Will the Power take the least experienced side into an elimination final against West Coast, which has the most?
IF PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley holds his nerve at selection this week, the Power will take the least experienced side of all eight finalists into an elimination final against the side with the most.
IF PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley holds his nerve at selection this week, the Power will take the least experienced side of all eight finalists into an elimination final against the side with the most.
By choice, and not forced by injury, the Power side that belted Gold Coast in Round 23 had on average just 90 games experience.
By contrast, West Coast had an average of 140 games experience when it beat Adelaide in Round 23, bolstered by 300-game veterans Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie, and three other 200-game players.
The average games experience for finals teams in Round 23:
West Coast 140
GWS 119
Sydney 117
Geelong 113
Essendon 97
Adelaide 95.9
Richmond 95.5
Port Adelaide 90
For now, the Power is opting for Todd Marshall (2 games), Aidyn Johnson (5), Riley Bonner (3) and Dougal Howard (9), ahead of the likes of Jackson Trengove (153), Aaron Young (76), Jarman Impey (74), Matt White (153) and Angus Monfries (211).
Matthew Broadbent (161) is the other one on the outer but that’s due to a lingering ankle injury which has kept him out of the AFL side since Round 19.
Marshall, Johnson, Bonner and Howard weren’t allowed to play in the SANFL qualifying final on Saturday but their spots in the Power team look theirs to lose after no one leapt off the page for the Magpies.
Experience isn’t everything, but it helps. Port’s side last start was rawer than even the Baby Bombers who won the 1993 premiership with 92 games average experience on grand final day.
As Port Adelaide prepares to play West Coast for the third time this season, there should be two names on the whiteboard - Mark LeCras and Elliot Yeo - who must be stopped.
Port and West Coast are 1-1 this season but LeCras and Yeo have starred in both.
LeCras has kicked eight goals (two bags of four) and newly crowned All-Australian Yeo has been best in both with his damaging run off half-back.
Although the Power won their last clash by 32 points at Subiaco, there was a worrying period from the 16th minute of the first quarter until the eighth minute of the second, where the Eagles piled on seven consecutive goals.
LeCras and Jack Darling were at the centre of it and Yeo got them going. Now you can throw in Josh Kennedy, who didn’t play that day, and Port’s defence is in for a serious test on Saturday night.
Win and we’re looking at a potential Showdown semi-final against Adelaide or a trip to Sydney to play the Giants.
But for now they’re all chasing Sydney which after winning 14 of its last 16 games including wins over Adelaide, Geelong and GWS, deservedly takes the number one spot on The Advertiser’s power rankings into the 2017 finals series.
POWER RANKINGS (finals edition)
All teams are assessed and ranked each week based on form to chart the movers and sliders throughout the season.
1. Sydney
Previous ranking: 12, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18, 17, 15, 11, 15, 16, 14, 7, 7, 4, 4, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 1
Took the No.1 ranking after their Round 22 win over Adelaide and winning 14 of their last 16. Buddy, Kennedy and Parker are flying and they’re settled, making only three changes total in their past three games.
Last 5: LWWWW
Coming up: Essendon, Elimination Final
Last time: Sydney by 1 point
2. Adelaide
Previous ranking: 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2
Still my tip for the flag but they can’t be ranked above Sydney on form. Two losses, albeit a meaningless one to West Coast, isn’t ideal but no need to panic. Rest Sloane this week, bring Greenwood in and march on.
Last 5: DWWLL
Coming up: GWS, Qualifying Final
Last time: Adelaide by 56 points
3. Geelong
Previous ranking: 6, 7, 4, 4, 2, 3, 4, 8, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3
Thought they looked a bit wobbly heading into September but you can’t argue with a 44-point win over GWS last start. Losses to both Adelaide and Sydney since Round 18 keeping them out of the top two for now.
Last 5: WLWWW
Coming up: Richmond, Qualifying Final
Last time: Geelong by 14 points
4. GWS
Previous ranking: 18, 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4
Stumbled badly against Geelong in a pre-finals test and have also lost to Adelaide, Sydney and Richmond this season so the jury remains out. No one doubts their talent but can they get it together?
Last 5: WWWWL
Coming up: Adelaide, Qualifying Final
Last time: Adelaide by 56 points
5. Richmond
Previous ranking: 8, 5, 2, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 10, 6, 5, 6, 6, 5, 7, 6, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5
Give them a massive chance to upset the Cats on Friday night. Home final, Dusty has re-signed and there’s not the pressure like previous cut-throat finals which have brought them undone.
Last 5: WWLWW
Coming up: Geelong, Qualifying Final
Last time: Geelong by 14 points
6. Port Adelaide
Previous ranking: 1, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 7, 5, 5, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6
Thought they looked gone after the Showdown but three good wins have breathed new hope into the side. Lack of height in defence worries me as does any gamble on players with so little experience but they won’t lack confidence.
Last 5: WLWWW
Coming up: West Coast, Elimination Final
Last time: Port Adelaide by 32 points
7. Essendon
Previous ranking: 3, 4, 10, 13, 10, 12, 14, 11, 9, 11, 12, 9, 11, 9, 12, 11, 10, 8, 10, 9, 9, 8
Look the most likely wildcard to steal the flag in a season that has already proven anything can happen on the day. Hurley and Hooker back is huge and as raging underdogs get to have a free swing at the Swans albeit in Sydney.
Last 5: LWLWW
Coming up: Sydney, Elimination Final
Previous ranking: Sydney by 1 point
8. West Coast
Previous ranking: 4, 6, 9, 7, 8, 8, 6, 3, 6, 6, 9, 10, 8, 11, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 10, 10
Might have only just scraped in but they aren’t without a chance of going a fair way in September. Mitchell and Priddis literally playing like every game is their last and will back themselves at Adelaide Oval.
Last 5: WLWLW
Coming up: Port Adelaide, Elimination Final
Last time: Port Adelaide by 32 points