The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L L L L L L W W W
Ranked: 13th
Hawthorn
Form: W L W L L W W W L W
Ranked: 6th
Keys to victory
Port Adelaide strung a full game of intense football together as its players did everything to maintain possession in a wet and wintry first game of June. With players like Matt Thomas embodying the spirit and determination that Matthew Primus has been compelling his players to live through their football - the team may have turned the intensity corner on the back of three wins.
Keys to victory
Port Adelaide strung a full game of intense football together as its players did everything to maintain possession in a wet and wintry first game of June. With players like Matt Thomas embodying the spirit and determination that Matthew Primus has been compelling his players to live through their football - the team may have turned the intensity corner on the back of three wins.
This was the key to victory against the Blues - not only the fast moving football that adapted to the conditions. Forecasts predict cold conditions on Sunday evening, so whilst the slop won’t impede either team, Port Adelaide will need to maintain its intensity in the dry as much as it did in the wet.
Walking wounded
Port Adelaide’s injury list is at once encouraging and not so. With five players set to re-enter the fray at either AFL or SANFL level the uncertainty surrounding injury to Jay Schulz and the foot surgery earlier this week to Travis Boak, now out of action for four weeks, is a thorn in the side of the Power’s forward artillery and engine room. John McCarthy should slide straight back into Port’s line up after being a late withdrawal against Carlton with a corked calf. John Butcher may also return to the side if Jay Schulz is rested.
Read More: Injury Report
Toughness Thomas’ trademark
Read More: Injury Report
Toughness Thomas’ trademark
Commentator Mark Robinson said on Fox Footy’s 360 program that someone should upload Matt Thomas’ incredible efforts against the Blues onto YouTube and call it ‘Harder than a cat’s head.’ Whilst PortAdelaideFC.com.au was happy to oblige, there’s no doubting that Thomas has emerged as one of the toughest players in the AFL. After going back to the SANFL earlier in the season, Thomas’ has combined another level of footy smarts with his trademark tough style - highlighted by his class efforts against the Blues. It’s a testament to the attitude he took back with him to Norwood in the state league and highlights the depth of talent in Port’s squad this year.
Watch it: Harder than a cat's head
Key match-ups
‘Bobby’ v ‘Buddy’
‘Buddy’ Franklin booted 13 goals against North Melbourne last weekend and Alipate Carlile is the unfortunate backman set to line up on the Hawks superstar on Sunday evening. It’s not all bad news for ‘Bobby’ Carlile though. Franklin’s form prior to the Kangaroos’ demolition was inconsistent at best and Carlile has taken strides in his defensive work this year. A team effort is likely to ensue with his Power teammates emphasising the need to not only curtail Franklin’s ability in front of the ball, but also his supply through the midfield. It will be an intriguing battle.
Read more: Bobby meet Buddy
Jay Schulz / Justin Westhoff / John Butcher v Ryan Schoenmakers / Shaun Burgoyne
Once touted as a possible trade to the Power, Hawthorn’s Ryan Schoenmakers will likely focus on one of either Port’s Jay Schulz or Justin Westhoff. Port Adelaide’s tall forwards, potentially boosted by the return of John Butcher - may prove a challenge for Hawthorn’s forward line. If Schulz isn’t named, the emphasis will be on Westhoff to replicate the lead target role the former has played for the Power the last three weeks.
Watch it: Harder than a cat's head
Key match-ups
‘Bobby’ v ‘Buddy’
‘Buddy’ Franklin booted 13 goals against North Melbourne last weekend and Alipate Carlile is the unfortunate backman set to line up on the Hawks superstar on Sunday evening. It’s not all bad news for ‘Bobby’ Carlile though. Franklin’s form prior to the Kangaroos’ demolition was inconsistent at best and Carlile has taken strides in his defensive work this year. A team effort is likely to ensue with his Power teammates emphasising the need to not only curtail Franklin’s ability in front of the ball, but also his supply through the midfield. It will be an intriguing battle.
Read more: Bobby meet Buddy
Jay Schulz / Justin Westhoff / John Butcher v Ryan Schoenmakers / Shaun Burgoyne
Once touted as a possible trade to the Power, Hawthorn’s Ryan Schoenmakers will likely focus on one of either Port’s Jay Schulz or Justin Westhoff. Port Adelaide’s tall forwards, potentially boosted by the return of John Butcher - may prove a challenge for Hawthorn’s forward line. If Schulz isn’t named, the emphasis will be on Westhoff to replicate the lead target role the former has played for the Power the last three weeks.
Read More: Westhoff keen to carry forward
The History
Port Adelaide has traditionally played well against Hawthorn - winning some of its first matches in the AFL against the brown and gold. Last year it endured its biggest loss in its AFL history to the Hawks, but conversely maintains its biggest win ever over them. Given this background, there will be 22 players looking to re-establish the natural order this weekend with a home ground win. The task is by no means an easy one though - with Hawthorn winning both matches played between the two sides last year. Encouragingly, the Power has won three out of the six games played between the two since the Hawks’ premiership in 2008, and six from eleven when going back to the Power’s Grand Final victory in 2004.
The ledger
Played: 24, Port Adelaide: 15, Hawthorn: 9
The last time
Round 21, 2011 MCG - Port Adelaide 5.2 (32) def by Hawthorn 31.11 (197)
Match details
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Sunday 10 June 2012
First bounce: 4.10pm (local time)
Game Day
Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Port Adelaide will be up against a high-flying Hawks side this weekend and will need to see out a full match of hard at-the-ball footy to secure a win.
Played: 24, Port Adelaide: 15, Hawthorn: 9
The last time
Round 21, 2011 MCG - Port Adelaide 5.2 (32) def by Hawthorn 31.11 (197)
Match details
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Sunday 10 June 2012
First bounce: 4.10pm (local time)
Game Day
Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Port Adelaide will be up against a high-flying Hawks side this weekend and will need to see out a full match of hard at-the-ball footy to secure a win.
