Port Adelaide is fighting to keep their season alive, while the GIANTS are looking to solidify their place in the top four.
With the two sides set to do battle at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon, it’s time to look at the stats that may make a difference before the final siren sounds.
Port Adelaide’s forward line has taken a hit with Charlie Dixon ruled out with an ankle injury.
Not only does it free up GIANTS defenders Phil Davis and Joel Patful to take another of the Power’s key forwards, but it leaves the home side without the competition’s second best mark in one-on-one contests.
Without Dixon, Port Adelaide must now rely on their other forwards, who in their own right, are ranked second in the competition for neutralising their one-on-one contests.
This brings small forwards like Chad Wingard (31 goals in 2016) and Aaron Young (30 goals in 2016) into the game.
The GIANTS need to be vigilant and ensure an extra man gets to contests inside 50’s and that they have numbers around the foot of the contests.
Port Adelaide also utilise long kicks (ranked number one in the AFL), which has helped them rise to fifth in the completion for inside 50’s per game (average of 55.6).
When Port Adelaide executes this game plan to a tee and finish a game with four points in hand, it’s likely they have kicked 15 goals or more.
All of their wins in 2016 have seen them score over 94 points.
The GIANTS however, are the second-best attacking team in the competition, averaging 110.8 points per game and are coming off the back scoring 10.1 in the second quarter against Brisbane last Sunday.
The 61 points scored in that quarter is the highest by the GIANTS in their short history.
It’s not all about going forward for the side from Alberton Oval; around the contest they’re one of the best teams for on-ball pressure.
They’re second in the AFL for tackles per game averaging 78 and this season has made more tackles than their opponents.
The GIANTS need to be wary of their ball use and Port Adelaide’s pressure around the contest, as last weekend they punished North Melbourne by kicking 12 goals from turnovers.
The GIANTS will need to be especially vigilant of Port tagger Kane Mitchell who has been in fine form.
The West Australian kept Richmond’s Trent Cotchin to 14 possessions and Wells to 22 in his past two games.
GIANTS midfielder Stephen Coniglio could see himself tagged by Mitchell after picking up 34 disposals last time the two teams met.
Coniglio has been in fine form for the GIANTS collecting 29 disposals or more over the past four rounds.
Despite Coniglio and his midfield cohorts getting plenty of the ball against Brisbane, they will need to be on their toes this Sunday.
Port Adelaide is ahead in clearances this season at +22, despite their ruckman Jackson Trengove generally losing the hitout count (-286 so far in 2016).
This Sunday sees a first for the GIANTS with co-captain Callan Ward playing his 100th game for the club.
The GIANTS will be endeavoring to add another first to the occasion having lost all three games they’ve played at the Adelaide Oval.
The GIANTS take on Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval from 4.40PM EST on Sunday.
