After what has already been a tough and draining week for Port Adelaide, they now have to take on a Hawthorn team ready to rebound at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Live scores will kick off from 1.10pm AEST
Hawthorn is coming off that heartbreaking loss last week to Geelong as the hoodoo against the Cats continues. After results from this weekend, the Hawks are currently two games off Sydney, Adelaide and Collingwood.
With the West Coast also still in the mix for fourth spot (in fifth on percentage right now), this is an absolute non-negotiable today for the Hawks.
Hawthorn’s home away from home has been a fortress for them, losing just the once in their last ten.
They will be boosted by the inclusion of Xavier Ellis, but lost Liam Shiels through suspension and Shane Savage is out with injury.
There will be plenty of hype surrounding captain Luke Hodge as he lines up for his 200th game. While he’s only been back for two weeks, he’s expected to improve again with the club hoping he hits his peak by the finals series.
Port Adelaide’s also coming off a rather big week, for all the wrong reasons
The players were horrible last week against Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium, they’ve lost their president and lost their coach.
Former Geelong player Garry Hocking has been called up from the assistant’s role to lead the team today. We’ve seen in the past sides that have lifted after their coach has finished – on most occasions it’s because of rifts between the coach and players.
But you get the feeling this has happened from a distinct lack of experience and top-line talent from the players.
It will be very interesting to see how they respond this week against a team they usually play pretty well against and at a venue they’ve had success at before.
It’s also Port’s skipper, Domenic Cassisi’s 200th game. He has had to struggle his way through another tough season.
Plenty of questions had been asked about why David Rodan hasn’t appeared in the team throughout the season. Well, with Hocking at the helm, Rodan gets his chance to show his worth.
He comes in along with Troy Chaplin and Jarrad Redden, while Alipate Carlile is one of three players being rested due to injury.