RECENT RESULTS AGAINST COLLINGWOOD
Round 20, 2008: Collingwood 16.10 (106) d Port Adelaide 10.15 (75), AAMI Stadium
Round four, 2007: Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) d Collingwood 9.12 (66), MCG
Round 20, 2006: Collingwood 12.17 (89) d Port Adelaide 12.15 (87), AAMI Stadium
Round five, 2006: Collingwood 18.12 (120) d Port Adelaide 11.13 (79), Docklands
Round 14, 2005: Collingwood 14.18 (102) d Port Adelaide 9.17 (71), Docklands
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide
Shaun Burgoyne (knee) - 3-4 weeks
Nick Salter (knee) - 2-3 weeks
Justin Westhoff (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Collingwood
Travis Cloke (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Alan Didak (hamstring) - test
Ben Johnson (broken leg) - 1-2 weeks
Paul Medhurst (ankle) - test
Anthony Rocca (knee) - test
Sean Rusling (fractured cheekbone) - test
Dale Thomas (knee) - test
SUMMARY
It was as good as game over for Port Adelaide at the 25-minute-mark of its first quarter against the Swans at the SCG on Sunday.
The Power, who brought so much heat to their Richmond opponents a week earlier, lacked intensity at the opening bounce and were blown away by the Swans' eight-goal opening term.
The visitors rallied to match the Swans on the scoreboard in the second half, but the damage was irreversible.
Dom Cassisi showed his captaincy mettle, finishing with 21 disposals (nine contested) and seven clearances.The Power, who brought so much heat to their Richmond opponents a week earlier, lacked intensity at the opening bounce and were blown away by the Swans' eight-goal opening term.
The visitors rallied to match the Swans on the scoreboard in the second half, but the damage was irreversible.
And youngsters Robbie Gray and Hamish Hartlett gave fans a glimpse into the future with two equally promising performances.
An undermanned Collingwood snapped two losses with an upset 22-point win over West Coast at Subiaco.
Leon Davis, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury were instrumental in the midfield, while John Anthony further enhanced his reputation as a efficient forward with a return of 3.0.
Collingwood has won four of its past five games against Port Adelaide and could be bolstered by the availability of Alan Didak, Paul Medhurst and Dale Thomas.
But the up-and-down Power, who have recorded consecutive wins just once this season, are due for a good week and will be desperate to atone for the embarrassment of round nine.
KEY MATCH-UP
Kane Cornes v Dane Swan
Mick Malthouse likes to fox at selection, making definitive match-ups difficult, but the obvious one is Swan and Cornes. Swan notched 36 disposals and laid seven tackles in the win over West Coast at Subiaco. He also had three shots on goal in a well-rounded performance.
Cornes has been below his best since suffering a shoulder sprain two weeks ago, but will relish the challenge against the Pies’ ball magnet.
KICK IT TO ME
Robbie Gray was one of the few shining lights in last week’s loss to the Swans. Gray, who is looking to make the transition from small forward to genuine midfielder, picked up 21 possessions (10 contested) in Sydney and also generated seven clearances and seven inside 50s.
The 21-year-old has been likened to Gary Ablett and has the skills to develop into a damaging onballer in the years to come.
SOMEBODY STOP ME
Leon Davis has also made the successful switch from half-forward to the midfield. Davis, who starred in the last six rounds of 2008, almost single-handedly destroyed West Coast last week with 32 disposals, 10 marks and three goals. Davis possesses great speed and flair and now has the engine to spent long stints on the ball.
AT THE SELECTION TABLE
Creative half-back Nathan Krakouer should return after being rested against the Swans and Troy Chaplin will play despite groin soreness.
Matt Westhoff is a chance after a late omission last week and Jason Davenport and Toby Thurstans remain around the mark.
IT'S NOT GENERALLY KNOWN THAT...
Ruckman Dean Brogan is ranked fifth in the league for hit-outs with 207. Teammate Brendon Lade ranks at number seven (163).
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
