The AFL site is predicting Port to win by about 3 goals...
Preview: Port Adelaide v RichmondBy Harry Thring and Paul Daffey
Tue 01 May, 2012WHERE AND WHEN: AAMI Stadium, Sunday May 6, 2.45pm
LAST TIME: Richmond 10.14 (74) defeated by Port Adelaide 13.11 (89), round 10, 2011 at TIO Stadium
Both sides have struggled to close out games over the last few weeks, losing by narrow margins despite being right in the game at important stages. The Power have endured a frustrating start to 2012, with an inspiring win over the Saints in round one being followed by four consecutive honourable losses. With both sides desperate to break through for a win, expect a fiery clash.
THE FOUR POINTS
PORT ADELAIDE1. Jay Schulz's scratch to the eye is another massive blow to the Power's forward line after the loss of Robbie Gray for the season. Schulz is a genuine target and a deadly shot for goal, so his presence will be missed immensely. This may mean the pressure falls on Daniel Stewart who only just missed out on selection for last Sunday's Showdown.
2. Matthew Primus wasn't happy with his midfield after last weekend's loss and Travis Boak said the group accepted responsibility for it. With players in the class of Boak, Hamish Hartlett, Dom Cassisi, Kane Cornes and Brad Ebert running around, the Power have the quality in the middle of the ground to trouble most teams.
3. Port Adelaide's ruck stocks are looking pretty thin at this stage of the season. Brent Renouf has struggled in his two games for the year and Jarrad Redden - who impressed early - is likely to be brought into the side. The Power have claimed all season that they don't need to win the ruck to win the ball out of the centre, but they were proved wrong on the weekend against the Crows.
4. Justin Westhoff said during the week if the Power could manage to find one breakout win then the narrow losses they've suffered so far this season could be turned into wins. Primus said that the side's belief dropped a little bit with each loss from a winnable position, so the importance of this encounter can't be stressed enough.
RICHMOND1. Damien Hardwick's Richmond coaching tenure was difficult at the start, with the Tigers losing the opening nine games in 2010. But the breakthrough came in round 10 when they defeated Port Adelaide by 47 points, 10.17 (77) to 3.12 (30) in slushy conditions at AAMI Stadium. The Tigers had a record 142 tackles. They're likely to be just as fanatical this weekend.
2. Richmond's key forwards showed glimpses of a return to form during the Tigers' 10-point loss to West Coast last weekend. Jack Riewoldt had 15 disposals and took five marks while Tyrone Vickery had 12 disposals and took six marks. Both players kicked two goals. Riewoldt was disappointed after his failure to kick a third goal with a shot from a tight angle when the game was in the balance in the dying minutes. He'd be eager to atone.
3. A pleasing factor of recent weeks has been the development of Jake Batchelor as the third tall defender. Despite being only 188cm, the height of many midfielders, Batchelor plays tall. He took eight marks against West Coast, including several intercept marks that highlighted his ability to read the play.
4. Richmond simply must win this match or it faces a long season; if it loses, its tough draw means that it might even get through to Greater Western Sydney in round 12 before it wins its second match. The Tigers have gone close against some highly rated teams, losing to Carlton and Collingwood because of short lapses and then falling short by 10 points against both Geelong and West Coast. The Tigers just need to gain composure quickly.
AFL.com.au prediction: Port Adelaide by 17 pointshttp://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/134645/default.aspx
