We're 7-1. Does anyone think we can beat Port?

[The Adelaide Connection]

If it was at Marvel I would see it as a real 50-50 game, but I am less than confident whenever we play here.

I think right now they are the benchmark, it’s a seemingly big home ground advantage and it ALWAYS pisses down. I know there is no rain forecast, but I don’t believe it.

We got them two years ago in a real ‘against all odds’ style effort and never say never, but I think their forwards will get hold of us a little and will be more efficient with their opportunities, which will be the difference..

[DOG GOD]

Normally Dixon marks everything in his vicinity against us, and although not in great form at the moment, I’m expecting him to take charge. Any weakness for them is their defence, so it will be majorly important to get first use out of the centre and put pressure on them one on one.

Like a few have said, we need to be very careful of the “goals over the back”, where Orazio and Motlop hold the aces compared to our fwd line.

I think we will have a fair idea in the first 10 mins if we are in with a chance.

[Ghost Dog]

We should have them in the ruck easily.

[Bulldog Joe]

We should have them in the ruck easily.

This is a foreign concept in a Beveridge coached team.

[Axe Man]

We should have them in the ruck easily.

Why? If it's Sweet v Hayes it's 2 youngish inexperienced ruckmen against each other, fairly even on paper. If it's Sweet v Ladhams I think that's a slight advantage to Port.

If English plays that may give us an advantage v their second ruck.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I think we can but it'd need to be our best performance of the year and by some margin.

Given our outs - and I am not certain English plays - I think we lose the battle here.

[merantau]

Of course we can win it. If you go in thinking you can't win - you're right! If we play to our strengths and take our chances we will win.

[merantau]

From memory Bont loves playing Port at Port.

[comrade]

Too many out unfortunately.

[Rocco Jones]

They have a few out too. I think Lycett hurts them with physical presence in the ruck. Houston is very good. Butters a big out. Duursma another decent option.

We have English, Hunter and Dunks as really big outs, that's for sure. VDM hurts too but we have played plenty of good footy without big contributions from him so far this year.

[soupman]

Yeah our outs aren't any worse than theirs. And I think we are always a chance when up and about, regardless of personnel.

I suggest Ports forum would be just as worried about this match as ours.

[kruder]

We need a win like this to really cement ourselves as a contender. Will it be this week not sure, with Dunkley and English out it feels like we have lost our point of difference as in the deep midfield and the three talls forward and I also think our pressure has been off for a few weeks now. This season is really up for grabs, Geelong were ordinary last night, St Kilda actually decided to bring the pressure for once and should have won easily, I would like to see us bring it tonight show that we can stand up to the finals heat.

[bornadog]

St Kilda actually decided to bring the pressure for once and should have won easily, I would like to see us bring it tonight show that we can stand up to the finals heat.

Saints got smashed in cont.Poss, they just didn't go in hard enough, they were second to the ball and that is why so many tackles. Geelong controlled the game in the 2nd half, Saints not good enough.

[AshMac]

Don’t see us getting close to them unfortunately. Too many injuries our side and they’re close to full strength. We’ve been awful the last couple of weeks IMO.

Nice having Bailey Williams back, I think we’ve really struggled down back without his agility, elite decision making and pinpoint kicking.

[comrade]

Don’t see us getting close to them unfortunately. Too many injuries our side and they’re close to full strength. We’ve been awful the last couple of weeks IMO.

Nice having Bailey Williams back, I think we’ve really struggled down back without his agility, elite decision making and pinpoint kicking.

No Lycett, no Butters, no Duursma and no Houston: