PORT ADELAIDE faces Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in a huge Round 18 fixture of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Port currently sit ninth on the ladder with an 8-8 record after an inconsistent season, while the Tigers have won their last three games to climb up to fifth.
In the last encounter between the two sides, it was Damien Hardwick’s men who prevailed by seven points at Adelaide Oval in Round 4 thanks largely to a six-goal haul by Tom Lynch.
The Power led by three goals in the second quarter, before a surgent Tigers outfit clawed their way to lead by two points at the final break.
Ken Hinkley’s men regained the ascendency early in the final term to claim back the lead, but Lynch’s sixth goal sealed victory for the visitors, as they ran out 15.9 (99) to 14.8 (92) winners.
Brandon Ellis controlled the backline for the Tigers, collecting 28 touches and nine marks, while Jack Ross (25 disposals) and Kane Lambert (24) won plenty of the football through the middle.
Tom Rockliff (37 touches) and Travis Boak (33) were instrumental for the Power, but it was Lynch and Josh Caddy (three goals) who did all of the damage.
Sam Gray (three goals), Robbie Gray, co-captain Ollie Wines and Brad Ebert all kicked multiple goals for the home side.
The Power will be without injured trio Wines, Ebert and Ryan Burton for their trip to Melbourne, with Dan Houston, Matthew Broadbent and Xavier Duursma returning to the side.
Jack Graham and Liam Baker return for the Tigers at the expense Kamdyn McIntosh and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith.
Port hold an 18-12-1 head-to-head record between the sides. At the MCG, the Power and Tigers can’t be split (2-2 and one draw).
The last four fixtures - all at Adelaide Oval - have been split 2-2, with Port winning the last contest at the MCG by 35 points back in 2016.
The last five games:
2019 Round 4
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 14.8 (92)
RICHMOND 15.9 (99)
2018 Round 12
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 10.12 (72)
RICHMOND 8.10 (58)
2017 Round 15
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 8.15 (63)
RICHMOND 11.10 (76)
2016 Round 15
Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 14.10 (94)
RICHMOND 8.8 (56)
2016 Round 6
MCG
RICHMOND 8.11 (59)
PORT ADELAIDE 13.16 (94)
