Hawthorn Hawks vs Port Adelaide Power preview, tips, odds and teams – 2014 AFL Finals Week 3

The only game on Saturday for AFL Finals Week 3 is between Hawthorn Hawks and Port Adelaide Power. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4.45pm with the game to be played at MCG. The favourite for the match is home team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Port Adelaide Power.

Special Offer: $250 FREE BET on Hawthorn Hawks vs Port Adelaide Power

Round: Finals Week 3, Saturday September 20, 4.45pm AEST
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 17° Shower or two.

Featured Bookmakers:

 

TIP: Port Adelaide +19.5 at $1.92 with Sportsbet.com.au + Register via this link for a $250 FREE BET

Preview:

THIS YEAR
R10, 2014, Port Adelaide 15.10 (100) d Hawthorn 13.8 (86) at Adelaide Oval
Port underlined its status as a flag contender in an enthralling win over the injury-hit Hawks. The League-leading Power got the jump and held on to improve their win-loss record to 8-1, with small forwards Angus Monfries and Chad Wingard kicking seven goals between them. Power skipper Travis Boak (34 disposals, one goal) and Hawks star Jordan Lewis (38, two) were outstanding.

PREVIOUS FIVE ENCOUNTERS
R10, 2014, Port Adelaide 15.10 (100) d Hawthorn 13.8 (86) at Adelaide Oval
R16, 2013, Hawthorn 19.10 (124) d Port Adelaide 12.7 (79) at AAMI Stadium
R20, 2012, Hawthorn 24.15 (159) d Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) at Aurora Stadium
R11, 2012, Hawthorn 16.12 (108) d Port Adelaide 9.8 (62) at AAMI Stadium
R21, 2011, Hawthorn 31.11 (197) d Port Adelaide 5.2 (32) at the MCG

EY MATCH-UPS
Jarryd Roughead v Alipate Carlile
Roughead was suspended when Hawthorn went down to the Power in round 10 but the versatile big man looms as a stumbling block for Port in the preliminary final. Carlile, who had the better of Freo skipper Matthew Pavlich last Saturday, will have to be at his best to curb the Hawks’ spearhead, who is averaging three goals per game this season.

Chad Wingard v Taylor Duryea
Wingard booted three majors and dished off a couple of goal assists in an impressive performance last time the teams met. After a late-season slump, the Port star appears to be back to his brilliant best and he booted a goal in every quarter in the win over Fremantle. If selected, Duryea is likely to get first crack at Wingard again.

MEDICAL ROOM

Hawthorn Cyril Rioli is pushing to return after 12 weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring tendon injury and he is a good chance to be available barring any setbacks at training this week. Matt Suckling is fit and hoping for a recall after overcoming a knee issue.

Port Adelaide Tom Jonas’ corked hip was the only injury concern stemming from Port’s win over Fremantle and the tough defender is expected to be fit to face the Hawks.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY WIN? The winner advances to the last Saturday in September for a Grand Final showdown against either the Sydney Swans or North Melbourne.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY LOSE? It’s season over.

THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn is the League’s highest scoring side and averages 16.6 goals per game, while Port is ranked second with 14.5 goals per game.

2. The Power lead the League for inside 50s with 56.5 per game, while Hawthorn averages 55.5 entries – the third-highest in the competition.

3. Hawthorn will play its fourth preliminary final in as many years this Saturday. The Hawks have won their past two against Geelong and Adelaide by five points after losing to Collingwood by three points in 2011.

4. The Hawks and Power have met only once in finals, with Hawthorn winning the 2001 second semi-final by three points at AAMI Stadium.

5. If Hawthorn salutes it will be the first time since 1987-89 the Hawks have played in three straight Grand Finals. If Port wins it will become the first team from fifth spot to reach the big dance since Adelaide in 1998.

6. Port star Robbie Gray is the AFL’s leading midfielder for score assists and was second only to Gary Ablett for goals kicked in the home-and-away season. He is still only rated 49th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, but he’s rising fast.

Teams:
TBA
News:
He’s a livewire indigenous forward dubbed an X-factor in Saturday’s AFL preliminary final – but he’s not Cyril Rioli.

Port Adelaide believe their dangerous attacker Jake Neade rivals Hawthorn’s Rioli as a potential game-breaker in the MCG encounter.

While Rioli’s quest to return from a 12-week absence due to a hamstring injury is in the spotlight, Port’s Neade is assured selection for the preliminary final.

Neade, at 170cm and 67kg among the shortest and lightest players in the league, played just one AFL game in the initial 18 rounds.

But since his recall in round 19, Neade has won respect from teammates including captain Travis Boak, who rates the 20-year-old as an X-factor equal of influential teammates Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard.

“He has been huge since he has come in,” Boak said of Neade.

“For a pretty small guy, it’s pretty tough to come into a finals series where it goes up another level physically as well.

“His excitement, his pressure on defenders when it comes inside forward 50, has been electric for us.

“He has certainly been one that has been able to help us keep that ball inside 50 and then put scoreboard pressure on.”

Neade kicked three goals in Port’s elimination final win against Richmond and gathered 17 disposals in a semi-final triumph against Fremantle last Saturday.

Boak said every successful finals side had X-factor players.

“If you are going to be a good side, you certainly need those players,” he said.

“Obviously Cyril Rioli is one from Hawthorn, Buddy Franklin at Sydney, Stevie Johnson at Geelong – these sort of players you need in your side.

“And fortunately enough we have got a few of them and Jakey Neade has come in and certainly provided a little bit of that as well.”

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