PORT Adelaide faces Gold Coast at Metricon on Saturday, with both sides optimistic, but for very different reasons.
Port Adelaide (2-6) ended a six-match losing streak last weekend with a stunning fourth-quarter revival against North Melbourne, while Gold Coast (0-8) have to look back only 12 months to recall their historic first win against the Power. Coaches Matthew Primus and Guy McKenna have been under the pump for most of the season and only one will be breathing easier after this weekend.
THE FOUR POINTS
GOLD COAST
1. Gary Ablett has played forward, back and in his preferred midfield position this season, but just where will he line up on Saturday? McKenna pushed him back against the Bulldogs to get numbers behind the ball, but you'd fancy the Brownlow medallist running forward of centre in a game the Suns can win.
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2. The planets seem to be aligning for the Suns' first win, but can they take advantage? It's the first birthday for Metricon Stadium and the first time against Port Adelaide since beating them last year. With upcoming matches against Collingwood and St Kilda, it could be a while before they get a chance as good as this.
3. In the two matches this season where the Suns were given a realistic chance of winning - against the Brisbane Lions and GWS - they were flat and lacked the intensity of other contests. A similar output against the resurgent Power will end in the same result - a loss.
4. Jarrod Harbrow's broken elbow against the Lions in round four was a horror blow for the Suns, but it did allow mature-age Kyal Horsley to be elevated to the senior list. Since his debut a week later, Horsley has been quite superb. His 27 disposals against the Bulldogs elevated him to a season average of 21 touches and eight tackles - another great advertisement for experience.
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PORT ADELAIDE
1. North Melbourne coach Brad Scott described last week's game between Power and the Kangaroos as the most bewildering game he's ever been a part of. North dominated proceedings for all but 15 minutes of the match, yet pulled up short. Either way, it was a win the Power desperately needed. Have they got their mojo back? A commanding win over the Suns would suggest so.
2. Jay Schulz's seven-goal haul on return from an eye injury showcased just how important he is to Power's structure. He is not only a dead-eye dick in front of goals, but also a brilliant focal point in attack. He anchors the forward line and Port looks better and more threatening when he is the target
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3. There are many aspects in which Power need to improve dramatically to beat decent sides, but one of the most concerning for coach Matthew Primus would still be the number of inside-50s opposition sides rack up. North Melbourne managed 60 to just 42 last weekend and against a surprisingly potent midfield this weekend led by Gary Ablett, Power will have to resemble a frozen Crème Egg - rock solid in the middle.
4. The last time these two sides met was the Power's most embarrassing loss of the season. Against the winless newbies of the competition in round five last year, Port gave up a 28-point three quarter-time lead to go down by three points and give the Suns their first-ever AFL win. The Power know better than anyone the risk of underestimating Gold Coast.
THE ODDS
Port Adelaide $1.45
Gold Coast $2.70
