SATURDAY afternoon at AAMI Stadium has all the makings of a classic Port Adelaide victory.
The Power feel, justifiably so, hard done by with superstar Shaun Burgoyne’s three-game ban and, on top of that, have also had to deal with claims they choked in last week’s game against Hawthorn.
The Swans sit fifth on the AFL ladder, armed with the knowledge they triumphed over Port Adelaide just eight weeks ago. The Power have struggled against the Swans’ clamp down tactics in recent times, but in desperate need of a win at home, don’t be surprised if it all comes together for Port Adelaide this week.
Port Adelaide’s recent form
Lost to Hawthorn by 15, beat Essendon by 64, beat St Kilda by 21, beat West Coast by 24 and lost to the Brisbane Lions by 20.
Recent results against Sydney Swans
Round two, 2008, Sydney Swans 22.14 (146) d Port Adelaide 11.12 (78), SCG
Round eight, 2007, Sydney Swans 17.16 (118) d Port Adelaide 13.9 (87), SCG
Round 17, 2006, Sydney Swans 10.17 (77) d Port Adelaide 7.8 (50), AAMI Stadium
Round two, 2006, Port Adelaide 15.16 (106) d Sydney Swans 11.14 (80), SCG
Round eight, 2005, Sydney Swans 9.15 (69) d Port Adelaide 6.9 (45), SCG
Strengths
There was no denying Port Adelaide was by far and away the dominant side in the first half of last week’s game against Hawthorn.
The Power streaked ahead in the first quarter, barely allowing their shell-shocked opponents to touch the ball, as they piled on seven goals-to-two.
It was foolish to think the talented Hawks wouldn’t, at some stage, respond and unfortunately for the Power their stunning first half was not enough to combat the freakish talents of Buddy Franklin and his team’s awe-inspiring second half.
Port Adelaide has never and will never accept performances that don’t result in wins, but buoyed by last week’s showing, the Power will be confident they have the ability to escape the grasp of the stifling Swans.
Potential weakness
Having to rebound from a second-rate stoppage performance against the Swans was a difficult task made even tougher for the Power on Tuesday, when the AFL tribunal upheld the three-match suspension handed to clearance-king Burgoyne.
Last week, coach Mark Williams lamented his team’s ability to win the ball out of the centre square. The Power were out-muscled in the middle 19-10 by the all-conquering Hawks and, of Port Adelaide’s ten clean centre breaks, Burgoyne was responsible for three.
The damaging midfielder has won more clearances (36) than any other Port Adelaide player this season and, up against stoppage specialists Sydney, the other Power onballers must pick up the slack.
They’re sweating on
The Swans have conceded 100 or more points on just two occasions this season and have had fewer points scored against them (587) than any other team in the competition.
Only one team, St Kilda, has beaten the Swans at their own game this season and even that was only by a meagre two points. Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, the other two teams to conquer the Swans this year, were both able to gain an advantage by asserting their own style of play against Sydney's tough tactics.
The Power won’t win if they engage the Swans in an arm wrestle and Choco and his men must avoid being sucked into a game style that suits the visitors.
Dangermen
David Rodan: Rodan is one player capable of filling the void left by Shaun Burgoyne. The pint-sized Fijian has racked up 28 clearances this season and, like Burgoyne, has the ability to break packs open with his pace. Rodan was unusually quiet against the Swans in round two and the Power will need a big game from him if they are to win.
Warren Tredrea: The skipper was inspirational, particularly in the first half last week, with a four-goal performance. He created a commanding presence across half-forward and pulled in nine marks. Tredrea’s leadership and continued ability to convert his shots on goal will be invaluable against the Swans on Saturday.
Chad Cornes: Cornes should be a welcome addition to the Power line-up this week having missed two games with a badly broken finger. In the past, the dual All-Australian has gone head to head with Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, but it will be his hard body around the stoppages the Power will be desperate to get back.
It’s not generally known that…
Shaun Burgoyne has not missed a game since round 11, 2005 - that’s 69 games straight.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club or the AFL.
