With only a few days to go until we take on Port Adelaide at Manuka Oval we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming out of Alberton Oval.
A pair of Port Adelaide’s best players in Hamish Hartlett and Chad Wingard will be a chance to return against the GIANTS if they pass a fitness test this week.
The duo have missed games following in-match hamstring injuries, but will be pushing hard to pass an assessment at the Power’s main training session on Wednesday.
After missing the last fortnight, Power forward Jay Schulz underwent surgery on a prolapsed disc which will see him on the sidelines indefinitely.
This will be a closely-fought game with both sides wanting to use their outside speed to run the ball forward.
Criticised for their lack of intensity and lacklustre movement against Adelaide in round two, Port took to Adelaide Oval against the Bombers last weekend with speed on their mind as they ran away to a 61-point win.
The Power played on with quick handballs at every opportunity and although it got them into trouble on numerous occasions, they took the game on with run and carry through the middle of the ground.
In-form half-back flanker Jasper Pittard said the mistakes weren't an issue as long as the side continued to attack with aggression.
"We just want to challenge teams. If we can challenge teams with our offence we're going to make them defend, which makes them tired and then we can get set up in defence and do our job better," he told AFL.com.au.
"It's scary sometimes and sometimes we're going to turn it over – Kenny (Hinkley) has no qualms with us turning it over and making mistakes, that's footy.
"If we can just attack it in those waves, get a few handballs and switch it as much as we can, then I think we look really dangerous and we're going to have a lot of teams really worried.”
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 GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis and Power forward Charlie Dixon also pivotal to the result.
The GIANTS and Power have clashed once at Manuka Oval with the South Australians running out 35-point winners in round seven, 2014.
In the two sides’ only meeting last season, it was a fiery clash at Adelaide Oval with the home side hanging on to win by 21-points.
Power’s 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.
The GIANTS take on Port Adelaide at Manuka Oval at 1.10pm this Sunday. Tickets are selling fast so CLICK HERE to get yours now.
