Port Adelaide will be out to prove they are a legitimate premiership contender when they meet reigning premiers Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval tonight. We’ll have live scores and a live blog from 7:40pm AEST.
The previous five meetings have all gone convincingly the way of Hawthorn, however for the first time since Round 4, 2012 the Hawks will start as underdogs. History may also be against them as they lost a close encounter to the Eagles on that occasion.
Port Adelaide are the current flavour of the month as they have made the newly redeveloped Adelaide Oval their ‘Portress’.
They are undefeated in Adelaide this season and will look to continue their hot streak at home this week against a depleted Hawthorn side, which is battling a growing injury list.
On the discipline front Jarryd Roughead will miss this game after taking a one-match suspension. Cyril Rioli (hamstring) and Josh Gibson (pectorial) will both miss, however in some positive news for the Hawks Luke Hodge is all but certain to make his return.
Brad Sewell, Liam Shiels, Alex Woodward, Jonathan Ceglar, Ben Ross and Tim O’Brien are all in the mix to make up the final part of the Hawthorn team for tonight’s game.
For Port, Matthew Lobbe could return if he can overturn calf soreness, but if he doesn’t get up for this game Brent Renouf is a possibility. Tom Jonas is still a week away from playing, while Campbell Heath could crack the side after (27 disposals, 11 marks) in the SANFL.
Three Quick Facts
1. This is a battle between the AFL’s two highest scoring teams; Hawthorn are ranked first with 19 goals a game and the Power second, with 17 a game.
2. To highlight the change at Alberton, just four meetings ago the Hawks obliterated the Power by a club-record 165 points in Round 21, 2011. Hawthorn booted 31 goals to Port’s five.
3. Both these teams are among the stingiest in the league. Only West Coast have conceded fewer points this season (576), with the Power (599) conceding just one point less than the Hawks (600).
Prediction
It’s an interesting one to predict. Hawthorn showed against the Swans that they can be solid even without a few of their first-choice players.
However their injury toll looks a bit too high for them to overcome the Power away from home, though I do expect a tight affair.
Port by 10
ciudadmarron
Guest
Sorry. Sydney Derby, FC vs Wanderers. 117.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Well that's all from me. Another cracking day of AFL and don't forget to tune in tomorrow as Guru Josh Elliot will be bringing you the action from the Dogs and Suns. My top 3 tonight are: 3. Boak 2. Lewis 1. Ebert Wingard was fantastic early but faded late, Monfries was good but has an injury cloud after being subbed off. Have a good night guys!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Interesting tweet when asked if it was the loudest stadium in the world.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Easily, looks like a great place to watch football!
alicesprings
Guest
Loudest crowd in Australia??
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Great game from the two sides tonight, I can't wait till they meet again later in the year and hopefully in a final. Next week the Power travel to Alice Springs to take on the Demons in what will be another cracker surely. Hawthorn will play GWS and should get some good players back, expect them to try and stamp their mark on a young GWS side.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Crowd absolutely going off, this stadium is bonkers. Best in the league.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Disposal winners: Port: 34 Boak, 28 Ebert, 26 Polec, 25 Cornes Hawks: 38 Lewis, 28 Suckling, 27 Smith, 24 Burgoyne Goals: Port: 4 Monfries, 3 Wingard, 2 Hartlett, 2 Gray, Boak, Mitchell, Polec, Schulz Hawks: 3 Gunston, 3 Breust, 2 Burgoyne, 2 Lewis, Hallahan, Birchall, Hartung
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Port announce themselves - on and off the field.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full time Wingard misses, the siren roars and that's game over! The Power are on top of the ladder. Port 15.10.100 vs. Hawks 13.8.86
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
?
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 0:34 remaining Lewis with the free on the wing, just goes forward. Hill just scoops it and Boak gathers and bangs forward, Wingard gets the free kick for a hold. He is 40 out from goal. Port 15.9.99 vs. Hawks 13.8.86
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 1:23 remaining Hodge with the free bangs it in, Westhoff the loose player is there and Schulz gets it out on the wing. Game over now surely. Port 15.9.99 vs. Hawks 13.8.86
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 -1:48 remaining Burgoyne gets the clearance, Port with 14 in the 50! Game on still somehow. Port 15.9.99 vs. Hawks 13.8.86
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 2:12 remaining Stratton cops one high and plays on to Smith, Burgoyne gathers at half forward and kicks his 2nd! Don't tell me... Port 15.9.99 vs. Hawks 13.8.86
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 2:56 remaining Port get the clearance, Hartlett marks and goes back, he kicks a crucial point to give the Power a 19 point lead. Port 15.9.99 vs. Hawks 12.8.80
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:51 remaining Burgoyne kicks a goal from nothing. Great effort from the Hawks tonight. Port 15.8.98 vs. Hawks 12.8.80
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 4:42 remaining Smith has a shot on goal and gets the Bronx Jeers, I seriously can't wait till these two sides meet again! Port 15.8.98 vs. Hawks 11.8.74
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 5:03 remaining Hallahan swings on goal, not enough. Port 15.8.98 vs. Hawks 11.8.74