QS
Brownlow Medallist
SUNDAY 19TH AUGUST - ROUND 21 - AAMI STADIUM 11:10PM WST
Last time they met
West Coast 15.20 (110) def Port Adelaide 15.8 (88), Round 13, 2011 at Subiaco Oval
Adelaide weather forecast
Partly cloudy. Patchy morning fog, mainly about the hills and northern suburbs. Isolated showers clearing by late afternoon. Light winds.
Max 15˚
This week's guernsey
Named teams & Umpiring Appointments
Late Changes: West Coast: Nil, Port Adelaide: Boak replaced in the side by John McCarthy.
Substitutes: West Coast: Bradd Dalziell, Port Adelaide: Chad Wingard
Key Players
West Coast
1. Dean Cox & Nic Naitanui - I've taken the innovative step of listing both rucks here as they will be coming up against a relatively inexperienced combo of Lobbe and Redden. Cox was at his magnificent best last Friday night against the Cats, with Naitanui providing apt support. If they can fire today they should prove to be too strong for the Power duo and give West Coast's midfield every chance for first use.
2. Scott Selwood - "Scooter" has been noticeably flat in the latter half of the season and needs to rekindle some of the form that took him close to being one of the premier stoppers, and ball winners in the league early in the piece. Expect him to have some influence over Travis Boak through the midfield and attempt to rack up some stats of his own. West Coast look a lot more settled through the middle when he is on song.
3. Andrew Embley - Given he returned from long term injury only last week, not too much is expected of the veteran at this stage, but the experience and cool head he possesses should add some stability during the game. His positioning and run are a great asset and can provide a forward and defensive option if required.
Port Adelaide
1. Brad Ebert - Playing against his old club for the first time, Brad will be fired up to make an impact. Since arriving back at Alberton, he has been a leading light through the midfield with great tackling ability and generally being a ball magnet. Look for the Eagles to receive some of his much vaunted stray kicks though. Dampening his influence with the loss of Boak will be key.
2. Danyle Pearce - Was one of his sides best in the loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania last weekend with 26 posessions and 4 clearances despite having a tag. Can sneak under the radar if allowed to and provide run through the midfield and efficient link up play. One to watch.
3. Jay Schulz - Underrated forward who can take a strong grab and is generally an accurate kick for goal. Port will be looking to him inside 50, and isn't alone as an option with Brett Ebert floating around. If Schulz can find the ball and kick a few goals, then this won't hurt Port's chances of an upset in front of the Alberton faithful.
Summary
West Coast's form of late would, at best, be described as patchy, but a win over the current premiers after trailing at every change may have been the confidence boost that was needed. In contrast, Port Adelaide who are enduring an ordinary season, and are under the command of Garry Hocking as caretaker coach were not as bad as the final scoreline against Hawthorn suggests; they weren't disgraced.
The Eagles are starting to see the return of key players from long term injury whilst the Power have injury concerns of their own and take a inexperienced ruck division into the contest against arguably the best ruck duo in the AFL. Will this be enough to swing the game in the visitors favour? It may well be, but the Port midfield machine is no slouch with Brad Ebert facing his old team mates for the first time and BoakCornes and Pearce in tow. However, this is a must win game for the Eagles with the win to North Melbourne over Collingwood and next round's game at home against the pies, a top 4 finish is still a possibility. In the end the Eagles should be too strong in all areas of the ground with the defence able to nullify the Power's forward options.
Verdict
West Coast by 33.
