Collingwood and Port Adelaide do battle in the first of the elimination finals for the right to play the loser of Geelong vs Fremantle and continue their season for another week. We’ll have live scores from 7.45pm AEST.
On paper and from previous history, the Magpies would be favourites, but if the Power have proved one thing this year it is that they cannot be underestimated.
Ken Hinkley has completed a remarkable turnaround for a side that had a terrible 2012.
He has galvanised his troops and instilled a belief that they can achieve anything.
Make no mistake, Port will believe they can win this game.
The Magpies have had a strange season.
At their best, they have played to the standard they set in their 2010 premiership year.
At their worst, they have looked vulnerable all over the ground and have been taken apart by opposition teams.
Three wins from the past five starts should give the Pies some confidence though, as will the return of stars Luke Ball and Harry O’Brien.
Jordan Russell and Ben Kennedy have been omitted.
And of course, the game is being played at the MCG, a ground at which Collingwood is comfortable, to say the least.
Port welcome back some important players of their own, however, in Hamish Hartlett, Robbie Gray and Alipatie Carlile.
Brent Renouf, Lewis Stevenson and Jack Hombsch have been omitted.
The Pies will need to be wary of Port’s running power and fitness, with the Power showing the ability in several games this season to run over the top of their opposition.
They will look to pile on the scoring early and give good supply to power forward Travis Cloke.
They will also look to involve talisman Alan Didak in as much of the play as possible when he comes on the ground.
When they are up and about, the Pies midfield is probably the best in the competition.
Port will not only have to play them close but also hurt them on the rebound – accountability is one area that they can try to dominate the Pies runners.
Whatever happens, we’re in September and there is no tomorrow.
Bring it on.
Me too
Guest
Lucky for Geelong - have you seen their finals record there?
joe blackswan
Guest
Not at simmonds stadium....unusual.
James Shehan
Guest
Not devastated after tonight's loss. I think this game pretty much summed up our season. As Bucks said in the press conference, we have a lot of work to do in the off season. Full credit to Port Adelaide. They were the better team tonight and deserved their win.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Lol, Collingwood supporters saving money for the prelim ;)
chrismason
Roar Guru
One more game to round out the first week of finals in 2013 tomorrow again at the MCG and we will be covering all the action, so join us tomorrow morning for Richmond vs Carlton. Bye for now!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
YES YES YES
chrismason
Roar Guru
So a fantastic win by a Port Adelaide side who were playing their first final since 2007. They certainly didn't play like it, dominating the more-fancied Collingwood early, then coming back strong after the Pies pick up their game to score three goals straight in the third quarter and at the start of the last. From there the Power ran over the top of the Magpies and finished in style to rightly deserve a shot at Geelong at the MCG next Friday night. Collingwood and coach Nathan Buckley will wonder what went wrong in a game they were heavily favoured to win, but in which they were outplayed when it counted. The Pies face a an off-season of questions now, while they're opponents roll on in September.
chrismason
Roar Guru
DISPOSALS Port - 351 COLL - 316 CLEARANCES COLL - 40 PORT - 34 INSIDE 50's COLL - 58 PORT - 43 HIT-OUTS PORT - 37 COLL - 26
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOALS PORT - Shulz (3), Wingard (3), Wines (2), Boak (2), Monfries (1), Westhoff (1) COLL - Swan (3), Cloke (2), Beams (1), Keefe (1), Macaffer (1), Williams (1)
chrismason
Roar Guru
FULL TIME COLL 9.9.63 PORT 12.14.87 That's the siren! A famous win to Port Adelaide, definite underdogs tonight against the experienced Collingwood. he Power simply ran over the top of the Pies and deserved to win and take on Geelong at the MCG next weekend. Hartlett, Ebert, Shulz, Wingard and Westhoff were all superb for the visitors, who withstood the Magpies onslaught in the third and final quarters. For the Pies, Swann, Pendelbury, Beams and Sidebottom were among their best.
David
Guest
Unbelievable win. Geelong at the G can't wait
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 01:18 Ball is inside Collingwood 50. Port are holding it up. COLL 9.9.63 PORT 12.14.87
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 02:23 Collingwood are trying to get it forward but the Power are defending really well. They'll be lining up against Geelong next week. COLL 9.9.63 PORT 12.14.87
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 03:10 Magpies pump it forward but Westhoff takes a great grab in defence. He's been good tonight. COLL 9.9.63 PORT 12.14.87
Matt
Guest
What's the crowd figure? Looks like a ton of empty seats. Two upsets so far! Keeps it interesting.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 04:01 GOAL Port rebound from defence and get it forward to Wingard, who finds Shulz with a pass to set up a shot on goal. He kicks it and that's the sealer! Port Adelaide have done it, the second upset of the day! COLL 9.9.63 PORT 12.14.87
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 05:42 GOAL Port pump it in yet again and Wingard grabs it over the back and runs into an open goal! Port have all the momentum! COLL 9.9.63 PORT 11.14.81
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 05:57 BEHIND Broadbent has another shot as Port win it back again from the kick in. He misses. COLL 9.9.63 PORT 10.14.75
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 06:32 BEHIND Kick from the boundary line outside 50 is just punched through. Collingwood can't get the ball! COLL 9.9.63 PORT 10.13.74
chrismason
Roar Guru
Q4 06:51 Bounce10m out form Port's goal, They are finishing strongly. COLL 9.9.63 PORT 10.12.73