Opposition Analysis: Port Adelaide

PORT Adelaide will be desperate to keep their very slim finals chances alive when they take on the Hawks on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

After overcoming a determined Greater Western Sydney by 21 points last weekend, the Power will be looking to improve on the hard and tough brand of football they produced against the Giants.

Playing with a stronger and more assertive mindset according coach Ken Hinkley, the Power will need to win all three remaining games for the season to stay in the finals hunt.

“We know we haven’t had a great year, but we just wanted to make sure we stood up and played some tougher footy and just stayed in the contest and I thought tonight was a really positive sign for us,” Hinkley said after the Round 20 win.

“Play tough, play aggressively… that helps us play our model of football better… our defence better and our contested ball better because of that mindset.”

Players to Watch

Midfielder Robbie Gray has averaged the most disposals (26.1), clearances (eight) and inside 50s (4.3) for the Power this season to be arguably their most important midfielder.

Chad Wingard leads his teammates for goals kicked this year with 47, while in just his eighth game, hard-bodied midfielder Brendon Ah Chee was Port’s best against the Giants with 24 disposals and three goals.

Potential Changes

Jay Schulz is a chance to return after being ruled out of the Round 20 clash against GWS with a back injury.

Vice-captain Matthew Lobbe could also be recalled after performing well for SANFL side Port Adelaide Magpies with 64 hit-outs, six clearances and a goal.

Aaron Young also gathered 30 disposals and kicked two goals for the Magpies after being omitted from the AFL side.

Subbed into the game against GWS for the final quarter, Nathan Krakouer managed only 4 disposals and could find himself fighting to retain his position, while John Butcher’s 10 disposals and a goal might not be enough to keep him in the side if Schulz is ruled fit to play.