THE PORT Adelaide team tipped to struggle this season will head into Friday night’s clash with touted top-eight side St Kilda as heavy favourites.

It seems the Power’s 3-1 start to the season has prompted some new theories about the impact Port Adelaide will have on the competition in 2007. But for the Power players who never doubted the team's ability, it's just another game and a chance to better their already impressive record.

The Power have won nine out of their last 10 games against St Kilda and were unlucky not to make it a perfect 10, with Daniel Motlop’s now infamous shot on goal after the siren in round 16 last season. Motlop probably doesn’t mind that he’ll sit this one out, but a teammate who will be back in the thick of things is Dean Brogan who returns from ankle injury.

The rain seems to follow Port Adelaide, who look set for another hard-fought slog, but the Power will be determined to win and cast a ray of sunshine over Darryl Wakelin in his 250th game.

Port Adelaide’s recent form: beat Collingwood by 18, lost to Adelaide by 24, beat Kangaroos by 18, beat Fremantle by 16, lost to Fremantle by 79.

Recent form against St Kilda: Round 16, 2006, St Kilda 8.16 (64) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60), Aurora Stadium
Round 4, 2006, Port Adelaide 19.18 (122) d St Kilda 18.10 (118), AAMI
Round 11, 2005, Port Adelaide 16.8 (104) d St Kilda 11.15 (81), Aurora Stadium
Preliminary Final, 2004, Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) d St Kilda 13.10 (88), AAMI
Round 14, 2004, Port Adelaide 14.9 (93) d St Kilda 7.5 (47), York Park, TAS

Strengths: The Power’s ruck division would’ve been a strength this week headed up by Brendon Lade alone, so the inclusion of Dean Brogan is an added bonus. Lade’s game against Collingwood on Saturday was one for the highlights-reel. The big man put the ball down Shaun Burgoyne’s throat on numerous occasions, allowing the Power a quick getaway from the stoppages.

St Kilda’s Matthew Clarke is great tap ruckman but his work around the ground has always been questionable and an area Lade and Brogan can expose. Last week Lade stitched up Josh Fraser winning 34 hit-outs to 14, and the Power star is now ranked third in the competition in that department.

In a game that could see rain, Port Adelaide’s wet-weather experience this season will also be invaluable. The Power’s ferociousness got them over the line against Collingwood and will be a contributing factor in tough and slippery conditions this week. The Port Adelaide players have shown they can adapt quickly to the wet-weather game plan of not over-possessing the ball, and the ability to do so again could be the difference between the two sides.

They’re sweating on: Somebody being able to do the job on Nick Riewoldt. The All-Australian had 10 shots on goal in St Kilda’s games against Port Adelaide last year but thankfully for the Power, Riewoldt only converted five. Last week Riewoldt had his kicking boot on nailing four goals straight in St Kilda’s loss to Essendon.

Chad Cornes is again named at centre half-back but as was the case last week, coach Mark Williams is unlikely to put his match-winner in such an important defensive role. Newfound defender Toby Thurstans has the strength to match Riewoldt, but may not yet possess the game plan necessary for stopping him. Damon White is another who can go with the Saints star if the Power are willing to sacrifice his role up forward, while the disciplined but undersized Michael Pettigrew could also be considered. Wet weather will work in the Power’s favour, but Riewoldt has incredible poise and skill for a big man and should not be underestimated rain or shine.

Potential weaknesses: If the rain stays away and conditions are clear the Power could have trouble containing the St Kilda forward line. The danger Riewoldt presents is evident, but the Saints will also welcome back former Coleman Medalist, Fraser Gehrig, who missed last week through suspension. It’s likely Darryl Wakelin will spend his 250th game watching the Saints’ full-forward, but the Power still have to find a way to stop Stephen Milne and Justin Koschitzke, who are both potential game-breakers. Defenders Jacob Surjan, Michael Pettigrew and Michael Wilson did the job against Collingwood last week and will be out to continue their good form against the Saints’ forwards.

Danger men: Brett Ebert: Ebert kicked three goals in a matter of minutes last week, proving how little time he needs to make an impact on a game. The weather will not be a factor for the Power’s leading goal kicker, who is quick on the lead, strong overhead and good at ground level. The small forward has goaled in every game this year and along with Josh Mahoney will play an important role in a game less suited to key forwards.

Shaun Burgoyne: The classy midfielder will have to break the shackles of one of the game’s most resilient taggers in St Kilda’s Steve Baker. Burgoyne is the brightest light in the star-studded Power midfield and coming off 20 possessions, two goals and a game-high nine clearances against Collingwood, can expect some close attention. The Port Adelaide midfield will have its work cut out this week up against St Kilda ball magnets Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball and Robert Harvey.

Chad Cornes: Over the last two weeks Chad Cornes has demonstrated his ability to bust games wide-open. While Williams ponders where to play the flexible big man, Cornes continues to roam free, picking up possessions at will. Cornes is too attacking to hold down a key-defensive role, but his work in the midfield against Collingwood was a turning point in the game. The former All-Australian had 28 touches and 11 marks last week and his passion and determination was contagious amongst his Power teammates. Cornes enjoys playing against St Kilda, averaging 31 touches in the last two matches played between the two sides.

Did you know? Defender Darryl Wakelin was originally picked up by Adelaide in the 1993 Pre-Season Draft.