Recent results against Hawthorn:
Round eight, 2008, Hawthorn 17.15 (117) d Port Adelaide 15.12 (102), Aurora Stadium
Round 20, 2007, Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) d Hawthorn 12.10 (82), Aurora Stadium
Round 10, 2007, Hawthorn 17.7 (109) d Port Adelaide 10.15 (75), AAMI Stadium
Round 11, 2006, Port Adelaide 22.13 (145) d Hawthorn 7.7 (49), AAMI Stadium
Round 13, 2005, Port Adelaide 29.14 (188) d Hawthorn 10.11 (71), AAMI Stadium
Medical Room
Port Adelaide: Shaun Burgoyne (knee) available, Mitch Banner (sinus fracture) three weeks, Justin Westhoff (fractured foot) eight weeks, Jackson Trengove (knee/hamstring) indefinite.
Hawthorn: Brad Sewell (groin) test, Jordan Lewis (shoulder) test, Robert Campbell (glute) test, Ben McGlynn (foot) 1-2 weeks, Michael Osborne (hamstring) 2-3 weeks, Grant Birchall (thumb) 3-4 weeks, Max Bailey (knee) indefinite, Trent Croad (foot) indefinite, Xavier Ellis (foot) indefinite, Rick Ladson (knee) indefinite
Summary
The Power responded to a disappointing performance over in the West with a 57-point demolition of Melbourne at home on Sunday.
Port Adelaide, led by six-goal hero Warren Tredrea, kicked six majors either side of the half-time break to set-up a match-winning lead.
Steve Salopek and Nathan Krakouer continued to enjoy their new roles in defence and youngsters Danyle Pearce, Robbie Gray and Alipate Carlile gave supporters another glimpse of their enormous potential.
But the win came at a cost. Skipper Dom Cassisi was suspended for a week after striking Demon Lynden Dunn, and Peter Burgoyne became the fourth Power player to go into the umpires’ book this season when he was caught on camera kneeing Aaron Davey in the back.
The injury-hit Hawks, through Sam Mitchell (37 possessions) and Jarryd Roughead and Buddy Franklin (nine goals between them)+, finally got their premiership defence underway with a 54-point belting of North Melbourne.
Hawthorn will also be missing key players at the MCG on Saturday, but could have some handy additions to the midfield in the form of Sewell, Lewis and big man Campbell.
Key match-up
Troy Chaplin v Lance Franklin
Finding the right match-up for the 196cm, 101kg, and freakishly-talented forward is a weekly challenge for teams preparing to take on the Hawks. Coach Mark Williams has several options at his disposal with Chaplin, Carlile and the undersized, but super-quick Michael Pettigrew in the mix. Whoever misses out on Buddy-minding duties will have the equally unenviable job on the in-form Roughead.
Kick it to me
Warren Tredrea turned back the clock against the Dees last week to kick his highest tally of goals in nearly four years. The former skipper reeled in nine marks as his teammates looked to him as the focal point up forward in the absence of the injured Westhoff. The Hawks defence has been depleted by injuries to key-position players Trent Croad and Stephen Gilham, and Tredrea will look to expose the inexperience of his younger opponent on Saturday.
Somebody stop me
Mitchell, Franklin and Roughead headlined Hawthorn’s impressive win over the Roos, allowing Chance’s Bateman’s 29-possession and two-goal contribution to go under the radar. The speedy onballer helped orchestrate Hawthorn’s come-from-behind win over the Power in Tasmania last year with another 29 touches and will need close attention this week.
At the selection table
David Rodan was dropped following the round-two loss to West Coast, but performed well for Norwood in the SANFL and is an obvious replacement for clearance winners Cassisi and Burgoyne. Nick Lower was best on ground for the Redlegs in the same game and would be worthy of a chance, as would gritty half-back Tom Logan. Expect talented first-round draft Hamish Hartlett to be around the mark too.
It’s not generally known that...
Port Adelaide’s score of 29.14 (188) against Hawthorn in round 13, 2005, is the club’s highest-ever in the AFL.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
