Saturday night’s blockbuster is huge in the scheme of season 2014 for both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.
Andrew Fuss takes a look at who’s in the mix for selection for both sides.
Port Adelaide
All eyes are on Matthew Lobbe.
The big ruckman moved well at training on Wednesday night and is a strong chance to return against the Hawks, though he will still need to prove his fitness ahead of the game.
Ken Hinkley and the coaches will need to decide whether to play two ruckmen (should Lobbe be fit), or whether Brent Renouf makes way for Lobbe.
Andrew Moore would have been pushing hard for a spot in the Power side, but he’s been ruled out due to suspension.
Tom Logan, Paul Stewart and Ben Newton continue to impress for the Magpies in the SANFL and their names will no doubt be thrown around at the selection table.
Port Adelaide’s most recent team (v Fremantle in Round 8)
FB: Jack Hombsch, Alipate Carlile, Jarman Impey
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Jasper Pittard
C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF: Dom Cassisi, Justin Westhoff, Hamish Hartlett
FF: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Foll: Brent Renouf, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert
Interchange: Angus Monfries, Matt White, Kane Mitchell, Aaron Young
Port Adelaide injury list
Mason Shaw - wrist (available)
Matthew Lobbe – calf (assess)
Tom Jonas - groin (1 week)
Sam Russell - hamstring (2-3 weeks)
Lewis Stevenson - toe (2-3 weeks)*
Cameron Hitchcock – shin (5-6 weeks)
Sam Colquhoun - knee (season)*
Jarrad Redden - knee (season)*
Hawthorn
The Hawks have confirmed Luke Hodge is fit to return for Saturday night’s clash, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Liam Shiels (shoulder) is also a chance to return while Brad Sewell made a successful return from injury via the VFL on the weekend is strongly tipped to return to the Hawks senior side.
Young key forward Tim O’Brien booted two goals in the VFL and is likely to replace the suspended Jarryd Roughead up forward.
The Hawks will be without stars Sam Mitchell (hamstring), Cyril Rioli (hamstring), Brian Lake (calf) and Josh Gibson (pectoral).
Hawthorn’s most recent team (v Sydney in Round 8)
B: Cheney Gibson Schoenmakers
HB: Simpkin Stratton Suckling
C: Birchall Burgoyne Hill
HF: Rioli Gunston Smith
F: Breust Roughead Hale
Foll: McEvoy Lewis Hallahan
I/C: Hartung Puopolo Duryea Langford
Hawthorn injury list
Anderson (shoulder) indefinite
Gibson (pectoral) 9-10 weeks
Lake (calf) 2-3 weeks
Mitchell (hamstring) 6 weeks
Rioli (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Shiels (shoulder) test
Spangher (ankle)1 week
Whitecross (knee) indefinite
