Adelaide Oval will play host to Friday's AFL game between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn Hawks. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Hawthorn Hawks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn Hawks game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday September 13, 2024 at 7:40 pm

Where: Adelaide Oval

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Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Hawks Odds

Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Hawks Preview

There’s always that one team who goes out in straight sets, and all eyes turn to Friday night’s Semi-Final as the Power are on the verge of making it two seasons in a row blowing a double chance.  

An 84-point loss to the Cats in the Qualifying Final last week was a reminder of how poor the mindset is for the Power come finals time, and the task gets no easier against the Hawks who are taking down every team in their way.  

Hawthorn took over after quarter time against the Dogs and didn’t let the high-pressure game affect their fast-flowing offensive style.  

One of the games of the year headlined this act in Round 10, as the Hawks saw a 41-point lead at the Adelaide Oval evaporate with 11 seconds left on the clock, which will spark a fire in their belly heading into this final.  

The Power simply don’t defend one-on-one well at all, and it was exploited time after time against the Cats, who generated 38 scoring shots from 57 inside 50 entries, going at 66% efficiency.  

The argument could be made the Hawks are even better with their forward press, with 29 scoring shots against a sound Doggies defence.  

One issue with Hawthorn’s forward press is often no certainty of who is going to kick their goals, it always seems spontaneous rather than calculated, but in fairness, it hasn’t failed them.  

Port Adelaide saw no output from Charlie Dixon and Esava Ratugolea strictly on the scoreboard, and it’s a tactical dilemma having someone in the forward line who can limit the impact on the scoreboard.  

Port get firing when their midfielders hit the scoreboard, and the Cats limited their efficiency moving forward of centre, as they only lost the inside 50 count by four, but went at 38% inside 50 efficiency.  

The loss of Sam Frost is a massive hole in the Hawks defence, but ultimately if the Power doesn’t choose to exploit this loss with low and calculated entries, it will matter very little.  

Seven of Hawthorn’s twelve goals against the Power in Round 10 came from two players who didn’t feature in the Elimination Final, so the forward line dynamic is a whole new story, which works in their favour with little for the Power to work off.  

Mentally the Power are damaged and so are their supporters. Backing up such a performance is no easy feat in the regular season, and the finals are another level.  

The Hawks have a golden opportunity in front of them, but you never know in football, a week is a long time.

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