This story originally appeared on afl.com.au
SUMMARY
The Power were the surprise packets of the opening round of the competition with a superb victory over Sydney at the SCG. They hunted in packs and beat the Swans at their own game with a tough and tenacious brand of football. Senior players Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Brad Ebert were outstanding, while Sam Powell-Pepper is the early favourite for the NAB AFL Rising Star. The key now for Ken Hinkley's men is to back up that performance in front of their supporters in a game they will be expected to win. The Dockers were pretty ordinary against Geelong and will need to improve significantly if they are going to be any chance. Nat Fyfe will be better for the run after his long lay-off, while Stephen Hill, Shane Kersten and Cam McCarthy are still getting used to their new surroundings. It's a huge challenge for the Dockers if they're going to get their first win of the season.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, April 2, 4.10pm ACST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R13, 2016, Fremantle 12.14 (86) d Port Adelaide 9.15 (69) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2015, Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) d Fremantle 8.5 (53) at Adelaide Oval
R1, 2015, Fremantle 11.9 (75) d Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) at Domain Stadium
1SF, 2014, Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) d Fremantle 11.17 (83) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2014, Fremantle 16.9 (105) d Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Former Dockers midfielder Michael Barlow, now at Gold Coast, was best on ground when these two sides met last year. Barlow had 43 possessions, two goals, eight tackles and nine clearances in the 17-point victory. Retired champion Matthew Pavlich booted four goals.
2. Winning the clearances was the key for the Power in their round one upset of Sydney. The Power had 49 clearances, more than any other team last weekend. They pulled off the victory despite having fewer disposals, marks, tackles, hit-outs and Inside 50s than the Swans.
3. This will be the 33rd match between the Power and the Dockers. The Power holds a narrow advantage, winning 17 games to 15. However, the Dockers have the upper hand recently, having won eight of the past 11 games between the two sides.
4. The Dockers have lost 19 of their past 23 games and nine of their past 10. They have struggled to hit the scoreboard, averaging just 71 points per game since the start of 2016. During that time, they have scored 100 points or more in only four games.
5. Adelaide Oval wasn't a happy hunting ground for the Power last year, winning just four of their 12 games at the venue. The Dockers will be searching for their second win at the ground in their fifth attempt.
6. Power forward Aaron Young is climbing rapidly up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Young is inside the top 200 for the first time in his career having kicked three goals and had 17 possessions against Sydney last week. Young started the 2016 season ranked 417th overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Cam McCarthy
Only wayward kicking stopped the talented forward from making a dominant debut for the Dockers against Geelong, kicking 1.5. McCarthy's aerial skills will make him a tough cover for the Power backline, but he needs to make it count on the scoreboard.
LEE GASKIN'S PREDICTION: Port Adelaide by 35 points
