A GUIDE TO THE AFL QUALIFYING FINAL BETWEEN BRISBANE AND PORT ADELAIDE:-
When: Saturday, 7.25pm AEST
Where: Gabba
* The type
Brisbane (Second, 17 wins, six losses).
A 54-point loss to Port Adelaide to start the season was quickly forgotten because the Lions clicked into gear. Their two wins over minor premiers Collingwood proved essential in snaring a top-two berth.
Port Adelaide (Third, 17 wins, six losses).
Port had been close to untouchable throughout a 13-match profitable streak, however got here crashing again to earth between rounds 18-21 with 4 straight losses. That mini hunch ended up costing them second spot.
* Head-to-head
Overall: Brisbane 20 wins, Port Adelaide 19 wins, 2 attracts
In Finals: Brisbane 2 wins, Port Adelaide 1 win
Last time: Round 1, 2023: Port Adelaide 18.18 (126) beat Brisbane 11.6 (72) at Adelaide Oval
* The coaches
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan began the 12 months with enormous query marks hovering over his future after being implicated within the historic Hawthorn racism saga. After being cleared of any wrongdoing, Fagan now faces the problem of bettering on final 12 months’s preliminary-final look.
Ken Hinkley was teaching for survival earlier this 12 months, figuring out a poor begin to the season would price him the prospect of a contract extension. A club-record 13-match profitable streak earned him a brand new deal, and he has eyes on flag glory now.
* The key gamers
Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
His 53-goal marketing campaign was sufficient to earn him a second All-Australian jumper, and Cameron looms as a key determine in Brisbane’s push for the premiership.
Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
Another enormous 12 months from the younger midfielder. Not solely was Rozee in a position to common 26 disposals, 5 tackles and three.7 clearances per sport, he additionally kicked 20 targets to present Port’s midfield an necessary attacking edge.
Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
Beware of the wounded warrior. Neale has let or not it’s identified he “keeps receipts”, and his All-Australian snub will little question be burning on the forefront of his thoughts. Has the power to rack up an enormous possession and clearance counts.
* The stats
Brisbane are ranked No.1 within the league for clearances, with the Lions averaging a whopping 42.3 per sport. The Power, boasting the likes of Rozee, Zak Butters, Oliver Wines and Jason Horne-Francis, are not any mugs themselves, rating fifth with 38.5 per sport.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
