Watch highlights from the last time we played Brisbane on PTV above. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
MANY a classic has been played between Port Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions during the last decade and the Power has one last chance at a home ground victory when they host their old rivals at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L L L L L L W W W L L L L L W L L L L
Ranked: 14th
Brisbane Lions
Form: W L L W L L L W L W L W W L L W L L L W
Ranked: 13th
Keys to victory
The Power showed against West Coast that it could match the big guns with one of its most evenly matched games against an opponent statistically compromised only by missed set shots and habitual skill errors.
Jay Schulz will need to provide another good target up forward once again with Brett Ebert and Justin Westhoff stepping up to provide support.
Brisbane’s danger men of Tom Rockliff and Daniel Merrett have provided strong support for the evergreen Jonathan Brown in attack, and this is something that the Power will need to emulate - none of the top sides rely on a single goal kicker.
Winning the contested football and attacking all day will put Port Adelaide in with the best possible chance on the scoreboard, but that attack at the ball cannot come at the expense of execution and both have been areas of inconsistency this year.
[ Related: Buddha preaches skills ]
Selection table
Four players will face fitness tests this week including Travis Boak who was a late withdrawal from the West Coast game with a corked hip.
If selected, Boak will be instrumental in any Port Adelaide win on Saturday. His craft with the ball is at a high standard and his on-field leadership has further evolved in 2012. Paul Stewart is also likely to play despite being forced from the ground in the first term on Sunday with concussion.
Jasper Pittard and Jarrad Redden are also up for consideration this week after recovering from injuries while Hamish Hartlett serve the second of his two week striking suspension.
[ Related: Injury update ]
Forming up
Kane Cornes
Cornes polled the most votes from the AFL Coaches Association against West Coast - leading the way with 32 disposals. His experience and composure under pressure has been a shining light in the Power ranks this year and although he has flown under the radar with the likes of Travis Boak and Brad Ebert capturing the hearts and minds of supporters, Cornes remains the Power’s most consistent midfielder and has featured amongst the best players almost every round. His continued influence running outside and providing deft setup work will be imperative for Port’s rebound and carry into attack.
Justin Westhoff
Westhoff has started impacting as the tall running half forward the Power needs him to be. For the last two weeks, particularly against the Eagles, he has presented as a regular goal target as well as being a ‘drop-back’ defender. It is encouraging to see start to really influence around the ground in the way he did against the Eagles. A few more confidence-boosting performances will go a long way to creating a prolific forward six with ‘Hoff’ a focal point.
Danyle Pearce
Pearce has been one of the Power’s better running defenders over the last month. His ability to win the football is noted amongst Port’s opposition and he is usually the first Power player to draw a tag. He has seemed to free up over the last couple of games and fill a role as a feeder wingman who can set up forwards and kick his own goals. Against the young Lions outfit Pearce will look to break out again and cause damage across the centre and half back.
Fact file
Port Adelaide and Brisbane Lions both played their first AFL games in 1997 - Port Adelaide having stepped into the national competition from the SANFL and the Lions as a merged entity of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears.
The ledger
Played: 26. Port Adelaide: 11, Brisbane Lions: 11 Drawn: 2
The last time
Round 15 2011, Gabba - Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) def by Brisbane Lions 15.9 (99)
Match details
Port Adelaide v Brisbane Lions
AAMI Stadium, West Lakes
Saturday 25 August 2012
Opening bounce: 1.40pm (CST)
Game Day and Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
Probably the more likely of its last two fixtures to net a win, the Power will benefit from the home match and the prospect of doubling its wins from last year.
