Port Adelaide host the Brisbane Lions in their second home game at the renovated Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the Lions travelling south in search of their first win in 2014. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2.10pm (AEST).
Port started off the year with a lot of success in the first two rounds, including a big win over Adelaide in the first Showdown at Adelaide Oval, but fell short against North Melbourne last week.
Brisbane on the other hand have started the year in poor form, yet to get within four goals of an opponent at the final siren and suffering 50+ point blowouts against the Hawks and the Suns.
The Power have made three changes, two of them forced. Angus Monfries suffered a hamstring tear in the match against North, keeping him out for a few weeks, and Chad Wingard has failed to pull up from a sore ankle sustained in the same match.
They’ve also dropped power forward John Butcher, who managed only two goals inside the first three rounds, and none last week. Though important Port’s structure, it’s not a surprise that Butcher has been dropped given his inability to kick what should be relatively easy goals.
Port have brought in Cameron O’Shea and Aaron Young, both players with a little AFL experience who have been performing well in the SANFL, and will debut Sam Gray, the runner up in last year’s Magarey Medal count (the SANFL equivalent of the Brownlow).
Brisbane have made five changes from the side that lost to the Suns by 53 points. Daniel Merrett is out for a two week suspension for his high hit on David Swallow, while Daniel Rich will miss the rest of the season having ruptured his ACL. Josh Green is out with a leg issue, while Ryan Lester and Michael Close have been omitted.
The Lions have recalled Ryan Harwood and Rohan Bewick, and will give former Magpie forward Jackson Paine his debut as a Lion. Tom Cutler and Nick Robertson, picks 33 and 34 in last year’s draft, will be making their AFL debut – Robertson in particular is one to keep an eye on.
Last but not least the match will be an odd milestone for Jared Polec, the former no. 5 draft pick who spent three years at Brisbane before requesting a trade home to Port Adelaide at the end of last year. In just his fourth game for the Power, Polec comes up against his old side, with sparks bound to fly.
Prediction
Despite a narrow loss to North Melbourne last week, Port are still one of the best teams in the competition based on early from, whereas the Lions have shown little so far this year.
Port’s midfield is a class above Brisbane’s, and while they will miss the likes of Monfries and Wingard, their forward line is potent enough get the job done.
Port Adelaide by 36 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.10pm (AEST).
Josh
Expert
Just a bumper day for Port in the end. Ebert and Boak more or less tied for best on ground but so many big performers. No time to dwell on it though - although I suspect the Lions, who lost by 113 - will. I'm covering Giants V. Dogs starting NOW - come join me for that one! http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/12/greater-western-sydney-giants-vs-western-bulldogs-afl-live-scores-blog/
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME PORT ADELAIDE 24.15.159 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Brad Ebert snags a late one, putting the exclamation mark on it for Port - they have a 113 point advantage over the Lions now. PORT ADELAIDE 24.15.159 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Schulz! Snag his third consecutive goal and his seventh for the day. Port lead by 107. PORT ADELAIDE 23.15.153 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
Three minutes left in this game and the Power lead by 101 points. Can the Lions save themselves the embarrassment of a 100+ loss, or is even that going to be denied them today?
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Jay Schulz gets another shot, this one from short range, off a holding call - he nails the goal, his sixth for the day, and the Power's lead is out to 101 points! PORT ADELAIDE 20.15.147 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Jay Schulz gets another chance from the same spot - this time, he nails it! His fifth for the day. PORT ADELAIDE 20.15.141 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE Jay Schulz gets another shot on goal, but misses off a tight angle. PORT ADELAIDE 19.14.134 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
Good effort by Trent West to mark on the line and save a shot on goal from Matt Broadbent. Seven minutes, Power lead by 87.
Josh
Expert
GOAL BRISBANE Dayne Zorko gets a goal on the run, dragging the margin back to just 87 points. PORT ADELAIDE 19.13.133 BRISBANE 7.4.46
Josh
Expert
BEHIND BRISBANE Jackson Paine has wide open goal on the run but it's a terrible kick and it's lucky to go through for a behind. PORT ADELAIDE 19.13.133 BRISBANE 6.4.40
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Jay Schulz takes a great contested grab in the goalsquare and kicks his fourth goal, the margin is extended to 94. PORT ADELAIDE 19.13.133 BRISBANE 6.3.39
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Robbie Gray chips it to the sub, Aaron Young, who has a shot and nails the goal. Port's lead back out to 88. PORT ADELAIDE 18.13.127 BRISBANE 6.3.39
Josh
Expert
GOAL BRISBANE Jack Redden gets a set shot, snags his first goal of the year, and the first of the final quarter for the Lions. PORT ADELAIDE 18.13.121 BRISBANE 6.3.39
Josh
Expert
Final quarter underway.
Josh
Expert
Scoreline says it all really - Port are dominating and the Lions look like they just want this one to be over. Injuries to Leuenberger and Hanley have left them one man down, and it's really showing. With Port leading by 88 at the final change and having kicked the last six goals unanswered, I'll be surprised if this one doesn't turn into a 100+ blowout.
Josh
Expert
3-QUARTER TIME PORT ADELAIDE 18.13.121 BRISBANE 5.3.33
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE Goal no. 1 for Jarman Impey in AFL football - he receives a handball in the forward 50 and snags the goal, and puts the Power 88 points up with 90 seconds left in the third quarter. PORT ADELAIDE 18.13.121 BRISBANE 5.3.33
Josh
Expert
BEHIND PORT ADELAIDE A set shot from Travis Boak is just a little off target. PORT ADELAIDE 17.13.115 BRISBANE 5.3.33
Josh
Expert
GOAL PORT ADELAIDE At last Robbie Gray sinks a set-shot - he takes a nice mark on the boundary and looks around to pass it off, but with no options decides to take the shot and manages to kick his second. Port lead by 81 points with three minutes left in the third quarter. PORT ADELAIDE 17.12.114 BRISBANE 5.3.33