Get all of the latest information and watch every minute of the game here live.
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
When: Saturday September 19 – 7.45am (BST)
Watch live: Click here
SEE ALSO:
Sydney Swans v. North Melbourne live streaming: Game preview and live streaming of the AFL finals clash
Port Adelaide injury news: Defender to face Hawks despite hip injury
Dayle Garlett charged: Fallen Hawks star in custody in Perth
Sydney Swans v. North Melbourne teams: We analyse the four key matchups that will decide the AFL preliminary final
After a weekend off, a fresh Hawthorn outfit take on Port Adelaide for a spot in the 2014 Grand Final.
The Power are coming off the back of an impressive 22-point win over Fremantle at Patersons Stadium and will feel they are every chance to knock off the Hawks on their own patch.
After an excellent start to the year, Port Adelaide looked to have lost its way through the back end of the season, however Ken Hinkley’s side have found form at the right time of the year and are legitimate contenders for premiership.
Hawthorn enter the game as deserved favourites, and are choc-full of experienced players who know what it’s like to be deep in September.
The last time these two sides met was back in round 10 where the Power defeated Alastair Clarkson’s side by 14 points.
Port go into the match with an unchanged side after defender Tom Jonas was declared fit after being subbed off with a corked thigh during the win over the Dockers last Saturday.
The Hawks on the other hand have dropped Brad Sewell for Matt Suckling, while speedster Cyril Rioli was left out of the squad despite training with his teammates this week.
This match promises to be an absolute beauty, so make sure you tune in!
favourites
Match facts:
1. Hawthorn is the League’s highest scoring side and averages 16.6 goals per game, while Port is ranked second with 14.5 goals per game.
2. The Power lead the League for inside 50s with 56.5 per game, while Hawthorn averages 55.5 entries – the third-highest in the competition.
3. Hawthorn will play its fourth preliminary final in as many years this Saturday. The Hawks have won their past two against Geelong and Adelaide by five points after losing to Collingwood by three points in 2011.
4. The Hawks and Power have met only once in finals, with Hawthorn winning the 2001 second semi-final by three points at AAMI Stadium.
5. If Hawthorn salutes it will be the first time since 1987-89 the Hawks have played in three straight Grand Finals. If Port wins it will become the first team from fifth spot to reach the big dance since Adelaide in 1998.
6. Port star Robbie Gray is the AFL’s leading midfielder for score assists and was second only to Gary Ablett for goals kicked in the home-and-away season. He is still only rated 49th overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, but he’s rising fast.
COMMENTS