Port Adelaide
Form: W W W W
Ranked: 2nd
West Coast
Form: L L W L
Ranked: 12th
Last time
The Eagles make short work of a tired Power outfit at AAMI Stadium. Justin Westhoff had a strong game with 24 touches and a goal while Kane Cornes scored Brownlow votes for his 32-disposal effort.
Round 21, 2012: Port Adelaide 6.14 (50) def by West Coast 14.14 (98) at AAMI Stadium
Form Guide
Past 5: Power 2 v Eagles 3
Past 24: Power 15 v Eagles 9
The fine print
AFL Round 5 – ANZAC Round
Port Adelaide v West Coast
Saturday April 27
AAMI Stadium
Turner Drive, West Lakes SA
First bounce: 7:15pm (SA time)
Broadcast: Live on FOX, delayed locally on Seven
portadelaidefc.com.au coverage starts at 7:15pm
Twitter: #pafclive #aflpowereagles
Buy tickets
After match function at The Port Club, Queen Street, Alberton
Our top three
1. Jay Schulz
‘Schulzy’ had a quiet opening half against the Suns last week, but fired up in the second to boot four goals and finish as the leading scorer on the ground. Nabbing his second Lifebroker Mark of the Year nomination in the process, Schulz’s dominance in the third quarter was critical to sealing the result for Port Adelaide. His big marking presence and solid start to the year, despite two quieter performances against GWS and the Crows, will be a big asset for Port Adelaide as it prepares to front a West Coast side with a laudable defence. He must have another big game if the Power is to secure a fifth consecutive win.
2. Kane Cornes
Cornes has had his best ever start to an AFL season. Much like this Port Adelaide side, he has played with a new energy in the early part of this season. His standout performance against the Suns last week – 35 disposals and 16 marks on the stats sheet – was impressive. His ability to win the uncontested ball was instrumental in Port’s forward pushes and he remains one of the most important parts of the club’s improved midfield. It’s his 250th game on Saturday night – he will make sure it’s not a night to forget.
3. Chad Wingard
Wingard showed his promise last year, this year he has delivered on it. Three goals against the Suns in the early part of the game helped the Power put its rival to the sword. He has been a versatile, dangerous small forward and his place in the side is secure. The best thing about Wingard is he’s comfortable running out of attack and impacting through the middle as well. He has been a goal scorer in every game this year and odds on will continue that against the Eagles.
Final word
Port Adelaide has never started a season this well and its current 4-0 record speaks volumes of Ken Hinkley’s work developing an exciting new game plan for 2013.
But it’s been the Power’s ability to respond to challenges – be it Adelaide gaining the ascendency in the second term in Round 3 or being neck-and-neck with a side early in the game – that has been a critical factor for its win-loss ratio at this early stage.
It has piled on multiple goals in either the second or third term to gain winning momentum in the last three matches.
But West Coast poses a new challenge for Port.
Last year it had one of the best defensive units and strong attackers like Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.
Both proved key forwards to tame when Port faced the Eagles during the NAB Cup in Alice Springs and shutdown defenders like Jackson Trengove and Tom Jonas could well feature on either.
The biggest asset Port has shown off in the first four rounds has been its multi-pronged attacking capability: it has 18 goal scorers and an average of nine per game.
That demonstrates the dangerous nature of this fresh-faced team - forwards, backs, rucks and midfielders are all capable of impacting the scoreboard.
The Eagles’ slow start to the year does not deny them favouritism for this match though.
Semi-finalists last year and hurting with a 1-3 start to this season after being touted as top four finishers during the summer will mean a hardened side comes to AAMI Stadium this weekend.
Coupled with the return of several senior players like Darren Glass, Beau Waters and Matt Rosa, this will be a far stronger ad hungrier West Coast side than has been seen this year.
Current odds
Port Adelaide 2.00 – 1.80 West Coast Eagles
