The crucial cogs of AFL's Round 8: Which players need to be the difference makers?
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
The Port Adelaide Power head across the border to face the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:10pm (AEST).
There was much hype surrounding both these teams leading into 2014, but so far it has only been Port Adelaide that have lived up to expectations.
The Power will enter this match with their head held high thanks to confidence earned off the back of having already notched up a win at Etihad against Carlton in Round 1.
They backed this up with a dominant display against the Crows in the inaugural Showdown at Adelaide Oval last week – a match they won by 54-points after surrendering the lead mid-way through the third term.
The fitness of Port Adelaide has so far proved to be their weapon, allowing them to run over teams late in quarters and at the end of matches.
One could ask questions regarding the fitness of the Blues and the Crows, so it will be interesting to see how Port’s fitness stands up in this clash.
The Kangaroos would hope their fitness comes through for them, as they will be desperate to secure the win today.
The possibility of starting their season with just one win from their first three games is unacceptable considering the expectations they entered the season with.
It is critical to their finals aspirations that they find a way to win at home against a fellow top-eight contender.
But Port Adelaide appear to be on top of their game so far in 2014, and will be a hard team to overcome.
Port Adelaide by 6.
Join The Roar for live scores from 4:10pm (AEST).