Port Adelaide hosts Richmond at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night in what promises to be a massive game to headline Round 4.
The Power were well-beaten by West Coast in Perth last weekend while the Tigers were seen off by Sydney in a shock result at the MCG.
Last year’s Preliminary Final replay has repercussions of sorts with the loser falling back to 2-2 while the winner will head into the following weekend feeling pretty good about themselves.
Kane Cornes and Andrew Hayes discussed the Power specifically and what it means for them to get the Tigers when the reigning premiers are attempting to recover from a loss of their own.
“In terms of bouncing back as well, they’re not coming up against a GWS or a North Melbourne this week,” Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“It’s a pretty serious week to bounce back on a short turnaround as well, a six-day break, Richmond, Friday night football.
“Is this potentially the best time to play Richmond, after you get an absolute pantsing like that where you would expect a response?”
Cornes put forward his thoughts, saying Ken Hinkley’s Port side simply must respond from their disappointing performance against the Eagles.
“The loser out of this game on Saturday morning will be licking their wounds because all of a sudden you’re back in the pack at 2-2,” he said.
“Is it a good time to get Richmond? I’m not sure because good teams that have had a poor loss usually respond really well.
“They’ve got some injury concerns. (Dion) Prestia is out with that hamstring, (Nick) Vlastuin is out for another six weeks, some question mark over Trent Cotchin, so it is a good time, in terms of personnel, and they just have to respond, Port Adelaide.
“They’ve had some good games these two sides. Port Adelaide were really impressive last year in the home and away season against Richmond but they got found out late in the prelim final.
“It’s a huge game of footy on Friday night and will tell us a lot about the character of Port Adelaide and how far they can potentially go this year.”
Cornes also recommended a line-up change for the Power following the recent quiet form of ruck/forward Peter Ladhams.
“The player most at risk is Ladhams,” Cornes said.
“I think he’s sort of been unnoticed for a while. Can they play two rucks?
“They needed that against (Nic) Naitanui but it didn’t work. Is he having the impact forward that he needs to? No, he’s not. He looks a genuine ruckman to me.
“I think he will probably lose his place in the side and they may go a little bit smaller.”
Hinkley has since confirmed that Lachie Jones will debut for the Power with Ladhams coming out of the team.
Port won by 21 points at home in Round 11 last year before the Tigers exacted revenge with a six-point Preliminary Final triumph in the return bout.