Seventh placed Port are two wins in advance of their opponents, who have not been elevated to inside the top eight with punishment handed down to Essendon during the week.

Ironically, Essendon defeated Carlton last week 82 – 76 in a game that was there for the taking for the Blues but poor kicking (9.21) meant they were always within Essendon’s reach throughout the match.

Had their conversion rate been better, the market for this game would be a lot different however it was Carlton’s third loss in the past month and in each of those games they’ve had their opportunity to secure a win.

In short, Carlton has been disappointing of late.

Port felt the full force of an in-form Fremantle when travelling to Perth last week and were dealt a 134 – 60 hiding.

Prior to last week, Port had registered three narrow wins from four games with each victory coming over teams outside of the eight. Port need to find better form then they are currently displaying if the wish to survive past the first week of the finals.

Carton won when the two sides last met back in round 8 this year, 109 – 91. It was their sixth win over Port in the past seven matches between the two sides and whilst it is hard to tip either side with confidence at the moment, as the market would suggest, Carlton’s should be able to create more opportunities – if they can capitalise on them!

TIP: CARLTON 1 – 39

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Port Adelaide Power	1.70	1.72	1.72	1.72	1.70	1.75
Carlton Blues	2.14	2.12	2.12	2.12	2.14	2.03

Teams:

Port Adelaide Power:
Backs: O’Shea Hombsch Logan
Half-backs: Broadbent Trengove Jonas
Centres: Brad Ebert Boak Cornes
Half-forwards: Gray Westhoff Cassisi
Forwards: Wingard Schulz Monfries
Followers: Lobbe Moore Wines
Interchange: Stevenson Pittard Colquhoun Young
Emergencies: Neade Renouf Heath
In: Tom Logan, Lewis Stevenson, Jack Hombsch, Domenic Cassisi
Out: Alipate Carlile (back), Jake Neade (omitted), Campbell Heath (omitted), Kane Mitchell (back)

Carlton Blues:
Backs: Scotland Jamison Henderson
Half-backs: Tuohy McInnes Gibbs
Centres: Yarran Robinson Simpson
Half-forwards: Curnow Walker Bell
Forwards: Garlett Casboult Kreuzer
Followers: Warnock Betts Murphy
Interchange: Armfield Ellard Menzel Waite
Emergencies: Duigan Joseph Lucas
In: David Ellard, Andrew Walker, Matthew Kreuzer, Jeff Garlett
Out: Nick Duigan (omitted), Nick Graham (omitted), Brock McLean (quad), Aaron Joseph (omitted)