It's a draw that sees the Power play, among other highlights, back-to-back Thursday night football games in front of a live national television audience against Sydney at the SCG (Round 14) and Collingwood at the Adelaide Oval (Round 15).
Download 2015 Fixture wallpaper
The Power will play Geelong at the Oval on Friday night in Round 11, and has three other Saturday night games at home.
Yes, if you think a football club that made its one-year-old redeveloped home into a cathedral of sports entertainment and was a whisker from a grand final berth in 2014 deserves a raft of exciting time slots and 10 night games, then you’ll love the Power’s next draw.
But then you must also accept that Port Adelaide must face a tougher draw, certainly its toughest for many, many years.
It then ends the season against the Hawks, Suns and Freo.
We've broken the fixture down as part of our bumper 2015 overview of what is arguably the most exciting draw in the club's history...
The Adelaide Oval
The Power plays 12 games at the Adelaide Oval, including the prescribed ‘away’ Showdown against the Crows in Round 5.Of its 11 ‘home’ games, five are at night and three are twilight games.
Home game ticketed memberships will surely fly out the door with such an exciting fixture.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN 2015 PORT ADELAIDE MEMBERSHIP
The dreaded Saturday afternoon time slot – traditionally the least liked of the Power's supporter base – has disappeared.
There is just one Sunday afternoon game – the Power’s home Showdown in mid-July – and two Sunday twilight games.
And the blockbusters to entice supporters from all walks through the turnstiles on War Memorial Drive is possibly the best enjoyed by the Power since joining the AFL.
Traditional Victorian powerhouses Hawthorn, Geelong and Collingwood all visit the Oval to play the Power under lights, as does Sydney.
Both West Australian clubs will also travel across the Nullarbor, while the GWS Giants, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond will play the Power either at night or in twilight fixtures.
On the road
The Power must do battle with Fremantle – as confirmed earlier in the year – in the Opening Round of the 2015 season.Port will again face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in Round 3, as it did in 2014 and will play three other games at Docklands against Essendon (Round 17), Western Bulldogs (Round 19) and Hawthorn (Round 21).
It only plays once at the home of football, against Carlton in Round 12, but the AFL has made up for that lack of MCG action with an otherwise favourable mix of interstate games.
Alice Springs – not Darwin – will again be the site of the Power’s Top End foray in the middle of the year.
Just one visit to Perth in Round 1 sees the club’s frequent flyer mileage to the west halved on 2014's minor round levels, and replaced by a double trip to Queensland.
The Power plays its first game at the Gabba since 2011 against Brisbane and journey to Metricon Stadium to again play the Suns.
And then there’s the massive SCG battle against the Swans under Thursday night lights after the bye – a massive national stage get for the Power.
Certainly this is a draw that gives plenty of opportunity for supporter travel.
Key points
- Nine of the Power’s games will be broadcast nationally on the Seven Network, while Foxtel will again provide coverage of the club’s entire season.
- Back-to-back Thursday night games in Sydney and Adelaide after the bye.
- Fremantle bookends Port Adelaide’s year – hosting the Power in Round 1 and finishing its season at the Adelaide Oval in Round 23.
- As previously confirmed, Port Adelaide will host Hawthorn on ANZAC Day in Round 4 under lights.
- The Power plays away for both Indigenous (Round 9 v Melbourne) and Multicultural Round (Round 19 v Western Bulldogs).
- Port Adelaide plays the West Coast Eagles at the Adelaide Oval on Mother’s Day (Sunday 10 May, Round 6)
- Port Adelaide hosts the Bulldogs on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
- The Crows host the first derby of the year (Showdown XXXVIII in Round 5), while the Power is home for the re-match (Showdown XXXIX in Round 16)
- Port Adelaide plays at the Adelaide Oval in consecutive weeks three times: Rounds 4-6, Rounds 10-11, Rounds 15-16.
Toughness
If you love the entertainment reward of this fixture with blockbuster night games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, then you need to accept there will be a price.
That price is a challenging line up of games and opponents.
For finishing third, the Power plays double-up games against some of the toughest teams in the nation.
The Power plays Hawthorn, Sydney and Fremantle twice across the season.
The double-up game against the Crows could go either way, while the Bulldogs is the only other team to play the Power twice in 2015.
The start to the season is formidable, with Port to face Fremantle, Sydney, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Adelaide and West Coast in the first six rounds.
