Port Adelaide kicked off their season with a solid 41-point win over Essendon but were then brought back to earth by a West Coast side that thumped them to the tune of 50 points at Subiaco Oval last weekend.

Melbourne is winless in 2009, but they were competitive early in their losses to the Kangaroos and Collingwood before fading badly late.

MEDICAL ROOM:
Port will be without forward Justin Westhoff (broken foot) for four to six weeks. For the Demons, skipper James McDonald (hamstring) will miss while Simon Buckley (groin) and young midfielder Jack Grimes (back) are at least a week away from being considered for selection. Daniel Bell (thumb) and small forward Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) will miss another two weeks while ruckman Mark Jamar (foot) is five weeks away from playing.

KEY MATCH-UPS:
Kane Cornes Vs Aaron Davey

Davey was his side’s most damaging player in the loss to the Magpies with 31 possessions.

The 25-year-old made his disposals count, delivery at an efficiency rate of 97 per cent.

Port will be keen to limit his effectiveness in the middle and shut down his run and will most likely give Cornes the task of Davey who will be keen to play well in his 100th AFL match.

Cornes, who racked up a team-high 30 possessions in the loss to the Eagles, will try and hurt Davey going the other way.

But for that to happen Cornes will need to use the ball a lot better – he and the majority of his teammates butchered the football in the loss to the Eagles.

Clint Bartram Vs Shaun Burgoyne

Burgoyne likes playing against Melbourne – he has earned three Brownlow medal votes in his past two matches against the Demons.

The youngest of the Burgoyne brothers is damaging with his ability to break the lines, kick goals and also create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

If Melbourne is going to be any chance of recording a rare win against the Power they will need to keep him quiet.

Bartram has been given some major tagging roles during his short career and looms as the obvious candidate to run with the classy Port Adelaide midfielder.

It is vital for the Demons that Bartam doesn’t give Burgoyne any time or space as he will punish them with his pace and ability to use the football cleanly.

James Frawley Vs Daniel Motlop
Motlop was the only shining light for the Power in the loss to the Eagles – the classy forward booting four of his side’s 10 goals.

The last time these two sides met in round 16 last year Motop starred, collecting 16 possessions and booting five goals in his side’s tconvincing 78-point win.

Motlop will be keen to put in a similar performance on Sunday in what will be his 100th AFL game.

Frawley is an athletic defender who is strong overhead – he will most likely be given first crack at Motlop in what will be a pivotal contest.

Expect Frawley, who has averaged 17 possessions per game so far in 2009, to run off Motlop at every available opportunity and try and punish him on the rebound.

Paul Johnson/John Meesen Vs Brendon Lade/Dean Brogan

The Demons big men were completely outclassed by Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser last weekend and they will face another tough task on Sunday when they go against Lade and Brogan who returns after serving a one-match ban.

Johnson and Meesen will need to provide more of a contest and at least try and nullify the effectiveness of Lade and Brogan’s taps.

If they fail to apply some body pressure Port’s ruck duo will simply just knock the football down the throat of the likes Danyle Pearce, Kane Cornes and the Burgoyne brothers who will provide Brett Ebert, Warren Tredrea and Motlop with enough quality supply to kick a winning score.

VERDICT:
Melbourne has been a lot more competitive in 2009 and will once again battle hard on Sunday but the Power simply have too many match-winners, especially through the midfield. If Port is switched on and uses the football better than they did against West Coast they should punish a Demons outfit that has failed to string together four quarters of consistent football so far this season.

Power by 42 points.

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