Port Adelaide vs. Sydney Swans Friday September 20 2024 7.40pm AEST

The highly anticipated preliminary final between Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Friday, September 20, 2024, is set to be a thrilling contest. Both teams are vying for a spot in the Grand Final, with contrasting form lines and previous encounters creating an intriguing backdrop to this clash.

Team Form Over the Last Three Weeks

Port Adelaide:
Port Adelaide has displayed resilience in the finals, bouncing back from a 138-point thrashing by Geelong to edge out Hawthorn by three points in a tense semi-final. Their defense, one of the best in the league since round 16, has been crucial to their success, but they’ve struggled against high-scoring teams. Despite their recent inconsistency, Port has an impressive record against the Swans, having won their last eight meetings, including a dominant 112-point win in Round 21.

Sydney Swans:
Sydney enters the match with strong momentum, having enjoyed a week off after defeating GWS in a dramatic qualifying final. Their form over the last month has been stellar, with tight wins over top-tier teams like Collingwood and Adelaide. The Swans’ ability to win clearances and capitalize on turnovers has made them the No.1 scoring team this season. However, they must overcome their recent poor record against Port Adelaide to reach the Grand Final.

Head-to-Head
Port Adelaide has dominated the recent head-to-head battles, winning their last eight encounters, including the recent demolition in Round 21, where they restricted the Swans to just five goals. This mental edge could play a significant role, although Sydney’s home-ground advantage at the SCG may help neutralize that.

Key Players to Watch

  • Port Adelaide: Connor Rozee continues to lead from the front with his tackling pressure and midfield dominance, while Jason Horne-Francis is emerging as a finals star with his ability to break lines and win clearances.
  • Sydney Swans: Isaac Heeney’s form has been outstanding, as he showcased in the qualifying final with a clutch performance. Errol Gulden’s precise ball movement and Brodie Grundy’s ruck work will be key to maintaining control in the contest.

Tactical Battle
Sydney’s defensive structure excels at stopping teams from moving the ball effectively out of their defensive 50, a strength of Port Adelaide this season. The Swans will look to lock down Port’s corridor play, forcing them wide and preventing fast transitions. Port Adelaide’s challenge will be to maintain their defensive solidity while finding a way to exploit Sydney’s structures.

Prediction
While Port Adelaide’s impressive record against Sydney suggests they could cause an upset, the Swans’ superior form, combined with home-ground advantage and an extra week of rest, gives them the edge. Sydney’s ability to control the tempo and capitalize on turnovers should see them through to the Grand Final.

Prediction: Sydney Swans by 20 points.