SUMMARY
Just when their finals dreams appeared dead and buried, the Power burst back to life with their best performance of the season to stun an out-of-sorts North Melbourne. The confidence gained from its first top-eight scalp of the season will give Port plenty of reason to believe it can continue to surge up the ladder. The fourth-placed Giants have won four of their past five including last week's smashing of a woeful Brisbane Lions, but showed signs of vulnerability in their loss to Collingwood a fortnight ago. The pace and outside run of the Giants’ midfield demolished the Power in round four in Canberra. The Power's forward line of Charlie Dixon (if he's passed fit from an ankle injury), Jay Schulz and Chad Wingard will cause the Giants headaches if they can get clean ball out of the midfield. This is simply a must-win game for both clubs.
Can Jackson Trengove do a number on Shane Mumford as he did on Todd Goldstein? Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, July 24, 4.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 22.19 (151) bt Port Adelaide 9.11 (65) at Manuka Oval
R20, 2015, Port Adelaide 16.15 (111) bt Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) at Adelaide Oval
R7, 2014, Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) bt Greater Western Sydney 97 at Manuka Oval
R12, 2013, Port Adelaide 19.11 (125) bt Greater Western Sydney 6.14 (50) at Spotless Stadium
R2, 2013, Port Adelaide 19.20 (134) bt Greater Western Sydney 11.12 (78) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Greater Western Sydney kicked the club's highest first-half score with 14.10 (94) the last time the two teams met in Canberra in round four this year on the way to an 86-point victory. Stephen Coniglio led the way for the Giants with 34 disposals, while defender Jasper Pittard had 32 touches in a losing effort for the Power.
2. Port Adelaide has won four of the six meetings between the two clubs. However, the Giants took the honours in their first encounter in 2012 and the most recent clash earlier this year.
3. The Giants have lost all three games they have played at Adelaide Oval, with one of those against the Power. They have lost both games against Adelaide, including a 22-point defeat in round 10 this year.
4. The Giants are the second-best attacking team in the competition, averaging 110.8 points per game. Their 61 points (10.1) in the second quarter against the Brisbane Lions last Sunday was the highest-scoring quarter in the club's history. Port, meanwhile, are ranked sixth in scoring with 97 points per game.
5. The Power are ranked second in the competition for tackles with 78.3 per game behind, only the Sydney Swans. It's an area the Giants struggle in, ranked 16th with 65.6 above only Carlton and Richmond.
6. Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel has risen to a career-high 13th overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Shiel collected 34 possessions in last week's big win over the Brisbane Lions. Teammate Callan Ward is right behind him in 14th, while Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray is second.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jackson Trengove
Port Adelaide's makeshift ruckman had his best game of the season in nullifying the influence of North Melbourne's All-Australian Todd Goldstein last week. His job doesn't get any easier against Shane Mumford in the battle to get quality possession to the respective midfields.
LEE GASKIN'S PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 10 points.
Port Adelaide hosts GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday 24 July at 4.10pm ACST. BUY TICKETS
