THURSDAY night’s match is a must-win for Port Adelaide, and a match Hawthorn can ill-afford to drop.
The Power sit two games outside the top eight, and a loss could all but extinguish their September aspirations.
However, the Power has a strong recent record against the Hawks and will no doubt fancy their chances.
The Power have won three of their past four against the Hawks – two of those matches at Adelaide Oval - and have won three of their past five matches this season.
On Friday night, the Power enjoyed and 38-point win against Richmond.
Travis Boak (26 disposals), Ollie Wines (27 disposals) and Robbie Gray (24 disposals) all found plenty of the footy, with skipper Boak also kicking two goals to be his side’s best performer.
Kane Mitchell came into the side for his first match of the season, tagging Richmond’s Trent Cotchin effectively, and perhaps he will be given a similar role to play on Sam Mitchell this week.
It could be an unchanged line-up for the Power this week after getting through the match injury-free – although a number of players performed well in the SANFL.
Ruckman Matthew Lobbe and line-breaker Matt White are expected to miss another week, while Jack Hombsch is not expected to face the Hawks after sustaining a quad injury ahead of his anticipated return last week.
Key players
When Boak, Wines and Gray get their hands on the ball, beware Port Adelaide.
The Power love to move the ball quickly, and if these three can win the ball and find time and space, it brings a dangerous forward line featuring Charlie Dixon (30 goals), Aaron Young (28 goals) and Chad Wingard (26 goals) into play.
Like Young, rebounding defender Jasper Pittard is also enjoying a career-best season in 2016, playing a key role in transitioning the Power from defence to attack.
Potential changes
It could be an unchanged Port Adelaide line-up which faces the Hawks. However, a number of Power players performed strongly in the SANFL for the Port Adelaide Magpies to push their case for senior recalls.
Former Demon Jimmy Toumpas led the way with 39 disposals, John Butcher kicked six goals and Sam Gray - who starred against Hawthorn in Round 21 last year - won 11 clearances. Paul Stewart and Jared Polec were also named among the Magpies’ best.
If the Power opt for changes, Logan Austin, Tom Clurey and Jake Neade were among the senior side’s quieter performers against Richmond.
