Likely line-up
FB: Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Tom Jonas
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jack Hombsch, Jasper Pittard
C: Kane Cornes, Ollie Wines, Hamish Hartlett
HF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries
FF: Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Travis Boak, Brad Ebert
Interchange: Cam O’Shea, Matt White, Jared Polec, Andrew Moore
Emergencies: Jarman Impey, Kane Mitchell, Aaron Young
Defence: Port are renowned for their hard running, but it’s their team defence that has come to the fore under Ken Hinkley. The Power conceded the third least points in the AFL this season, behind Sydney and Freo. Alipate Carlisle and Jackson Trengove are the key pillars in the backline, while they get plenty of run and effort from the likes of Jack Hombsh, Jasper Pittard and Matthew Broadbent.
Midfield: Port has a wide array of talent in the midfield, led by inspirational skipper Travis Boak, who can now safely assume the mantle of AFL superstar. Hamish Hartlett is also a gun, while Ollie Wines is a bulldozer in the packs. Kane Cornes is one the best taggers of the modern era and will likely go to Stephen Hill. Matthew Lobbe is a quality ruckman but he will have his hands full with Freo champion Aaron Sandilands.
Forwards: Jay Schulz and Justin Westhoff spearhead the attack, but it’s Robbie Gray who has the capacity to influence Saturday’s match as much as any player. Now one of the Brownlow Medal favourites, he floats between attack and midfield and must be contained. Chad Wingard also falls into the category of match-winner and is likely to be picked up by Lee Spurr.
Port stats in 2014
- No. 2 attack
- No. 3 defence
- No. 1 contested possessions 148.4 per game
- No. 2 uncontested marks 84 per game
