Port Adelaide Power vs GWS Giants Predictions and Betting Tips

🏈 AFL Final Round Week 2 Match Preview

⏰ 16 September 2023 - 19:40 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Adelaide Oval (Adelaide)

Port Adelaide Power host GWS Giants in an entertaining AFL clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 16 September 2023 at 7:10pm AEST.

According to AusBetSites, bookmakers have installed Port Adelaide as 1.45 favourites to defeat the Giants.

The Power are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 38-point Qualifying Final loss to Brisbane at the GABBA. Meanwhile, the Giants head into this semi-final full of confidence after upsetting St Kilda by 24 points in the Elimination Final.

Port have injury concerns with Dylan Williams and Trent McKenzie ruled out. But playing at home where they won 10 of 11 matches against interstate sides this season will help.

Ken Hinkley will look for big impacts from Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Dan Houston, who all had 25+ disposals in the Lion's loss.

The Giants will look to use their run and carry to slice up the Power defence. Tom Green has been a ball magnet this season, while Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield are sure to find plenty of the footy. Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene and Jake Riccardi are key targets up forward.

The winner advances to a Preliminary Final date with Collingwood at the MCG, with a Grand Final spot on the line. The loser says goodbye to 2023. There is pressure on Port and coach Ken Hinkley, but in the current AFL Finals system, the loser of the Qualifying Final has won 33 of 42 Semi Finals.

Port Adelaide vs GWS Giants Head-to-Head

Recent history between Port Adelaide and GWS Giants has been one-sided, with the Giants winning all three head-to-head matchups over the last three years. The Giants have proven to have the Power's measure, emerging victorious in the last three clashes between the clubs dating back to 2020. With three consecutive wins against Port Adelaide, GWS will head into this elimination final with confidence they can continue their recent dominance over the South Australian club. However, finals football brings out the best in teams and the Power will be hungry to reverse their fortunes against the Giants.

Port Adelaide Performance

🟥🟩🟩🟩🟥 Port Adelaide will come into this elimination final with solid form, having won three of their last five matches in the home and away season. Despite back-to-back losses to end the regular season, the Power showed promising signs by defeating Richmond, Hawthorn and Sydney in the three games prior. With finals bringing out the best in sides, Ken Hinkley will be backing his team to replicate that mid-season form which saw them notch consecutive wins. If Port can overcome their late-season stumbles and find their groove, they have the talent across the ground to match it with any team.

GWS Giants Performance

🟩🟩🟩🟥🟥 GWS Giants have found strong form at the right end of the season, winning three of their last five home and away matches. After going through a lean patch mid-year with just one win from six games, the Giants rallied to score vital wins over Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Sydney leading into September. Leon Cameron would have been thrilled to see his side gain momentum heading towards the pointy end. With match-winners across the ground, GWS will be confident their late-season surge can continue throughout the finals. Back-to-back wins to finish the regular season should have the Giants primed for knockout football.

📋 Players to watch:

• According to AusBetSites stats, Port Adelaide's Lachie Ash is averaging 24 disposals per game this AFL season.
• Power midfielder Dan Houston has collected 23 touches on average in his last five clashes with the Giants.
• Emerging Port star Zak Butters has racked up 30+ disposals in six of his past seven matches, with 29 in the other. Butters is averaging close to 28 possessions per outing this campaign.
• Teammate Connor Rozee has had 25+ disposals in eight of his last nine games, with 24 in the remaining match.
• Since returning from injury in Round 21, GWS ball magnet Tom Green is averaging over 35 disposals per game.

⚡ Match Facts:

• Port forward Sam Powell-Pepper has kicked 10 goals in his last five appearances.
• Giants match-winner Toby Greene has booted 23 majors in his past eight games.
• In the current AFL Finals system, the loser of the Qualifying Final has won 33 of the 42 Semi Finals played.
• Port and GWS have never met in a final before.
• The Power ended the home and away season third, with the Giants seventh.
• Port won 10 of their 11 matches this season against interstate sides at Adelaide Oval.
• The clubs have faced off six times at the venue, with the ledger even at three wins apiece.

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💡 Match Prediction:

Looking at recent form, both teams come into this match with 3 wins from their last 5 games so they seem evenly matched on paper. Port has the slight edge having finished higher on the ladder in 3rd compared to GWS in 7th.

Key for Port Adelaide will be big performances from in-form midfielders like Butters, Rozee and Houston who have been finding plenty of the ball. For the Giants, Green, Kelly, Whitfield and forwards like Greene and Hogan will need to fire.

Prediction: I expect this elimination final to be a close, high-scoring affair. The Power's strong record at Adelaide Oval against interstate sides this season should give them the slight edge. Port Adelaide by 12 points.

For betting tips:

Match Result - Port Adelaide at 1.45

Point Spread - Port Adelaide -6.5

Total Points - Over 159.5

Both teams have strong attacking talent so should combine for a high score. But Port's midfield power at home will be the difference in ensuring they advance to face Collingwood in the semi finals.