The Power have won four of their past fivematches and look set to name an unchanged line-up from the team that demolishedRichmond by 55 points.
But vice-captain Brendon Lade said onWednesday the players were approaching the game against the 15th-placed Dees like any other.
“There are no easy games in the AFL thesedays and if you don’t come prepared anyone could beat you on any given day,” hesaid.
“We played Melbourne 10 weeks ago and only won by akick. You could even say we were a bit lucky to win. They’ve obviously gotinjuries to some key players and a few guys that haven’t been playing too well,but they haven’t won over here for a while and I’m sure they’ll give useverything.”
Despite being in fourth place on the ladderand aiming for a third straight win, the club is reluctant to talk finals.
A victory on Sunday would take the Power to11 wins, just one shy of the elusive 12 that is expected to guarantee finalsaction.
Lade said the team would not start lookingtowards September for at least another fortnight.
“You don’t really start talking aboutfinals until you get those 12 wins,” he said.
“It’d be great for us to get those wins,but until we do we won’t be talking about finals. We’re just focused on Melbourne this week.”
The All-Australian ruckman was restrictedto light duties at the club’s main training session on Wednesday.
Last week’s heroes Brett Ebert and DanielMotlop were also given an easy night, but all three are considered certainstarters this week.
Another certain starter is Peter Burgoynewho has enjoyed a brilliant return from injury this season.
On Sunday Burgoyne will become just thesecond Power player to reach the 200-game milestone.
“Peter’s been around since day one. He wasprobably a little bit lazy to start with in his first couple of years as ahalf-forward,” Lade said.
“He didn’t like running, didn’t liketraining or doing any of that. To come to where he is now, to play 200 gamesand to be such a pivotal player to our club for the last 11 years is great forhim.”
Fittingly another of Port Adelaide’spremiership players could also play his 200th match this week…for theopposition.
Byron Pickett, a cousin to the Burgoynebrothers, is sitting on 199 games and looks set for a recall to the Melbourne side.
“That would be great for Choppy [Pickett].He was a great player for our club and I think Peter and Choppy are reallyclose as well,” Lade said.
“Both teams will be trying to win for eachother’s guy, but hopefully we’ll get the win and not Choppy.”