It’s a brutal start, but one that should come as no surprise after finishing third.
The season also closes with a three-game sequence against potential top four sides. The Power will travel away to face the Hawks and Gold Coast before returning home to see the year out against Fremantle.
2015 will be a long, hard and (hopefully) very entertaining slog.
The 2015 fixture overview
AFL Opening Round
Broadcaster: Foxtel
At least the long haul to Perth is over and done with early. This will be the semi final re-match and Fremantle will be out to make amends for the loss Port Adelaide inflicted on them in September 2014. The good news for the Power on Easter Sunday is that this side knows it can win at this venue, and a bumper pre-season will have the visitors all the better for it.
| Power | Freo | Drawn | |
| Overall | 16 | 13 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 7 | 7 | |
| Last five | Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) def Fremantle 11.17 (83), Semi Final 2014 at Patersons Stadium | ||
First Home Game
Broadcaster: Seven
The Power’s first game against the Swans is a dream realised for fans wanting to see a spectacular start to the year. It’s also a huge challenge against the 2014 grand finallist. The Swans beat the Power in both encounters in 2014, including the sole game between the two clubs at the Adelaide Oval in August. Port Adelaide must get its home hunting season off to a good start in what should be a 50,000+ crowd.
| Power | Swans | Drawn | |
| Overall | 7 | 17 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 0 | 1 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 7.16 (58) def by Sydney 12.12 (84), Round 20 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Seven
Sydney has the second-best record against Port Adelaide of any AFL club, the most successful is the Power’s traditional bogey side North Melbourne, and the Power plays them in Round 3. It’s an almost carbon copy scheduling of the Power’s 2014 fixture against the Roos, and Port was close to pulling off a rare Etihad win over the blue-and-whites that day. This is another big ask for the Power as the two preliminary finallists from 2014 go head-to-head for one night only. A travel opportunity for Power supporters.
| Power | Kangaroos | Drawn | |
| Overall | 8 | 21 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 6 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def by North Melbourne 14.13 (97), Round 3 2014 at Etihad Stadium | ||
ANZAC Round
Broadcaster: Seven
So Hawthorn hasn’t beaten the Power at the Adelaide Oval, but it’s not much of a record when they've only met once at the ground. Port Adelaide’s brutal start to the year continues against the reigning premier under lights on ANZAC Night. The last time these two teams met, the Hawks held on to win a thrilling prelim final, before that the Power came from behind to snare a big win in front of a record South Australian AFL crowd at the Oval. Expect another cracker.
| Power | Hawks | Drawn | |
| Overall | 16 | 13 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 13.16 (94) def by Hawthorn 15.7 (97), Preliminary Final 2014 at the MCG | ||
Showdown XXXVIII
Broadcaster: Foxtel
Two Showdowns at the Oval produced two very different results for the Port faithful in 2014. This will be the first proper encounter between the Power and former coaching stalwart Phil Walsh as the principal of the Crows. Much will be made of this game for that reason, but does the Power need any more to bring the fight to the team from West Lakes? Probably not. This is an away derby for Port Adelaide, so The Port Club will probably be the place to go for Power supporters this day.
| Power | Crows | Drawn | |
| Overall | 20 | 17 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 1 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 10.16 (76) def by Adelaide Crows 14.15 (99), Round 15 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Mother's Day
Broadcaster: Foxtel
This will be Port Adelaide’s first match against the Eagles at the Adelaide Oval and a twilight Sunday game will be just the ticket after the hugely successful showing against the Cats in the same slot in 2014. The Eagles will be one of the great unknowns of 2015 after just missing the finals, if Adam Simpson’s men nail their consistency next season, they will be a formidable challenge for the Power. Notably the Eagles have won their only game at the Oval, against the Crows in 2014.
| Power | Eagles | Drawn | |
| Overall | 17 | 9 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | not played | ||
| Last time | Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) def West Coast Eagles 7.14 (56), Round 5 2014 at Patersons Stadium | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
The Power will return to Wolloongabba for the first time since 2011 and it will be a homecoming of sorts for Brisbane’s favourite sons-turned-Port coaches Shaun Hart and Michael Voss. Sentimentality aside, the Power must win this road game against the Lions. Their record at the Gabba isn't great and a three-season sabbatical from playing at the venue puts ground experience firmly in Brisbane's corner.
