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Port Adelaide host the Brisbane Lions in their second home game at the renovated Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the Lions travelling south in search of their first win in 2014. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2.10pm (AEST).
Port started off the year with a lot of success in the first two rounds, including a big win over Adelaide in the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval, but fell short against North Melbourne last week.
Brisbane on the other hand have started the year in poor form, yet to get within four goals of an opponent at the final siren and suffering 50+ point blowouts against the Hawks and the Suns.
The Power have made three changes, two of them forced. Angus Monfries suffered a hamstring tear in the match against North, keeping him out for a few weeks, and Chad Wingard has failed to pull up from a sore ankle sustained in the same match.
They’ve also dropped power forward John Butcher, who managed only two goals inside the first three rounds, and none last week. Though important Port’s structure, it’s not a surprise that Butcher has been dropped given his inability to kick what should be relatively easy goals.
Port have brought in Cameron O’Shea and Aaron Young, both players with a little AFL experience who have been performing well in the SANFL, and will debut Sam Gray, the runner up in last year’s Magarey Medal count (the SANFL equivalent of the Brownlow).
Brisbane have made five changes from the side that lost to the Suns by 53 points. Daniel Merrett is out for a two week suspension for his high hit on David Swallow, while Daniel Rich will miss the rest of the season having ruptured his ACL. Josh Green is out with a leg issue, while Ryan Lester and Michael Close have been omitted.
The Lions have recalled Ryan Harwood and Rohan Bewick, and will give former Magpie forward Jackson Paine his debut as a Lion. Tom Cutler and Nick Robertson, picks 33 and 34 in last year’s draft, will be making their AFL debut – Robertson in particular is one to keep an eye on.
Last but not least the match will be an odd milestone for Jared Polec, the former no. 5 draft pick who spent three years at Brisbane before requesting a trade home to Port Adelaide at the end of last year. In just his fourth game for the Power, Polec comes up against his old side, with sparks bound to fly.
Prediction
Despite a narrow loss to North Melbourne last week, Port are still one of the best teams in the competition based on early from, whereas the Lions have shown little so far this year.
Port’s midfield is a class above Brisbane’s, and while they will miss the likes of Monfries and Wingard, their forward line is potent enough get the job done.
Port Adelaide by 36 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.10pm (AEST).