PORT ADELAIDE hosts West Coast in the AFL First Elimination Final at the Adelaide Oval. This is a big game. Here's what you need to know...

Key information

Who's playing? Port Adelaide and West Coast
What is it? The AFL First Elimination Final
When is it? 7.20pm on Saturday 9 September
Where is it? Adelaide Oval, War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide ... or on your TV (check local guides)
Why is it? Port finished fifth and the Eagles were eighth at the end of the minor round.
How's it going to turn out? Um. Watch the game or check this website at about 10.00pm SA time on Saturday night.

Gimmie some history...

 

WHAT'S THE FORM LIKE?

Port Adelaide: WLWWW
West Coast: WLWLW

AND HEAD-TO-HEAD?

Port Adelaide: 18
West Coast: 12

WHAT ABOUT THE LAST FIVE?

2017: Round 16, Domain Stadium ðŸ™‚
Port Adelaide 18.12 (120) def. West Coast 13.10 (88)

2017: Round 7, Adelaide Oval ðŸ˜£
West Coast 15.7 (97) def Port Adelaide 12.15 (87)

2016: Round 9, Adelaide Oval ðŸ˜£
West Coast 14.10 (94) def. Port Adelaide 13.8 (86)

2015: Round 6, Adelaide Oval ðŸ˜£
West Coast 11.12 (78) d Port Adelaide 10.8 (68)

2014: Round 5, Domain Stadium ðŸ™‚
Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) d West Coast 7.14 (56)

Can you help me look smart in front of my mates?

 

Righto, here are some interesting facts you can use to Wow your buddies ahead of the game.

  • Port Adelaide performs better against West Coast than any of the 'established' AFL clubs, with a 60% winning percentage against the Eagles (and second-only to the Suns overall, where the Power had won six out of seven).
  • The Eagles have never lost to the Power at Adelaide Oval (that's not a good thing), and have won five of their six matches at the venue (that means they've twice beaten the Crows as well).
  • Port Adelaide is one of the competition's best teams for getting the ball inside attacking 50 - averaging 59.3 each game.
  • But West Coast rank 5th for inside-50 to goals conversion, Port is 12th. So while the Power give themselves plenty of opportunity, the Eagles are more efficient.
  • Port had just eight more possessions than the Eagles this year, but are the superior contested ball-winning side. 

Who are the dangermen for this game?

 

Port Adelaide's two big men will be essential in this contest against the Eagles. Paddy Ryder and Charlie Dixon are both proven destroyers against West Coast in both games this year and can each act as forward focal points and tap-takers.

Meantime Elliot Yeo and Mark LeCras were especially dangerous in these encounters. Yeo is lethal, and one of the competition's best players earlier this year. LeCras loves playing Port and at the Adelaide Oval - in both encounters this year, he has booted four goals.

 

 

 

What is each camp saying?

 

Well, here's what we've managed to dig up so far...

 

 

Is there any finals history between these teams?

Port Adelaide and West Coast have only met once in finals, way back in 2007 in the AFL Qualifying Final at Footy Park. Port won that one in a tight contest by three points.

 

What happens after the game?

via GIPHY

 

The winner of this elimination final will front the loser of the Adelaide-GWS clash (to be decided on Thursday). The loser will be knocked-out of the finals race.

See how this weekend will play out...

More on portadelaidefc.com.au