Sydney v Port Adelaide Preview, SCG

The preliminary final weekend kicks off in Harbour City as Sydney takes on Port Adelaide at the SCG to take a place in the AFL Grand Final. The Swans had the luxury of sitting back and watching the semi-finals from afar after their dramatic win over GWS in the Qualifying Final just under a fortnight ago. At the same time, the Power gritted out a thrilling victory over the red-hot Hawthorn. Port started strongly against the Hawks but was forced to dig deep late to hang on and avoid a second consecutive straight sets finals exit. After being under the blowtorch all week leading into the clash with the Hawks, Ken Hinkley’s side is now only a win away from their first Grand Final appearance since 2007 and their first under the Power coach’s tutelage. Port will be forced into at least one change, with Todd Marshall entering the AFL’s concussion protocols and opening the door for veteran key forward Charlie Dixon to return after his late withdrawal due to illness. Meanwhile, Ryan Burton (calf) could also be in the mix.

Meanwhile, the Swans will also be forced into a change of their own after Callum Mills suffered a hamstring injury at training. This opens the door for either Taylor Adams or Robbie Fox to return to the side, who were omitted on the eve of the finals. Ironically, Adams suffered a similar fate to Mills last year while at former club Collingwood and ultimately missed their Grand Final victory over Brisbane. If John Longmire’s side are to return to the Grand Final, they must turn the tide on a lean run of form against the Power, losing each of the last eight meetings, including a 112-point loss at Adelaide Oval in their most recent encounter. However, the Swans have a perfect two-from-two record in the home preliminary finals at the SCG, and they have only lost twice in 12 games this year.

TIP: Sydney by 25 points, Isaac Heeney to kick multiple goals