KANE Cornes is back, Matthew Lobbe too, but Hawthorn won't be fazed by a strengthened Power line-up on Saturday night when last year's prelim finallists go head-to-head on ANZAC Day.
OPPOSING FORCES
PORT ADELAIDE
LAST MATCH: Round 3: Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) def North Melbourne 16.9 (105)
NORTH MELBOURNE
LAST MATCH: Round 3: Hawthorn 19.13 (127) def Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57)
HEAD TO HEAD
Port Adelaide 16 v 13 Hawthorn
LAST FIVE
Port Adelaide 1 v 4 Hawthorn
THIS YEAR
Port Adelaide: LLW v WLW Hawthorn
PLAYBILL
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
Adelaide Oval
Saturday 25 April
First bounce: 7:10pm (local) / 7:40pm (AEST) / 5:40pm (AWST)
Hashtags: #AFLPowerHawks #ANZACDay
Broadcast: Channel 7, FIVEaa
BUY TICKETS
DON'T MISS MILESTONES
100 PAFC games - Jay Schulz
YOU’RE INVITED
Pre-Game Events
March from the Mall
Meet: Cnr Rundle Mall and Gawler Place
March Departs: 5:50pm
March Arrives: 6:10pm
Game Day Village
Memorial Drive Tennis Courts
Enter adjacent Tennis SA
Open from 3:00pm
Post-Game Events
William Magarey Room
Level 3, Riverbank Stand
Commences after the game, selected players and officials in attendance
All supporters welcome
Game Day Village
Memorial Drive Tennis Courts
Enter adjacent Tennis SA
TIME MACHINE
Prelim Final, 2014: An inaccurate start hampered Port Adelaide's chances against the Hawks, despite leading early, when the brown and gold surged back into the lead in the second and third terms. The Power rallied in the fourth quarter and closed wtihin three points with seconds remaining. But it wasn't to be, and the Hawks advanced to the grand final, and an eventual flag.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.9 5.11 8.13 13.16 (94)
HAWTHORN 2.3 8.4 13.6 15.7 (97)
Goals: Monfries 4, R. Gray 3, Boak, Schulz, Polec, Wingard, Neade, Westhoff
at the MCG
FOUR QUARTERS
THE EDGE
An edge will be needed to be found by the Power on Saturday night, with a full-strength Hawks coming to Adelaide and up against a team it has a strong recent record against.
Brad Ebert - Ebo was a level above last weekend against the Roos playing across half forward. Kicking goals, winning plenty of ball and bringing a top shelf defensive pressure, Ebert had it all. It won the favour of the coaches too - Brad scoring a perfect 10 in the AFLCA votes.
Luke Hodge - 44 touches in nothing to sneeze at. Hodge blitzed the Bulldogs in Launceston and comes to the Adelaide Oval in hot form. Port Adelaide will need to curb his influence on Saturday night, there is no doubt about it. Returning midfielder Kane Cornes may already have a tagging job on his hands.
Vice-captain Matthew Lobbe and Cornes are back in the side - both play important team roles and are critical inclusions to face the Hawks. The late withdrawal of Robbie Gray is, however, a blow to the Power, particularly against a full-strength Hawthorn that has welcomed Brad Hill back to their team this week.
THE THEATRE
Hawthorn haven't beaten Port Adelaide at the Oval - although they've only played against the Power once - and on a dry day would love the running offered by the venue. It won't be dry though, which could play into Port's hands as it looks to bring it top defensive game to the table.
THE VIBE
Hawthorn are in strong form - just look at the demolition jobs on Geelong and the Bulldogs - however Essendon showed this team can be beaten.
