Port Adelaide’s recent form: beat Adelaide by 12, lost to North Melbourne by two, lost to Western Bulldogs by 54, lost to Richmond by four and lost to Geelong by 59.

Round 10, 2008, Port Adelaide 16.7 (103) d Fremantle 10.15 (75), Subiaco
Round 22, 2007, Port Adelaide 17.15 (117) d Fremantle 12.13 (85), AAMI
Round one, 2007, Port Adelaide 19.7 (121) d Fremantle 16.9 (105), Subiaco
Round 22, 2006, Fremantle 23.13 (151) d Port Adelaide 9.18 (72), Subiaco
Round three, 2006, Fremantle 15.20 (110) d Port Adelaide 11.13 (79), AAMI

Port Adelaide finally put it all together last week with a tough, committed, four-quarter performance to topple cross-town rivals Adelaide. The Power, who had been winning the crucial statistics without success in last month, capitalised on their tackling, clearance and contested possession dominance with a gutsy 12-point win.

The Power, led by hard nuts Steve Salopek, Dom Cassisi and Tom Logan, were first to the ball and speedsters Danyle Pearce, David Rodan and Shaun Burgoyne had too much toe for the chasing Crows onballers.

Fremantle, too, recorded a rare win last week, but if Port Adelaide plays with the passion and confidence that was on display last week, the Power should notch up a second-consecutive victory.

Fremantle is often so one-dimensional that teams who nullify the influence of skipper Matthew Pavlich usually win. Last week, Pavlich almost single-handedly dragged Fremantle back from the brink against Melbourne with 28 possessions, nine marks and five goals in a lion-hearted display.

In round 10 Fremantle’s regular day hero turned villain when he hit the post with a set shot from 40m out in the final quarter and provided Daniel Motlop with the opportunity to kick what was possibly goal of the year at the other end.

But Pavlich has booted 28 goals in his last six games, despite also spending time in the midfield, and will need to be shut down to prevent a boilover this week.

Victory over Adelaide last week was so important to the Power; they labelled it their ‘grand final’. Port Adelaide lived up to the hype and played like there was a premiership on the line, but after such a positive performance fans won’t settle for anything less in the remaining six weeks.

Showdowns are notorious for being physically and emotionally draining games and it will be interesting too see if the young Power side can back up with another strong showing this week.

Danyle Pearce: Pearce was omitted from the Port Adelaide line up earlier this season, but was back to his blistering best against Adelaide last week. The dashing onballer gathered 24 possessions and three goals, including two clever snaps, on his way to winning the Showdown Medal. The Power appear to have found the right mix of hard and also fast midfielders and if Pearce, Rodan and Shaun Burgoyne can find space, Fremantle will need to be up to the chase.

Troy Chaplin: Chaplin has done the job on Saint Nick Riewoldt and Tiger Matthew Richardson in the past and is likely to be assigned the all-important role on Pavlich this week. The future leader has been in good touch over the past fortnight with some committed performances across half-back and his ability to thwart Pavlich could prove the difference between winning and losing.

Dom Cassisi: the hard-nosed onballer, who had the job on star Crow Scott Thompson, laid a season-high 13 tackles last week to compliment his 26 possessions and eight clearances. Games against Fremantle are traditionally physical affairs and the underrated Cassisi will be looking forward to getting his hands dirty again this week.

Kane Cornes has averaged 30 possessions and seven marks in his last four games against Fremantle.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.