Port Adelaide v Hawthorn Preview, Adelaide Oval

Semi-final weekend kicks off at the Adelaide Oval as Port Adelaide plays host to Hawthorn on Friday night. Port are under immense pressure heading into this weekend after an 84 point drubbing against Geelong, which puts them on the precipice of back-to-back straight sets exits, unless they can turn things around enormously on their home deck. Ken Hinkley’s side were outgunned from the word go against the Cats and face a huge task in stopping, arguably, the in-form side in the competition on Friday. Hawthorn’s unbelievable campaign continued last week when they beat the Western Bulldogs by 37 points at the MCG, winning their first final in almost nine years. The Hawks’ pressure was too much for the Bulldogs, who completely suffocated them after half-time and could have won by even more had it not been for wayward goalkicking. However, Sam Mitchell’s side were dealt a major blow heading into this weekend’s contest, with Sam Frost ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Will Day and Cam McKenzie will miss again this week. This opens the door for Ethan Phillips to come into the side as the Hawks look to cover Frost’s huge absence. Port – on the other hand – will have star midfielder Zak Butters available after hurting his ribs last week and Todd Marshall is a huge chance to come into the side to help remedy their misfiring attack. Hinkley’s charges have already recorded a win against the Hawks this year, scoring two goals in the final minute to secure an unlikely one point win back in Round 10. But this isn’t the same Hawthorn team walking into Adelaide Oval this time around, losing only two of the following 14 matches since then. The winner of this clash will face Sydney at the SCG next Friday night for a place in the Grand Final.

TIP: Hawthorn by 15 points, Nick Watson to kick multiple goals