Port Adelaide
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Ranked: 7th
Essendon
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Ranked: 3rd
Last time
Port Adelaide pushed Essendon throughout its Round 16 match at AAMI Stadium but was held to just two behinds in the fourth quarter as the Bombers ran away with a 50-point win.
Round 16, 2012: Port Adelaide 11.11 (77) def by Essendon 19.13 (127) at AAMI Stadium
Form Guide
Past 5: Power 2 v Bombers 3
Past 23: Power 14 v Bombers 9
The fine print
AFL Round 15
Port Adelaide v Essendon
Sunday July 7
Etihad Stadium
740 Bourke Street, Docklands VIC
First bounce: 4:40pm (EST) / 4:10pm (CST)
SA Broadcast: Live on FOX FOOTY and Seven
Live Social: #pafclive #afldonspower
After match function at the Port Club, Queen Street Alberton
Buy tickets
Match information
Broadcast guide
The three
1. Brad Ebert
Ebert’s form was down at the beginning of the year after his strong debut season with the Power in 2012. But the vice-captain has recaptured last year's brilliance with a hot streak of great performances since the club's trip to Darwin in Round 10. With consecutive strong showings against the Bulldogs, Giants, Swans and Magpies, Ebert’s improvement has bolstered the Power’s midfield stocks. He was best again last Saturday against Collingwood and had 30 disposals in addition to six tackles and six inside-50s. It seems he’s relished the opportunity to play against challenging opponents and he’ll be set for another one this weekend against the high-flying Bombers.
2. Matthew Broadbent
Similarly to Ebert, Broadbent’s early season form was down on the high standard he set in his breakout 2012 season. But he’s been critical to Port’s fortunes on-field in the last two weeks. A move to a more permanent half-back role in the last two weeks has seen him prove a damaging utility in defence and the midfield. His raking kick was his best weapon last year and it’s been back in action this past fortnight. In-form players like him will determine winning outcomes for Port Adelaide and hopefully his new defensive role will see him listed at the pointy end of the stats sheet for the rest of the season.
3. Justin Westhoff
‘The Hoff’ was back to his old ways last the weekend with his tall, marking presence up forward. His three-goal effort was reminiscent of his early-season performances and he worked in tandem with full-forward Jay Schulz to grind down Collingwood’s defence. Essendon will be a greater challenge this weekend, but with Matthew Lobbe demonstrating a capability to manage the ruck duties for longer periods, and with the return of another tall back in Jackson Trengove, Westhoff may be able to focus solely on kicking goals at Etihad on Sunday.
Final Word
Port Adelaide is at long odds to take four points back to South Australia this weekend.
Such is the recent form of Essendon.
And Port will be without its veteran defender Dom Cassisi who was subbed from last Saturday’s game with another hamstring injury.
This presents an opportunity for, most likely, Matt Thomas or Paul Stewart to rejoin the team on the back of good weeks in the SANFL.
Essendon has consistently triumphed against the odds this year – most recently with a last-gasp effort against the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium.
They are flying at the moment.
Port, on the other hand, needs to overcome three consecutive losses to the Dons and a poor record at Etihad Stadium.
Perhaps that, combined with its four-place deficit to Essendon on the ladder, explains why expectations for a win this weekend are low.
But the odds were also stacked against Port in both of the last two games.
In the Power's favour is its strong historical record against the Bombers (ignoring the last three matches).
It has pushed the Dons in its past three losses as well.
The Power's main assets are in its pressure-game and range of midfield contributors
Continued performance from the club’s emerging mids – players like Chad Wingard, Cameron O’Shea and Ollie Wines – is a necessity if Port Adelaide wants to keep winning football matches.
Their speedy rise has contributed significantly to the club’s improved performance in the last month and will be needed to support the class of captain Travis Boak and senior players Brad Ebert, Broadbent, Hamish Hartlett, Angus Monfries and Kane Cornes in the club’s engine room.
That’s nine players who can run through the middle for Port.
All of them can kick goals.
Their versatility is a great asset to the club and supports the team’s defenders and attackers to focus on their primary jobs.
It’s a no-brainer that a team performance will deliver the goods for Port Adelaide this year and senior coach Ken Hinkley has already stated the Power will “get what it deserves” from its performances in 2013.
That's where the pressure comes in - 22 players working for each other and working together to win the footy back from the opposition.
If this team continues to play the way it has been, there is every chance it can cause another giant-killing upset this weekend.
As Hinkley has said all year, there are no limits placed on this team and perhaps that's why they play well against the odds.
Current odds
Port Adelaide 3.90 – 1.26 Essendon
