WATCH highlights from last time we played Richmond above on PTV
PORT Adelaide hosts Richmond at AAMI Stadium this Sunday in an important clash for both sides which are seeking to notch their second win for the season.
The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L L L L
Ranked: 15th
Richmond
Form: L L W L L
Ranked: 14th
Keys to victory
Port Adelaide’s coach and players believe they are good enough to mix it with the best this year, but have been unable to maintain intensity across the last four wins, having been in winning positions at the final change in each of those games. The club will rely heavily on its midfield to contribute up forward this week with the loss of number one forward Jay Schulz and emerging youngster Chad Wingard. If the Power’s midfield maintains its work rate for the whole four quarters and executes Matthew Primus’ game plan on the park it will take home the points.
Walking wounded
Port Adelaide has lost three key forwards in the last two weeks through injuries to Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz and Chad Wingard. Whilst Gray’s injury is longer-term, the omission of Schulz (scratched eye) and Wingard (shoulder) places Port Adelaide’s forwards under increased pressure. Justin Westhoff was best on ground for the Power in Showdown 32, and he will need to carry the tall forward mantle alongside a likely inclusion of Daniel Stewart this weekend. Who the Power brings in to replace small forward Chad Wingard could provide a bit of extra spice to the game. Brett Ebert and Tom Logan have both been in good touch in the SANFL winning the last fortnight’s ‘Player of the Week’ tags between them. Thursday night’s selection will be one of the most interesting this year.
Pressure cooker
The Power has been unable to beat any side in the tackle count this year and it is the seeming lack of pressure which has cost the side early. Coach Matthew Primus expects the players to turn this around. True, the tackling pressure of Port Adelaide has been a marked improvement this year - but it lacks the intensity and consistency of their rivals. The Power showed what can be achieved with intense football in the third quarter of the Showdown when they came from four goals down to hit the lead late in the term.
Spirit and tradition
Port Adelaide has a reputation for being ‘down but never out’ - coming from behind or from having the ‘underdog’ tag to run over fancied rivals in the AFL and SANFL. The big omissions from the Power will give the Tigers a better team on paper, but Port Adelaide hasn’t strung its best football together yet this year - when it plays its brand it is exciting and impressive. The importance of the game is not lost on the playing group and they will be looking to make amends like the Port Adelaide of old after the hurt of last week’s Showdown.
Key match-ups
Jack Riewoldt/Brad Miller v Carlile/Trengove/Chaplin
Keeping down the forward duo of Jack Riewoldt and Brad Miller will be the task of Port Adelaide’s defenders. Capable of kicking big scores, this pair will need to be curbed if the Power wants to claim the four points. Coupled with Brett Deledio - a sometimes half-back who can go forward and kick goals - Richmond has dangerous targets right across the ground. The Power’s defence has been serviceable this year and with a solid midfield performance to ease the pressure on them, the backs should be able to limit these Tigers’ influence on the game.
Travis Boak v Trent Cotchin
Two young stars of the competition and both barometers for their team, whoever gets the better between these two could well win the game. Boak’s hands in close were brilliant against Collingwood but he’s been quiet in 2012 by his lofty standards. If the 2011 John Cahill Medallist is able to win clearances for the home side, it’ll go a long way to giving the Power the edge on Sunday.
John Butcher v Alex Rance
With Schulz out with an eye injury, John Butcher will become a key focal point deep in the Power’s attack. Alex Rance has been given several big jobs so far in 2012 and may be the man to mark Butcher, who booted four goals in Balfours Showdown XXXII. If the delivery is good, Butcher’s speed and strength overhead could prove the difference in this battle.
The History
Port Adelaide and Richmond have battled it out twenty times since the Power entered the AFL in 1997 - with the Power leading the win-loss count 14-6. But Richmond has improved over the past few years under the leadership of Port Adelaide premiership player Damien Hardwick and has pushed a number of likely top eight candidates in its opening games - including Geelong, Collingwood, Carlton and West Coast. It’s a much similar roll call to that of the teams the Power has battled to the wire - clubs like Essendon (Round 2), Sydney (Round 3) and Collingwood (Round 4). In Port Adelaide’s favour is the game being played on home turf at AAMI Stadium - territory it has played well at against the Tigers in the past.
