The Richmond Tigers have taken their first scalp of the season, being the Port Adelaide Power by 20 points at Etihad Stadium.
Port Adelaide have now dropped out of the top four after winning just one game from their past five.
FINAL SCORE:
Richmond 19.12 (126)
Port Adelaide 16.10 (106)
The Port Adelaide Power have lost three of their past four matches and need a win today against the Richmond Tigers to keep their hopes of a top two finish well and truly alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:10pm AEST.
Recent defeats to the Swans, Crows and Bombers have seen Port drop down to third on the ladder with Fremantle now nipping at their heels.
It was just a month ago that Port were all on their own on top of the AFL ladder seemingly destined to secure a vital home final.
Now, that dream is on the ropes somewhat given to the fact they now face a Richmond team building confidence following two wins on the trot.
Athough those victories have come against minnows St Kilda and Brisbane, the Tigers will fancy their chances of causing the upset at home.
The Tigers gave premiership favourites Sydney a good run for their money when they hosted them a few rounds back and will draw confidence that they can match it with the best in the competition, despite being unable to finish those matches off so far this season.
If the Power hope to seal a much needed win, Chad Wingard is going to have to improve on his recent performances against Adelaide and Essendon. Wingard hasn’t scored a goal in his last three matches and has only managed a combined total of 37 possessions against the Crows and Bombers.
In short, Wingard needs to see a lot more of the footy if the Power are a chance of getting back into the winner’s circle this afternoon.
The Tigers meanwhile are still in the race (albeit barely) for a finals spot. Richmond fans will use today’s clash as a true indicator of whether or not their team can make the finals.
If Richmond do emerge victorious today, the Tigers may end up building enough momentum to sneak into the top eight.
With Port desperate to stay inside the top four, expect the away side to snatch victory in a tight contest.
Port to win by 20.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:10pm (AEST).
Gecko
Guest
One thing that's clearly changed for port is that they're no longer overrunning other teams in the 4th quarter. Other teams have caught up in fitness. Perhaps another problem is that their defence never had much rebounding power. This was masked over when their midfielders had a fitness advantage and could help run the ball out of defence. But their core 6 midfielders - Cornes, Ebert, Boak, Hartlett, Polac and Wines - have now played 3/4 of a season almost without rest. Hinkley needs to start resting one midfielder per week and looking for a fresh new midfielder in the twos, or they'll be completely exhausted by finals time.
big dallo
Guest
Port at gooooone. The so called run teams off their feet with our fitness. All they have done is run themselves off their feet. Time to book that trip to Fiji in early September I think.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
You beat me to it Mark!
Adam
Guest
I just can't put my finger on whats changed for port in the past 4 weeks. Nothing going right for us. The will to win is there just so many skill errors and brain fades. Something more is going wrong here though. As a small side note there was some shocking umpiring both ways today. Terrible.
Mark
Guest
Don't you three look silly now
Bobbo7
Guest
Now we just have to wait for Richmond to die in the arse in the second half
Adam
Guest
Dustin Martin and Westhoff to have a day out. Port by either 10 or 50.
Radelaide
Guest
Carn the Pear!!! Port by 5 goals (hopefully).