IN its final game before the bye, Port Adelaide takes on North Adelaide looking to retain its position at the top of the ladder.

Belligerents

PORT ADELAIDE 
Year to date: LWWWWWW
Last five at ground: LLWLL
Currently ranked: 1st

NORTH ADELAIDE
Year to date: WLWWLLL
Last five at ground: LLWLL
Currently ranked: 6th

HEAD TO HEAD
Magpies 222 v 100 Roosters

LAST FIVE
Magpies 3 v 2 Roosters

PLAYBILL

SANFL IGA League – Round 8
North Adelaide v Port Adelaide
Saturday 24 May
First bounce: 2:10pm
Academy: 11:25am
Hashtags: #pafclive #northport
Tickets at the gate: $14 general admission, $8 concession, U18 free
Broadcast: RPH Adelaide, 1197am

A TALE OF TWO GAMES

I t’s just four kilometres from Prospect Oval to the Adelaide Oval. So for the faithful planning to see both the Magpies playing the Roosters and the Power lining up against Hawthorn that night, here are some simple ways to plan your afternoon.

We’ve prepared a quick guide to get from one oval to the other on Saturday

LEAGUE LOOK

Port Adelaide has been playing consistent football, however its second quarters still leave a little to be desired.

While the Magpies have the ability to quickly flick the switch after half time and hit the ground running, it has seen solid leads in its last five games eaten away by the opposition’s response in the second quarter.

North Adelaide presents an interesting challenge to the Magpies this weekend as a side looking to break the current deadlock which sees them sit out of the top five on percentage, just a whisker shy of reigning premiers Norwood in fifth.

The Roosters will know a win this weekend and a loss to the Redlegs at the hands of second-placed Woodville-West Torrens will regain their footing in the five.

Port Adelaide will be weakened by the absence of Andrew Moore (suspended) but an otherwise healthy list will potentially see it regain the services of Brent Renouf if Matt Lobbe is declared fit to play for the Power and the club elects to go with just the one ruckman against the Hawks.

If not, the duties of taking the taps will fall again to Angus Bruggemann who performed the role serviceably against Keenan Brooksby last week, with support from fellow talls Ben Haren and Mitch Harvey.

The focus for the Magpies this weekend will be to produce a four-quarter performance without the mellow centre; for many of the players who are in hot form and pushing for selection in the AFL – names like Neade, Stewart, Logan and Newton – this will be an important test before next week’s state game sabbatical.