FOLLOWING its worst performance for 2015 against Sturt, the Magpies sit in an insecure fifth place ahead of a clash with sixth-placed Central District.
OPPOSING FORCES
PORT ADELAIDE
LAST MATCH: Round 15: Port Adelaide 6.6 (42) def by Sturt 10.9 (69)
CENTRAL DISTRICT
LAST MATCH: Round 15: Central District 11.8 (74) def North Adelaide 8.15 (63)
HEAD TO HEAD
Port Adelaide 85 v 55 Central District (drawn 2)
LAST FIVE
Port Adelaide 3 v 2 Central District
THIS YEAR
Port Adelaide: WWLLWWWWWLLWL v LWLLDLWLWLWWLW Central District
PLAYBILL
Round 16
Port Adelaide v Central District
Alberton Oval
Saturday 1 August
First Bounce: 2:10pm
Hashtags: #portdogs #sanfl
Tickets available at gate: Adult $14, Concession $8, Children U18 Free
TIME MACHINE
Round 9, 2015: The Magpies started slow and found themselves 36 points down midway through the second quarter. After the Bulldogs kicked four unanswered goals, inaccurate kicking set in and Port were given a window to claw back the margin, kicking five of their own. The final quarter was a see-sawing affair as the lead went back and forth before captain Steven Summerton sealed the game with a goal in the final minutes.
PORT ADELAIDE 2.1 5.1 10.3 13.7 (85)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 3.5 8.7 8.9 11.11 (77)
Best: Ah Chee, Moore, Mitchell, Sharrad, Krakouer
Goals: Colquhoun, Frampton, Harvey, Summerton 2, R.Young, Moore, Mitchell, Palmer, Mitchell
At Alberton Oval
FOUR QUARTERS
THE STAKES
After a disappointing loss to Sturt last weekend, the Magpies remain in a fight for the finals alongside Central District who are just behind on the ladder. A win will almost seal a finals position, while a loss leaves Port only half a game clear of the Bulldogs.
THE STOCKS
With some AFL listed players in good form over recent weeks there could be some player movement as some earn a recall to the senior side. Aside from that the Magpies made it through their last game unscathed and will not lose anyone through injury.
THE HISTORY
While neither side has dominated the recent head to head, the last time these sides played was a classic comeback by the Magpies, who were 36 points behind in the second quarter before fighting back and sealing an 8 point win.
THE VIBE
It will not be the end of the road if Port Adelaide do not get a win on the weekend, but with some tough games coming up in the final rounds of the season, every win is needed to seal a finals berth.
HOCKING: We missed a chance against Sturt
