Match Details
Port Adelaide v Melbourne
Adelaide Oval
Friday June 22, 7.20pm ACST
Summary
With only percentage separating the two sides, Friday night’s match between Melbourne and Port Adelaide could have genuine ramifications in the race for the top four.
Coming off the bye, Melbourne will be hungry to move past the Queen’s Birthday loss to Collingwood. Equally as important for Melbourne will be showing their credentials on the big stage against a top eight side. The club are currently 1-3 against top eight sides this season – a stat they are confident of improving upon this Friday night.
Melbourne will also draw confidence from their interstate record this year, having won four from four on the road.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide have won their last two and will be looking to continue their strong home record at Adelaide Oval – the Power have won five of their six at the venue in 2018. Last weekend against the Bulldogs, the opposition showed their midfield depth with Ollie Wines, Chad Wingard, Robbie Gray and Tom Rockliff all contributing to the win.
Key match-ups
Max Gawn v Paddy Ryder
The battle in the ruck will again be vital, with both sides heavily reliant on winning the centre clearance count. There have been few past occasions where the two have gone head-to-head as leading ruckman, with the most notable example coming last year when Ryder bested Gawn in the ruck duel with 48 hit outs to 33. With both big men in form, expect this to be a hot contest.
Jack Viney v Ollie Wines
Recently re-signed and in scintillating form, Ollie Wines will be one to watch out for on Friday night. The dangerous midfielder had 35 disposals last week against the Bulldogs and Jack Viney is a chance to play a tagging role to curb his influence.
2018 so far
Ladder position (as of June 21)
Melbourne: 4th (W8, L4)
Port Adelaide: 7th (W8, L4)
Last five matches
Melbourne: WWWWL
Port Adelaide: WWLWW
Scoring record
Melbourne: FOR - 189.143 (1277). AGAINST - 142.127 (979)
Port Adelaide: FOR – 151.133 (1039). AGAINST – 135.103 (913)
In the media
Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin on Port Adelaide
“We're not oblivious ... the noise is that we can't play in these types of games, so it's another opportunity for us to grow. Those narratives we've changed along the way, (winning) at Etihad, (beating) St Kilda and North Melbourne. Our players are looking forward to that challenge."
Port Adelaide midfielder Chad Wingard on Melbourne
“They’ve obviously got something to prove. They’re pretty fresh off the break but we’ve got an eight-day break ourselves. It’ll be a pretty hot contest early on, I think the first ten minutes is going to determine how we go throughout the game – whether we’re switched on and can match their big bodies.” (via portadelaidefc.com.au)
Did you know…
- Despite this being the 33rd game between the two sides in 22 years, this will be the first ever occasion Melbourne and Port Adelaide have played in the month of June.
- Melbourne haven’t played the Power on a Friday night since the first ever encounter between the sides way back in round nine, 1997 at Football Park. The Power won that match by 51 points.
- The Demons will be looking to buck the post-bye blues – they’ve lost four of their last five following a week off. The only win in that period was against Gold Coast in 2017.
Melbourne Milestones
Oscar McDonald: 50 games
Head-to-head history
Total
Played: 32 games
Melbourne: 13 wins
Port Adelaide: 19 wins
At the Adelaide Oval
Played: 3 games
Melbourne: 1 win
Port Adelaide: 2 wins
Last decade
Played: 15 games
Melbourne: 5 wins
Port Adelaide: 10 wins
Highest attendance
37,894 – round 18, 2014 at the Adelaide Oval
Biggest wins
Melbourne: 53 points (round 3, 2004 at the MCG)
Port Adelaide: 89 points (round 17, 2007 at Football Park)
Last time we met
R18 2017 – Melbourne 13.10 (88) def. Port Adelaide 9.11 (65) at the MCG
Clayton Oliver had 30 touches last time we played the Power
Match Day Hub
Whether you’ve made the trip to Adelaide or are watching along at home, all the key info can be found on our Match Day Hub.
