The third game on Saturday for AFL Round 5 is between West Coast Eagles and Port Adelaide Power. The match is to be played at Patersons Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 17:40 local time with home team West Coast Eagles currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between West Coast Eagles and Port Adelaide Power.

Round: Round 5, Saturday April 19, 5.40pm
Stadium: Patersons Stadium
Weather: 30° Sunny.

Odds Comparison:

West Coast Eagles	1.87	1.82	1.86	1.82	1.87	1.85
Port Adelaide Power	1.95	2.00	1.98	2.00	1.95	1.95

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The West Coast Eagles play Port Adelaide on Saturday, 5.40PM at Patersons Stadium.  This looks like a killer match, with even odds showing at some  bookmakers and both teams in great form despite a few hiccups.  West Coast will be very keen to turn around from their 75-point hammering in Geelong last week, especially after they looked so good in the opening rounds.

In contrast, Port Adelaide destroyed the Brisbane Lions by 113 points last week and definitely have momentum on their side heading into this encounter.  The Eagles will regain captain Darren Glass, however, with midfielder Matt Rosa and Luke Shuey also returning to give the Eagles a boost against an in-form Power outfit.  This one really is difficult to pick, with the result depending greatly on whether the Eagles can repair the massive holes from last week.

Teams:

West Coast Eagles:

B: M.Brown, D.Glass, J.Bennell

HB: X.Ellis, E.Mackenzie, J.Cripps

C: A.Gaff, S.Selwood, B.Sheppard

HF: L.Shuey, JJ.Kennedy, J.Hill

F: C.Masten, N.Naitanui, J.Darling

Foll: D.Cox, M.Priddis, S.Wellingham

I/C: M.Hutchings, D.Sheed, M.Rosa, E.Yeo

Emg: W.Schofield, S.Lycett, C.Sinclair

IN: D.Glass, M.Rosa, C.Masten, L.Shuey, M.Hutchings

OUT: S.Butler, W.Schofield, P.McGinnity, S.Lycett, B.Colledge

Port Adelaide Power:

B: C.O’Shea, A.Carlile, J.Impey

HB: T.Jonas, J.Trengove, M.Broadbent

C: M.White, T.Boak, K.Cornes

HF: A.Young, J.Westhoff, O.Wines

F: R.Gray, J.Schulz, C.Wingard

Foll: M.Lobbe, B.Ebert, H.Hartlett

I/C: D.Cassisi, J.Pittard, J.Polec, S.Gray

Emg: S.Colquhoun, B.Newton, P.Stewart

IN: C.Wingard

OUT: J.Hombsch

News:

West Coast’s worst fears have been allayed, with star ruckman Nic Naitanui cleared of any damage to his achilles tendon.

Naitanui was sent off for scans after copping a knock to the back of his lower leg in last week’s 75-point hammering at the hands of AFL powerhouse Geelong.

The 23-year-old was sore both during and after the game, but subsequent scans showed he had not damaged his achilles tendon, freeing him to play in Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.

During the week, Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie suggested West Coast should either rest or drop Naitanui following his quiet start to the year.

Naitanui has been plagued by groin issues for the past two years, and Eagles coach Adam Simpson urged fans to be patient while the 2012 All-Australian builds up his form and fitness.

“Everyone is different,” Simpson said.

“The type of player he is – such a power athlete – to have confidence in your body is the first step and he’s still getting that.

“We’ll back him in. We’ll see how he goes tomorrow and we expect there’ll be an improvement.”

For the first time this season, Simpson has named just two specialist ruckmen, with Scott Lycett the one to miss out.

Simpson revealed he had considered resting Naitanui this week, and it could still be a possibility with ruck duo Callum Sinclair and Lycett named as emergencies.

“Obviously we’re still trying to manage Nic, but we feel with where he’s at we can get away with the two rucks,” Simpson said.

Port Adelaide (3-1) are brimming with confidence following last week’s 113-point demolition of Brisbane.

The Power have been boosted by the return of Chad Wingard, while West Coast welcome back skipper Darren Glass, midfielder Luke Shuey, wingman Matt Rosa, on-baller Chris Masten and Mark Hutchings.

West Coast failed to kick a goal after quarter-time against the Cats, and Simpson has urged his players to lift their intensity in order to come out on top in the vital contested possession battle.

And with debate raging as to whether the AFL should introduce Good Friday football, Simpson put forward one idea.

“I reckon a West Coast – North Melbourne Good Friday game would be good over here,” the former Kangaroos skipper said with a smile.