Port had the unenviable task of facing Sydney, Collingwood and Essendon in successive rounds over the past three weeks but the Adelaide side met the challenge well, defeating Sydney and Collingwood before succumbing to Essendon last week 118 – 88.

It was another spirited performance by Port who led at the first change and were within 7 points during the third quarter.

They sit in eighth spot on the ladder, one win in front of West Coast who have to face Fremantle this week.

Hawthorn, despite losing for the eleventh consecutive to Geelong last week, held on to top spot on the ladder by percentages.

There’s no doubt the loss will have taken a little wind out of the Hawthorn’s sails however, they’ll be keen to reiterate that they are the best team in the competition and worthy flag favourites with a big win here.

Hawthorn has won five of the past six games between these to sides, the last four in succession.

When the sides last met in Round 20 of last year, it resulted in a comprehensive 72 point win to Hawthorn.

Port are clearly in a better place now when compared to then as evident by their recent form but will still find Hawthorn to hard to contain.

TIP: HAWTHORN – 25.5

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Port Adelaide Power	4.50	4.25	4.50	4.25	4.50	4.50
Hawthorn Hawks	1.20	1.22	1.20	1.22	1.20	1.21

Teams :

Port Adelaide Power:
B: Cameron O’Shea, Alipate Carlile, Tom Logan
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Thomas Jonas, Paul Stewart
C: Chad Wingard, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF: Robbie Gray, John Butcher, Angus Monfries
F: Jackson Trengove, Jay Schulz, Jake Neade
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Matt Thomas, Hamish Hartlett
Int: Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Brad Ebert, Jasper Pittard
Emerg: Nathan Blee, Lewis Stevenson, Jack Hombsch

In: M.Thomas, J.Butcher
Out: J.Westhoff (suspension), J.Hombsch

Hawthorn Hawks:
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Jack Gunston, Lance Franklin, Luke Breust
F: Shane Savage, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: David Hale, Jordan Lewis, Paul Puopolo
Int: Taylor Duryea, Max Bailey, Jonathan Simpkin, Brendan Whitecross
Emerg: Kyle Cheney, Brad Sewell, Jonathon Ceglar

In: B.Guerra
Out: B.Sewell