AFL Aussie Rules
2007-09-07 - Port Adelaide vs West Coast
A Sports Betting Pick by SummerTheBat
Port Adelaide vs West Coast
AAMI stadium, Friday 5.40pm GMT +10
Season Stats
Port Adelaide 2nd
15 wins, 7 losses
113.5%
West Coast 3rd
15 wins, 7 losses
111.8%
Recent Head to Head
R15 2007 AAMI, Port Adelaide 22.21 153 def West Coast 9.8 62
R12 2006 AAMI, Port Adelaide 13.19 97 def West Coast 8.12 60
R10 2005 Subiaco, West Coast 27.17 179 def Port Adelaide 9.8 62
R17 2004 AAMI, Port Adelaide 16.6 102 def West Coast 9.22 76
R02 2004 Subiaco, Port Adelaide 18.10 118 def West Coast 17.13 115
The Matchup
Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide enter this qualifying clash having won 4 straight matches, two of which were well fought, away wins against good opposition (Geelong 1st and Hawthorn 5th.)
Mark William's young squad has come of age in 2007 after winning just 8 matches in 2006, who at their best are playing the most exciting brand of football in league.
Yet in the last 5 weeks after dominating a large portion of the game, they have let the opposition back into the contest particularly in the 3rd quarter (see, Adelaide, Carlton, Fremantle, Geelong.)
This can be attributed to perhaps, the inexperience of their low/mid tier players, putting together a full game of football will be of the utmost importance to Mark Williams with the chance of a week off granted a win here.
With only injury concerns to Darryl Wakelin (groin) who will miss 2 weeks and ruckman Dean Brogan who is expected to play, Port should be able to field a full squad that has brought them such unexpected but great success in 2007.
West Coast Eagles
Such stability that has blessed Port has abandoned West Coast who's injuries have derailed their flawless form at the beginning of the season.
From the mid-season, West Coast's preparation for another assault on September has been a far cry from that of 2005's grand final 4 point loss, to their Grand Final win in 2006, with their all-star line up being debilitated.
With the likes of Daniel Kerr and Ash Hansen missing from this clash as well as the doubts over All Australian ruckman Dean Cox, Norm Smith medalist Andrew Embley and the OP problem that for half the season has hampered the games best player in Chris Judd, West Coast will be far from full strength.
Yet this is a side that has proven time and time again, regardless of who plays and who does not that they can win home or away against an opposition of stellar quality.
The previous two years experience of making it all the way to the big dance, will help them apply maximum pressure for the full game against Port.
The Verdict
West Coast have not won against Port at AAMI stadium since 1998 and their record against Port in the last 5 clashes goes 1 win, 4 losses.
I would be tipping a full strength, confident West Coast side if that were the case but Port's recent dominance over the Eagles home and away and impressive recent form is just too hard to ignore.
Expect the Eagles to stay in touch throughout the match but to be unable to curb Port's multiple goal scoring options in Tredrea, Westhoff, Rodan, Motlop, Burgoyne and Ebert collecting 214 goals between them in 07, while West Coast's forward line has had only a few consistent options all season in Lycnh, Lecras, Wirrapanda and Staker for a total of 125 goals.
Port should have little trouble keeping West Coast to under 90 points at a ground where Port Adelaide average 110 points in 2007.