| Power | Lions | Drawn | |
| Overall | 13 | 14 | 2 |
| Head-to-head at venue | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 24.15 (159) def Brisbane Lions 7.4 (46), Round 4 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
Port Adelaide and Richmond will play their elimination final re-match in Round 8 at the Adelaide Oval. A twilight Sunday fixture, this game should be a cracker. Both clubs have been on an upward trend in recent years and while the Power managed to cage the Tigers in the first knockout final of 2014, Richmond is one team expected to challenge for the eight again. They will be looking to take an important away win at a place they managed the same feat against Adelaide late last season.
| Power | Tigers | Drawn | |
| Overall | 15 | 9 | 1 |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) def Richmond 11.9 (75), Elimination Final 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Indigenous Round
Broadcaster: Foxtel
Port Adelaide and Melbourne could build an Indigenous Round tradition with the two clubs again rostered to meet in Alice Springs - this time in Round 9. The conditions are marginally better in Alice compared to Darwin, and the Power and Dees played out one of the tightest games of the year in the red centre when they met for the first official game at Traeger Park this year.
| Power | Demons | Drawn | |
| Overall | 17 | 11 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) def Melbourne 10.9 (69), Round 18 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Queen's Birthday long weekend
Broadcaster: Foxtel
The Doggies return to Adelaide Oval in early June in an important double-header week for the Power, which backs up just six days later against the Cats. It will be an essential game for the home side for that reason and as the third game under lights for Port's home calendar, a win in front of what should be another large crowd is crucial.
| Power | Bulldogs | Drawn | |
| Overall | 12 | 11 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 19.14 (128) def Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56), Round 14 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Seven
This is Port Adelaide's only Friday night game at home, but it will be a huge match. Coming off a six day break, the evergreen Cats will return to the Adelaide Oval against a Power outfit that will look to emulate its stirring ANZAC Round win under lights last season. That was a drought-breaking win over Geelong, and the faithful will be keen to see a repeat performance, particularly with the bye closing in.
| Power | Cats | Drawn | |
| Overall | 9 | 18 | 1 |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 16.11 (107) def Geelong 9.13 (67), Round 6 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
Such an important game for Port Adelaide also provides a big opportunity for True Believers to make the journey over the border for the club's sole minor round game at the MCG. Wins at the 'G are essential for any non-Victorian list and the Power has just one opportunity this year, so Round 12 will be an opportunity to close the first half of the season on a positive note. This will be just the second game between the two sides at the home of football, the first being Port's 14-point win in 2005.
| Power | Blues | Drawn | |
| Overall | 15 | 11 | 1 |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 20.20 (140) def Carlton 5.7 (37), Round 22 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Round 13 - BYE
Broadcaster: Seven
Thursday night footy. Port Adelaide's first match in the timeslot will be an away match against the Swans. After the halfway mark of the season, this could have plenty on the line if both clubs are up-and-about. The Power's record at the SCG isn't flash, but performances against the Swans in their last four encounters have been strong despite a 1-3 record. This standalone game in front of a live national audience into the Sydney market is an incredible result for Port Adelaide and Hinkley's men won't look to disappoint.
| Power | Swans | Drawn | |
| Overall | 7 | 17 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 3 | 9 | |
| Last five at venue | Port Adelaide 7.16 (58) def by Sydney 12.12 (84), Round 20 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Seven
The best thing about that Sydney game is it will whet your appetite for Thursday night footy the following week. The drawcard doesn't get much bigger - Collingwood under lights at the Adelaide Oval - and this is a fixture the Crows had, and made work, in 2014. With that in mind, the Power will look to make the first encounter against the 'Woods a winning one. This is the Power's fifth and final night game at home.
| Power | Pies | Drawn | |
| Overall | 11 | 14 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | not played | ||
| Last time | Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) def by Collingwood 11.10 (76), Round 19 2014 at the MCG | ||
Showdown XXXIX
Broadcaster: Seven
In the corresponding game in 2014, the Crows came from behind to secure a reasonably convincing win. This was the period that cued the Power's mid-year form slide, and given Showdowns are unpredictable beasts, Port Adelaide will be out to make sure the 39th installment doesn't slip from its grasp. At least the boys will have the full and vocal force of the Teal Sea behind them.
