PORT HAPPY TO TAG STARS

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is prepared to bring out a heavy tag against Geelong if one of its two superstars — Joel Selwood or Patrick Dangerfield — gets away from them in the midfield.

The duo is one of the most feared tandems in football and the Power, which will miss Sam Powell-Pepper, has identified it as a key challenge — even with Gary Ablett missing to injury.

The tagger, or negating player, has been unfashionable at Alberton since Kane Cornes turned it into a fine art, but Hinkley will have it as an option against the Cats.

Brad Ebert is the most likely first candidate should the job be required, having run with Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe in Round 1. “That’s a crucial battle. “If we can get on top in the midfield ... both teams generate a lot of their opportunities from stoppages.”

One of the key challenges in running with Selwood — should he require a tag — is to avoid giving away free kicks. Selwood has caused controversy for his ability to fold at the knees to draw high contact but is equally known as one of the hardest players in the game.

“The only recommendation I can give them is to get lower and harder than Joel does — and that’s bloody hard to, isn’t it, because he’s as tough as they get,” Hinkley said.

The midfield battle is set to shape the match. Hinkley has reminded his players that their form has left much to wish for over the past fortnight.

An escape against battler Brisbane was followed by a loss to Essendon and Hinkley is looking for a strong response.

“We’re just not getting the results that we like,” Hinkley said. “We lost last week and we were lucky to win the week before that.

“I just think we haven’t performed as strongly as we need to. Good sides perform strongly every week.”

Port Adelaide will also draw motivation from the last time the two sides played — when Geelong won in the final minutes.

“That hurt, no doubt,” Hinkley said. “We played well enough to win the game and didn’t. We want to get one back — simple.

“I’m sure our players remember. They always do.

“Big games against quality opposition — you look forward to them and you want to get one back.”