After suffering only their second loss of 2013, Hawthorn can make amends this afternoon when they travel to AAMI Stadium to take on Port Adelaide. We’ll have live scores from 1.45pm AEST.
The Kennett Curse continued last Saturday night, as Geelong made it 11 consecutive wins over the Hawks since losing the 2008 Grand Final.
Aside from a brief period in the first quarter, the Cats led throughout the contest and were up by as many as 33 points before the Hawks kicked late goals to close the final margin to 10.
Hawthorn still remain on top of the AFL ladder on percentage, but last weekend’s loss has loosened their grip on a top two spot, with third-placed Essendon just win win behind and Sydney and Fremantle a further half-game back.
Alastair Clarkson has made just one change for this afternoon, surprisingly dropping midfielder Brad Sewell in favour of veteran Brent Guerra.
But with reports indicating that star forward Lance Franklin didn’t travel with the side to Adelaide yesterday, there could be a major late change.
Eighth-placed Port Adelaide saw their two-game break over the chasing pack cut to just one win, following their 30-point loss to Essendon and West Coast’s win over Adelaide.
With a number of top-eight sides still to play, Port Adelaide’s finals hopes still appear tenuous and they’ll need continue to produce the form that saw them upset Collingwood a fortnight ago if they are to play in September.
Port coach Ken Hinkley has made two changes to the side that lost last Sunday night, bringing in John Butcher for the suspended Justin Westhoff and Matt Thomas for the omitted Jack Hombsch.
Hawthorn have won the past four matches between the two sides by an average 13-goal margin, largely thanks to a 165-point demolition back in 2011.
Port Adelaide have defied expectations on a number of occasions in 2013 and they won’t be short of motivation to do so again this afternoon.
But the Hawks will be smarting after yet another demise at the hands of Geelong, and they should be too good here.