PORT ADELAIDE faces Hawthorn at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston in Sir Doug Nicholls Round on Saturday afternoon.

Port moved into the top eight after a 38-point victory over Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval last weekend, while the Hawks sit in 11th place with a 4-5 record after nine rounds.

When the two sides met at the same venue in Round 11 last season, it was the Hawks who snatched victory by three points in a low-scoring contest.

Ken Hinkley’s men started the better of the two teams, kicking five goals to one in a very entertaining first term.

But it was all the Hawks in the second quarter, levelling the scores by the major break.

It was a tight third term, with neither side being able to wrestle the ascendancy until late in the final quarter.

Alastair Clarkson’s men hit the lead in the 24th minute of the final quarter through Jarryd Roughead, and their defence stood tall to ensure an impressive victory.

Robbie Gray (4 goals) and Jack Watts (3) were Port’s major avenues to goal, while Tom Mitchell and Ben McEvoy were the multiple goalkickers for the home side.

Mitchell (28 possessions) and Shaun Burgoyne (26) led the way for the Hawks in the middle, while Ollie Wines (22) was the major ball-winner for the Power.

Both sides have been in patchy form to start season 2019, with the Power recovering from back-to-back losses against Collingwood and Adelaide with its win over the Suns.

While the Hawks defied the odds to thump GWS at the MCG a fortnight ago, before succumbing to Richmond by 36 points at the ‘G last weekend.

Port Adelaide holds a 19-15 head-to-head record between the sides, and have won three of the last five encounters.

The last five games:

2018 Round 11
University of Tasmania Stadium

HAWTHORN                       9.10 (64)
PORT ADELAIDE                9.7 (61)

2017 Round 11
Adelaide Oval

PORT ADELAIDE                13.20 (98)
HAWTHORN                       7.5 (47)

2016 Round 16
Adelaide Oval

PORT ADELAIDE                12.7 (79)
HAWTHORN                       15.11 (101)

2015 Round 21
Marvel Stadium

HAWTHORN                       13.8 (86)
PORT ADELAIDE                16.12 (108)

2015 Round 4
Adelaide Oval

PORT ADELAIDE                15.9 (99)
HAWTHORN                       13.13 (91)