Port Adelaide
Form: WWWWWL
Ranked: 3rd
Richmond
Form: WWWLLL
Ranked: 9th
Last time
The Power faced Richmond at the MCG in an arm-wrestle for one last victory in the final game of 2012. Under then-interim coach Garry Hocking, the Power came within metres of a victory, but a behind to Dom Cassisi in the dying moments saw the first draw for the season eventuate from the second-last home and away game.
Round 8, 2012: Port Adelaide 16.10 (106) drew with Richmond 16.10 (106) at the MCG
Form Guide
Past 5: Power 2 v Tigers 2 (Drawn 1)
Past 22: Power 14 v Tigers 7 (Drawn 1)
The fine print
AFL Round 7
Port Adelaide v Richmond
Saturday May 11
AAMI Stadium
Turner Drive, West Lakes SA
First bounce: 1:15pm (SA time)
Broadcast: Live on FOX, delayed on Seven
LIVE WIRE: Starts at 1:15pm
Twitter: #pafclive #aflpowertigers
Buy tickets
After match function at The Port Club, Queen Street, Alberton with members of the playing group and coaching staff in attendance.
Our top three
1. Travis Boak
The Power’s best player against the Kangaroos, Boak stormed to equal second in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player award last weekend after a significant 30-disposal game. Boak continues to lift his performances every match and he was the most consistent player on the park against North last week. With similarly inspired performances against the GWS Giants, Adelaide and West Coast, Boak has the seeming ability to fire his teammates back from the brink when down by sizeable margins. Currently leading the club’s average contested possessions (12), he will again be an important weapon in the Port Adelaide armoury against the Tigers.
2. Kane Cornes
He’s not leading the Dream Team rankings for nothing! Cornes has displayed his trademark consistency across the opening six rounds, averaging 30 disposals per game at an efficiency rate of around 80 per cent. The reigning John Cahill Medallist will be crucial to the outcome against the Tigers, with his skill as a ‘linkage’ player complimented this year but his ability to push forward and score, as well as run with opponents. Cornes knows what it’s like to play in great teams and that’s what this side wants to become. His leadership, experience and work ethic will be critical to helping this team achieve a win this weekend and in its continued hunt for respect.
3. Alipate Carlile
‘Bobby’ is clearly enjoying his footy more this year and on Monday spoke about his increased confidence in covering and staying on the ground longer. Carlile will likely play on Richmond’s key forward Jack Riewoldt and will need to perform well again after being one of few consistently shining lights against North last week. His capability to run and evade may also see him play up-field and have a bigger impact across half back to help cover the injured Jackson Trengove.
Final Word
SOME might say the biggest ‘in’ for Port Adelaide this week will be senior coach Ken Hinkley who will return from a virus that saw him miss the club’s Round 6 match in Hobart.
Hinkley’s absence was suitably covered by Alan Richardson (the club’s director of coaching and strategy) and the playing group has ruled out his non-presence as a factor in the 10-point loss to North.
The critical factor in the Power’s defeat was another sluggish start where it returned just 1.5 in the opening term.
Poor starts have become a concerning characteristic in Port’s first matches this year and Hinkley and Richardson have worked with the playing group to address them.
Richmond has scored 22 first quarter goals this season, as have all of Port’s combined opponents through the first six rounds.
Port has kicked 17 in contrast.
But while better starts will be a motivating factor for the team this week, so too is the incentive of a 6-1 win-loss ratio if it prevails over the Tigers, particularly ahead of tough matches against Carlton and Geelong.
Contrasted against Richmond’s three consecutive losses leading into this game, Port will be expecting a fired-up opponent at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Expect a cracking match.
Current odds
Port Adelaide 1.70 – 2.15 Richmond
