SUMMARY
The GIANTS will be out to emulate their last performance in Canberra when they beat Geelong in contested ball, and also ran them off their feet. A loss would be disastrous and they'll need more from tall forwards Jon Patton and Rory Lobb, who have had an ordinary fortnight inside 50.
Port responded well to their poor showing in the Showdown against Essendon last week but Ken Hinkley's men need to play well against another potential finals team to prove they belong in the eight.
With the likes of Robbie Gray, Ollie Wines and Travis Boak going head-to-head with Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully and Callan Ward, the midfield battle will be crucial, while the match-up of GWS co-captain Phil Davis and Power forward Charlie Dixon also pivotal to the result.
WHERE AND WHEN: Manuka Oval, Sunday, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2015, Port Adelaide 16.15 (111) d Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) at Adelaide Oval
R7, 2014, Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) d Greater Western Sydney 15.7 (97) at Manuka Oval
R12, 2013, Port Adelaide 19.11 (125) d Greater Western Sydney 6.14 (50) at Spotless Stadium
R2, 2013, Port Adelaide 19.20 (134) d Greater Western Sydney 11.12 (78) at AAMI Stadium
R19, 2012, Greater Western Sydney 16.11 (107) d Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) at Spotless Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. When the teams met late last season suspended forward Angus Monfries, Chad Wingard and Brendon Ah Chee kicked three goals each for Port and Robbie Gray was the leading ball-winner with 26 disposals. Rhys Palmer kicked five goals for the GIANTS.
2. Port Adelaide is ranked first for contested possessions at 162.3 per game, while the GIANTS are ranked ninth with 144.3 per game. Robbie Gray is the number one contested possession player in 2016 so far with a total of 58.
3. In the five contests so far between the sides Jeremy Cameron has kicked 12 goals for the GIANTS and Jay Schulz 12 for the Power. Both will be missing this week.
4. GWS has already won at Manuka Oval in 2016 after beating Geelong in round two, giving them three of their last four in Canberra. The Power has played four times at Manuka for one win.
5. The GIANTS’ scoring is down in the opening three weeks with an average of only 78 points per game, while Port is averaging 110 points per game.
6. Both sides have struggled to find goalkickers in 2016, with Robbie Gray and Aaron Young leading the way for Port with seven majors this year, and Steve Johnson the GIANTS’ best with just five.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR ... Matthew Lobbe.
With most games of footy won or lost in the midfield, Lobbe must find a way to give his runners first use of the ball, while also limiting the influence of GWS ruckman Shane Mumford. The Port big man hasn't been in great touch so far in 2016 but the task of matching the physical Mumford could be the challenge he needs.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 33 points.
