PORT ADELAIDE will hope to conclude its SANFL home and away season with a fourth consecutive win and take some strong form into next weekend’s finals series.

The Magpies will take on Central District at X Convenience Oval in what is a big match for both clubs.

While Port are building towards a finals series, the Bulldogs will be farewelling long term, seven-time premiership coach Roy Laird.

Centrals will come into the match sitting eighth on the ladder, but Magpies coach Matthew Lokan is expecting the boys from Elizabeth to rise for the occasion.

“It is a really important game, it’s Roy’s last game so we know Centrals will come out and have a really good crack,” he said.

“We have got to keep winning, that is the biggest thing, we have given ourselves a chance to have two cracks at it in the finals but we don’t want to drop off this week.”

The Magpies have won eight of their past nine matches to sit second on the ladder.

Port accounted for the Bulldogs the last time the two sides met in Round 6 with a 34-point victory at Alberton Oval.

It was a close tussle up until three quarter time when the Magpies held a 15-point lead at the final break.

Port forwards Tobin Cox and Billy Frampton each kicked four goals, as the Magpies booted five last quarter goals to make it a more comfortable margin.

Jack Trengove was in the midst of his unbelievable run of early season form, collecting 32 disposals, 10 clearances and seven marks.

Former Carlton and Crows forward Troy Menzel was a damaging attacking option for the Bulldogs with four goals, while teammate Nick Gillard kicked three.

Port will be hoping for a similar result come Saturday afternoon when it takes on Centrals from 2.10pm on Saturday in Elizabeth.