Port Adelaide is certainly an underdog for the flag, particularly after Hawthorn’s muscle-flexing comeback win over Geelong on Saturday night and the season-long dominance of the Sydney Swans.
But the Power does have a chance to crack into the top four again when it plays Fremantle at Patersons Stadium in Round 23.
A 103-point demolition job of Carlton in front of a record crowd at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night certainly has the Power in the best possible form heading toward a battle at the so-called ‘House of Pain’.
Fremantle plays Brisbane at the Gabba today.
A win would see the Dockers leapfrog the Power into fourth position with one round to play; a loss to the Lions would keep them in fifth.
In any case, next Saturday’s clash is shaping as a down-to-the-wire battle to secure an away trip against one of Sydney, Hawthorn or Geelong, depending on the fall of results next weekend.
Power swingman Justin Westhoff is well aware of the challenge posed by the Dockers and says his teammates will scrutinize the ‘Purple Haze’ this afternoon.
Irrespective of this afternoon’s result, he’s confident a fully-fit Power side can bring its ‘A-Game’ to the Dockers on Saturday.
“It’s obviously going to be a pretty tough game [against Fremantle], a lot of the boys will watch them on Sunday because we’ll basically be playing them for fourth spot,” Westhoff told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We went over to Patersons Stadium earlier in the year and I thought we played the ground pretty well.
“We’ll go in with some confidence into what will be a huge game for us leading into the finals.”
Though Port Adelaide is regarded as one of the competition’s best running teams, it will be challenged by the constricting defensive game employed by the Dockers at their home venue.
But the confidence that has built within the rooms at Alberton over the last month has also been pivotal in the Power securing wins in its last two weeks.
In any case, next Saturday’s clash is shaping as a down-to-the-wire battle to secure an away trip against one of Sydney, Hawthorn or Geelong, depending on the fall of results next weekend.
Power swingman Justin Westhoff is well aware of the challenge posed by the Dockers and says his teammates will scrutinize the ‘Purple Haze’ this afternoon.
Irrespective of this afternoon’s result, he’s confident a fully-fit Power side can bring its ‘A-Game’ to the Dockers on Saturday.
“It’s obviously going to be a pretty tough game [against Fremantle], a lot of the boys will watch them on Sunday because we’ll basically be playing them for fourth spot,” Westhoff told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We went over to Patersons Stadium earlier in the year and I thought we played the ground pretty well.
“We’ll go in with some confidence into what will be a huge game for us leading into the finals.”
Though Port Adelaide is regarded as one of the competition’s best running teams, it will be challenged by the constricting defensive game employed by the Dockers at their home venue.
But the confidence that has built within the rooms at Alberton over the last month has also been pivotal in the Power securing wins in its last two weeks.
That confidence will be just as important on Saturday and during the club’s finals campaign – regardless of whether it starts from fourth or fifth position.
“The boys have been feeling confident for about a month now and I think we’ve been building since the Collingwood game, but hadn’t quite been able to string together a full game against them or Sydney,” Westhoff said.
“The guys got back to what we do best on Friday night, it’s been pretty positive around the group.
“We’re at full strength now and have guys pushing hard in the SANFL, which is putting pressure on guys in the AFL.
“That’s what makes teams better and we’ve had that every week this year.
“It’s very good leading into finals.”
The Power’s full-strength capability was challenged briefly on Friday night when Westhoff, fellow forward Jay Schulz and hard-running Matt White either left the field or, in White’s case, was subbed out.
But all three should line up against the Dockers after being cleared of injury concern.
Westhoff knocked his knee while applying a tackle, but confirmed he would be on the plane to Perth.
“I should be fine,” he said.
“I niggled the knee a little bit about a month ago and it came up again after I hit the ground, but everything’s good – I’m looking forward to the game.”
Port Adelaide plays Fremantle at 1:10pm (AWST) on Saturday 30 August at Patersons Stadium.
“The boys have been feeling confident for about a month now and I think we’ve been building since the Collingwood game, but hadn’t quite been able to string together a full game against them or Sydney,” Westhoff said.
“The guys got back to what we do best on Friday night, it’s been pretty positive around the group.
“We’re at full strength now and have guys pushing hard in the SANFL, which is putting pressure on guys in the AFL.
“That’s what makes teams better and we’ve had that every week this year.
“It’s very good leading into finals.”
The Power’s full-strength capability was challenged briefly on Friday night when Westhoff, fellow forward Jay Schulz and hard-running Matt White either left the field or, in White’s case, was subbed out.
But all three should line up against the Dockers after being cleared of injury concern.
Westhoff knocked his knee while applying a tackle, but confirmed he would be on the plane to Perth.
“I should be fine,” he said.
“I niggled the knee a little bit about a month ago and it came up again after I hit the ground, but everything’s good – I’m looking forward to the game.”
Port Adelaide plays Fremantle at 1:10pm (AWST) on Saturday 30 August at Patersons Stadium.
