AFL Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide 2021: When Port’s Qualifying Final will be played

With a top-two spot locked in for the Power, they look to have earned this blockbuster timeslot for their Qualifying Final against the Cats or the Dees. Here are the details.

Friday night looms as the likeliest option for Port Adelaide’s home qualifying final next week.

With the Power set to finish second on the ladder and host either Geelong or Melbourne, a match at Adelaide Oval to kick off the major round appears on the cards due to AFL fixture permutations.

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Power players celebrate in front of their fans. Picture: Getty Images

Unless Brisbane finishes fifth, Port Adelaide will be the only club able to play in front of its home fans, which will appeal to broadcaster Channel 7 as it seeks to schedule games in the prime time Friday and Saturday night slots.

A match in front of 15,000 or 25,000 Power supporters would seem less suited to Saturday at twilight or Sunday afternoon, particularly when other clashes were at neutral venues.

The minor premier is unlikely to play on Friday night because that will give it a mere six-day break.

That would point to the Power, which faced the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, being handed that spot.

But the other considerations needing to be factored in are restrictions imposed by SA Health amid Victoria’s latest coronavirus outbreak.

A Friday night qualifying final would require the visitors being allowed to fly out after Adelaide Airport’s 11pm curfew or stay the night.

One possibility might be for the Victorian team to take a propeller plane back home post-match.

The Power did that after its two-point victory against the Bulldogs, landing in Adelaide on a 50-seater aircraft about 2am.

SA Health has not made a decision about the game and that is unlikely over the weekend.

Discussions will be taking place with the AFL around crowd numbers, the restrictions on the Victorian side and how they enter and exit the state before an announcement is expected early next week.

The league will release the fixture for the first week of the finals after Round 23 concludes on Sunday.

Tickets for Port Adelaide’s home game are set to go on sale on Monday.

Power young gun Mitch Georgiades will be missing from the start of the finals after injuring his hamstring against the Bulldogs.

The 19-year-old forward is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, placing him on track for a return for a preliminary final, if Port Adelaide gets there.

Georgiades is unable to have scans on his hamstring until late on Monday due to Power players and staff not coming out of home isolation before they pass tests earlier that day.

Orazio Fantasia or Sam Powell-Pepper shape as his likeliest replacements.

Power secure top-two comeback win over Dogs in epic finish

Port Adelaide football manager Chris Davies stood in the club’s traditional Alberton Oval change rooms in June and might as well have used the saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’.

“For all of what has been said about our ability to beat the top three ahead of us, our challenge is not to do that now, as much as it is to do it when the time actually matters,” Davies told reporters at a press conference.

“(Power senior assistant) Michael Voss often says and has said to you all that the challenge right now is to qualify for the finals … then to put ourselves in the right spot towards the end of the year then to be in the right frame of mind and playing good enough footy to beat the top teams in the finals series.

“We think we’re going pretty well considering our injury list.”

Travis Boak and Robbie Gray celebrate a goal for the Power. Picture: Michael Klein

With key players such as Robbie Gray, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma, sidelined for long periods and losses to Melbourne, Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane, Port Adelaide hardly looked like it was one of the very best sides this season.

The Power took until the last minor round to beat any of the eventual top five and for most of the campaign football pundits seemed to agree the club was not quite as good as the Demons, Cats or Dogs.

Yet just two months later, Davies’ words are beginning to come to fruition.

On Friday night, Port Adelaide beat one of the three teams ahead of it when it mattered plenty, needing to win to earn a top-two spot and home qualifying final for the second consecutive year.

Its thrilling two-point triumph over the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium was the club’s sixth victory in succession.

As some other contenders, including the Dogs, have slowed in recent weeks, Port Adelaide has kicked into gear, nearing the finish line.

Not often playing its best football, but winning the games it needs to get to where it has, boosted by the return of injured stars.

Port Adelaide leadership group member Darcy Byrne-Jones told News Corp he thought the club was “without a doubt” better placed to claim a flag than this time last year, when it entered the finals as minor premier with a 14-3 record.

Why?

Because of the lessons and experience it had taken from big games, particularly last season’s qualifying final triumph over Geelong and six-point preliminary playoff defeat to Richmond.

“Last year didn’t go the way we planned but we do take a lot of learnings,” Byrne-Jones said.

“We’ve played some really consistent footy over the last two years and that certainly gives you confidence going into big games and finals.

“We have more finals experience and some of the younger guys in the team have that experience of playing in big games.”

Of the Power’s 22 from Friday night, five had not featured in the finals until last year: Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma, Peter Ladhams, Trent McKenzie and Connor Rozee.

Five others – Karl Amon, Byrne-Jones, Charlie Dixon, Dan Houston and Todd Marshall – had lined up in just one final before October’s win over the Cats.

If the injured Mitch Georgiades is replaced by Orazio Fantasia, as expected, the Power will have just two players – Miles Bergman and Willem Drew – without major-round experience next week.

