POWER v DOGS
Second preliminary final, Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7.40pm
HOW THEY PLAY
PORT Adelaide is a highpossession team that coach Ken Hinkley likes to be aggressive with ball movement.
Only North Melbourne has gone through the corridor more often this year.
Port’s defenders look to squeeze up the ground when their team is attacking to lock the ball in the forward half.
THE KEY
MAXIMISE the ruck advantage around stoppages.
There are lessons that need to be learnt from the Power’s first final against Geelong where they were comprehensively beaten in clearances 29-37 and centre clearances 3-15.
Scott Lycett must be aggressive and really assert himself on the contest against Stefan Martin and Tim English and the Bulldogs’ back-up ruckman. He needs to give his midfielders advantage hitouts to not only to win first possession but also clear the ball and gain territory against a strong Bulldogs onball brigade.
THE CHALLENGE
MAKE a good start. The Port players will be fresh given they have been home for three weeks and had last weekend off after winning their qualifying final against Geelong.
That is a clear advantage against a Bulldogs side that has travelled across five states in less than three weeks.
Port must explode from the blocks and set the scene. Take your opportunities early and get the home crowd involved and the Bulldogs will be on the back foot right from the start.
THE THEME
BRING the heat. Both teams will gain good territory in this game but who wins the territory game will be determined by the team that applies the most pressure and effective tackling must be a priority for Port. Bring controlled aggression and get in the face of the Bulldogs to take away time and space from their best ball users, especially Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel out of defence.
Force the Bulldogs defenders into making rushed decisions, which will play into the hands of the Power’s fronthalf game.
X-FACTOR
CONNOR Rozee. He’s a player with great class, speed and exquisite skill – which is a dangerous combination. He forces defenders to panic and draws other defenders to him, which allows other teammates to find space. He can kick a majestic goal on the run which can create a pulsating atmosphere in front of a home crowd.
Trent Burgoyne (hamstring) season Kane Farrell (knee) season Taj Schofield (hamstring) season
HOW THEY PLAY
THE Bulldogs are a highvolume team who play the game with what’s in front of them. Contested ball-winning ability is the signature element of their brand, albeit they’re been slightly off in that area recently. At their best, they bring a high-octane brand where they take the game on with great dare and high risk. Exiting defensive 50, they head towards the boundary more than any other team in a bid to protect their backline.
THE KEY
CONTROL stoppages and Scott Lycett’s influence. Tim English, who turned the game after halftime against Oscar McInerney in the semi-final, has a massive role again. So, too, does Stefan Martin who has been recalled for his first AFL game since Round 12
Secondary stoppages will also be very important for the Bulldogs. Darcy Byrne-Jones likes to come up behind the stoppage for the Power as an aggressive half-back. Laitham
Vandermeer and Bailey Smith will need to follow him to bring extra numbers around the ball, which will dilute Lycett’s hits into space.
THE CHALLENGE
DEFENDING territory. The Bulldogs gave up 68 inside 50s to Brisbane last week, including 37 in the first half.
Luke Beveridge wouldn’t want those numbers against Port’s potent attack. Stopping scoring is difficult against those type of numbers.
The Bulldogs were +8 in defensive 50 stoppages and +10 for defensive 50 ground balls against the Lions forwards last week, which helps. But it’s not something you want to rely on.
THE THEME
PLAY aggressively and quick through the corridor. It’s a risk versus reward option, but if the ball is in the hands of Caleb Daniel or Bailey Dale it’s a ball movement direction the Bulldogs must adopt. The Power don’t play with a set goalkeeper like many other teams and they give you an opportunity to score “outthe-back” goals. Even just kick the ball to grass inside 50 and allow players with great speed like Jason Johannisen, Vandermeer and Smith to run on to it. Make it a race back to goal.
X-FACTOR
AARON Naughton. His ability to run and jump makes him a highly competitive player, which will cause some concerns for Port’s defence.
He is clearly capable of kicking five goals in a preliminary final – and this is the time for heroics.
Naughton has the physical attributes, the aerial ability and has worked on his kicking and forward craft. He could be the difference.
Alex Keath (hamstring) TBC; Cody Weightman (concussion) 1 week; Josh Bruce (knee) season; Toby McLean (knee) season