VENUE & TIME: AAMI Stadium, Saturday, July 31, 3:10pm (ACST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played:21, Port Adelaide 14, Hawthorn 7,
LAST TIME: Port Adelaide 8.15 (63) def by Hawthorn 10.14 (74), Round 11, 2010 at the MCG
LAST TIME AT VENUE: Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) d Hawthorn 14.19 (103), Round 18, 2009 at AAMI Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: The season is over for Hamish Harlett (quad), Jacob Surjan (knee), Steven Salopek (shoulder) and Chad Cornes, who will undergo surgery on his damaged finger. Warren Tredrea hung up his boots on Monday announcing his retirement while Daniel Motlop misses another week through suspension. Tom Logan will have to pass a fitness test after taking a heavy knock in the Showdown. For Hawthorn, Max Bailey's knee injury has him out indefinitely while Campbell Brown will be absent through suspension.
FORM:
Power's Past Five:
Round 17: Win, 13.10 (88) - 9.15 (69) v Adelaide, at AAMI Stadium
Round 16: Loss, 7.5 (47) - 12.11 (83) v Western Bulldogs, at TIO Stadium
Round 15: Loss 12.7 (79) - 16.9 (105) v Collingwood, at AAMI Stadium
Round 14: Loss, 8.10 (58) - 17.13 (115) v Fremantle, at Subiaco
Round 13: Loss, 14.9 (93) - 19.15 (129) v North Melbourne, at Etihad Stadium
Hawks' Past Five:
Round 17: Draw, 13.9 (87) - 14.3 (87) v St Kilda, at Etihad Stadium
Round 16: Win, 17.16 (118) - 7.1 (43) v Brisbane, at Aurora Stadium
Round 15: Loss 11.17 (83) - 12.13 (85) v Geelong, at the MCG
Round 14: Win, 12.7 (79) - 11.10 (76) v Western Bulldogs at the MCG
Round 13: Win, 14.18 (102) - 13.8 (86) v Essendon, at the MCG
Hawthorn and Port have had contrasting form in the last two months with the Hawks managing a seven-game winning run before losing by two points to the reigning premiers, while Port had lost a club record nine in a row before beating Adelaide in the Showdown. The Hawks also had tight win over the Western Bulldogs and were unlucky to finish with a draw against the Saints last week. No doubt the Power's win over the Crows was morale boosting as they ended their horror run. The Hawks have come up against three of the top four sides this month with two wins, a loss and a draw in their last four games. Port will be looking to build some momentum and finish the season strongly under caretaker coach, Matthew Primus.
WHO'S HOT: Port's captain, Dom Cassisi, led from the front last week against the Crows in an inspirational performance. The tough midfielder racked up 28 touches, three inside 50s and a whopping 11 tackles. The Power's hard man will no doubt have the tough task of shutting down one of the Hawks classy onballers, as well as getting in and under for his side. If he can take his Showdown Medal winning form into the middle for Port Adelaide, the Power may just have a chance. Buddy Franklin was absent last time these two sides met but his performances in recent weeks illustrate the star forward is primed for finals action. Buddy booted 5.3 last week and had he kicked straighter, could have carried his side over the line. Perhaps just as impressive as his attacking prowess is the defensive work he does inside forward 50. Franklin racked up five tackles last week and was involved in five separate goals for his side on the way to 19 disposals.
WE THINK: Port Adelaide begins something of a transition period as the season winds down with Matthew Primus coaching his third game while the club's greatest player, premiership winning captain Warren Tredrea, announced his retirement on Monday and will partake in a lap of honour before the match. The Power were emotionally charged last week as Josh Carr also played his last match and perhaps Tredrea's decision will fire up Port's troops once again. Hawthorn though, has been in too good form over the last two months, matching it with quality opposition such as the Cats, Saints and Bulldogs. The Hawks know they can't slip up as they launch an assault on the top four. With only Campbell Brown missing for the 2008 premiers and every star firing in recent weeks a win at AAMI will see them cement their place in the finals. Hawthorn by 39.