Skipper Tom Jonas was all smiles after the match. Picture: Getty Images

Steven Motlop (13 matches) is the Power’s most seasoned finals campaigner, while Travis Boak (11), Ollie Wines, Robbie Gray (eight each), Tom Jonas (seven), Scott Lycett (six) and Ryan Burton (five) have all been through their fair share.

Off-season recruits Aliir (four) and Fantasia (two), and Riley Bonner (one) were not part of Port Adelaide’s major-round run in 2020.

“It gives you more confidence that we were able to win a final last year and to win a finals-like game tonight also gives you confidence,” Byrne-Jones said.

“We’ve got great belief in the group that we can take it, hopefully, all the way.”

Hinkley believed his side deserved its top-two placing and “worked damn hard to get here”.

“I said all the way through this season, wait until the end of (Round) 23, see where we finish,” Hinkley said post-match on Friday night.

“I think we’ve had two seasons (finishing in the top two) in a row now and I think that’s how you build to win a premiership because you have to consistently do it.

“We’ll be as good as any team in the competition in September and we’re going to have to play very, very well to keep going and keep winning, but I know we’re good enough.

“I know from history and my own history that in finals, you’ve still got to execute well but there’s nothing better than qualifying high to give yourselves the best chance.

“Last year we just didn’t get it done against the premiership side in Richmond but I said at the start of the year we’re ready, we’re very ready.

“That doesn’t mean we’ll absolutely get there but we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Just like a marathon runner who has stayed in touch with the leading pack and then timed their charge nicely.

Port Adelaide has much more big game experience than last year. Picture: Michael Klein

POWER SUFFERS BIG INJURY BLOW

Port Adelaide has suffered a big blow on a week out from the finals, losing young gun Mitch Georgiades to a hamstring injury.

Georgiades was subbed out midway through the second quarter.

The 19-year-old is among the favourites for the AFL’s Rising Star Award after an impressive second campaign, in which he has offered a high-flying attacking foil for Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall in Port Adelaide’s attack.

Georgiades has booted 32 goals so far this season and missed just one game – the opening round.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said Georgiades had experienced some hamstring tightness this season but did not expect him to miss more than three weeks.

“He usually recovers pretty quick,” Hinkley said.

“I would say at best he’s available in two weeks, at worst he’s definitely available in three weeks.”

Hinkley said small forward Orazio Fantasia, who missed Friday night’s match with hamstring tightness, should be available for next weekend’s qualifying final.

Georgiades had registered seven disposals, two marks and a behind.

Medical substitute Sam Mayes replaced Georgiades.

Mitch Georgiades was subbed out in the second term. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

LET A BIG CROWD IN: BOAK’S SHOUT-OUT TO PREMIER

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak has called on SA Premier Steven Marshall to allow a big crowd at the club’s home qualifying final next week.

Boak said he was looking forward to playing in front of plenty of supporters.

The ground had a reduced capacity of 15,000 for Port Adelaide’s match against Carlton last weekend as part of Covid restrictions.

“Top two, home final, can’t wait to get back home,” Boak told Channel 7 post-match on Friday night.

“Hopefully we can have our fans there and pack that out.

“So Steve, hopefully you can pack out the Adelaide Oval and let the numbers come in.”

Boak’s shout-out was not missed by the commentators.

“I think that was a plea from Travis Boak to the Premier Steve Marshall over there (to) make sure you let lots of people in,” Channel 7’s Brian Taylor said.

Later, Power vice-captain Ollie Wines shared a similar sentiment on TV: “Hopefully they bump up capacity and get Adelaide Oval rocking.”

Travis Boak wants a big crowd for his side’s qualifying final. Picture: Getty Images

EPIC POWER COMEBACK SEALS HOME FINAL IN THRILLER

Ronny Lerner

The Western Bulldogs’ top-four hopes are hanging by a thread after Port Adelaide handed them their third loss in a row at Marvel Stadium by two points in a Friday night thriller.

After leading most of the night, and opening up a 22-point advantage when they kicked the first four goals in 10 minutes, the Bulldogs relinquished the lead for the first time with 4:58 remaining in the game when Robbie Gray slotted home a set shot from a tight angle on the boundary.

The Dogs had one last roll of the dice with three seconds remaining when Bailey Smith had a shot from 50m out, but it fell short, Aaron Naughton wasn’t able to mark it in the goal square and Todd Marshall rushed it through to ensure a famous win for the Power.

After scoring their first win against a top-four side for the year, Port Adelaide are provisionally on top of the ladder and have guaranteed themselves a top-two spot, which means they will be hosting a qualifying final at Adelaide Oval next week (Covid restrictions permitting).

Robbie Gray put the Power in front late in the final quarter. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But the victory came at a cost for them, with emerging young forward Mitch Georgiades subbed out due to a hamstring injury, putting his finals campaign in limbo.

The Bulldogs are now pinning their hopes on the unlikely scenario of West Coast upsetting the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday evening to secure the double chance.

