THE Magpies got away with a narrow win in Round 9 to maintain fourth position on the ladder. They now face West Adelaide who are sitting comfortably third position.
OPPOSING FORCES
PORT ADELAIDE
LAST MATCH: Round 9: Port Adelaide 13.7 (85) def Central District 11.1 (77)
WEST ADELAIDE
LAST MATCH: Round 8: West Adelaide 10.9 (69) def by Norwood 11.9 (75)
HEAD TO HEAD
Port Adelaide 187 v 99 West Adelaide (drawn 3)
LAST FIVE
Port Adelaide 2 v 3 West Adelaide
THIS YEAR
Port Adelaide: WWLLWWWW v WWLWWWWL West Adelaide
PLAYBILL
Round 9
Port Adelaide v West Adelaide
City Mazda Stadium
Saturday 13 June
First Bounce: 2:10pm
Hashtags: #WestPort
Broadcast: Life FM
Tickets available at gate: Adult $14, Concession $8, Children U18 Free
TIME MACHINE
Round 11, 2014: A five-goal opening term would have the faithful backing another textbook win for the Magpies, but West Adelaide had other plans on a dark day at Richmond. Not only did the changeable winds make field kicks tough, but the Magpies couldn’t find a groove with see-saw form across the day failing at the hands of the far more consistent West.
PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 6.4 10.8 12.9 (81)
WEST ADELAIDE 1.5 6.8 10.8 15.8 (98)
Best: Summerton, Newton, Neade, Shaw, O’Shea, Amon
Goals: Shaw 3, Young 2, Haren, Harvey, J.Butcher, Sawford, D.Butcher, Neade, Newton
At Richmond Oval
FOUR QUARTERS
THE STAKES
Port Adelaide are sitting fourth on the SANFL ladder while West Adelaide are third, however both sides have the same win/loss ratio with 6 wins and 2 losses each. Magpies are coming off a narrow win while Westies had a six-point loss to the Redlegs, so both teams will be fired up with the winner putting themselves one game clear in third position. West Adelaide's form has arguably been better though, and the Magpies will need to produce their best against the sons of the West.
THE STOCKS
The Magpies continue the good run of injuries down at Alberton with only one player still on the injury list, however jostling for positions in the AFL side could mean some strong players are called up for AFL duties. West Adelaide are also faring well on the injury front, with almost a whole list to pick from.
THE HISTORY
The last five games played between the two sides have just gone West Adelaide’s way, holding a 3-2 lead over the Magpies. The last game played in Round 11 last year went West Adelaide’s way, despite Magpies taking an early lead and scores being tied at three quarter time.
THE VIBE
Magpies secured an 8-point win after being 36 points down early in the game, and once they got the momentum they showed they could dominate the game. A tough game this week, the carrot of third position on the ladder will be dangling in front of the Magpies eyes.
