Presenting all you need to know about the Magpies’ round 14 opponents – the Port Adelaide Power - ahead of their clash at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
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It’s been an interesting month for the South Australians since returning from their bye.
Form-wise, they’re a difficult team to read. They've recorded a L-W-L-W stat line since their history making match against the Gold Coast Suns in China.
The two victories since that game have been impressive, with a combined winning margin of 91 points in favour of the Power.
But it’s the two losses – including a 70-point thrashing to the Bombers and a narrow two-point defeat to Geelong – that have the wider football community hanging question marks over the Powers’ fourth-place ladder position.
And while the Magpies come into Saturday’s game refreshed from their break, Port Adelaide will arrive at the MCG full of confidence after picking up the four points against Brisbane last week.
Although they were challenged by a youthful Lions outfit, the Power flexed their muscles in the second half to run away with a six-goal victory at Adelaide Oval.
Midfielders Ollie Wines (29 disposals, eight marks, two goals) and Robbie Gray (21 disposals, six tackles, two goals) and small forward Chad Wingard (19 disposals, six tackles, three goals) starred for the hometown side.
The Power celebrate with forward Jake Neade after his kicks his first goal of the season against the Lions. Image: AFL Photo.
Words from the coach
After claiming victory over the Lions – albeit in a scrappy performance - Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said he was ready to move onto the Powers’ next match against Collingwood.
"It certainly wasn't our absolute best performance, but by the end of the day, we found a way to win by 40 points against a side that has improved a fair bit since the last time we played them," Hinkley said.
"We made some mistakes, they made some mistakes, but to come out at the end of the game with a 40-point victory, you've just got to move on.
"We're just in that patch where we're not quite at our absolute best, sometimes it's opposition-driven, sometimes it's us, we're just a tiny bit off-sharp.
"We had been sharp for a big part of the year, but we're a tiny part off-sharp."
Ken Hinkley addresses his squad during a quarter-time break against Brisbane. Image: AFL Photos.
Injury list
They may have claimed the four points, but it was a disappointing end to the night for one of Port Adelaide’s most important players, with midfielder Jared Polec injuring his hamstring late in the final quarter.
“It looks like a natural hamstring injury. If it is, we’d suspect he’ll miss 2-3 weeks. That’s just the way it goes in footy,” Hinkley confirmed post-game.
Polec's run and carry is vital to Port Adelaide's attacking style of football, but Hinkley believes his squad has the depth to cover the injury.
“We’ve got players in good form underneath which is really important.”
Forward Angus Monfries’ return to senior football will be at least another week away, with the 210-gamer sidelined with a calf injury.
Youngsters Aidyn Johnson (AC joint) and Karl Amon (knee) make up the remainder of the club’s injury list.
Monfries' long-awaited return to senior football will be delayed for another weeks as he deals with a calf injury. Image: AFL Photos.
Players to watch
He’s only played 12 games, but first-year player Sam Powell-Pepper has every South Australian – barring Adelaide Crows fans – very excited about Port Adelaide’s future.
After being nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in his first game, the 19-year-old has continued his build on his impressive start to his AFL career.
With 11 goals and an average of 17 disposals, four marks and three clearances a game, Powell-Pepper is building a strong case as one of the competition’s best first-year players.
Joining the youngster is Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert who could be firming for his first best and fairest medallion come season’s end.
2017 has showcased the career-best form for the former Eagle, with Ebert averaging 27 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and four marks a game for the Power.
Sam Powell-Pepper recorded 16 disposals, five tackles and kicked two goals against the Lions. Image: AFL Photo.
In the mix
One name that Hinkley and his coaching staff will have to consider is Jasper Pittard, who was dropped last week to the SANFL. But after a strong 23-possession performance for the Port Adelaide Magpies, the Port Adelaide defender could be in-line for a recall.
Brendan Ah Chee and Jimmy Toumpas will also be in the mix, while mature-age forward Brett Eddy will be a hot topic in match committee after kicking six goals in the SANFL.
