Burgoyne backs well-placed Port

PORT Adelaide and Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne says the Power is in the best possible position as it heads into Saturday night’s home preliminary final.

Newly retired Burgoyne rejoined Port Adelaide on Wednesday – three days before its home preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs – in a multifaceted offfield role after 12 seasons at the Hawks.

The 38-year-old played in four premierships, including the Power’s in 2004, and said Port was as well placed as any of the sides remaining in the flag race.

“I think they’re in the best position they can possibly be in right now and it’s going to be a cracker of a game,” Burgoyne said.

“They’ve got a number of players back from injury the last few weeks, they’ve had good match fitness and they’re going to have a good crack at it.

“They’ve got a home crowd as well … so that should play a part in it, hopefully – you want the crowd to be loud.

“Right now they’ve got the best team on the oval they’ve had all year.

“They’re in with as good a chance as anyone this year.”

Burgoyne lined up in two losing preliminary finals for the Power before they broke through, beating St Kilda in a six-point thriller in 2004.