THIS week the Magpies take on Bays under the Friday night lights of Glenelg Oval.
After last week's win over North, Port Adeliade has launched intself into third position on the ladder and have sealed a finals berth with three rounds remaining.
OPPOSING FORCES
PORT ADELAIDE
LAST MATCH: Round 17: Port Adelaide 15.16 (106) def North Adelaide 7.5 (47)
GLENELG
LAST MATCH: Round 16: Glenelg 18.10 (118) def North Adelaide 8.8 (56)
HEAD TO HEAD
Port Adelaide 177 v 67 Glenelg
LAST FIVE
Port Adelaide 4 v 1 Glenelg
THIS YEAR
Port Adelaide: WWLLWWWWWLLWLWW v LLLDLLLLWLWWLLW Glenelg
PLAYBILL
Round 17
Port Adelaide v Glenelg
Gliderol Stadium
Friday 14 August
First Bounce: 7:10pm
Academy: 4:10pm
Hashtags: #baysport
Tickets available at gate: Adult $14, Concession $8, Children U18 Free
TIME MACHINE
Round 8, 2015: The Magpies got away to a dream start, keeping Glenelg scoreless at the first break and kicking away to take a 49 point lead into half time. The Bays rallied and took control of the second half, cutting the margin to 21 points before Magpies steadied, but the black and gold onslaught continued in the final quarter, with Port holding on for an 8 point win.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.2 10.4 11.5 13.5 (83)
GLENELG 0.0 2.3 6.7 11.9 (75)
Best: Mitchell, Palmer, Logan, Young, Harvey
Goals: Harvey, Neade 3, Young, Palmer, Wagner 2, Sawford
at Alberton Oval
FOUR QUARTERS
THE STAKES
The Magpies sit in third position on the ladder with 20 points, equal with West Adelaide (2nd position) and Norwood (4th). With those sides playing each other this weekend, a win would solidify Port Adelaide’s place in the top three, while they could even finish the round in second position.
After a tough start to the season Glenelg has performed well against the top sides in the back end of the year, and will be keen to take another scalp.
THE STOCKS
Anthony Biemans will be scanned for a knee injury sustained against the Roosters on Saturday, while running forward Robbie Young will have a fitness test to assess his ability to play Glenelg on Friday night.
In better injury news, Mason Shaw, Paul Stewart and Johann Wagner will be available to play this weekend after time out through injury.
THE HISTORY
The last time these sides met was in Round 8 this year, with Magpies holding on for an eight point win after leading by 49 points at half time. In the two contests last year, Magpies won the first by 152 points, before losing the second clash by 32, with the head to head over the last five games going Magpies way 4-1.
THE VIBE
With the finals fast approaching every game is crucial for the all important ladder positions, as well as fine tuning the side ahead of some big contests. Looking to make it three wins in a row, expect a fired up Magpies side.
