Roar Guru
Port Adelaide have the chance to strengthen their hold on a position in the top eight this week when they host the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEST.
Port Adelaide have been a difficult team to get a read on at times this year – of course, they’re not the only AFL side about whom that is true.
They have taken some decent scalps at times such as their wins against Sydney and last week Richmond, but have occasionally fallen short of what they’d be hoping to achieve.
Last week’s win over the reigning premiers surely is one that will give them some confidence they can beat the best, even if the Tigers were missing Dustin Martin.
As for the Western Bulldogs, they’ve been well below expectations this year – typically fielding a very young and inexperienced side.
Port have dropped Jack Watts and Jake Neade from their side for this game and have lost Tom Jonas to injury. Jack Hombsch, Todd Marshall and Lindsay Thomas all come back into the side.
The Bulldogs have lost all of Dale Morris, Matt Suckling and Tory Dickson to injury and have dropped Jordan Roughead.
Zaine Cordy, Mitch Wallis, Lukas Webb and Shane Biggs have all returned to the side for this match.
Toby McLean will reach a minor career milestone, appearing in his 50th AFL game.
Prediction
Being by far the more mature, experienced and in-form side, as well as having the home ground advantage, it’s hard to see this being anything other than a comfortable win for Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide Power by 36 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEST.