WITH the Power having a bye this weekend, Magpies supporters are urged to come to Alberton to cheer on their side in a crucial finals-shaping contest with Glenelg.

Port and the Tigers meet in their Round 17 match from 2.10pm on Saturday, with the winner taking an advantage in the tense race for a berth in the top five.

Magpies Coach Tony Bamford and his team are treating the game as an elimination final.

“That’s pretty much what it is,” Tony said. “There are a few teams around us on the ladder and if we win it it’ll make life a lot easier. If we lose things will get a lot tougher.”

With no TV coverage, the only way you’ll see the game is by joining what should be a big crowd at Alberton where the Magpies won the sides’ only other clash this season by just two points in Round 2.

Both teams have six wins, with Glenelg sitting fourth on the ladder - two spots ahead of the Magpies - thanks to a draw.

Port returns home from its Foxtel Cup semi-final defeat against Claremont at Patersons Stadium, while the Tigers are coming off a bye.

In their last SANFL games, the Magpies belted Sturt by 72 points, and the Tigers accounted for the Eagles by two points.

Port has seven games to go in the minor round, with Saturday’s clash one of four on home turf at Alberton. They next play Glenelg at Gliderol Stadium in Round 22.

The Reserves play in Saturday’s curtain-raiser from 11.25am.