Umpires: TBA
The ledger
Played: 20, Port Adelaide: 14, Richmond: 6
The last five
Round 10, 2011 TIO Stadium - Port Adelaide 13.11 (99) def Richmond 10.14 (74)
Round 22, 2010 Etihad Stadium - Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) def Richmond 16.16 (112)
Round 10, 2010 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 3.12 (30) def by Richmond 10.17 (77)
Round 8, 2009 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.18 (102) def Richmond 15.9 (99)
Round 13, 2008 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 19.9 (123) def by Richmond 20.7 (127)
Port Adelaide has a reputation for being ‘down but never out’ - coming from behind or from having the ‘underdog’ tag to run over fancied rivals in the AFL and SANFL. The big omissions from the Power will give the Tigers a better team on paper, but Port Adelaide hasn’t strung its best football together yet this year - when it plays its brand it is exciting and impressive. The importance of the game is not lost on the playing group and they will be looking to make amends like the Port Adelaide of old after the hurt of last week’s Showdown.
Key match-ups
Jack Riewoldt/Brad Miller v Carlile/Trengove/Chaplin
Keeping down the forward duo of Jack Riewoldt and Brad Miller will be the task of Port Adelaide’s defenders. Capable of kicking big scores, this pair will need to be curbed if the Power wants to claim the four points. Coupled with Brett Deledio - a sometimes half-back who can go forward and kick goals - Richmond has dangerous targets right across the ground. The Power’s defence has been serviceable this year and with a solid midfield performance to ease the pressure on them, the backs should be able to limit these Tigers’ influence on the game.
Travis Boak v Trent Cotchin
Two young stars of the competition and both barometers for their team, whoever gets the better between these two could well win the game. Boak’s hands in close were brilliant against Collingwood but he’s been quiet in 2012 by his lofty standards. If the 2011 John Cahill Medallist is able to win clearances for the home side, it’ll go a long way to giving the Power the edge on Sunday.
John Butcher v Alex Rance
With Schulz out with an eye injury, John Butcher will become a key focal point deep in the Power’s attack. Alex Rance has been given several big jobs so far in 2012 and may be the man to mark Butcher, who booted four goals in Balfours Showdown XXXII. If the delivery is good, Butcher’s speed and strength overhead could prove the difference in this battle.
The History
Port Adelaide and Richmond have battled it out twenty times since the Power entered the AFL in 1997 - with the Power leading the win-loss count 14-6. But Richmond has improved over the past few years under the leadership of Port Adelaide premiership player Damien Hardwick and has pushed a number of likely top eight candidates in its opening games - including Geelong, Collingwood, Carlton and West Coast. It’s a much similar roll call to that of the teams the Power has battled to the wire - clubs like Essendon (Round 2), Sydney (Round 3) and Collingwood (Round 4). In Port Adelaide’s favour is the game being played on home turf at AAMI Stadium - territory it has played well at against the Tigers in the past.
Umpires: TBA
The ledger
Played: 20, Port Adelaide: 14, Richmond: 6
The last five
Round 10, 2011 TIO Stadium - Port Adelaide 13.11 (99) def Richmond 10.14 (74)
Round 22, 2010 Etihad Stadium - Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) def Richmond 16.16 (112)
Round 10, 2010 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 3.12 (30) def by Richmond 10.17 (77)
Round 8, 2009 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 14.18 (102) def Richmond 15.9 (99)
Round 13, 2008 AAMI Stadium - Port Adelaide 19.9 (123) def by Richmond 20.7 (127)
Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Port Adelaide must win this game to keep touch with the front runners - no easy task with key forwards out.
Match centre
Final word
Port Adelaide must win this game to keep touch with the front runners - no easy task with key forwards out.
