AS THE players leave the change rooms and prepare to run out onto AAMI Stadium, they run past a sign, which reads, 'we do not lose at home'.
The Power, who have traditionally maintained an impressive record on their home turf, have not embraced this ethos in 2008, claiming just one victory at AAMI Stadium this year.
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Recent results against Carlton:
2007, Round 19 – Port
2007 Round 11 – Carlton 22.9 (141) d Port Adelaide 14.18 (102), TD
2006 Round 10 – Port Adelaide 17.16 (188) d Carlton 12.12 (84), TD
2005 Round 19 - Port Adelaide 18.15 (123) d Carlton 16.13 (109), MCG
2005 Round 4 - Port Adelaide 15.19 (109) drew Carlton 16.13 (109), AAMI
Strengths:
The Power were adamant they were on the right track, despite having only won three games this season, and that confidence was rewarded last week with victory over Fremantle. The belief, which can only be fully restored with a win, is back and now Port Adelaide is determined to resurrect its season with a second-consecutive win.
The Power and Blues are level on points with both teams holding a 4-6 win-loss record, but the home side will start warm favourites for the twilight game.
Sunday’s clash is a must-win for finals
Potential weakness:
In the past two weeks, the Power have let both the Swans and the Dockers get the jump on them and only recovered to win against Freo, the league’s fade-out kings.
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They’re sweating on:
Last week, the Power’s improving bunch of big men, Troy Chaplin, Toby Thurstans, Michael Pettigrew and the increasingly impressive Alipate Carlile, held Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant to a solitary goal and if they can keep Fevola to a similar tally this week, a win is all but guaranteed.
Dangermen:
Daniel Motlop: The freak show rolled on at Subiaco last week with Motlop adding a Peter Daicos-like six-pointer to his expanding list of goal of the year contenders.
Motlop enjoys playing Carlton, having averaged 12 touches and two goals in his past five outings against the Navy Blues. The inspirational goal sneak has kicked three or more goals on four occasions this season and it’s little coincidence the Power have won all four of those games.
Kane Cornes: Cornes was granted some rare freedom last week after the withdrawal of Fremantle ball magnet Peter Bell and he relished the change in landscape with 31 possessions. On Sunday afternoon Cornes is likely to resume his tagging duties with the top job on Chris Judd. In round 15 last season, Judd was moved away from Cornes after the Power All-Australian restricted him to just 11 touches while gathering 35 of his own.
Travis Boak: Boak was named best on ground and awarded a NAB Rising Star nomination for his performance against Carlton in round 19 last year. The gifted ball winner, who has been touted as a future Brownlow Medallist, picked up 28 possessions, including seven in a match-winning final quarter, in little over 80 minutes of game time. Boak has continued to impress this season and will enjoy the challenge against Carlton’s developing midfield.
It’s not generally known…
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
