The AFL fixture has been released and a message for Port Adelaide fans with it; the rollercoaster isn’t over yet!
Port Adelaide finished the 2013 season seventh, due to the Essendon Supplement saga.
Once the final series had finished, the Power were placed fifth, putting them in the mix for a hard draw.
The men from Alberton will play their pre-season games against Adelaide at Richmond Oval and Essendon at Etihad stadium.
Port Adelaide open their season on a Sunday night against Carlton at Etihad stadium, which will be a test for both teams as their previous encounter was decided by a point.
Then in Round 2 the Power will host the first game at Adelaide Oval in 2014 against cross-town rivals the Adelaide Crows.
The foundations are already set for this game to be a Saturday twilight blockbuster.
The Power have their bye placed between two hard matches – Fremantle and Hawthorn.
Even though the Power have only secured one game at the MCG, they have managed to get at least one Friday night game against Fremantle at Patterson’s Stadium, one more Friday night game than they managed last year.
There are two main other highlights for Port Adelaide.
The Power will host Brisbane in Round 4, which will be held as a commemoration of the ten season anniversary since Power’s inaugural and only AFL Premiership against the Lions in ’04.
This game is also set to have fireworks on-field, as Jared Polec will be ready to face his former team.
Geelong will also play at Adelaide Oval against the Power as a Sunday twilight during ANZAC Round. This will be the first time the two teams face since their 2014 semi-final.
The tradition continues with Power playing in South Australia on ANZAC day weekend.
Port’s website also said their fans should look forward to hosting Melbourne at Adelaide Oval; it is set to be a great family day, if the occasion the two teams last met at the venue in 2011 is any indication.
Carlton, Adelaide Crows, Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney Swans are the teams the Power will play twice.
Grand finalists Fremantle are set to be the hardest team to get eight points out of. The Swans, Carlton and the Crows will all be challenging games too.
If the Power improves even more after their brilliant 2013 season, they should be able to slip in the finals once again.
All eyes at the moment are on Darren Burgess as the team will be heading to Dubai soon for a training camp, then a vigorous summer on the track.
Once the real season starts, these eyes will shift to Ken Hinkley to see if he can beat the second year blues, as his friend and rival Brenton Sanderson did not?
Another player to watch next year will be Chad Wingard. With more games set to be against difficult opponents, will he keep rising to the challenges?
It is hard to believe the All-Australian is only going into his third year at the top level. Will he improve even more?
For Port’s full round by round games, click here.
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