But if Brisbane beat the Eagles, as they’re expected to do, Luke Beveridge’s team will finish the season in fifth spot on the ladder and miss out on the double chance at the last hurdle after spending the last 20 weeks in the top four, including eight rounds in first position.

The Bulldogs will now likely face Essendon in a sudden-death elimination final, assuming the Lions and Bombers beat West Coast and Collingwood respectively.

WINES, BOAK STRIKE AGAIN

Port Adelaide’s superstar duo of Travis Boak and Ollie Wines combined again to be the driving force behind the result, combining for 65 disposals, 27 contested possessions, 13 tackles, 11 inside 50s, 12 score involvements, nine clearances and three goals.

Ruckman Scott Lycett also dined out on his undersized opponent Lewis Young to play a pivotal role in the middle of the ground.

Travis Boak and Ollie Wines proved to be unstoppable. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

CLEARANCES A CONCERN FOR DOGS

After losing the clearances against Essendon (47-31) and Hawthorn (35-33) in the previous two weeks, the Bulldogs midfield were comprehensively shaded in that department again on Friday night (34-27), which is a concern for them with finals around the corner.

If it wasn’t for the Power’s wayward goalkicking, the final margin would’ve been a lot greater.

Travis Boak is pure silk 🌟#ColesGoals | #AFLDogsPowerpic.twitter.com/Al8JIDxrdU

— AFL (@AFL) August 20, 2021

POWER’S GOALKICKING DISPLAY ALMOST COST THEM

Port Adelaide should have at least lead at half-time, but their wastefulness, especially missed set shots from Todd Marshall (twice), Xavier Duursma, Mitch Georgiades and Steven Motlop, conspired against them.

Their second quarter threatened to be particularly costly, as they smashed the Dogs in clearances 12-4, disposals 108-74, contested possessions 33-27 and inside 50s 15-7, yet were outscored by three points.

However, they kept coming and the weight of numbers in the second half overwhelmed the Dogs.

Cody Weightman celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

PORT OVERCOME DEAD-EYE DOGS

Not even the Bulldogs’ accuracy could save them in the end.

They recorded 14 scores from 40 inside 50s compared to Port Adelaide’s 21 from 51.

Boak (2.3), Karl Amon (0.2) and Todd Marshall (0.2, and one that didn’t score were the biggest culprits for the Power, and would’ve had restless nights if they lost.

SCOREBOARD

BULLDOGS 4.1 5.3 9.3 10.4 (64)

POWER 1.3 1.8 6.10 9.12 (66)

LERNER’S BEST

Bulldogs: Macrae, Keath, Dale, Daniel, Hunter, Treloar.

Power: Boak, Wines, Lycett, Gray, Aliir, Drew, McKenzie.

GOALS

Bulldogs: English 2, Bontempelli, Naughton, Dunkley, Johannisen, Weightman, Vandermeer, Hunter, Treloar.

Power: Rozee 2, Ladhams 2, Boak 2, Gray 2, Wines.

INJURIES

Bulldogs: Nil. Power: Georgiades (left hamstring)

UMPIRES Deboy, Chamberlain, Meredith

VENUE Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 T.Boak (PA)

2 O.Wines (PA)

1 S.Lycett (PA)

Watch: Grumpy Razor gives Dog a dressing down

Umpire Ray Chamberlain is no stranger to the spotlight on the footy field and the notorious officiator was in the thick of it yet again.

‘Razor’ awarded a free kick to Port Adelaide in the second quarter for abuse against Western Bulldogs utility Roarke Smith, and he had the Bulldog in his sights after he blew the whistle.

With his trademark theatre, Chamberlain gave Smith a talking to like a kid in the schoolyard, heard clearly by fans over the umpire microphone at an empty Marvel Stadium.

"Do not speak to me like that." Razor lays down the law 😤

📝 BLOG: https://t.co/ifUep37eUQ
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/FKPo8fT0nm
📺 WATCH #AFLDogsPower on @kayosports: https://t.co/XlKD2rt4Irpic.twitter.com/bhRrdjflrF

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 20, 2021

“No prior opportunity, legally tackled attempting to handball, play on. Do not speak to me like that!” Chamberlain proclaimed to Smith.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor described it as a “dressing down”, while former Richmond champion Matthew Richardson commented on its schoolyard elements.

“That is Roarke Smith getting a real dressing down from Ray, who I think is liking the fact there isn’t much noise tonight,” Taylor said.

“He will have detention next, Roarke Smith,” Richardson quipped.

Roses are Red
Tyres go flat
"DO NOT SPEAK
TO ME LIKE THAT"#AFLDogsPower

— Rachel Danderfield (@danderfield) August 20, 2021

😂😂😂 Richo gold re Razor Ray "He'll give detention next." #AFLDogsPower

— ralph horowitz (@rtralphy) August 20, 2021

Razor ray pic.twitter.com/hIv2DdLWo6

— Jacqui Reed (@JacquiReed_) August 20, 2021

Originally published as AFL Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide 2021: When Port’s Qualifying Final will be played