Venue and Time: Encounter Bay Oval, 3:40pm Saturday

Fremantle have accounted for Port without much trouble (bar a Michael Barlow broken leg) as of late, but already in this NAB Cup, Port have shown some more fight.

Port welcome back Travis Boak and Dominic Cassisi into the midfield, while John Butcher’s 5-goal showing against the Eagles last week will surely be a thinking point for Ross Lyon.

He’ll most likely be taken on by either Zac Dawson or Alex Silvagni, but do they have the skill to take on Butcher’s pair of hands?

It’ll be experience vs potential in the ruck battle, with the Brent Renouf/Jarrad Redden combo taken on by Griffin and the exciting Zac Clarke.

You’d say Fremantle have the advantage in this regard, but a determined Redden should make it a good battle.

The Fremantle forward-line looks very dangerous with Matthew Pavlich returning – alongside Kepler Bradley (3 goals last week), relative newbie Jayden Pitt (also 3 goals) and Chris Mayne.

They should have the firepower to keep any Butcher/Jay Schulz onslaught in check. Nathan Fyfe looks to be continuing on his 2011 form and will be another headache for Port.

Players to Watch:

Port Adelaide:

John McCarthy showed why Port picked him up last weekend after he had originally been discarded by Collingwood.

With some great intensity when needed, attacking power from the midfield (ending up with 3 goals against the Eagles), he’ll be one to watch.

Jarrad Redden showed a lot of promise last weekend also, with 25 hit-outs and some great pressure around the ball. Port’s ruck position is still largely up in the air in terms of a regular or optimal make-up, so look for Redden to further press for senior selection against the Dockers.

Fremantle:

Nathan Fyfe was subbed off at 3-quarter time, presumably for preservation reasons against the Tigers last weekend, but before then was running completely rampant, collecting 25 disposals and a goal. A full game against Port may see them in for a torrid time.

Josh Mellington kicked two goals last weekend and although much of the talk may be on Pitt’s performance, another forward putting his hand up is a good sign. If he has another strong showing on Saturday, Port’s defence will be stretched even thinner.

Prediction:

Fremantle by 19 points.

SQUADS:

PORT ADELAIDE:
1. Domenic Cassisi, 3. Steven Salopek, 4. Brent Renouf, 5. Matthew Broadbent, 6. Danyle Pierce, 7. Brad Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 9. Jacob Surjan, 10. Travis Boak, 12. Jackson Trengove, 13. Cameron O’Shea, 14. Paul Stewart, 16. Ben Jacobs, 17. Robbie Gray, 18. Kane Cornes, 19. Nick Salter, 20. Chad Wingard, 22. Simon Phillips, 24. Nathan Blee, 27. Alipate Calisle, 28. Jay Schultz, 31. Darren Pfeiffer, 32. John Butcher, 34. Jarrad Redden, 35. John McCarthy, 40. Aaron Young, 42. Thomas Jonas, 43. Daniel Stewart, 44. Tom Logan.

FREMANTLE:
3. Zac Dawson, 4. Jayden Pitt, 6. Greg Broughton, 7. Nathan Fyfe, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Adam McPhee, 10. Nick Lower, 12. Jon Griffin, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 14. Antoni Grover, 15. Ryan Crowley, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Luke McPharlin, 22. Jack Anthony, 23. Chris Mayne, 25. Josh Mellington, 26. Kepler Bradley, 27. Lachie Neale, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 30. Zachary Clarke, 32. Stephen Hill, 34. Lee Spurr, 35. Hayden Schloithe, 36. Alex Silvagni, 39. Sam Menegola, 40. Matt De Boer, 41. Paul Duffield, 46. Clancee Pearce, 47. Jay Van Berlo.