Port Adelaide travels to Etihad Stadium to play the Western Bulldogs in a critical game for its season before a week’s break.
The Teams
Port Adelaide
Form: W L L L L L L W W W L
Ranked: 13th
Western Bulldogs
Form: L L L W W L W W L L
Ranked: 15th
Keys to victory
Despite going down to Hawthorn, the Power wasn’t embarrassed by its performance last Sunday afternoon. Port Adelaide pegged back four goals in the last term to prevent a final margin blowout and the scoreline itself masked an otherwise reasonable around-the-ground performance. The inability to spread quickly from stoppages and make use of its forward 50 entries cost the Power any chance it had for the game however and this limited supply will need to be rectified on Sunday.
Walking wounded
Port Adelaide has been bolstered by the inclusion of hard man Matt Thomas in the squad to travel to Eithad Stadium. Matthew Lobbe and Tom Logan have also been named, both positive ins for the Power. Thomas withdrew from last week’s game against the Hawks with a corked thigh but was never in doubt to be named when fully fit - his ground work and contested ball a real asset to the team.
Read More: Selection
Making the most
Read More: Selection
Making the most
Port Adelaide will be on high alert to use the ball effectively this week against the Bulldogs. Squandered chances on the cusp of goals cost the Power any momentum against Hawthorn and the team will not want to give any inch to a Bulldogs side equally keen to reduce the disparity on its win sheet. Marks in front of goal, conversion of set shots and locking the ball inside 50 were hallmarks of Port’s game against Carlton which were absent against the Hawks - these are three areas that the Power must fix on Sunday.
Read more: Bulldogs won't bully
Honour Match
Read more: Bulldogs won't bully
Honour Match
The Power will be wary of a fired up Bulldogs as the home side prepares to honour its only premiership captain and coach, Charlie Sutton, who passed away last week. Four players have been named for the Bulldogs with Liam Jones at centre-half forward and Christian Howard, Fletcher Roberts and Clay Smith on the extended bench. The Bulldogs are the second lower-ranked opponent that Port Adelaide has played this year and will need to capitalise from the get go if they are to go 5-7 at the break.
Read More: Behind Enemy Lines
Key match-ups
Jay Schulz v Brian Lake
Schulz has battled rib and eye injuries but his spirit and determination has been unbattered despite it. The big forward leads Port Adelaide’s goal kicking and is the main go-to target in attack. He can play down the ground and reads the forward entries well. His normally safe hands went missing on Hawthorn with a couple of dropped marks close to goal but there is no denying his capability as a lead forward again this week. Brian Lake will go to him as the Bulldogs’ chief defender but the likes of Ryan Hargrave may also play into the scenario as a two-on-one matchup - much the same as what Hawthorn did last week.
Mattthew Broadbent v Robert Murphy
Broadbent progresses in leaps and bounds for Port Adelaide and is now one of the key pistons of the Power’s engine room. Robert Murphy has been named by the Bulldogs to take him on and it comes as no surprise - Murphy being one of the Dogs’ better shut down defenders. Broadbent’s impact, even in losses, has been significant and noticeable - particularly his ability to clear the ball from stoppage. His ability to do so with an experienced defender tasked to him will certainly play into Sunday’s outcome.
Read More: Behind Enemy Lines
Key match-ups
Jay Schulz v Brian Lake
Schulz has battled rib and eye injuries but his spirit and determination has been unbattered despite it. The big forward leads Port Adelaide’s goal kicking and is the main go-to target in attack. He can play down the ground and reads the forward entries well. His normally safe hands went missing on Hawthorn with a couple of dropped marks close to goal but there is no denying his capability as a lead forward again this week. Brian Lake will go to him as the Bulldogs’ chief defender but the likes of Ryan Hargrave may also play into the scenario as a two-on-one matchup - much the same as what Hawthorn did last week.
Mattthew Broadbent v Robert Murphy
Broadbent progresses in leaps and bounds for Port Adelaide and is now one of the key pistons of the Power’s engine room. Robert Murphy has been named by the Bulldogs to take him on and it comes as no surprise - Murphy being one of the Dogs’ better shut down defenders. Broadbent’s impact, even in losses, has been significant and noticeable - particularly his ability to clear the ball from stoppage. His ability to do so with an experienced defender tasked to him will certainly play into Sunday’s outcome.
The ledger
Played: 20, Port Adelaide: 11, Western Bulldogs: 9
The last time
Round 22, 2011 MCG - Port Adelaide 15.7 (97) def by Western Bulldogs 24.13 (157)
Match details
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Etihad Stadium, Docklands
Sunday 17 June 2012
First bounce: 4.40pm (local time)
Game Day
Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
It's a must win for Port and they have the team to do it with Matt Thomas back to provide a toughness boost up forward.
Played: 20, Port Adelaide: 11, Western Bulldogs: 9
The last time
Round 22, 2011 MCG - Port Adelaide 15.7 (97) def by Western Bulldogs 24.13 (157)
Match details
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Etihad Stadium, Docklands
Sunday 17 June 2012
First bounce: 4.40pm (local time)
Game Day
Broadcast guide
Match centre
Final word
It's a must win for Port and they have the team to do it with Matt Thomas back to provide a toughness boost up forward.