| Power | Crows | Drawn | |
| Overall | 20 | 17 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 1 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 10.16 (76) def by Adelaide Crows 14.15 (99), Round 15 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Seven
Essendon used to be a team the Power brushed aside on a regular basis, but the Dons have reversed that trend over the last four years and hold a five-game winning streak on the ledger. Port has come close in recent times, but never enough to restore some balance to their ledger. The Power's last win against Essendon was in May 2010 at Etihad Stadium. Another game under lights on a nationally televised audience, this is also another great travel opportunity for supporters.
| Power | Bombers | Drawn | |
| Overall | 14 | 11 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 5 | 6 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 7.18 (60) def by Essendon 8.14 (62), Round 16 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
The Saints come marching back to the Adelaide Oval in the Power's only Sunday afternoon game at home. That in itself is significant. As the club's third-last home game for the year, the young Saints will have a full season's experience under their belt from the last time the two clubs met.
| Power | Saints | Drawn | |
| Overall | 15 | 10 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last five at venue | Port Adelaide 19.15 (129) def St Kilda 9.5 (59), Round 12 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Multicultural Round
Broadcaster: Foxtel
The Power doesn't often play the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium - this will be just the sixth encounter between the two sides. With plenty of travel already under your belt from that swathe of great night football earlier in the year, you'll probably be tossing up between this game and the Friday night match against the Hawks two weeks later.
| Power | Bulldogs | Drawn | |
| Overall | 12 | 11 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 2 | 3 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 19.14 (128) def Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56), Round 14 2014 at the Adelaide Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
The Power's penultimate home game will be against the Giants in the AFL newcomer's first match against Port Adelaide at the Oval. The Giants will be better again next year and will be looking, as ever, to claim a road scalp. This twilight fixture is perfect for the Port supporter wanting to stay in town on Saturday night after an early match finish.
| Power | Giants | Drawn | |
| Overall | 3 | 1 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | not played | ||
| Last time | Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) def GWS Giants 15.7 (97), Round 7 2014 at StarTrack Oval | ||
Broadcaster: Seven
This is a great travel opportunity for supporters, especially if both sides are evenly matched in form and ladder position. Playing the Hawks under the roof on Friday night before a live national television audience, this has all the makings of another great away trip for Power fans against the benchmark of the competition. Incredibly, this will be the first time Port Adelaide has played the Hawks at Etihad Stadium.
| Power | Hawks | Drawn | |
| Overall | 16 | 13 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | not played | ||
| Last time | Port Adelaide 13.16 (94) def by Hawthorn 15.7 (97), Preliminary Final 2014 at the MCG | ||
Broadcaster: Foxtel
As with 2014, Port Adelaide travels to Metricon Stadium to play the Gold Coast Suns late in the year. The Suns are expected to play finals in 2015 - possibly even as a top four side - so the Power will face a mighty task, although it does have an unblemished record at the venue. If you don't see the Hawks play in Melbourne on the Friday before, a mini holiday to Gold Coast will be an alternative option. Hopefully conditions aren't monsoonal this time.
| Power | Suns | Drawn | |
| Overall | 4 | 1 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 3 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 7.14 (56) def Gold Coast 7.5 (47), Preliminary Final 2014 at Metricon Stadium | ||
Broadcaster: TBC
The old floating fixture is back. While the date and time isn't confirmed, as the final game at the Adelaide Oval for the minor round, the Power faithful will turn out in force to see the club's home-and-away campaign off in full voice.
| Power | Freo | Drawn | |
| Overall | 16 | 13 | |
| Head-to-head at venue | 1 | 0 | |
| Last time | Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) def Fremantle 11.17 (83), Semi Final 2014 at Patersons Stadium | ||
Matches by time slot
| Time slot | Home matches | Away matches | Total matches |
| Saturday afternoon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Sunday early | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sunday afternoon | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Monday afternoon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DAY | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Saturday twilight | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sunday twilight | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| TWILIGHT | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Thursday night | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Friday night | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Saturday night | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| NIGHT | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| TBC (Round 23) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Matches by venue
| Venue | Home | Away | Total |
| Adelaide Oval | 11 | 1 | 12 |
| Etihad Stadium | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Melbourne Cricket Ground | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Metricon Stadium | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Patersons Stadium | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sydney Cricket Ground | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| The Gabba | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| TIO Traeger Park | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Matches by network
| Network | Home | Away | Total |
| Foxtel | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Seven | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| TBC (Round 23) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
