met only a few weeks ago in Round 9 this year, where the Magpies played their best game of the year running out 48-point winners.
3. South Adelaide’s star players Joel Cross and Nick Liddle have helped them to their best start to a season in a long time, but it’s their midfield depth with lesser known names like Brede Seccull and Nic Schwarz that must be shut down to win the game.
4. No additions to Port Adelaide’s injury list after the two games on the weekend. On the SANFL contract list only Robbie Young is out with a collarbone injury.
5. For South Adelaide, former Port Adelaide listed player Cam Hitchcock is a big out after suffering a hamstring injury in their last game, while forward Alex Cailotto (ankle) faces a fitness test.
6. Chad Cornes highlighted how much turnovers hurt us in the loss to Sturt, the Double Blues getting the jump and kicking away in the first quarter. Cornes will be buoyed by the return of Kane Mitchell’s experience in the midfield, who is back after a week off with suspension.
FINAL WORD
Port Adelaide will go into this weekend knowing they match up well against the Panthers and have a mental edge over them. The Magpies need to take that confidence and use it against a formidable opponent to keep their season alive.
